Hearthstone: Ashes of Outland: Demon Hunter prologue walkthrough

Are you not prepared?

Then get prepared for the Hearthstone: Ashes of Outland expansion and the all-new Demon Hunter class with our Ashes of Outland prologue walkthrough.

Are you a Hearthstone player who isn’t quite as knowledgeable in Warcraft lore as you’d like to be? Would you like to know how Illidan became a Demon Hunter? You’re in luck — the four single-player prologue missions take place from the point of view of Illidan 10,000 years ago during the War of the Ancients and encapsulate his path from Night Elf sorcerer to “Betrayer.”

Azzinoth

Hero Power: (4) Warglaives: Equip the Warglaives of Azzinoth.

The first boss you face is Azzinoth, fearsome Doomguard commander of the Burning Legion and namesake for what will eventually become Illidan’s trademark weapons as a Demon Hunter: The Warglaives of Azzinoth.

This is a pretty straightforward fight but be wary of Azzinoth’s ability to quickly flood the board. His Hero Power equips him with the Warglaives of Azzinoth and grants him the ability to attack again (and again) after he attacks a minion; he’ll usually play a Satyr Overseer, a 4/2 minion which summons a 2/2 Illidari Satyr every time his Hero attacks to maximize his weapon’s ability.

Tips:

• Save your Acidic Swamp Ooze for when he equips Warglaives of Azzinoth.
• When you find a safe time to get your Water Elemental on the board do so to stifle Azzinoth’s Hero Power.
• Save your Blizzard spell and any other board clears for after Azzinoth plays his Satyr Overseer and floods the board with Illidari Satyrs as a result.
• Play Kur’talos Ravencrest (4/12 minion with Taunt and the ability to summon a 4/4 Lancer with Rush after casting a spell) as soon as possible, especially if you are able to play some low cost spells in tandem with him. If you can mulligan to get Kur’talos in your starting hand, do so.

Lore Notes:

This fight reveals Illidan’s jealousy. He has strong feelings for Tyrande, but she is in love with his brother Malfurion.

Xavius

Hero Power (2): Wither Soul, Change an enemy minion’s Health to 1

Illidan’s next battle is against Xavius, high councilor to Queen Azshara and powerful Highborne satyr at the Well of Eternity.

This isn’t so much a match as it is a story progression exhibition; your goal is to add charges to a Demonic Portal (via killing minions) which swaps from Xavius’ side of the field to Illidan’s every turn. The Demonic Portal will summon various Dark, Fiery and Fel Energy minions. When both you and Xavius have killed a total of 30 minions the victory is yours.

Tips:

• Prioritize removing Fiery Unstable Energy minions from the board as they’ll deal 3 damage to both you and Xavius at the end of your turn.
• Use Fel Unstable Energy, whose Deathrattle deals 2 damage to all minions as an extra board removal when the field is flooded.

Lore Notes:

At the end of this fight, Sargeras will transform Illidan into a Demon Hunter.

Mannoroth

Hero Power: Felstorm, 0 mana, Deal 1 damage to all non-Demon minions

Illidan next faces Mannoroth, monstrous pit lord commander and malign lieutenant of the Burning Legion.

Tips:

• Make the most of your minion trades, as Mannoroth’s Hero Power will wipe out Illidan’s non-demon minions such as Treants in fairly short order.
• Save Chaos Nova, which deals 4 damage to all minions for Turn 8 when Mannoroth summons Queen Azshara. Ashara’s Battlecry summons Handmaiden Vashj and 4 Royal Guardians, 2/4 minions with Taunt.
• Save Consume Magic, which Silences an enemy minion (Outcast: Draw a card) for when Mannoroth uses Demonfuse, which gives a Demon +3/+3. If he uses Demonfuse on a Demon like Voidcaller, even better as it will negate the Deathrattle in addition.
• Make it to Turn 10 and Illidan should draw Inner Demon, an 8-mana spell that gives you +8 Attack for a turn. You should have Mannoroth whittled down enough at this point to finish the match.

Lore Notes:

Despite having saved his people, Illidan’s measures are seen as too drastic for them. He will soon be regarded as a “betrayer,” even by his own brother Malfurion and his former love interest Tyrande.

Cenarius

Hero Power: (2) Nature’s Grasp, Summon a 2/2 Treant with Taunt

Tips:

• Taking a page out of the first boss, Azzinoth’s book, try to equip Warglaives of Azzinoth when you have established Satyr Overseer on the board to reinforce your side with Illidari Satyrs.
• Cenarius’ deck utilizes healing cards and Jarod Shadowsong, a 5-mana, 5/5 minion. (Battlecry: Reduce the cost of cards in your hand by ((2)). Deathrattle: Summon Priestess Maiev). If you can help it, bypass Jarod Shadowsong to prevent his Deathrattle and go straight for Cenarius’ face.
• With the exemption of Jarod Shadowsong, try to clear Cenarius’ board as much as possible; although he has strong healing and minion buff spells, he’ll run out of cards fairly quickly.
• Use spells like Soul Cleave, Blade Dance and Eye Beam to whittle down the number of enemy minions; if you really get behind on board presence rely on board clears such as Chaos Nova and Immolation Aura in conjunction with your weapons.
• Don’t forget: if you’ve attacked a minion with Warglaives of Azzinoth and its durability is reduced to zero you can still equip another weapon such as Aldrachi Warblades and attack again in the same turn if you have enough Mana.
• Unless you are behind on Hit Points and need to use it alongside Aldrachi Warblades’ Lifesteal effect to regain Health, reserve Inner Demon for finishing off Cenarius.

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What did you think of the Demon Hunter prologue from the Ashes of Outland Hearthstone expansion? Do you think Illidan was unfairly deemed a “betrayer”? Which new Demon Hunter class card was your favorite? Let us know in the comments.

Looking for help with the Hearthstone Trial by Felfire solo adventure? Check out our Trial by Felfire walkthrough.