In the Whispers in the Well Core Constructed metagame, Amethyst/Steel reigns as the format's most dominant color pairing. This aggregate list derives from an analysis of 78 successful tournament decks, using a method that identifies the most popular and best-performing individual cards while balancing ink curve and uninkable counts.
The deck's strategy is elegantly simple: curve out with efficiently statted characters, playing a 1-cost character on turn one, a 2-cost on turn two, a 3-cost on turn three, and so forth. The best sequence involves playing Genie – Wish Fulfilled on turn four and singing Strength of a Raging Fire to deal 4 damage. The deck rarely runs out of resources, as cards like Doc – Bold Knight, Genie – Wish Fulfilled, and Dumbo – Ninth Wonder of the Universe keep your hand full and can eventually bury your opponent in raw card advantage.
When facing this deck, you'll frequently be offered a dastardly deal by Hades – Looking for a Deal—one of the deck's most impactful Whispers in the Well additions. Most characters costing 3 or more ink are more valuable than two fresh cards in hand, so letting your opponent draw cards is the correct choice most of the time. Exceptions exist: when your opponent plays Hades as their last card with an empty hand, or when they can only choose your 1– or 2-cost characters, then bottoming character may become preferable.
Another consideration is Strength of a Raging Fire, arguably Amethyst/Steel’s most potent weapon. Since it scales with their number of characters in play, track that count carefully and trade, challenge, or remove their characters early. If you challenge their 2-drop, for instance, then their Strength of a Raging Fire might deal only 3 damage rather than 4, potentially saving your most valuable character. By controlling their board early and anticipating the turn-four song, you can power down their Strength of a Raging Fire and position yourself for success against this powerhouse archetype.
Emerald/Sapphire
4 Clarabelle - Clumsy Guest
4 Sail the Azurite Sea
4 Tipo – Growing Son
1 Clarabelle – Contented Wallflower
3 Prince Phillip – Royal Explorer
4 Donald Duck – Perfect Gentleman
3 Cinderella – Dream Come True
3 John Silver – Alien Pirate
4 Clarabelle – Light on Her Hooves
4 Basil – Undercover Detective
3 Hades – Infernal Schemer
4 Prince Phillip – Vanquisher of Foes
4 Vision of the Future
4 Develop Your Brain
4 Malicious, Mean, and Scary
4 You're Welcome
2 Mother Knows Best
1 Bend to My Will
Emerald/Sapphire harnesses ink acceleration from turn-two Sail the Azurite Sea or Tipo – Growing Son to deploy formidable Emerald characters ahead of schedule. The deck’s primary draw engine, Clarabelle – Light on Her Hooves, rewards you with fresh cards, especially when combined with You’re Welcome or Mother Knows Best to fill your opponent’s hand.
When facing Emerald/Sapphire, emptying your hand quickly often proves wise. On turn four, for instance, playing two two-drops rather than Genie – Wish Fulfilled can deny your opponent additional cards if they shift Clarabelle – Light on Her Hooves onto Clarabelle – Clumsy Guest.
The deck's most devastating new tool from Whispers in the Well is Malicious, Mean, and Scary. This song combines with Prince Philip – Vanquisher of Foes to banish every opposing character. Even ward and resist offer no protection—it's essentially a one-sided Be Prepared attached to a 6/6 body. When facing Emerald/Sapphire, keep this combo constantly in mind. If you are ahead on board while they approach six ink with Prince Philip – Royal Explorer in play, then you may want to pass the turn without playing another powerful character. Instead, play an action or perhaps a character with a play or banish trigger. Avoid overcommitting and keep backup plays in hand to rebuild swiftly after a board wipe.
