Edwin VanCleef

Edwin VanCleef is a legendary rogue minion card, inducted into the Legacy set, formerly from the Classic set.

Previous availability

 * Regular Edwin VanCleef could also be obtained as a first-time reward for first time reaching Legend in Ranked mode from April 1, 2020 to March 25, 2021 (or as a reward of Climbing the Ranks (10/10) achievement).

Strategy
Edwin VanCleef is a card can be used effectively at any stage of the game. While he can be effective early, the summoning rogue could get much more out of the Combo when they can fire off several spells first. However, a turn 1 or 2 Edwin at 6/6 or 8/8 can often win the game if the opponent doesn't have an answer for it. Players planning on making a deck around Edwin VanCleef should have lots of cheap spells and card draw.

Be careful when relying on Edwin; he is vulnerable to Silence and if his Attack becomes 7 or higher he can be destroyed by Big Game Hunter. Silenced, or without activating VanCleef's Combo, he is a lackluster 2/2 for 3 mana.

VanCleef is often used as a 'big minion' card in Combo rogue decks such as Miracle Rogue. He is usually played after a flurry of spells, ideally with a Gadgetzan Auctioneer to make sure the hand isn't emptied as a result. VanCleef can also be effective earlier on, on occasion making a good early game play - even an 8/8 VanCleef can be a terrifying presence on turn 3 - and combos well with The Coin. However, be wary of placing all your eggs in one basket, as VanCleef is easily neutralised, potentially leaving the player several cards down and lacking comeback options. For this reason he is best used as a synergistic card in a spell or Combo deck rather than as a win condition in himself.

While not an ideal usage, VanCleef at his worst can be added to most Rogue decks even if he does not directly support them. Simply playing Edwin at the end of an otherwise finished, unremarkable turn can allow for what is essentially a discounted 6/6 or 8/8.

Quotes

 * Summon
 * The Brotherhood shall prevail.


 * Attack
 * Lapdogs, all of you!

Lore

 *  was originally one of the architects that worked on the rebuilding of after its destruction at the end of the . He also led the construction of, which was commissioned to keep watch over the . After the city's reconstruction was finished, the , under the influence of Katrana Prestor refused to adequately pay, with the House of Nobles only offering meager compensation while the  continued to demand extravagant sums. Though the Stonemasons were compensated for their work, they received only a fraction of the pay they felt they had earned; and so Edwin VanCleef and the Stonemasons set to rioting in the streets of Stormwind, demanding just compensation. The riot was dangerous and chaotic and in the confusion Varian's  was brutally murdered. Edwin VanCleef fled Stormwind with the Stonemasons and formed the .


 * "None may challenge the Brotherhood!"


 * Edwin Vancleef was slain by s. However, the Brotherhood did not die with him. The Defias Brotherhood's reins were left in the hands of his daughter, . Although Vanessa isn't exactly skilled in hand to hand combat she is an avid user of poisons, especially ones that cause insanity and corrupt the mind.

Trivia

 * The artwork for this card comes from the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game "Dungeon Decks 2011 Treasure" series, for the card Edwin VanCleef.
 * Edwin's nerf in Patch 19.2.1.70828 is intended to be temporary, and he is planned to rotate to the Wild format in the 2021 Standard year.

Patch changes

 * Moved from Classic to Legacy set.
 * Text changed from "Combo: Gain +2/+2 for each card played earlier this turn." to "Combo: Gain +2/+2 for each other card you've played this turn."
 * Now a 2/2 (up from a 1/1), but no longer has Stealth. Wording adjusted from "each other card played this turn" to " each card played earlier this turn".
 * Stats changed from 2/2 to 1/1.
 * Previously: Stealth. Combo: Gain +2/+2 for each other card played this turn. [3 mana, 2 attack, 2 health, Legendary]
 * Stats changed from 2/2 to 1/1.
 * Previously: Stealth. Combo: Gain +2/+2 for each other card played this turn. [3 mana, 2 attack, 2 health, Legendary]