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Should you add patches to your deck? expert insights

To Patch or Not to Patch? | Community Explores Deck Choices

By

Marcus Huang

Feb 5, 2026, 07:36 PM

Edited By

James Lee

Updated

Feb 6, 2026, 10:57 AM

2 minutes of duration

A deck of cards featuring Patches the Pirate, highlighting strategic card placement and gameplay examples.
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A lively debate is brewing in the gaming sphere regarding the inclusion of Patches the Pirate in fast-paced card decks. Recent discussions intensified after a video showcased a unique mix of pirates and dragons in February 2026.

The Crux of the Discussion

The conversation ignited when a gamer questioned Patches' relevance in current deck compositions. This topic resonates as players continue to adapt their strategies and re-evaluate card choices.

Varied Perspectives on Patches' Role

Three pivotal themes emerged:

  1. Control Deck Limitations

    Several players noted that control decks do not typically favor low-cost pirates like Patches. "Control deck donโ€™t run 1 cost pirates or mulligan for them though," one commenter pointed out, underlining potential drawbacks.

  2. High-Stakes Decision Making

    The contributors expressed concerns about the risks of drawing Patches too late in the game. A user remarked, "pulling a card from your deck to increase the percentages of drawing other useful cards is always good", emphasizing the significance of choosing cards wisely.

    Additionally, the impact of having Patches stuck in hand can be detrimental, showcasing the need for clear deck strategies.

  3. Necessity of Pirates

    There appears to be consensus on needing sufficient support cards. Comments like "4 is enough" indicate that more than a couple of pirates enhance Patches' effectiveness. In contrast, one player shared, "Iโ€™ve been using the 2/1 pirate with deathrattle it ainโ€™t bad," reflecting on personal adaptations within existing builds.

Player Experiences and Strategies

Players are sharing strategies that both favor and challenge the use of Patches:

  • Aggro Play Adaptations: Many still leverage Patches even in minimal pirate builds. Others are turning to alternative cards, hinting at a shift in deck dynamics.

  • Card Quality Shifts: A growing sentiment reveals that as card quality improves, the advantages of including Patches may become less apparent. "Drawing Patches is getting worse and worse," noted one user, suggesting evolving perceptions.

"If I faced a lot more DH Pirate mirrors I would consider [Patches], but removing a durability doesnโ€™t do enough in most matchups."

โ€” A community perspective on matching cards.

Notable Observations

  • ๐ŸŒ  Many players find Patches remains a viable option for aggressive decks.

  • โณ The debate continues with varied views on optimal card arrangement.

  • โš”๏ธ Minimum of 4 additional pirates is seen as crucial for success with Patches by more than half of participants.

With the community still weighing the pros and cons of integrating Patches, we can expect ongoing evolution in card strategies. As dialogues unfold, shifting trends might encourage more pirate-themed decks in competitive play, leaving card designers to adapt to the demand for better synergistic cards.

The storytelling around Patches reminds us of shifts in other entertainment fields. For instance, as genres evolve, so do player preferences. Just like in music trends where new styles take over, gamers will likely experiment and adapt to create innovative strategies going forward.