[6/25 UPDATE] NEW TIER LISTS HERE: @bravetofu/conclave-arcana-tier-updates
Here are my ratings for the Common class of Conclave Arcana:
S Tier
#1. Caravan Guard: The C Guard is the absolute S Tier UNIT of the CA common class. Dual triage for 3 mana is ridiculous value, and with headwinds it becomes a must-play unit for ranged-only rulesets. Stick it with EMP and give it repair/cleanse to double up on both of those too. Awesome.
#2. Vicious Giraffe: The game's first Giraffe doesn't disappoint. It works incredibly behind Graybrow or the Wayfinder thanks to the Reach/Shatter/Shield Ward combo. Reach and Shatter plus super high speed (6) means it can crack armor before the next unit goes. And painforge is an awesome addition that also combines well with the Wayfinder.
A Tier
#3. Cavewise Wayfinder: Wayfinder works extremely well with the Giraffe, and is a terrific tank on its own as well. Ambush is terrific, and Reckless can help Painforge units get going early. Void's a bonus. The only reason I don't use Wayfinder more often is because Graybrow exists.
#4. Calabash Sage: With the Crystalsmith off to Wild, this Sage takes over as the new Ranged healer for the Life team. It's expensive, but it packs a punch with 5 damage and True Strike, and works great in no-magic rulesets thanks to the Shield.
#5. Gonach Excavator: I admit I had this guy lower at first. But for 3 mana you get massive sneak punch, AND you get someone who, with Reckless, can get Painforge cards going.
#6. Conclave Artificer: The only no-attack unit in CA so far, who also has some good stats for 4 mana (tons of survivability and good speed). Not a terrific attacker compared to some of the 2-mana Rebellion no-attack cards though. I actually don't like the Camouflage on this as I'd like him to be the target more often. Lookout is a bit tricky to use with him but can work against the likes of Kelan.
#7. Virid Venomancer: Getting Shield Ward from a magic unit is awesome. Stats are mediocre, but that's secondary. Poison and Impede are nice bonuses.
#8. Thunderous Herald: This fancy hippo does start off too strong, but can get going if you use it with the Moribund Arrobait and get some tributes. It's great under Bella as well, and when it gets going, that Execute can be devastating.
#9. Ashen Cindergrim: 4 mana Silence is fantastic value already, but add to that the fact that this unit has Opportunity and Painforge can turn it into an absolute killer. Stick him under Lorkus for +1 magic damage, give him Life Leech, and put him next to a unit with Reckless (e.g. Gonach) and he can go off.
#10. Mystic Mudbinder: Another great hippo that pairs very well with Bella. Only issue I have with the Mudbinder is that the Armored Strike works only in specific rulesets or with a flank monster in front of it. Also self-heal with void armor is a bit of a weird pairing, but can't complain. Oh he's also a bit expensive. But besides that he's fantastic :)
B Tier
#11. Buttercup Mauler: The Buttercup's got a nice synergistic kit, where it can reveal a unit (typically in the back line) and then sneak-attack the back. Doc Blight doesn't like buttercups methinks. Deflect on the Earth team is great too, and good damage output.
#12. Silverleaf Warlock: Good kit somewhat reminiscent of the good old Spirit Miner, but obviously less powerful. Decent tankiness too. Damage is low for 6 mana.
#13. Portly Cannoneer: Decent value at 4 mana for the Inspire. Fury is a waste, speed is mediocre. Good for ranged-only thanks to the reflect.
#14. Tidal Tsunamist: Always odd to see a card that can repair but has no armor on its own. Repair's great though, and the damage and speed are good for 5 mana. Fury's a bit of a waste.
#15. Bludgeon Hucker: One of the weaker hippos, but still good value to get Slow and Protect at 5 mana from the back line.
#16. Mad Kaboomist: Love the name. Also love the 3 magic damage for 4 mana. Rest of the kit is decent, but nothing to call home to mama about.
#17. Stampeding Calf: Not bad value at 3 mana, though he's rarely the best option. Good for low mana matches though.
#18. Quillstorm Mage: Opportunity with Painforge is great, but for 5 mana and with Oppress as the other ability it's hard to get this guy going.
#19. Fenmoor Wood Troll: Nice kit, particularly for ranged-only, but man 10 mana is hard to justify for 3 damage. You'll probably only be playing this guy in ranged-only at really high mana caps.
#20. Steppe Stalker: Just way too slow. Anything that's slow and then has slow or swiftness as an ability is kind of lame. BUT if you can get him going, and use him in no-magic rulesets, he can help out.
#21. Bristleborn Brigand: You'll likely be using this guy mostly as a back-line tank or meat shield. Not bad getting demoralize for no-magic rulesets.
#22. Boring Hobgoblin: Sorry but I do find this guy kind of boring. It's a weird ruleset. He can be a throw-in if you want an extra silence, but he'll rarely be part of a sneak lineup. Reveal's a throw-in.
#23. Fenmoor Gorgon: Not Medusa's favorite sister. Good meat shield, and decent abilities at 5 mana, but man execute with 2 magic damage without a very good way (other than Lorkus's boost) to get her damage output up feels like missing potential.
D/F Tier
#24. Conclave Tracker: This is the only CA card I've rated D/F, and it's because of the 8 mana for 2 damage, which wastes the Opportunity. Phase is useless on this card. The repair is nice, but do you want to pay 8 mana just for repair? I've used this card once (and it worked!) but I just don't see it being used often enough to warrant a higher tier.