Introduction to Jeanne, Saintly Knight
Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond has seen plenty of game-changing cards, but few have shaken up the meta quite like Jeanne, Saintly Knight. What started as a decent control card has evolved into something much bigger – a deck-defining powerhouse that’s reshaping how players approach Havencraft.
If you’ve been struggling against those pesky aggro decks that seem to flood the board every turn, Jeanne might just be your answer. She’s got this incredible knack for clearing enemy boards while pumping up your own followers at the same time.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about building and playing Jeanne decks effectively. Whether you’re working with a tight budget or ready to go all-in on a premium build, we’ll cover the strategies that actually work in today’s competitive scene.
Understanding Jeanne, Saintly Knight
Card Stats and Abilities
At 8 mana for a 6/6 body, Jeanne might seem a bit pricey at first glance. But here’s where things get interesting – her Fanfare effect hits all enemy followers for 6 damage while giving your other followers a hefty +2/+4 boost.
The Ward ability seals the deal, forcing your opponent to deal with Jeanne before they can target anything else. It’s like having a bouncer who also happens to be great at crowd control.
Many players describe playing Jeanne as hitting a reset button that somehow leaves you ahead. One moment your opponent has a threatening board, the next they’re staring at your buffed-up army with Jeanne standing guard.
Strategic Value
What makes Jeanne special isn’t just her raw power – it’s her flexibility. Against aggro decks, she’s often a board wipe that leaves you with stronger followers. Against slower decks, she becomes a protected threat that demands an answer.
The timing aspect is crucial though. At 8 mana, you can’t just slam her down whenever you feel like it. Smart players wait for that perfect moment when she’ll have maximum impact.
Her buff effect has this sneaky way of turning your weaker followers into real threats. Suddenly that 2/2 you played earlier becomes a 4/6 that your opponent has to respect.
Core Deck Archetypes
Ward Havencraft Build
This is where Jeanne really shines. Ward Havencraft builds an entire strategy around creating multiple Ward followers and making them increasingly difficult to deal with.
Wilbert, Desolate Paladin is your best friend here. His Crest effect means every Ward you play for the rest of the game gets stronger. Aether, Empyrean Guardian then dumps three Wards straight from your deck onto the board.
When you manage to chain Wilbert into Aether into Jeanne – what players call “The Big 3” – the math gets pretty ridiculous. We’re talking about followers with +3/+8 and Aura protection. Good luck getting through that wall.
This build absolutely destroys aggro decks. They rely on overwhelming you with small creatures, but Ward followers make that strategy fall apart pretty quickly.
Control Havencraft Variant
Some players prefer using Jeanne as a late-game bomb rather than the centerpiece of a Ward strategy. These control builds focus more on surviving the early game and winning through superior card quality.
Salefa, Guardian of Water pairs beautifully with Jeanne in these builds. The healing keeps you alive while you set up your big plays. It’s a more reactive approach, but it can be incredibly effective.
Control variants trade some of that explosive Ward synergy for better consistency across different matchups. You’re not as dependent on drawing specific combinations, which some players find more reliable.
If you enjoy longer games where every decision matters, control builds might be more your style than the all-in Ward approach.
Essential Card Synergies
The Legendary Trio
The interaction between Wilbert, Aether, and Jeanne forms the heart of competitive Ward strategies. Wilbert sets up the engine, Aether floods the board, and Jeanne delivers the knockout punch.
Getting this sequence right often decides entire games. Sometimes you’ll need to hold Jeanne back an extra turn to maximize the buffs, which takes some getting used to.
Even basic followers become monsters when they benefit from all three effects. A simple Leah, Bellringer Angel can become an untouchable threat that wins games on its own.
The key is learning when to go for the full combo versus when to play individual pieces for immediate value. That’s where experience really shows.
Supporting Cast
Divine Guard deserves a mention for its early-game utility. It’s cheap, effective, and fits perfectly with the Ward theme. Plus it buys you time to reach your bigger plays.
Odin, Twilit Fate has found its way into most competitive lists. The value it provides is just too good to ignore, and it helps preserve evolution points for your finishers.
Unholy Vessel serves double duty as both board clear and deck thinning. When you’re digging for those key legendaries, every bit of consistency helps.
Grimnir, Heavenly Gale gives you some reach against opponents who think they can just ignore your board. Sometimes you need that extra damage to close out games.
Gameplay Strategies and Tips
Mulligan Guidelines
Your opening hand decisions can make or break games with Jeanne decks. Against fast decks like Dragon and Abyss, you want early defense over expensive legendaries.
Wilbert is almost always a keep since your entire game plan revolves around his Crest effect. Don’t be afraid to throw back other good cards if it means finding him.
Against slower opponents, card draw and value engines become more important than immediate board presence. You’ve got time to set up, so use it wisely.
Tournament players often have specific mulligan guides for each matchup. It’s worth studying these patterns if you’re serious about climbing the ladder.
Turn Sequencing
Early turns are all about not dying. Cards like Divine Guard and Dose of Holiness keep you alive long enough to execute your game plan.
The middle turns are where things get interesting. You’re trying to set up your legendary sequence while dealing with whatever your opponent throws at you.
Turns 6-8 are make-or-break time. This is when you’re playing Wilbert, Aether, and Jeanne, and getting the order right is absolutely critical.
Late game usually favors you if you’ve executed properly. Enhanced Ward followers are just too difficult for most decks to overcome.
Matchup Analysis
Favorable Matchups
Aggro decks are exactly what Jeanne was designed to beat. The combination of board clear and Ward protection creates nightmare scenarios for fast strategies.
Storm decks struggle particularly hard because they can’t easily remove your enhanced followers. Your defensive tools naturally counter their aggressive game plans.
Artifact Portal is another good matchup where Salefa’s healing combines with Ward protection to outlast their damage. You’re playing the long game, and you’re better at it.
Going into matches against aggressive decks should feel pretty comfortable once you know what you’re doing.
Challenging Opponents
Runecraft can be a real headache. They can create followers so large that they just ignore your Wards entirely. William, Mysterian Student is particularly problematic.
Mirror matches against other Havencraft decks often come down to who draws better and sequences their plays more efficiently. Unholy Vessel becomes crucial in these games.
Control Forestcraft has tools to generate card advantage while avoiding the board-based interactions where you excel. These games require patience and careful resource management.
The key to difficult matchups is adapting your strategy. Sometimes you need to be more aggressive, sometimes more defensive.
Budget Considerations
Cost Analysis
Let’s be honest – competitive Jeanne decks are expensive. We’re talking about 20 legendary cards in most builds, which is a significant investment for any player.
The core trio of Wilbert, Aether, and Jeanne is non-negotiable. If you don’t have at least two copies of Wilbert and Aether, you might want to consider other Havencraft strategies.
Cards like Odin and Salefa add to the cost but offer more flexibility across different deck types. They’re worthwhile investments if you plan to play Havencraft long-term.
Budget-conscious players should focus on getting the essential pieces first rather than trying to build everything at once.
Budget Alternatives
Immaculate Adjudicator can fill in for missing legendaries while you’re building your collection. It’s not as powerful, but it keeps the deck functional.
Adding more Amulet cards like Pact of the Beast Princess can reduce legendary requirements while maintaining some strategic coherence. The power level drops, but it’s playable.
Control builds generally need fewer specific legendaries, making them more accessible to players with smaller collections. The trade-off is less explosive potential.
Focus on building one solid deck rather than spreading your resources too thin. It’s better to have one competitive deck than three mediocre ones.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Jeanne, Saintly Knight has earned her place as one of Shadowverse’s most impactful cards. The combination of defensive utility and offensive potential makes her a unique and powerful option.
Players who enjoy strategic gameplay and defensive positioning will find Jeanne decks incredibly rewarding. There’s something satisfying about turning the tables with a perfectly timed Ward sequence.
Yes, the investment is steep, but the power level justifies the cost for serious players. When you pull off those legendary combinations, you’ll understand why people are willing to pay for them.
The meta will continue to evolve, but Jeanne’s fundamental design ensures she’ll remain relevant. Board control and ally enhancement are timeless strategies in card games.
Whether you’re building on a budget or going all-in on a premium list, mastering Jeanne opens up a whole new way to play Shadowverse. The Ward strategy offers both immediate satisfaction and long-term depth that keeps players coming back for more.
