From:	Matb <mbreton@**.NETCOM.COM>
Subject:	Re: Unbeatable Deck?
Date:	Wed, 19 Nov 1997 19:02:41 -0800

Wei-Long wrote:

> I really shouldn't say this deck is unbeatable (the game is too balanced
> for that), but this deck has been undefeated for over 2 months now.
> Friends of mine have actually built decks specifically made to beat this
> one and cannot win. I am very much looking forward to a tournament game
> so I can use it. It is listed below:

The deck has two large problems, as far as I can tell (overlooking the
previously mentioned Challenge problem):

a) It's weak. With the exception of Kromagnus (4), Tinman (1), and
Knuckles (1), everyone's 3/3 or lower. While the deck is a reasonable
sixty cards, that's just a fairly small number of people who can
actually *do* a shadowrun (given that Club Vortex frags two times in
six, it's not a reliable method).

b) It's slow. Not as slow as some decks, but the Famers are out of work
every other turn as you draw and trash, draw and trash to get to the
cards you need. Kromagnus helps, and once you get a Runner with skills,
Moonlighting helps - but neither benefit from the Bulldog Vans.

To sharpen the deck's edge some.. hmm. I'd willingly put in an Iron
Lung, although it means assuming some risk. I'd be willing to be a bit
cheap and put in Stimpatches instead of DocWagons; in most cases, your
Runners can only handle two or three damage before they cack, so the
effect is nearly the same (not to mention you can use a Patch on anyone
present), and they take care of the Iron Lung and problem as well.

Perhaps as importantly, I'd remove one of the Lucks and put in a (more
costly) Lucky Wabbit's Foot. This aids with the two locations, and can
stop the Riots.

I'm not sure why you have Hollywood in there, except as a cheap Decker.
It'd be good to have another Decker, to make sure Sticky Fingers and
Browse won't go unused; but someone a bit more buff - and there's no one
more buff than Tiny - would do well.

Of course, Kraker-Jack is a bit more uncommon, and has fair stats for a
decker as well. His pistol ability goes unused, but I can see why you
don't want to stuff more cards into your deck;
still, I can't help but think that a couple Berettas would do wonders in
this deck.

While the fat pile of money may work wonders, I could easily see getting
rid of one Thrash and one Glitz, and diversifying talent somewhat:
Hawkwind, perhaps, to add much-needed magic skills and Biotech;
Highbrow, ditto for the magic and an assist in drawing; perhaps Stiletto
or Hatchetman, for some muscle, or The Mole, to add in another Decker.

All IMHO, of course.


-Mb