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From: Felix Hoefert <FHoefert@********.DE>
Subject: Re: Poisoned Elves Strategy?
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1998 14:50:04 +0200
Loki wrote:
>
> ---Felix Hoefert <FHoefert@********.DE> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Loki, and anyone interested!
> >
> > Iīve played several games with the last version of P.E., and
> encountered
> > severe difficulties. I might be a sucky player, but I donīt think so,
> > since Iīve reached good tourney results in the past.
> > Hereīs what usually happens: I get 3-6 Runners out. My opponent plays
> > Torgo, kills my Runners. If I have them on hand, I play my Lokis and
> > kill Torgo at the right opportunity. The problem is, it takes too long
> > to recover for me, and I have to wait for the right time to play my
> > Lokis. Metahuman Prejudice and Humanis Policlubber donīt usually get
> > drawn early on, and even a killed Torgo can be redrawn via Squatter.
> > All in all, the game becomes purely defensive for me, so even if I can
> > hamper my opponent some, he manages to take the Objectives. I could
> take
> > some Torgos into my deck, but that would just increase the defensive
> > play.
> > I have decided to use a different deck until I see a solution to this.
> > Hopefully You donīt consider the above whining, but losing 4 games
> with
> > zero Rep in a row certainly knocked me.
>
> Zero rep? Ouch!
>
> Torgo is admittedly an achilles heel to the deck. I've said that form
> the beginning. I still believe 2nd Run will cure alot of that as 3
> points of damage is easier to defend against than an automatic trashing.
>
> Still, I haven't had the kind of difficulty you describe. Tony's Torgo
> has put me on the defensive like that once, but only the once. It was
> then I learned an interesting little strategy though. The first thing
> he did when Torgo came out was trash my two Loki's. I stalled and
> earned let the money build. Without much to do with Torgo, he started
> using him on runs with Skwaaaaaark. Once I had enough money I realized
> what a good idea it would be to use the Squatter to pull the Loki's
> back, then put them into play and finish off an already wounded Torgo.
> I didn't get the chance to actually do it as Tony was already only 15
> points form winning when Torgo came out. Still, it's a good strategy
> to try at a later date.
>

Iīve tried just that. My opponent played intelligently by not using
Torgo anymore in a way to get him damaged. It takes too long to get the
Lokis back and wait til Torgoīs sufficiently wounded/ turned. My 40+
Nuyen at that point didnīt help much.

> You can't build a deck to focus on countering the one card (Torgo)
> without sacrificing strategy against other styles of decks.
>
> You mentioned not being able to recover quickly. That's one problem I
> haven't really had with the deck, and the reason I through in D-Day
> Device. Hmmm...
>
> I've made one change since I posted PE2, and that was swapping out
> Loaded Dice for a second LAotL. Long Arm is a nice one for Torgo
> (Skwraaaaaak too), as he has to turn to do his nastiness (if your
> opponent runs with him, all the better). Granted it doesn't trash
> Torgo, but going back to his hand takes money to bring him back out.
> This can work for you. Also, if the Policlubber has come out in the
> mean time, an arrested Torgo comes back in turned (ala Loki's).
>
> Not that it matters, but are you playing with the full on deck yet?
> Just curious as trading Widow for Cherry means you have one less
> possible Ancient.

Nope, I still havenīt gotten the other two Initiations.

>
> A couple of other tactics I've been considering, but haven't put
> together or tested yet:
>
> Cement Shoes. This would also preclude swapping a Runner for a 3rd
> Loki or putting in a One of the Family, so you stand more of a chance
> of having the required Mafia member. (The 3rd Loki may be the better
> choice as his troll popping offers other possibilities.)
>
> Yoshimo Chang. I had him in once before, you may wantto consider
> adding him back in as he can sometimes stall Torgo that needed turn or
> two.

No Chang in my binder.

>
> IQ x3. I've been thinking of trading out two Runners for a couple more
> Ice Queens. Nu yen denial can be your friend against Torgo and Co. I
> haven't worked out the exact mechanics, butit would be something like
> a Red Widow and Redline traded for the extra two IQ's. Then you'd put
> in supporting matrix gear (Sticky Fingers, Crash and Steam Roller or
> Sleaze in place of Spell Lock, Uzi III and something else). Three IQ's
> and a Sticky Fingers means a potential of poverty for an opponent.

Have no additional Ice Queens or Sticky Fingers either.

>
> Halloweeners over Ancients. Another possibility, though Ancients
> really fits the elven theme is swapping the two for Halloweener HQ's.
> Even though most elves wouldn't survive against a Torgo brute, they
> don't need to. It may take a little work, but insight a Runner on
> Runner attack (Wanted, Z-Zone, Interception, ...), send a geared up
> Halloweener over to talk to Torgo (say an Initiated Widow w/ Muscle
> Rep and the Shotgun), on 4+ that Troll ain't coming back in the game.
> As I said, it can take some work but Widow becomes an Ancient often
> enough in my games with the same kinda gear...
>
> I really wish there was an elven Yak Runner, I love the looks of Poison.
>
> Anyways, there's a few more ideas. I steered away from building alot
> of anti-Torgo stuff into the deck as it makes it too specific for it's
> own good.
>
> I haven't had the same types of difficulties. Understand, I built the
> deck and I may have other nuances I recognize in it and a playing
> style that may not carry across to another playing when posting the
> deck in email. It's hard to say.
>
> Every deck will have it's strengths and weaknesses. For chinks the
> armor, ours just happens to be in the form of a Troll Ganger Leader.
> However, it's that's just one card out of hundreds and as more
> expansions get released...

Thanks for Your answer. I think Iīll try to lull the other players into
thinking they donīt need Torgo anymore, and then strike back with a full
Ancients force. Btw, I was surprised to see Iīm currently 2nd in SRTCG
tourney ranking in Germany! Confetti! ---Felix

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