| From: | Teos Abadia <tabadia@*********.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Review of AEX - Runners and Gear, news on the next net.release |
| Date: | Wed, 9 Dec 1998 11:38:02 -0500 |
release.
He has sent the cards to me, and I will convert them to an rtf file =
that
people can use to print and play. Of course, I need to see some more
enthusiasm from the list. So far I have not seen much enthusiasm from =
the
list, which surprises me. Yes, the cards are not official, but let's =
face
it. You won't see official cards for the next 6 months, if ever. =
Rather
than getting rid of your cards, why not play with new ones? Rediscover
strategy, find new combinations, deck types, and use new rules! Quit
whining and start playing! I just turned a new player onto the game
recently. You can do the same.
Now, for my review of the Runners and Gear in AEX (Amerindian =
Expansion).
AEX was created by Matb, and is stored as an rtf file on my Web site,
http://home.earthlink.net/~teosabadia/Shadowrun/index.html .
(See my previous review [also on my site] for challenges and =
objectives.
Other posts to follow, and the posting of the new set will take place =
in
about a week). Comments appreciated.
Runners and Gear - Overview
As I wrote when discussing challenges and objectives, AEX opens up a =
lot of
new possibilities for new deck patterns, and strengthens Underworld =
decks
(such as virus decks or decks based on negative rep or runner vs. =
runner
combat). AEX runners and gear do this as well, in several ways. =
First, the
new gear adds great functionality to several runners. You will need to =
take
a close look at First Run and Underworld runners to see this, and I =
won't
cover most of this due to space. The new runners go a long way to =
creating
great Amerindian decks, as well as mage or shaman decks. More =
importantly,
some of the runners play together in ways that allow us to combine AEX
runners and another deck type (Lone Star, Yakuza, Decker, etc.) in a =
manner
that adds real strengths. Can we create a deck to bring down the =
bug-thug
decks that have so dominated SRTCG? We shall see... I'll let you =
answer
that one, but a bug-mage deck is a strong contender.
Runners
Let's start with the blood mages, something I came up with while trying =
to
expand the reach of the card game. My original cards were quite =
different
(note: I do not say better):
DOLOR (Pain in Spanish) / Aztlan Mage / 6¥ [Uncommon]
5/6. Ork Native Runner; Sorcery-2.
If Dolor trashes another runner, search deck for a gear/magic card.
Play card at -3¥ (minimum cost 1¥).
HIJO DEL FUEGO (Fire Child in Spanish) / Aztlan Shaman / 7¥ [Rare]
6/5. Human Native Runner; Conjure, Demolitions-2.
If Fuego trashes another runner, place +1/+1 blood spirit token on =
Fuego.
Fuego may hold up to 2 such tokens.
Now let's talk about the AEX versions:
DOLOR / Blood Mage / 5¥
3/3. Amerindian/Ork. Leadership-1, Sorcery-1. Turn Dolor when target
Runner dies. Owner of target Runner must place a 0/-1 Blood token on a
Runner he controls.
HIJO DEL FUEGO / Blood Mage / 4¥
2/2. Human. Sorcery-2. Turn Hijo del Fuego when a Runner is killed =
in
Runner-vs-Runner
combat. Attacking player may place a +1/+0 Blood token on a Runner he
controls.
Dolor and Hijo del Fuego as seen in AEX expand the ability of a deck to
benefit from Runner vs. Runner combat. They also work wonderfully with =
an
Aztechnology theme deck. Dolor is interesting. A glaring question is =
when
the owner of Dolor must choose the "target runner". Is this done when =
Dolor
comes into play, at any time? If it can be used at any time, as in =
"Turn
Dolor when a Runner dies", then this is a powerful card that can work
wonders with any cards that cause death. I might add a cost to the =
ability.
If the player must name the target initially, then this card would work =
well
with cards that can allow the owner to take out a specific target, like
Electrified Fence or Shuriken or Wanted. This is a more limited =
version.
Hijo Del Fuego is more specific, and benefits R. vs. Runner Decks. The =
cost
is reasonable and the token is flexible, making Hijo Del Fuego an =
essential
inclusion in such a bruiser deck. I rather like him as a shaman, as =
the
sorcery-2 skill is not so useful with such a low body rating.
INTOCOPIA is another blood mage, and allows you to cancel recon or =
other
card revealing effects. A couple of Intocopias in a deck can allow a =
mage
or shaman deck to slow down the benefits of an enemy deck with deckers.
Still, the low body will be a factor in limiting the usefulness of the =
mage.
I would have liked to see some more cards designed specifically for =
blood
mages that would make these three even more fearful, perhaps a special =
that
ties them to Aztechnology, or some spirits that work well with them. I =
also
like the original Hijo del Fuego idea (a runner that can engage in R =
vs. R
and then gain spirit tokens). PAEAPANA adds the ability to draw cards. =
My
preference would be to change the text to "Paepana may turn when you =
frag a
runner to draw a number of cards equal to that Runner's deployment =
cost."
This way it works well with my friend, Aztechnology. The cost is high
enough that the extra benefit is still balanced, but would still be =
cool
with a higher cost.
LITTLE BEAR is a lot like Fuego, actually: LITTLE BEAR / Ganger / 6¥
3/4 (A1). Amerindian/Troll. Firearms-2, Piloting-1. 2¥: Turn =
Little Bear
to attack another
Ganger in Runner-vs-Runner combat. Little Bear gains a +1/+1 =
Experience
token whenever he
kills a Runner this way. I would include Little Bear in a blood mage =
or R
vs. R deck. Plus, he works so well with Drive-By.
Let's move on. BUCKSHOT is a runner that works well with Grizzly to =
create
a deck that can finally use all those ammo cards that have been =
gathering
dust. RIDGE is another mercenary, and has nice stats. These three can =
make
for great cards in a Mercenary deck, now that we have the two mercenary
objectives.
CACKLING GOOSE is a card I don't care for too much, except that AEX =
adds
some reasons to frag runners. Still, at 8 nuyen and 1 per round, this =
an
expensive runner, even as a special that would duplicate the same =
effect.
Nuyen for nuyen, I will take a lot of runners before I take this one. =
Maybe
I am missing something?
COBARDE is an Amerindian variation on SANCHO, except cheaper and with a
bigger weakness, but none of the racial tension. Still, in a cheap =
deck,
like a deck using Sancho and Gangers with cheap gear, COBARDE can play =
a
great role.
DAUGHTER OF THE PINES is a cool card. Biotech and a body of four, =
which
makes most of us drool. The price is higher, and the weakness is a =
drain,
but if everyone stays healed and if you can increase the conjure...
DUST RUNNER and FEATHER DANCER are nice additions to most decks, and
particularly as part of the foundation of Amerindian decks. Dust =
Runner is
great for the cost, just don't get too attached to him. Feather Dancer =
is a
great runner when you have cheap runners that you can bring out, and =
then
get nuyen back when you have enough runners to leave in the safehouse.
KYRIE's power of reducing rep loss doesn't do so much when you playing =
First
Run opponents, but against AEX and Underworld decks, he can be a =
factor.
Plus, the high body is worth the price, and the skills are very useful.
SEES WITH ANCIENT EYES is a great way to make indirect fire an even =
better
option. With some runners that get free ammo (Grizzly) and some that =
get
free/cheap weapons (Shellshock/Kracker Jack) this can make for a nice =
deck
where you move gear around. Maybe a stinger to allow R vs. R combat =
through
indirect fire would be cool? THUNDERSTORM's primary use will probably =
be to
make runs at Dante's, but with THE INITIATION (Underworld) you can turn =
him
into a nice money-making elf ganger with a shiny new bike!
The chiefs. AEX introduces tribal chiefs, the natural alternative to =
ganger
leaders. KSIWAMBE is a cool card, but does this include other player's
challenges? Great with recon decks, so you can pick and choose with =
maximum
effect. T'E-NE-T'E has a nice power, but the downside can be just as =
bad,
just like TS'O-NO-TL. Still, if you like your chances, or can keep the =
Chief
alive...
VALKYRIE also raises the question: when do you name the target runner? =
I
imagine at any time.
YOUNGEST WOLF BROTHER is a Shaman with no conjure? Is this on purpose?
Good fit with Solo run.
Speaking of Ganger Leaders: RED RABBIT is a really cool card with
Aztechnology or as cheap ways to throw runner tokens at challenges. =
This is
one maintenance cost that can really pay off.
LACROIX is an interesting runner, since you can fight that Wanted card =
(in
multiplayer, or even to take out your own runner and keep the other =
player
from getting the rep or killing the target runner). In addition, =
Lacroix
doubles as the Bounty Hunter contact. If you add some skillsofts... =
hmmm...
almost worth using skillsofts.
SEES WATER, SEES SKY is a nice decker, but the 3 Nuyen for her/his =
ability
is too expensive. I would remove it altogether, since even using the
ability once a round would only cancel the maintenance cost! In fact,
without a cost and without the maintenance, I still feel the card is
balanced.
STORMCLAW is perfect for a mage/shaman deck, and allows for some of the =
cool
combos that are used with Sally Tsung. Just increase the conjure skill =
for
real power!
Gear:
I will be brief on gear.
BLOOD SPIRIT is a great card, and is what really allows for a Shaman =
bruiser
deck, which I will post as a .rtf file soon. (I'll also send a deck
breakdown to the list).
AZTEC BURIAL MASK is a great card, and can be limited by a smart =
opponent
who has the ability (and Runner vs. Runner cards) to use it against =
you.
DATA FILTER is a sweet addition to the standard Shaman-Watcher
Spirit-Hermetic Library combo. Now add a few Statics and some Data =
Filters,
and you can really move through a deck. Plus, the recon from the decker =
goes
a long way to ensure sleazing with spell cards. Before, putting in =
deckers
was space-consuming. Now you have a reason.
FALLEN WARRIOR SPIRIT is Aztechnology's best friend. Now you can frag
someone, and then bring their attack rating back. Find cheap runners =
with
good stats, and who cares about the skills! (Or, combine with =
GRANDFATHER
SPIRIT (special) from AEX to bring their skills back!). You will see =
these
used in the deck I will post.
LANDROVER / Gear (Vehicle) / 4¥
Outdoor. Landrover may be deployed on a Rigger for free. User may not =
use
skills to sleaze or (A+1) to user. User is immune to damage from =
Vehicle
Challenges.
Matb, what is this card supposed to do? Do I just remove the "or" =
before
the "(A+1)"? Otherwise it is free armor, much needed for the rigger =
decks
who suffer from the rule that forces them to turn once to heal =
themselves,
turn once (separately) to heal their gear.
TOMAHAWK is sweet. Very much needed for an Amerindian deck, to bring =
the
attack capabilities up to par with other deck types.
Those are my faves. The rest I will leave to you
Other Card Types:
Briefly, some others to pay attention to. These are bound to creep up =
in
opponent decks:
NAVAJO SCOUT is a boon for decker decks, particularly with ones with =
cash
(Fuchi or Rockers). They check out the challenge stack, then use the =
Scout
to remove Outdoor challenges.
I used ...
SNAKE HANDLER / Contact / 3¥
Once per turn, you may turn a Runner to visit Snake Handler to force =
target
player to discard a
random card from his hand. If visiting Runner does not have Biotech, =
he
takes one armor-
piercing damage. You may frag Snake Handler to force target player to
discard his entire hand. Target player gains 1¥ for each card =
trashed this
way. Concept: Ryan Smith
... the other day. Very effective. Maybe too effective for the low =
cost!
SURVIVALIST CULT / Contact / 3¥
All your Runners gain +0/+1. Armor costs -1¥ to deploy on your =
Runners.
Whenever one of your Runners is fragged, roll D6.
1-4: Runner is trashed instead of fragged.
5+: Frag a random Runner you control.
"Either we all stand together -- or we all die together!"
Would this occur at the moment of fragging, or slightly after? For =
example,
can it rescue a runner after she has been fragged for Aztechnology, or =
is
she never a frag in the first place? Oh, and that effect with the =
armor and
bodies is really tough. This card alone can make for some nasty armor
decks. And, worse even, if combined with this card that I feel is the =
only
really "broken" card in the set:
A GAME OF TURTLES AND GULLS / Special / 6¥
All Runners who have a higher Body than their Attack Rating become =
Turtles:
Reduce their
Attack rating to 0 and double their Body and Armor. All Runners who =
have a
higher Attack than their Body Rating become Gulls: Double their Attack
Rating. Gulls may not benefit from armor. Neither Turtles nor Gulls =
may use
skills.
Here's how to break it: Create a deck with only Gulls (runners with =
more
attack than body). Then use this special, and you just paid a measly 6
Nuyen to double their attack ratings! And, your opponent will be worse =
off!
Now play Survivalist Cult, and you get +2 body on top of all this. =
Ouch!
Why not put this on a bruiser deck and end the game really quickly. =
(Just
picture Stomper after these two cards). Am I exaggerating? Feel free =
to
comment on the effects or how to stop it.
PURITY OF ESSENCE can be a game winner. Watch for it!
One I have to see used to see what it will do: THE OLD CALENDAR / =
Special /
6¥
While The Old Calendar remains in play, the Shadowrun phase comes =
directly
after the
Objective phase, instead of after the Legwork phase. (Return to the =
normal
turn sequence
afterward).
THUNDER ACROSS THE VALLEY can be a mean deck-maker, especially if based =
on R
vs. R combat.
TIME IS SHORT / Special / 0¥
Add 4¥ to your Credstick and end your turn immediately.
Seems a bit too powerful. This is better than any of the other =
cash-making
specials or stingers. I would add something like having to turn, or =
lower
the cash award.
Remember all those reasons to have a Runner vs. Runner deck? HOKAHEH! =
is
another, even if it frags your runner.
IT'S A TRAP! is a nasty card. Expect to see it when you run against a =
deck
using AEX.
Does anyone understand
PACIFISM / Special (Stinger) / 2¥
Play before target Challenge is revealed on a shadowrun. Target =
Challenge
and all Runners
present do not deal damage. May be played to cancel the effects of
Bloodlust. "But he's such a -cute- little troll!" Concept: Axlrose
? Is it just a recon effect, or are there other benefits I am not =
seeing?
UNDER THE GUN is great for sleaze decks!
That's my last "review" for the set. I will next post a deck, then see =
how
people comment on all of these ideas. If enough people respond, then I =
will
want to work harder on the Excel sheet, Access database, rtf files, and =
next
expansion set.
Feedback / 0 ¥ / Stinger
Turn listmember to post meaningful discussion. Teos must turn to =
create
SRTCG stuff.
Take care,
Teos.
