I do think Illusions are the play here, Orpal is still good but combined w/ Newsman on 2, Illusions are pretty great early pressure. I think that’s your in, and w/ Vandy not targeting I think I have a pretty even match early. If I can’t Deteriorate, Sickness or Vandy ult them away
I think we try Vandy on no targeting on its own. I’m keenly aware that Blue was the OP thing w/o nerfs before release; the control is deceptively strong. Newsman on 2 is tough for me to get rid of.
1 Like
Felt like I might need a change - thought I’d have a go of P1 this time!
Also, apologies for my wall of text above, sometimes I get a touch too intense about my ideas 
Test 3 Nerfs |
|
Deteriorate |
Cost → 1g, Cannot target illusions |
Dark Pact |
Cost → 1g |
Vandy Midband |
Remove Resist 1, Cannot fetch Metamorphosis |
Vandy Maxband |
Remove Targeting |
P1T1
StartingHand Workers
STARTING HAND
Building Inspector → Worker (Unplayable vs Deteriorate)
Lawful Search
Bluecoat Musketeer
Traffic Director
Jail
WORKERS
NextHand
Arrest
Spectral Aven
Porkhand Magistrate
Reputable Newsman
Manufactured Truth
Discard
Bluecoat Musketeer
Lawful Search
Jail
Tech 0 card(s)
Get Paid - ($4)
Worker - ($3)
Oni - ($1)
Traffic Director - ($0)
Float ($0)
Discard 3, draw 5
Board Info:
In Patrol:
-
Squad Leader:
-
Elite:
-
Scavenger: Traffic Director 1/1 [Untargetable]
-
Technician:
-
Lookout:
In Play:
- L1 General Onimaru 2/3 [Frenzy 1]
Buildings:
-
Base HP: 20
Economy Info:
Cards:
Gold:
Thoughts
Oni + Director is the most aggressive opener so let’s play that. Nice to get rid of Building Inspector turn 1 too, I think it’s one of the worst Blue cards vs Black
Edit: Added commentary explaining worker selection
Wasn’t a bad wall of text in my estimation! Appreciated the thought
GL HF!
Game 3 Player 2, Turn 1
P2 Black Prime Take 3 (see link below) vs P1 Blue
Take 2 Nerfs to Black: Det and DP to 1, No Illusions, No Meta Fetch
Starting Hand
Jandra, the Negator
Skeletal Archery
Thieving Imp
Poisonblade Rogue
Sacrifice the Weak
Events of Turn:
Upkeep:
- Get Gold (5)
- Tech 2 cards (except turn 1)
All Teched Cards
Main:
-
Thieving Imp, discard #4 of 5 (2)
- Worker (1)
Workers
-
-
Patrol as below
- Discard 3 Draw 5
Board Info:
Buildings:
-
Base HP: 20
In Patrol:
-
Squad Leader:
-
Elite: Thieving Imp (2+1/2)
-
Scavenger:
-
Technician:
-
Lookout:
In Play:
Economy Info:
Cards:
Gold:
End of Turn Hand
Graveyard
Deteriorate
Summon Skeletons
Skeleton Javelineer
Pestering Haunt
End of Turn Discard
My Thoughts
Being on defense is gonna be a little funnier here, we’ll see how it goes!
P1T2
Tech StartingHand Workers
TECH
Spectral Hound (Cheap and good profile but fragile)
Spectral Flagbearer (Cheap and ability supports other illusions)
STARTING HAND
Manufactured Truth
Spectral Aven
Arrest
Porkhand Magistrate → Worker (Too expensive vs StW, Arrest still useful)
Reputable Newsman → Discard 
WORKERS
Building Inspector
Porkhand Magistrate
NextHand
Manufactured Truth
Bluecoat Musketeer
Arrest
Spectral Hound
Tech 2 card(s)
Get Paid - ($5)
Worker - ($4)
Tech I - ($3)
Spectral Aven - ($1)
Oni kills Imp, takes 2
Float ($1)
Discard 2, reshuffle, draw 4
Board Info:
In Patrol:
-
Squad Leader:
-
Elite:
-
Scavenger:
-
Technician: Traffic Director 1/1 [Untargetable]
-
Lookout:
In Play:
- L1 General Onimaru 2/1 [Frenzy 1]
- Spectral Aven 2/2 [Flying]
Buildings:
-
Base HP: 20
-
Tech I HP: 5
Economy Info:
Cards:
Gold:
Thoughts
I would have used MT to save Oni some HP but the hand size damage would probably be a major issue. I decided if it were me I would want to reduce the Blue board as much as possible so I patrolled TD instead of hitting his base to discourage StW. It’s poor value anyway on a 1g unit but even worse now.
I’m going for very cheap Illusion units to complement Oni. I considered Elite Training but it targets so it can’t help out TD or Illusions.
Note to self: Elite training not targeting might be a candidate buff along with cheaper Tax Collector.
Correct, I misread the 2+1/2 as 2/2. D’oh! Will retake my turn
P1T2
Tech StartingHand Workers
TECH
Spectral Hound (Cheap and good profile but fragile)
Spectral Flagbearer (Cheap and ability protects other illusions)
STARTING HAND
Manufactured Truth
Spectral Aven
Arrest
Porkhand Magistrate → Worker (Too expensive vs StW, slow and expensive ability)
Reputable Newsman → Discard 
WORKERS
Building Inspector
Porkhand Magistrate
NextHand
Manufactured Truth
Spectral Flagbearer
Arrest
Tech 2 card(s)
Get Paid - ($5)
Worker - ($4)
Tech I - ($3)
Spectral Aven - ($1)
Manufactured Truth, TD into Aven - ($0)
Manufactured Aven kills Imp
Oni hits base to 17
Float ($0)
Discard 1, reshuffle, draw 3
Board Info:
In Patrol:
-
Squad Leader:
-
Elite:
-
Scavenger:
-
Technician:
-
Lookout:
In Play:
- L1 General Onimaru 2/3 [Frenzy 1]
- Spectral Aven 2/2 [Flying]
- Traffic Director 1/1 [Untargetable]
Buildings:
-
Base HP: 20
-
Tech I HP: 5
Economy Info:
Cards:
Gold:
Thoughts
I don’t like spending all these cards but if I want to be aggressive its the price of business.
I’m going for very cheap Illusion units to complement Oni. I considered Elite Training but it targets so it can’t help out TD or Illusions.
Note to self: Elite training not targeting might be a candidate buff for mono blue / Peace with Blue starter.
Thanks for waiting, was on vacay the past few days!
Game 3 Player 2, Turn 2
P2 Black Prime Take 3 (see link below) vs P1 Blue
Take 2 Nerfs to Black: Det and DP to 1, No Illusions, No Meta Fetch
Starting Hand
Graveyard
Deteriorate
Summon Skeletons
Skeleton Javelineer
Pestering Haunt
Events of Turn:
Upkeep:
- Get Gold (6+1float)
- Tech 2 cards (except turn 1)
All Teched Cards
Crypt Crawler, Hooded Executioner
Main:
- Skeleton Javelineer (6)
- Vandy + midband (2)
- Worker (1)
- Tech 1 (0)
Workers
Summon Skeletons, Skeletal Archery
-
-
Patrol as below
- Discard 3 rs Draw 5
Board Info:
Buildings:
-
Base HP: 20
- Tech1 HP: 5
In Patrol:
-
Squad Leader: Skeleton Javelineer (1/1a)
-
Elite: Vandy (3+1/4 lvl 3)
-
Scavenger:
-
Technician:
-
Lookout:
In Play:
Economy Info:
Cards:
Gold:
End of Turn Hand
Thieving Imp
Deteriorate
Sacrifice the Weak
Crypt Crawler
Graveyard
End of Turn Discard
My Thoughts
Vandy Midband in Elite I think stands pretty tall here, Crypt Crawler (if it isn’t bottom decked again!) will take care of Aven, Hoodie generally good to have also