Blue (thehug0naut) vs Black (Frozenstorm) balance testing

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 :sweat_smile:

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

Building Inspector


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:

  • :psblueshield: Squad Leader:
  • :psfist: Elite:
  • :ps_: Scavenger: Traffic Director 1/1 [Untargetable]
  • :pschip: Technician:
  • :target: Lookout:

In Play:

  • L1 General Onimaru 2/3 [Frenzy 1]

Buildings:

  • :heart: Base HP: 20

Economy Info:
Cards:

  • Hand: 5
  • Deck: 0
  • Disc: 3

Gold:

  • Gold: 0
  • Workers: 5
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 :slight_smile: 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

Skeletal Archery

  • :pspurpleshield: Patrol as below
  • Discard 3 Draw 5

Board Info:

Buildings:

  • :heart: Base HP: 20

In Patrol:

  • :psblueshield: Squad Leader:
  • :psfist: Elite: Thieving Imp (2+1/2)
  • :pspig: Scavenger:
  • :exhaust: Technician:
  • :target: Lookout:

In Play:

  • nothin

Economy Info:

Cards:

  • Hand: 5
  • Deck: 0
  • Disc: 3

Gold:

  • Gold: 1
  • Workers: 6

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 :smiling_face_with_tear:


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:

  • :psblueshield: Squad Leader:
  • :psfist: Elite:
  • :ps_: Scavenger:
  • :pschip: Technician: Traffic Director 1/1 [Untargetable]
  • :target: Lookout:

In Play:

  • L1 General Onimaru 2/1 [Frenzy 1]
  • Spectral Aven 2/2 [Flying]

Buildings:

  • :heart: Base HP: 20
  • :heart: Tech I HP: 5

Economy Info:
Cards:

  • Hand: 4
  • Deck: 4
  • Disc: 0

Gold:

  • Gold: 1
  • Workers: 6
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.

isn’t imp in elite?

1 Like

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 :smiling_face_with_tear:


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:

  • :psblueshield: Squad Leader:
  • :psfist: Elite:
  • :ps_: Scavenger:
  • :pschip: Technician:
  • :target: Lookout:

In Play:

  • L1 General Onimaru 2/3 [Frenzy 1]
  • Spectral Aven 2/2 [Flying]
  • Traffic Director 1/1 [Untargetable]

Buildings:

  • :heart: Base HP: 20
  • :heart: Tech I HP: 5

Economy Info:
Cards:

  • Hand: 3
  • Deck: 5
  • Disc: 0

Gold:

  • Gold: 0
  • Workers: 6
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

  • :pspurpleshield: Patrol as below
  • Discard 3 rs Draw 5

Board Info:

Buildings:

  • :heart: Base HP: 20
  • Tech1 HP: 5

In Patrol:

  • :psblueshield: Squad Leader: Skeleton Javelineer (1/1a)
  • :psfist: Elite: Vandy (3+1/4 lvl 3)
  • :pspig: Scavenger:
  • :exhaust: Technician:
  • :target: Lookout:

In Play:

  • nothin

Economy Info:

Cards:

  • Hand: 5
  • Deck: 4
  • Disc: 0

Gold:

  • Gold: 0
  • Workers: 7

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