The Source

♦ The Source 2[credit]

Resource: Connection
Influence: 2

The advancement requirement of all agendas is increased by 1.

As an additional cost to steal an agenda, you must pay 3[credit].

Trash The Source when an agenda is scored or stolen.

A dangerous game, but well worth playing.
Illustrated by Matt Zeilinger
Decklists with this card

Creation and Control (cac)

#55 • English
Startup Card Pool
Standard Card Pool
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No rulings yet for this card.

Reviews

At 2 influence, it's hard to find a spot for The Source in most decks. It requires the support that a (Criminal) connection deck provides.

Hostage is a tutor for The Source, so there is no need to waste influence and deck space for more than one copy. (notice Thomas Haas in both card arts)

Fall Guy prevents it from being trashed when an agenda is scored/stolen.

Dr. Lovegood can blank it during the Runner's turn. It's worth noting that this not only negates the 3 drawback, but also prevents it from being trashed when an agenda is stolen. This lets you save your Fall Guy for a rainy day, or use them for other cards.

But wait, what does The Source even do?

It essentially does two things; choke agendas in HQ, and/or give the Runner a window to steal if the Corp attempts to score. Detailed explanation below.

When the Corp installs a card in a server, it can be an asset, upgrade or agenda. If it is a 3/2 agenda, the Corp can score it in the following turn. It is often very inefficient (and unsustainable) for the Runner to run every card the Corp installs. The Source solves this problem.

With The Source on the board, 3/2 agendas become 4/2. Without the assistance of FA cards (Biotic Labor, SanSan City Grid), these agendas have to be installed and advanced once to score it the next turn. Which means the Runner will know that the installed card can be advanced. This narrows down the possibilities: an Agenda, an important Asset, or an Ambush. Either way, it makes the Corp think twice before laying down an Agenda.

Of course, this does not only apply to 3/2 agendas, but to ALL agendas. 5/3s takes a long three turns to score. 2/1s and 4/2s lose a lot of their tempo. Naturally, Criminals have the best cards to maintain and take advantage of this board state.

**This is my longest review yet, do leave a like if you enjoyed it. See you 'round the net. ;)

(Blood Money era)
99
The Source is the core for one of my favourite tactics. Being able to stop insta-scoring in its tracks is something Iain Stirling profits off greatly, and the combo with Dr Lovegood lets you score without breaking the lockdown. The goal is to grab enough agendas to make Corp unable to win, by selling them to a Data Dealer. —

Am I right to assume that this will work wonders with new released [Film Critic]? It basically removes all drawbacks (you don't need to neither pay extra nor trash source since you are using Film Critic not stealing an Agenda). If so it may be the one more way to stop fast advance. Furthermore both cards are Connections, can be tutored with [Hostage]. Did anyone try this?

(The Universe of Tomorrow era)
8
Definitely a great 1-off in a Criminal connection deck. Also a decent target for Dr. Lovegood. —
This is on my list of things to try. Note also the synergy with NACH. Maybe in Andromeda connections? —
It would also combo well with Fall Guy (also a connection) and Calling In Favors. Andromeda seems like a pretty a good choice. —
Yes, I can confirm this is ridiculous. Ran up against this in an Iain connections deck, that also played New Angeles City Hall. Never take a tag, everything always harder to score! —
Yeah. I am testing this in my Gabe deck, and it is very promising. —
Same here. testing in a Ressource heavy Hayley —
It also seems fun with Dr. Lovegood! —