AMAZE Amusements

♦ AMAZE Amusements 1[credit]

Upgrade
Trash: 3
Influence: 3

Persistent → Whenever a run on this server ends, if the Runner stole any agendas during that run, give the Runner 2 tags. (If the Runner trashes this card while accessing it, this ability still applies for the remainder of this run.)

Free commemorative souvenir!
Illustrated by Bruno Balixa
Decklists with this card

System Gateway (sg)

#58 • English
Startup Card Pool
Standard Card Pool
Standard Ban List (show history)
Printings
Rulings
  • Updated 2021-10-11

    If the Runner uses Political Operative to trash AMAZE Amusements, does its ability remain active?

    No. The ability only persists if the Runner trashes AMAZE Amusements while accessing it.

  • Updated 2021-10-11

    If the Runner accesses and trashes an unrezzed AMAZE Amusements, does its ability apply?

    No. The persistent flag only indicates that an active ability can remain active beyond its source card. The ability must be active to begin with in order for it to persist.

Reviews

As the other review on this page mentions there is the issue of not stopping the steal with this agenda. I think that is ok for two core reasons.

  1. It helps turn on threat when stuff gets stolen. i.e. Oppo Research or Sudden Commandment
  2. You turn on a lot of things when tags stick.
  3. You have some say over how things get stolen, especially early game.
  4. This is great HQ protection when you're flooded with little ice. You will likely get something stolen, might as well get something out of it.

The two big uses I've found for this in my NBN: Reality Plus Psychographics deck are: 1. Discard Tomorrowʼs Headline and Oracle Thinktank after doing some massive draw, esp great when you rez The Dr.. Have AMAZE Amusements on your archives. They run archives to force you to spin. You put back some other tech you need and let them take 4 tags. 2. Setup a scoring remote behind Funhouse and/or Virtual Service Agent. Install AMAZE Amusements an slow advance agendas out. Have a B-1001 behind another annoying ice in case you really want to protect the agenda you're advancing.

Both of these setups also turn on Oppo Research for the next turn. If you get to threat 3 you get more tags too.

This has been consistently letting me stick tags vs all but the most caution of runners. I've slow advanced a Send a Message, had them ignore it and get to rez big ice on a central then they have to start running it. Just make sure you get to reset the scoring server with new agenda.

(Rebellion Without Rehearsal era)

Iconic ambush for NBN : give tags if you steal an agenda. This pushes the NBN play style of tagging the runner to oblivion even further.

Without Misdirection, it will cost and 2 to get rid of the two tags. Its even worse if you are SYNC: Everything, Everywhere.

And for NBN: Reality Plus, you even make 1 out of it!

This is all well and good, but there is a drawback to this "offensive" upgrade : it does not stop the steal, nor does it stop the run. This is why this could better be compared to Prisec rather than trying to compare it to Manegarm Skunkworks or Anoetic Void.

On a final note, be sure to have something to do with the tags. The opportunity to use the tags delivered by AMAZE Amusements will not come often in a given game. So plan your card slots accordingly and pack enough tag punishment.

The art seems to be related to a virtual game ending with ads. While the art is nicely done, I have a hard time relating the quote to the art. Maybe there is something I'm missing.

In any case, it is a good upgrade for a specific game plan. So I don't see this used very often, but it could act like a 4th Public Trail, if you do not want to use Hard-Hitting News. Or part of a kill package with BOOM! and Hard-Hitting News.

(System Update 2021 era)
4248

I think the art is representing a virtual amusement park, with a maze in it - literally A Maze. Like other amusement parks you're coming away with a gift! But the gift is tags! And the punchline is Psychographics into Orbital Superiority!