Sensei Gabe (Teaching Deck)

BruhahGand 93

Based on Gabe's core deck, this is what I use to teach the game to new players.

I start new players with runner, since there's fewer secrets involved that side of the board, so I can scan their loadout and give hints and tips as we go. Corp side is based on secrets and bluffing, and we want the new player not to feel penalized for asking questions.

  • Stick to core deck, so new players won't feel like they need to buy $200 worth of cards to start playing themselves.

  • Reward the new player for running. It's how the game is played. Gabriel Santiago: Consummate Professional and Desperado gives them credits, Medium gets better every time you hit R&D. Lemuria Codecracker gives them a chance to poke around the corp and see how things are done.

  • Keep it simple. New players are going to be flooded with a bunch of new terms and words. This deck does not have a master plan. No recurring credits to keep track of.

  • But throw in some fancy things to get them thinking. Like Account Siphon.

Why... - Gordian Blade - No code gate breakers? Really, Gabe? - Public Sympathy - More choices for the runner, exposes them to more cards, and I like the art and backstory. Two copies to increase the chance they'll get one.

Why not... - Nerve Agent - Don't want the player getting too focused on R&D. - Data Dealer - Forfeiting an agenda is a risky thing, so most new players wont use this.

4 comments
9 Jan 2016 Bigguyforyou518

I like what you're doing here, I have friends that I've always wanted to introduce to the game, but taking in all the mechanics at once can be a mouthful. Since my primary concern is accidentally intimidating them with complexity, I think I'd personally remove the core-set-only restriction in order to make the most straightforward deck I can.

9 Jan 2016 Tensler

Is wyrm really something to include in a teaching deck? i would have thought that should be avoided as it will never be used... also surely corroder instead Aurora - it feels like this deck has been gimped which is not what i would choose to teach...

10 Jan 2016 BruhahGand

@Bigguyforyou518 I stuck to mostly Core cards partially so I can keep this deck on hand and intact and still have my "competitive deck". Again, I use this to demo to new players, and don't want them feeling they need to start with $300 worth of cards in order to have a good time.

10 Jan 2016 BruhahGand

@Tensler Corroder vs Wyrm might be a good trade off. I'll probably do that for v2.

But yeah, it's a gimped deck. It's up to the corp player to not make it a bloodbath. Thankfully, the corp deck I use is equally as bad, if not worse. :)

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