Spooky Smash 'n Grab

yacooblues 1

I had been running a Kate deck for the past few months (or really, since I began playing) and I never really understood the blue cards offered in the few data packs/big boxes I had. I played a few tournaments and kept getting wrecked by fast paced corps and killer traps. I analyzed my play style, and suddenly blue made sense, more specifically, Iain made sense. I'm usually behind by an agenda or two, so why not profit from it? I like to get my rig set up early on, so why not take advantage of their scoring agendas to find that last bit of hardware or program I need? Why keep face-checking ICE and assets when I can bust into HQ and read their activation orders before they go out?

Logos is pretty much the key to the whole shebang. Having two has consistently allowed me to get it early without having too many dead cards filling my grip. I'm usually running HQ in some way on click 1, so checking out an unrezzed asset or key ICE with the Codecracker on click 2 helps me plan out the attack plan for 3 and 4. e3 is almost an auto include for criminals to lighten the load of expensive breakers, and will make HB click hate less painful. Not that I don't expect to get beaten up a bit, but that's what the Crash Space, Plascrete, and Feedback Filter are for. Not to mention the grip size pad from Logos and Public Sympathy.

As for the runs, the name says it all. It wasn't made to make constant runs each turn, and frankly can't afford it. Blue breakers aren't the most efficient, but the old Spook has a few tricks up his sleeve. If the barrier or sentry breaker is needed, throw it in. If not, throw out the Hook and e3 that last sub. Can't get through the multi-ICEd server? Inside Job over the first and blow up the second. Did they Priority Req some monster? Account Siphon, Shut Down, and send in the Forged Activation Orders. I haven't tried the PanchBread combo as of yet, but it is just the newest trick this old dog has picked up.

I've had decent success with this deck, but it isn't for everyone. It works a bit better in my meta, and more specifically with my style of play, but each win felt like I earned it.

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