Innovation. Money.

Walker Net Ranger 139

Deck name inspired by the Winnebago Man and the general theme of urban expansion at all costs.

For theme, the Project Atlas really should be replaced by a Corporate War, if theme is the weightier consideration.

For competive matches, I gave much thought to the idea of combating a runner meta that loves to run Faust above all else. All components of the usual setup come under attack here: the program Faust itself, the support that D4v1d would generally lend to a more generic Blue Sun matchup, the underlying resources that provide clickless draw, and so forth.

I was hesitant about not including some defensive upgrade such as Ash, but on further consideration realized that, when Ash does matter, it's because the corp has a credit advantage, AND has a taxing enough remote to prevent Faust from getting in twice the same turn. Meeting both conditions can prove quite difficult. Therefore, the idea here is to pursue alternate paths of scoring late-game with either (A) Atlas / HT with a FA/non-advance strategy, (B) by baiting runs on something like IAA a HT to drain the Faust fuel before next turn doing the same IAA with a 2/4 or 5/3, or (C) stacking the remote ice about 5 deep to make a legit too-taxing remote that you can afford to rez by virtue of all the econ-based agendas.

After just a handful of trial games the deck seems to be doing quite well with these flexible strategies. I should also note with this ID it makes the rez of a Corporate Town much more tolerable, as you can afford to beef up ice on this server until the asset has done its damage, and then gradually re-allocate the ICE to a secondary server while maintaining the corp town oppression.

Any input to improve the theme or competitiveness is most welcome!

2 comments
25 Mar 2016 Phoenix

Looks great.

My only comment would be, why Wraparound? In a faction already full to the brim with Faust taxing barriers it feels strange, and could allow you to include an Adonis to sure up your economy?

26 Mar 2016 Walker Net Ranger

Hi @Phoenix, thanks!

Yeah the Wraparound x2 was a test include after I had been thinking: which cheap-to-mid cost ICE could be included for maximum Faust tax? I had run Hive in other decks and that could still be a good swap, as you say, for an Adonis Campaign. Might make this switch, my only concerns are that (A) Hive is more expensive to rez and (B) this particular agenda suite and its scoring patterns can often leave Hive as a mild tax or a blank ice altogether in the mid-late game.

Besides Hive, I don't think there is any neutral/Weyland ICE left to choose from that is both taxing on Faust and doesn't lose a lot of teeth against D4v1d... Maybe 2x Assassin would be a good fit.

I have to say though, I certainly was glad of the Wraparound here when the runner tries a turn 1 Faust + Siphon and smacks headlong into the Wraparound!

I'll certainly give the Adonis a try though, seems perfect with 2x EBC in the deck. Thanks for the suggestion!