Gift Tags for Christmas [4th @ Warwick CO]

The inspiration for this deck is based on Pinsel’s R+ World’s deck. A large factor of its success, therefore, should be attributed to the expert testing and build of Pinsel and team KANEHL /KANEHL+.

Over the last few events I played with this deck list, I edited to suit my playstyle, adding options to create NBN-style fun™, and a sprinkling of ideas that might actually be good.

Key Deck Adaptation Principles

1) Who doesn’t want Express Shipping?!

• This concept served me well in my UK Nationals deck iteration, see how and why here.

• The delightful Warwick CO theme was “A Very Netrunner Christmas” which got me thinking about how to turn this element up to the max, thus delivering a seasonal-souped-up-Christmas-Shipping-Guarantee-Express-Shipping option.

2) Runners deserve presents at Christmas time.

• So, here, is the gift of tags, for those who’d like to give runners a little present for their efforts at this very special time of year. Because whatever else they might be lucky enough to receive for the holidays, it’s going to come with a tag. A gift tag.

Handy Guide for Gift Tagging for Your Favourite Runner

Step one: Runners love to run: reward running with tags

• After I swapped out my face check choice of tag ice plan for a xmas promise of two. Sure, it’s porous, runners help themselves to a few gifts and carry on, everything is going to be fine.

• Your generous gift tags are sure to make lasting memories, for rotations to come.

Detailed notes: Alongside the triple Ping, there are some nice tag bundles you can gift the runner.
Perhaps you’d like to double up for an extra credit and Ping/Ping a central server?
Perhaps you might like to offer a little variety with a Ping, Starlit Knight stack?

Step two: Enjoy the fuzzy feeling of a gift exchange. You gave? Well now you deserve something in return.

• After playing a fun round of Ice Secret Santa™, and bestowing your running pal with a tag, or ideally two (so generous), you can bask in the warm and virtuous circle of receiving a gift.

• Unfortunately, runners don’t have tags to give, but they can happily provide a few programs in exchange, or perhaps you’d like a nice piece of hardware? After having given the gift tag, you can pick and choose what you’d like, like a mall gift card. So thoughtful of the runner to leave it up to you to choose yourself a present you’d really like.

Detailed notes: Adding two Self-Growth Programs was the way to achieve this. I found that with this added recursion and Spin Doctor I always had it in hand when I needed it.
I cut a Rashida out for the extra Self Growth Programme, which I didn’t need. The tempo is enough I think, especially if you get an un-iced Federal Fundraising out early.
Added bonus, it’s an extra operation to fuel triples with wage workers, meaning that on one turn I had the pleasure of playing, Self-Growth, Self-Growth, Predictive Planogram, then Wage Workers click to Oppo Research.

Step three: Don’t forget to add gift tags to all your runner presents

• As well as the gift of a tag straight up, you can also attach gift tags to other presents like agendas or even assets. So fun! Tomorrow’s Headline has a very shiny visible tag upfront, but you should really follow up any of your generous agendas with gift tags so they know who it is from.

• If you are feeling super organised, you can pre-pay for gift tags for any assets that a runner might be interested in purchasing. This helps spread the costs of the season.

Detailed notes: There’s a balance here between giving out the Oppo’s early and slowing a runner down, and then saving up one for a big Oppo in the mid-game. I tried to use Spin Doctor for the Oppo to get them back into play, and deliver a steady stream of tagging as often as possible.

Step four: Don’t forget to treat yo’self!

• It’s easy to give to others, but taking time for yourself is also v. important. Once you’ve given out a hearty stash of gift tags, why not order yourself a last minute treat?

• Evil corporations do deserve a little festive vengeance too, so why not add a little cinnamon spice into the mix and surprise your runner with something they never expected?

Detailed notes: This deck wants to score out. Tag jokes and games aside, if you get a window early, take it.
I swapped out a Biotic Labour for another Seamless Launch and I don’t regret it. I want to score out the 1/3 agenda so being able to fast advance the 2/4s is somehow better than that big Biotic play with Bellona.
On Urtica: This deck had only used 14/15 influence used to get the job I wanted to get done.
So I dedicated the last point of influence to something spicy and silly. I tested out ice as a mechanism for this, having a Stavka, or a Phoneutria, but in the end chose Urtica, as a funnier and potentially deadly option.
I only got to blow it up once (thanks for your curiosity Hello) but it was joyful. Speaking tactically, I don’t think this is that strong but I don’t know what else to do with the influence.
If anyone has any suggestions for what to treat myself to next time, let me know in the comments!

Gratitudes

Huge thanks to Pinsel for sharing their R+ World’s deck.

Thanks to znsolomon for driving us in a day of travel chaos, and also for facing off against me in the final round of the day with such good energy. We smashed it!

Thanks also to my wonderful local meta, for testing and teaching me how to play netrunner. I have only been playing since the end of July and you've all been very patient, generous, and kind! Having your own Quear Earth Hub is a powerful thing. So proud of everyone for all your successes this year. Congratulations to SeaRose for your win at the CO, I know you will make the Midlands proud at the Circuit Breaker Invitational!

Finally, a massive shout out to harmonbee for making such a fun tournament. The theme inspired so much creativity (not_yeti’s beard! Scruff’s alt arts!), the community felt so supported by your efforts, and you and AceEmpress brought us all so much festive cheer with your story performance. Amazing all round.

Bring on 2024!