Ice isn't real, it can't hurt you

kikius 2

Modified version of my first Mercury deck with better econ and (hopefully) better ice bypass options

1 comments
24 Jul 2024 MadCity

Picking up from 1st post, yes, 3 Hermes is so you have a better chance of seeing one since this is your console. A big part of making the deck work is to find ways around ICE and one way is to bounce it back to Corp. hand before you run again. Mercury is a run deck, you need to be testing the Corp. servers early and often to find Agendas.

Econ run cards like Dirty Laundry should probably be in your list since econ is tougher for Criminal decks in startup. En Passant is a nice card, but hard to find slots for over econ like Creative Commision maybe. Red Team is not a very good econ card because you have to run with it and only get 3 credits/successful run. You likely will spend more than that breaking ICE. Security Testing isn't going to help you steal agendas either. Overclock is another partial econ card to consider once Corp. has it's ICE rezzed mid to late game. Can never go wrong with abundant econ in the early stages of learning to play.

I still think you should put a Docklands Pass in your hardware for some extra HQ pressure. One T400 is also tempting if you keep the Mayfly. Mercury is a tough ID, which is why it's less popular over Zahya or Ken in Startup. The bypass is a cool mechanic, but lack of econ is usually what sunk me in games. Once the Corp. gets 2-3 ICE on servers is when she runs into trouble, which is why Hermes is important to get out early. Card draws like Diesel aren't a bad consideration either. I think Window of Opportunity is a little underrated for turning off ICE before a run or Emergency Shutdown. But can't argue with Mutual Favor to get breakers out earlier or Career Fair for the more expensive resources.