Archer

Archer 4[credit]

Ice: Sentry - Destroyer
Strength: 6
Influence: 2

As an additional cost to rez this ice, forfeit 1 agenda.

[subroutine] Gain 2[credit].

[subroutine] Trash 1 installed program.

[subroutine] Trash 1 installed program.

[subroutine] End the run.

Next time, read the Terms of Service more carefully. Or you might find yourself in the danger zone.
Illustrated by Mike Nesbitt
Decklists with this card

System Core 2019 (sc19)

#130 • English
Startup Card Pool
Standard Card Pool
Standard Ban List (show history)
Printings
Rulings
  • Updated 2022-04-23

    When the Corp has a scored Braintrust with 1 agenda counter, and forfeits it to rez Archer, how much does the Corp pay for rezzing Archer?

    It costs 3 plus the forfeit of Braintrust. The decision of what you use to pay is made upfront and then the cost is paid simultaneously. The Braintrust ability applies while deciding what to pay for the cost.

  • Updated 2021-10-11

    Can the Corp use Send a Message’s ability to rez an Archer without forfeiting an agenda?

    Yes. “Ignoring all costs” in Send a Message’s ability refers to both the rez cost of the ice and any additional costs.

  • Updated 2023-10-04

    The Runner plays S-Dobrado, bypasses a piece of ice, and continues to approach the next ice. The Corp rezzes Archer, lowering the threat level below 4. Can the second S-Dobrado ability still be used?

    No. In order for the Runner to trigger S-Dobrado’s threat ability, it must be active when the second encounter begins, and it is no longer active after the Corp forfeits an agenda to pay Archer’s additional cost. The Runner cannot spend to bypass Archer.

Reviews

Possibly the most devastating piece of ICE in Weyland, it is a sentry that all fear when facing the corp. It is extremely taxing to run through - while maybe the runner doesn’t break that 2credit subroutine, it can still cost a pretty penny to get through for most breakers. Despite the forfeit additional cost to rez, it is rather cheap, making it easy to force a runner into it. Not only does it keep them out then, but it also can really set the runner’s rig back, opening up huge scoring windows. Against some runners that play dangerously with only one copy of a breaker and little to no recursion it can completely shut them out.

Don’t let the cost of the agenda put a bad side on this card. First, Weyland has a Two for One in faction in Hostile Takeover. This is a staple part of a lot of Weyland’s economy, especially those Weyland decks which care less about keeping the runner out and more about just slowing them down to set up for the Flatline. Hostile is a perfect target for Archer - indeed, while it can be very possible to sack a two or even three pointer to Archer, rarely the tempo gained is worth the loss of points for anything beyond a single pointer.

With that agenda in faction and very easy to get on the table to power up Archer, this sentry becomes a devastating weapon to use against a runner who face checks without a killer - or two broke to use the one they have installed. Archer remains a constant threat and will remain a strong piece of ICE.

(Written as Chrome City was just released . )

(Chrome City era)
423
Yeah, Archer's a great piece of ice. Very little feels better than an opening hand that involves Hostile Takeover and an Archer. The ability to threaten both early- and late-game rigs is devestating. Also, the flavor text? Pefection. —
An Archer that resolves it's subroutines when you rez it is often game-winning. —

I hate Archer, "The Archers" and Jeffrey Archer. They're all deceitful cowards.

... I've just realised that only applies to Archer and Jeffrey Archer and not "The Archers" who, to be fair, are a mixed bag.

Goodbye.

(Rebellion Without Rehearsal era)
14

Aha!

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