(Affordable + Efficiency) - Flexibility = Cyber-Cypher

Cyber-Cypher is admittedly not a very popular decoder due to it's "choose a server" installation requirement. Never-the-less the card exists so here goes.

Combos

If is not a problem up to 3 copies of Cyber-Cypher could be installed each targeting one of the three servers the runner wants to target the most (say R&D, HQ & the corp's main scoring server). Perhaps in a deck with Ekomind & Theophilius Bagbiter the memory hit could be mitigated?

Tinkering could give Cyber-Cypher some temporary flexibility within the target server

For an efficiency boost Cyber-Cypher could be installed on a main target server (say HQ or the corps main scoring server etc) then an AI ice breaker or a more flexible decoder for other servers like ZU.13 Key Master or Gordian Blade etc could be held in reserve as needed, perhaps not even needed depending on the board state.

For a mid-late game surprise, Cyber-Cypher could be held in reserve (perhaps even in the heap) then if a particular server is found to be protected by a meaningful number of code gate 's, the runner could then throw down Cyber-Cypher (perhaps with the help of Déjà Vu or some other recurring card) to surprise the corp with a more efficient path to navigate through a super server for some points or perhaps even the win.

Can be used as a place holder for Torch, using Cyber-Cypher in the early game until the runner has the 9 to put Torch down in it's place.

London Library to get Cyber-Cypher installed where it's needed most, then if Autoscripter Cyber-Cypher is installed the extra can send it back to the grip. (Bonus: Technical Writer for free every time this is done.) Furthermore, Rielle "Kit" Peddler: Transhuman with Cyber-Cypher is a nice face-checking combo meaning you'll always have an efficient ice-breaker to break that first ice, putting pressure on the corp to spend s on rez-ing ice rather than advancing other priorities.

(Did I miss an obvious combo, I'd appreciate any comments that can help improve this review)

Pros

+4 Strength which is buffable for only 1 makes this decoder much more efficient than the average

At only 2 this is card is very affordable, only Refractor, Crowbar, Passport & ZU.13 Key Master are cheaper decoders none of which match Cyber-Cypher's strength & efficiency

Cons

it's "choose a server" installation requirement makes Cyber-Cypher very inflexible. Therefore it often cannot stand on it's own as the runner may need to have another decoder or an AI ice-breaker installed to compensate for this lack of flexibility (or have some other kind of combo in place).

It's while only 1, still represents a significant reserve of resources

Summary

Functionally similar to Torch at a fraction of the cost, Cyber-Cypher is a decoder the runner may choose to take a gamble which may pay off on depending on how much the corp is going to rely on code-gate ice or how much the game play will focus on servers that Cyber-Cypher isn't targeting. Runners who take that gamble or compensate with AI or other decoders may find the secret sauce to reap efficiency from Cyber-Cypher but it remains a gamble imho.

--It just saddens me when I see cards with no reviews. If you appreciated this review, please give a heart and I'll be encouraged to write more.