Best Startup Runner (1st place GLC Startup Circuit Opener)

kevintame 569

This was the runner deck that helped me win the GLC Startup Circuit Opener (74 players). I think this is the best startup runner and all corps should be trying to figure out how to win against this deck.

This deck had 1 loss the entire tournament and it was in the finals against Sahsa. Below are some tips on how to play it.


High-Level Strategy

The main idea of the deck is to lock the remote with efficient breakers and tons of money. You also can get other accesses on centrals to pick off single agendas. Stargate to close games where you know agendas are in RD. Remember to plan your turns and try and get your hand size to be the same as the corp so that you can get the free draw.


Early Game

If you can have Endurance and Rigging Up the in your starting hand you are in pretty good shape. This combo allows you to pressure early and start running as soon as possible. Diesel and econ cards are also very good. Rezeki and Stoneship Chart Room are also nice to have. I don't like having my breakers early because you are mostly going to use your boat to contest while you are setting up. If you are playing against Jinteki: Personal Evolution I usually mulligan for Buffer Drive. If you are playing against Near-Earth Hub: Broadcast Center the Paricia will work wonders.

Mid Game

At this point, you want to be playing Into the Depths to get out breakers or Rezeki. Clearing out the remote with Pinhole Threading. I love having Leech online as well so that I can be getting value runs on centrals and also charging my boat and leech.

Late Game

At this point, you should have a few Rezeki and Hyperbaric and Cleaver on the board and maybe a Leech. The boat is the best way to deal with sentries so only install Echelon if you have to. Generally, if I'm dealing with Drafter then I'll install it (but only after I have the others installed). Sometimes a server gets too big and you just need to ignore it. At this point you should install Stargate and find the other agendas in R&D. I don't like to install Stargate unless I have to. The reason I don't install Stargate early is that it takes up 2MU and you'd rather keep your Rezekis and Leech on the table.


Card Choices

  • Creative Commission: Broken shaper econ card
  • Diesel: Get that boat online quickly
  • Dirty Laundry: Pairs well with boat and leech
  • Into the Depths: Amazing value on runs and get your programs out. Priority install program, 4c, and then charge.
  • Overclock: This is a nice to pump Hyperbaric and make some runs on the remote doable.
  • Pinhole Threading: Clear out those pesky upgrades. Also is super helpful to know if the remote has a remote or not.
  • Rigging Up: Pairs nice with boat and hyperbaric. Don't fall into the trap of waiting for this card just get the boat down if you have to. Then use this to install another program for cheap.
  • Sure Gamble: Burst money is always good.
  • Buffer Drive: PE tech. Also, the second ability is very good against rig shooters or getting a key card back that you need (Don't underestimate this ability)
  • Endurance: BROKEN. My only loss was because I didn't see this in the first 25 cards.
  • Simulchip: Combos with Clot for FA and also good for rig shooter.
  • Daily Casts: Good money.
  • Mystic Maemi: I think this inf could be spent elsewhere. I just didn't install it a lot and if I did it felt win more.
  • No Free Lunch: Tech for anyone trying to tag you and just good econ otherwise.
  • Stoneship Chart Room: Tech for Punitive Counterstrike and good draw otherwise. I never use it for the charge ability.
  • Cleaver: Very good for low-strength ice. Otherwise use the boat to break.
  • Echelon: Great against low-strength ice and if you have Leech. Otherwise use the boat to break.
  • Hyperbaric: They won't rez code gates once you have this setup. Combo with Rigging Up and Overclock.
  • Clot: Keep corps from fast advancing on you.
  • Leech: Pairs nicely with your breakers and can save you a lot of money.
  • Paricia: Probably don't need but it just kills NEH.
  • Rezeki: It's a banned card in the standard format for a reason. Get them down early and out econ your opponent.
  • Stargate: Late game only.

Special Thanks

I wanted to thank the GLC mods for running the tournament and all of my opponents for their kindness.

3 comments
1 Nov 2022 5N00P1

Congrats on the win!
Feels like 90% of a Standard Deck, just with Rezeki and no Clippy

1 Nov 2022 kevintame

@5N00P1 Yes but the benefit is that corps are not as good in startup and significantly slower. IMO This deck is pretty bonkers in startup.

3 Nov 2022 5N00P1

100%! I was more feeling, StartUp and Standard are currently very close and sometimes StartUp feels stronger as there are no banns (yet).