Akitaro the AI Master

PeekaySK 8148

Originally this deck got thrown together to prove the theory that HB: ST isn't such a horrible identity at all... I mean, either slowing the runner down to effectively 1 click per turn or costing him 2-3 credits more each run, that's gotta be worth something, right? The only possible problem is the loss of economic power, but let's face it - I've been playing Jinteki since core, I'm no stranger to starving :P

The ICE package should be pretty self-explanatory. In your opening hand you want to see some econ (yes, Eve is fine too) and either an Eli or a Viktor - those are your early ICE. Don't be afraid to drop Akitaro in a position where he can only rez 1 ICE - if they don't trash him right away, you'll be adding a second ICE soon enough... and once you do, he essentially becomes a Beanstalk! If you actually manage to rez 3 with him, go trash him to reinstall someplace else, he's already done his job.

Hudson 1.0 is actually a really good ICE in my experience - he has good synergy with both the unfruitful centrals and the upgrade-based remotes, and a 6-str code gate is a bitch to break. The effect is nothing to scoff at, once he's layered in with some other stuff too.

Agendas: pretty straightforward, the game is closed by a combination of SanSan-powered FA and a Priority Requisition scored the hard way. I used to have 2x Gila Hands in here as a plan B, but they tended to clog up the hand too badly, which became even more of a problem with the addition of Blue Level Clearance. I usually don't trigger the ABTs, but if you do decide to do it, the agenda density is low enough and the ICE brutal enough that triggering it might actually become a really good play if you're feeling lucky.

Blue Level Clearance is the newest addition - originally those were Adonises, although I'm rather liking the swap: Adonis needs to be defended, and this deck can use the draw power (since your ICE needs to be all layered).

In closing: it's funny how giving +1 STR to Viktor 1.0 and Ichi 2.0 turns them into these supercharged beasts for their cost :P

2 comments
9 Apr 2014 partialcharge

I love Viktor 1.0 so much. And he makes such a delicious surprise out of faction!

9 Apr 2014 PeekaySK

He's decent, but in Stronger Together he becomes great :)