Confidential Sources

"It's amazing how much people will share when you look like someone with authority," Valencia Estevez thought to herself as she slipped on a white doctor's coat. Entering the room, she greeted her patient with a smile. "So, tell me about your work on the Beanstalk...and when did symptoms present themselves," she asked...

Here is the Valencia deck that I've been playing and tweaking for quite some time. She's done quite well for me at Store Championships (no, not one of those undefeated decks - but top 4, top 8), particularly against decks that take their time. She was great against Foodcoats that didn't try to push early and Weyland builds and performed admirably in the few matchups against RP. Where did she fall apart? NBN typically.

This deck is all about The Source. It's a good card in its own right to slow games down, but particularly if Corps are using assets / upgrades to try to get you to waste Blackmails. Now when they want to score, they have to show their hand somewhat. Not only that but it can buy you a turn - played against an RP recently that installed and advanced once. But then The Source arrived to push that score out a turn. It also means that those pesky horizontal-put-agendas-anywhere decks have to either protect or advance and hope you don't run. And that's why Valencia is the choice for this deck. Once they show your hand, you can Blackmail with impunity.

"But The Source requires you to pay to steal and gets trashed when you score," you say. That's why it combos well with the good doctor (Dr. Lovegood). Turn The Source off at the start of your turn and play Netrunner like normal. In a pinch, it can switch off Wyldside. And if you don't find Lovegood in time, Imp is another solution - Not ideal, but it'll do...

As for other inclusions: Hunting Grounds - If you see Data Raven (particularly against Corps with QPM), Tollbooth, or Komainu often, this is a great include. Worst comes to worst, Turnpike is less of an inconvenience or you deny the Corp getting a credit from Pop-up window. Utopia Shard -Legwork plus this is fun, but it also comes to the rescue after a Sea Source, an agenda steal when you know they're playing Midseasons, a 24/7 News Cycle, and more. Scrubber - Turn Val into a Whizzard with Blackmail at her disposal. Helps keep on top of horizontal Corps, provided you can find it, set up your board, and keep all their assets at bay. Turntable - Turntable can win games. Take away their Astro, Nisei, or Atlas token, take a Global Food that they scored early, or trade up for an agenda worth more. More than happy to spend 4cr on an NAPD if I get to swap for something of value.

Any feedback or constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated.