CI - Mandatory Control v3.0

{Statement of Intent}

I've been playing around with the CI "Control" concept for a number of weeks. What I've learned is that this deck is subtle in its strength and variable in its function. It's a complex brand of HB Glacier, with an emphasis on providing the opportunity to suddenly take control of the field.

{Mulligan}

When I draw my first hand I look for a few things. (1) Melange or Hedge Fund. (2) A piece of ICE or two. (3) No more than one Agenda. If I don't fulfill those three conditions, I take a mulligan.

{Agenda Choices & Functionality}

Efficiency Committee is used as utility, with potential synergy with Private Security Force, which is used to kill if you can, harass if you can't (assuming the tag, of course). Melange Mining Corp. and Efficiency Committee can also be used in conjunction to net 14 credits with 6 total clicks in a single turn (using all tokens from Efficiency Committee). Melange Mining Corp. also functions well if there's a Mandatory Upgrades or two scored. With some deliberation, I decided to add Project Vitruvius, as it can be scored easily from hand if Mandatory Upgrades is scored and as it can further recur anything that might be needed if over-advanced.

{Control Choices & Functionality}

As the Runner gets more desperate to score the last point or gain an edge in the spread, they inevitably gain a tag or two or incur a power counter on Data Raven. Giving a tag to the Runner can trash a troublesome resource, empty their credit pool with Closed Accounts, or trash two programs with Bad Times in the late-game when the Runner has their full rig.

Power Shutdown for 0 or 1 eats a Self-Modifying Code or Datasucker, which can put quite the damper on the Runner. Sometimes a Power Shutdown for 2 is appropriate, but only if it can get rid of a troubling program/hardware. It may be appropriate to go higher, but that isn't necessarily advised.

Cyberdex Trial has quite a bit of utility, protecting you from a wide range of viruses at the cost of only one click. It's surprisingly good and can stall well if the Runner leans on viruses at all.

Ash 2X3ZB9CY is amazing in the mid to late-game, when pushing through a remote is becoming expensive. It forces the Runner to make two expensive runs to score an agenda or trash a vital resource.

{Recursion Engine}

Reclamation Order and Archived Memories allows for a near-endless recursion of economy, control cards, and the occasional piece of discarded or trashed ICE. While it's click-heavy and a little slow, it's off-set by Efficiency Committee, Mandatory Upgrades, and the inclusion of Project Vitruvius.

{ICE Choices}

I've changed the ICE spread (again). While 15 may seem like a low number, it's actually more than adequate. Levy University may seem awkward at first, but it's efficient and effective when provided additional clicks via Efficiency Committee or Mandatory Upgrades. Not only is it good to pull out what you need when you need it, it's also good to get several ICE at once to begin the final stages of the late-game.

There is a lot of variation in the ICE spread which serves an important function. Unpredictability. While that's a double-edged sword, it makes the Runner more cautious or more easily controlled. Both of which are a benefit.

I've changed and changed the ICE spread several times in an attempt to find the perfect balance. After some thorough testing, I'm sure it'll be altered once more.

{How To Play}

While there is an early, mid, and late-game setup, it's usually only important where ICE is concerned. The Runner is the one who takes the lead on such a setup. As more of their rig comes out into play, the more ICE you're going to want protecting your servers. This is standard and I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.

This deck is a challenge to play. It has a lot of moving parts and each play carries a considerable amount of weight. The choices you make on one turn could have serious negative repercussions three turns down the line. While this is true with most decks (with the possible exception of NBN Fast Advance), these effects are more emphasized here. That said, there is a checklist that I like to follow before making any decisions.

1) What does my economy look like? Can I rez this piece of ICE and recoup the loss of credits in a timely manner? Or, if I spend 3 turns pushing through a Mandatory Upgrades, will I have enough credits to both protect it, advance it, and keep a decent hand size in the process?

2) What are the cards in my hand and how many of them can I realistically lose by spending credits below my hand size? Agendas and Recursion cards are the only ones you really want to keep in your hand whenever possible, unless there's a Jackson Howard in play, then it falls to keeping Recursion cards.

3) Do I have any opportunities to put pressure or stall on the Runner in the form of a control card? If you can tag the Runner and kill a vital resource like a Kati or Donut, do it with complete disregard, unless it will mean the game.

4) What is my hand size and do I need anything in particular? Knowing when to draw is as important as knowing how penetrable each of your servers are. It's not something I can really talk about in particular, but you'll get a feel for it the longer you play CI.

5 & 6) How much does it cost for the Runner to crack a server and do I have any ICE in that server that is guaranteed to keep them out? How fast can the Runner recoup their credits after cracking the server as it stands, and if all of the ICE is rez'd. This is especially important to pay attention to, as it will determine your score windows, thereby allowing you to push through a first or second Mandatory Upgrades, an over-advanced Project Vitruvius, or just about anything else.

{Concerns & Challenges}

The intent and purpose of this deck provides an innate advantage over the Runner, any Runner. That said, there are some issues that occasionally need to be overcome. As a deck with answers, that's usually not a problem. But as we all know, there are certain Runner archetypes that are especially effective and efficient.

Donut Taganes is an especially annoying weakness, since the recursion engine and 2/3rds of the Econ are events. He's difficult to play around and makes an already tight credit pool tighter. It can feel like a noose, but that's why there's Dracō and Data Raven, I suppose.

Atman/Datasucker/Parasite is an archetype that is especially strong against Corp, nearly any Corp. There's some hate against it: Dracō, Ice Wall, Lotus Field, Cyberdex Trial, and Power Shutdown are answers or stall against it.

Shaper's recursion and accelerated rig formation can step up the pace of the game by a fair margin, requiring a change in tactics. Specifically the play-style goes from slow-roll manipulation and sneaking through agendas to fast and loose manipulation and sneaking through agendas. Scoring windows are smaller and each play carries more weight.

{Final Words}

Having two remote servers can be especially handy as Levy University, Melange Mining Corp., and Jackson Howard have relatively low trash costs.

A word on Jackson Howard: our own personal Jesus is reflected in Jackson. He's great at steady card-draw and can manipulate Agendas back into R&D. I would go no further, however, as the recursion engine requires there to be a number of go-to cards in Archives to bring back at a moment's notice. Also, as Jackson removes himself from the game it may be more prudent to install over him or allow him to be trashed, than triggering his alternate ability.