Lycan is a Morph ice with the ability to trash programs as a Sentry or Code Gate when advanced. This type of subroutine is non-existent on Code Gates, with exception to Grail type ice, and can serve an unexpected surprise. This, unfortunately, is the only upside to using this card.

Expensive, cumbersome, and porous, Lycan sits at three strength, weak to the omni-threatening Mimic and cheap to break. It also requires an additional click and credit to advance to it's surprise state, in comparison to Wendigo, which starts in it's most powerful type. The strength once again makes it vulnerable to the other efficient scale-less breaker, Yog.0.

• Cheaper alternative: Nebula
• Robust & powerful alternative: Grim

Still, despite all of the weaknesses to it's competition, some may find a use for Lycan in matches against very aggressive face-checking Runners. With the plethora of advanceable ice available, I guarantee you the least they will be expecting is this runt of an ice.

An interesting and thematic card that begs to be used, but when presented with the daunting task of applying 2 tags, raises doubt in its viability. Runners tend to be in two states when it comes to tags - loaded with tons, or none at all. With the many ways NBN has to tag outside Midseasons, even those methods might stick maybe 1 tag into the next turn against a wary Runner. So, what does apply two tags?

• Big Brother. Nope.

• Breaking News. If you can find a way to a score it with clicks left, it instantly turns Traffic Accident on. Sneaky Breaking News plays like this usually aim to trash a valuable Resource, so sometimes that trumps dealing at least 2 meat damage. Finding a way to have 2+ clicks after scoring a Breaking News for consecutive Traffic Accidents enters jank territory.

• Account Siphon punishment. I would rather have Closed Accounts (one influence) and not rely on hitting valuable cards.

• Midseason Replacements. At this point, isn't committing to Scorched Earth the better option?

This card is a mystery to use effectively and reliably, and I challenge Corps to find a way. I do not foresee this card being a big player in the flatline game.

Runners in H&P and the Lunar cycle recently received a bunch of cards that increase hand size and/or draw a lot of cards. Especially Anarch, but Box-E and Theophilus Bagbiter come to mind in Criminal.

Stim Dealer provides a cheaper, safer alternative to Rachel Beckman, and provides a real benefit to having larger hand size.

I suspect this is the first of a line of powerful cards that will benefit from increased hand size, because currently, as of Up and Over, the benefit of playing 'shield' type damage protection is much, much more efficient than increasing hand size.