Cactus Game Design Message Boards

Hey guys,

I posted here about ideas about different types of decks.  My reasoning for doing this is to show new players different styles of decks that can be made within this game.  Obviously, most will be using multiple styles, but I wanted to give them a "pure" look into different styles and let them decide which one they enjoy most.  I will be honest in saying that I enjoy playing these decks more than competitive decks, because I'm trying to accomplish one feat, and if it works it is completely satisfying.

So that being said, these decks are created to introduce the style and to maximize that particular aspect.  So if you feel like it needs something that will make it more "competitive," then I probably don't want to include it.  Now, if the addition falls in line with the style of deck and it makes it more "competitive" please let me know because I don't want all of these to be complete pushovers, but would prefer players beat them.

These decks haven't had a "good lookin' at" in a while, and if you see cards from Cloud of Witnesses or later, it means the card was so obvious to add that I did.  So please let me know if new cards can be added to make this a "better" deck.  At the same time, due to me having these decks pre-built means I have to have excess cards in my inventory to have them built, so that is why you are going to see a lot of repeat cards.  I have a starting 7 dominants and lost souls, due to the difficulty in acquiring lots of the newer and better ones.  I will add certain ones to help are particular deck style, but want to limit those to one or two across all decks.

The main reason for these decks is to give people an idea on decks to play against their newer players.  There is actually an article coming explaining why these are here and even why they need to be updated!

Again, with all of the above in mind.  Please let me know upgrades that can be made or even new decks (styles) that need to be added.

Here are the current decks:

Fight by the Number Banding
Hand Control / Discard
Toss
Hero-less
Mill (Deck Discard)
Territory Control (A-Bom)
Paralyze
Site-Lock
Decrease
Speed

Adding (eventually)

Side Battle Shenanigans
Battle Extender


Note: Hero-lite / Turtle is pretty much covered in Hero-less, Decrease & Site-Lock.

As the second deck new players play, this emphasizes how to win battles.  It also teaches them the importance of having interrupts/negates.  While this is generally viewed as a large step up from the previous deck the lack of interrupts/negates within this decks leaves it venerable against low numbered opponents or cards that interrupt/negate then do something else.

Cards:51

Lost Souls:

Lost Soul (II Chronicles 15:4) (*/4)
Lost Soul (Acts 11:18) (N.T. Only)
Lost Soul (Ezekiel 34:6) (Wanderer)
Lost Soul (Jeremiah 7:18) (WO) (Female Only)
Lost Soul (Jeremiah 17:9) (Punisher)
Lost Soul (Matthew 19:23) (Speed Bump)
Lost Soul (Psalm 119:176) (Anti Angel)

Dominants:

Angel of the Lord
Son of God
Burial
Christian Martyr
Strife
Vain Philosophy

Dual-Alignment Cards:

Paul's Belt

Artifacts/Covenants/Curses:

David's Harp (K)
Holy of Holies (PS)
King's Sword (H)

Cities/Fortresses/Sites:

Dragon Raid (P)

Heroes:

Eli the Priest
Elisabeth
Eunice
Gideon (CoW)
Jair
Lazarus
Leah
Nicanor
Seeker of the Lost

Good Enhancements:

Fishers of Men
Furnace of God's Wrath
Meeting the Messiah
New Creation, A
Shamgar's Oxgoad
Sword against Sword
Trumpets and Torches
Capturing Canaan
Faith of Gideon

Evil Characters:

Ahithophel (K)
King Balak
King Hoshea
King Pekahiah
Panic Demon (Gray)
Pharisees (John Reference)
Shaphat
Soldiers of Zobah

Evil Enhancements:

Arrest in Jerusalem
Coliseum Lions
Deadly Snare
Deluge of Rain
Night Raid
Hypocrite's Proselyte
Uproar in Jerusalem

So again, one more large step up to kind of drive home most of the abilities within the game.  Here we add battle by the numbers (BBTN) and protection.  While these are inherently strong I weaken the deck by not having overpowered enhancements to back them up.  So making good choices as to who your characters are or having enhancements that can target the evil characters (CBP/CBN for BBTN and interrupt the battle for protection) will make this deck a cake walk.

Cards:56

Lost Souls:

Lost Soul (II Chronicles 15:4) (*/4)
Lost Soul (II Chronicles 28:13) (Hopper)
Lost Soul (Acts 11:18) (N.T. Only)
Lost Soul (Ezekiel 34:6) (Wanderer)
Lost Soul (Jeremiah 7:18) (WO) (Female Only)
Lost Soul (Jeremiah 17:9) (Punisher)
Lost Soul (Matthew 19:23) (Speed Bump)
Lost Soul (Psalm 119:176) (Anti Angel)

Dominants:

Angel of the Lord
Son of God
Burial
Christian Martyr
Destruction of Nehushtan
Strife
Vain Philosophy

Dual-Alignment Cards:

Philosophy

Artifacts/Covenants/Curses:

Chariot of Fire
Elijah's Mantle
Captured Ark
Unsuccessful (PS)
Confusion of Mind

Cities/Fortresses/Sites:

Darkness, The
Wall of Protection

Heroes:

Ira (WA)
Moses (WA)
Shamhuth (WA)
Benaiah (WA)
Captain of the Host (WA)
Strong Angel, The (WA)
Daniel (P)

Good Enhancements:

Fountains of Living Water
Godspeed
Live Coal
Loaves and Fishes
Sing and Praise
Sword of the Lord
Sword of the Spirit (K)
Water to Wine

Evil Characters:

Philistine Garrison (TxP)
Beast of the Earth (WA)
Selfish Kinsman
Red Dragon (G)
Sapphira
Seven Sons of Sceva
Emperor Claudius (PC)
Emperor Nero (AP)
Job's Wife (WO)
Foul Spirit (J)
King of Tyrus (PS)
Prince of this World (PS)
Balaam
Amalekites' Slave, The

Evil Enhancements:

Ashtaroth Worship
Lurking
Lying Unto God
Torment

This deck is using the same deck Josiah Beers used to win Nationals.  The deck might need to adjust to simply remove cards from the hand and not include as many battle winners.  There are several new characters that would probably be a good addition to this deck.

Cards:56

Lost Souls:

Lost Soul (I Corinthians 1:27) (Site Discard)
Lost Soul (Daniel 9:5) (Covenant Breakers)
Lost Soul (Ezekiel 34:6) (Wanderer)
Lost Soul (Jeremiah 22:3) (Foreigner)
Lost Soul (Job 30:26) (Darkness)
Lost Soul (Jude 1:16) (Gain)
Lost Soul (Psalm 1:4) (WA) (Site Doubler)

Dominants:

Angel of the Lord
New Jerusalem
Son of God
Christian Martyr
Destruction of Nehushtan
Falling Away
Vain Philosophy

Dual-Alignment Cards:

Moabite Camp
Seven Years of Famine

Artifacts/Covenants/Curses:

Household Idols
Jacob's Ladder
I Am Holy
Covenant with Adam
Unknown Nation
Birthing Pains

Cities/Fortresses/Sites:

Fortress of Antonia

Heroes:

Asher
Benjamin
Dan
Eve
Rachel
Simeon
Joseph (CoW)

Good Enhancements:

Cup of Wrath
Jubilee
Abraham's Descendant
Eve's Descendant
The First Sacrifice
Fountain of Living Water
Numerous as the Stars
Offering Your Son

Evil Characters:

Emperor Caius Caligula
Emperor Galba
Emperor Tiberius
Emperor Domitian
King Hazael
Mocking Soldiers
Pontius Pilate
Spirit of Temptation
The Terrifying Beast

Evil Enhancements:

Crucify Him!
Famine in the Land
Heavy Taxes
Idle Gossip
Naaman’s Chariot and Horses
Sorrow of Mary
Roman Whip
Lurking
Romans Destroy Jerusalem

Reserve:

Dove
Buying Grain
The Three Visitors
Jared, the Beholder
Bless the Nations
The Entrapping Pharisees
King Eglon
King Menahem
Moabite Messenger
Gold Shield

So how can you build a deck without Heroes?  Saul/Paul is the answer!  Large defense to stall the game long enough to convert an evil character to a hero and use a killer ability to steal the game away!

Cards:51

Lost Souls:

Lost Soul (Ezekiel 34:6) (Wanderer)
Lost Soul (Jeremiah 7:18) (WO) (Female Only)
Lost Soul (Jeremiah 17:9) (Punisher)
Lost Soul (Job 30:26) (Darkness)
Lost Soul (Jude 1:16) (Gain)
Lost Soul (Matthew 19:23) (Speed Bump)
Lost Soul (Psalm 1:4) (WA) (Site Doubler)

Dominants:

Angel of the Lord
Blinding Light
New Jerusalem
Son of God
Christian Martyr
Destruction of Nehushtan
Falling Away

Artifacts/Covenants/Curses:

Endless Treasures
Holy Grail
Unholy Writ
New Covenant, The

Cities/Fortresses/Sites:

Herod's Temple
High Priest's Palace
Obadiah's Caves
Treacherous Land

Good Enhancements:

Feast of Unleavened Bread

Evil Characters:

Chief Priests, The
Disbelieving Sadducees
High Priest Ananias
Sadducees (4 Men)
Entrapping Pharisees
Pharisees (Brown Boarder)
Plotting Pharisees, The
Proud Pharisee
Saul / Paul
Sanhedrin, The
Scribe

Evil Enhancements:

Devourer (WA)
Pride of Simon
Seized by Rioters
Wrath of Satan
Balaam's Disobedience
Pretension
Self-Righteous Prayer
Cut Off
Envy
Idol Worship
Just a Hireling
Plot to Kill
Scattered Sheep
Seize Him!
Stoning of Stephen
Stricken
Tenants Kill the Son

Reserve:

Household Idols
Besieged
Unknown Nation (PS)
Lacking Prophecy
Samuel's Edict
Two Bears
Zeal for the Lord
High Priest Annas
High Priest Caiaphas
Pharisees (John Reference)

Abomination of Desolation is a fun card to play!  So this deck is to hopefully get it out as quickly as possible then using an offense and defense that forces drawing to maximize its use!

Cards:50

Lost Souls:

Lost Soul (Acts 11:18) (N.T. Only)
Lost Soul (Ezekiel 34:6) (Wanderer)
Lost Soul (Jeremiah 17:9) (Punisher)
Lost Soul (Jeremiah 22:3) (Foreigner)
Lost Soul (Jude 1:16) (Gain)
Lost Soul (Luke 15:6) (Rejoice)
Lost Soul (Matthew 19:23) (Speed Bump)

Dominants:

Angel of the Lord
New Jerusalem
Son of God
Christian Martyr
Destruction of Nehushtan
Falling Away
Mayhem

Artifacts/Covenants/Curses:

Lampstand of the Sanctuary
Samaritan Water Jar
Shrine to Artemus
Covenant with Abraham

Cities/Fortresses/Sites:

Areopagus
High Places (TxP)
Zerubbabel’s Temple (LoC)

Heroes:

Generous Widow, The
Lazarus
Martha
Woman at the Well, The
Zaccheus
Joiada, Son of Eliashib
Jeshua, the Restorer

Good Enhancements:

Convincing Miracle
Meeting the Messiah
Repentance and Restitution
Feast of Trumpets
Feast of Unleavened Bread
Kindness (EC)

Evil Characters:

Alexander the Great
Demetrius the Silversmith
Epicurean Philosophers
Priest of Zeus, The
Stoic Philosophers
Goat with Horn, The
Winged Leopard, The (PoC)

Evil Enhancements:

Abomination of Desolation
Joseph in Prison
Seized by Rioters
Worldly Wisdom
Betrayal
Envy
Idol Worship
Regrets
Scattered Sheep

Reserve:

Besieged
Good Samaritan
Watchful Servant
Ambush the City
Battle Prayer
Feast of Booths
Loaves and Fishes
Adjourn
Seek and Destroy
Abandonment

This deck is about trying to site lock and nothing more.  The offense is built to help the strategy and hope to lull you to sleep so Jacob=>Captain wins easily late.

Cards:50

Lost Souls:

Lost Soul (I Corinthians 1:27) (Site Discard)
Lost Soul (Acts 11:18) (N.T. Only)
Lost Soul (Ezekiel 34:6) (Wanderer)
Lost Soul (Hosea 13:2) (Deck Discard)
Lost Soul (Luke 15:13) (Di) (Far Country)
Lost Soul (Matthew 8:34) (Site Remove)
Lost Soul (Psalm 1:4) (WA) (Site Doubler)

Dominants:

Angel of the Lord
New Jerusalem
Son of God
Burial
Christian Martyr
Destruction of Nehushtan
Falling Away

Dual-Alignment Cards:

Prisoner at Gaza

Artifacts/Covenants/Curses:

Golden Cherubim
Hezekiah's Signet Ring
Household Idols
Confusion of Mind

Cities/Fortresses/Sites:

Bethlehem (P)
City of Refuge
Philistine Outpost
Storehouse (PA)
Hormah
Jerusalem
Canaan
Ashdod
Golgotha (Di)

Heroes:

Asher
Benjamin
Jacob (FF)
Captain of the Host (WA)

Good Enhancements:

Abraham's Descendant (DI)
Cup of Wrath
Well Reopened
Live Coal

Evil Characters:

Ahuzzath
Army of Jericho
Commander Phicol
Delilah
Goliath (P)
Herdemen of Gerar, The
King Achish
Lot's Wife
Philistine Armor Bearer (LoC)
Philistine Garrison (TxP)
Rapha of Gath
Saph

Evil Enhancements:

Bringing Fear
Foolish Advice
Joseph in Prison
Land Dispute
Pride of Simon
Stone of Thebez
King's Pomp
Scattered

Reserve:

Foreign Sword
Goliath's Sword
Ishbibenob
Foreign Wives
Danites Attack
Fortify Site
Gibeonite Trickery
Ishbibenob's Spear
Lahmi's Spear
Every Man's Sword

This deck is build to go fast and really fast.  Due to the huge advantage speed can give you, I've limited the overall power by making the firepower (enhancements) build to the overall speed instead of making this an over-powerful deck in every facet. 

Cards:51

Lost Souls:

Lost Soul (II Chronicles 28:13) (Hopper)
Lost Soul (Acts 11:18) (N.T. Only)
Lost Soul (Ezekiel 34:6) (Wanderer)
Lost Soul (Jeremiah 7:18) (WO) (Female Only)
Lost Soul (Jeremiah 17:9) (Punisher)
Lost Soul (Jeremiah 22:3) (Foreigner)
Lost Soul (Job 30:26) (Darkness)
Lost Soul (Jude 1:16) (Gain)

Dominants:

Angel of the Lord
Guardian of Your Souls
New Jerusalem
Son of God
Christian Martyr
Destruction of Nehushtan
Falling Away

Dual-Alignment Cards:

Persian Horsemen / Persian Horses

Artifacts/Covenants/Curses:

Four Drachma Coin
Holy Grail
Magic Charms
Samaritan Water Jar
Unholy Writ
Cursed Ground
Unknown Nation (PoC)

Cities/Fortresses/Sites:

Storehouse (P)
Treacherous Land

Heroes:

Gideon (CoW)
Moses (WA)
Simeon (WA)
Ethiopian Treasurer
John (I)
Matthew
Peter
Angel Under the Oak, The
Boaz
Ruth (J)

Good Enhancements:

Gideon's Call (J)
Authority of Christ (P)
Fishers of Men
Miraculous Catch
Reach of Desperation (H)
Kindness of Boaz
Ruth meets Boaz
Faith of Gideon
Pentecost

Evil Characters:

Emperor Vitellius
Sabbath Breaker
Amalekites' Slave, The
Damsel with Spirit of Divination
Lying Prophet, The

Evil Enhancements:

Balaam's Disobedience
Scattered

Reserve:

Elders of the City
Gleaning the Fields
Loyalty of Ruth
First Fruits
Haman (2019)
Messenger of Satan (EC)
Foreign Wives
Gibeonite Trickery
Haman's Boasting
Suicidal Swine Stampede

This deck is built to try to extend any and every battle.  It even has ways to extend multiples times within the same battle.

Cards:56

Lost Souls:

Lost Soul (II Chronicles 15:4) (*/4)
Lost Soul (Acts 11:18) (N.T. Only)
Lost Soul (Ezekiel 34:6) (Wanderer)
Lost Soul (Jeremiah 7:18) (WO) (Female Only)
Lost Soul (Jeremiah 17:9) (Punisher)
Lost Soul (Matthew 19:23) (Speed Bump)
Lost Soul (Psalm 35:20) (Site Guard)

Dominants:

Angel of the Lord
New Jerusalem
Son of God
Christian Martyr
Destruction of Nehushtan
Falling Away
Strife

Dual-Alignment Cards:

King Abijam
Death of Family
Kinsmen's Agreement
Orpah Departs
Sixth Bowl of Wrath

Artifacts/Covenants/Curses:

Boaz' Sandal
Book of the Law
Covenant with Abraham
Madness
Bethlehem (LoC)

Cities/Fortresses/Sites:

The Gates of Hell
Gates of Jerusalem
Solomon's Temple
Land of Moab

Heroes:

Elders of the City
Elimelech
Boaz, the Redeemer
Ruth, the Redeemed
Asa, the Upright
Josiah, the Restorer
Jotham, the Mighty
Rahab, the Defender

Good Enhancements:

Valley of Salt
Gleaning the Fields
Loyalty of Ruth
Ruth Meets Boaz
Shared Meal
Boaz' Offspring
Faith of David
Feast of Booths
Not Alone
Sing and Praise

Evil Characters:

Ahaziah, the Wicked
King Rehoboam
Messenger of Satan
Spirit of Temptation
The Frog Demons
King Manasseh
Korah's Rebellion
Deafening Spirit
Fires of Abaddon
Lurking

Reserve:

Covenant with David
You Will Remain
Unknown Nation
Naomi
Devotion of Ruth
Jesse, the Ephrathite
Hezekiah, the Devout
The Fallen King
King Amon
Kings of the Earth