Cactus Game Design Message Boards

These decks have been built and created to give the new player an experience of how different decks work. These decks are not necessarily meant to be competitive as much as they are to show the "full" power of the given deck strategy. While obviously these are meant to introduce, as players find a deck style they like, they can just use these decks as a baseline and upgrade where they see fit. So my suggestion is to have new players play against these deck, with you running them, allowing them to use their new cards/starters to get familiar with the game and then see the different mechanics playing out.

One huge note that has changed drastically, the "Level" decks that are the first four listed were used in a day that the G/H (and older) starters didn't necessarily teach all the different "base level" attributes of the game. I/J didn't teach everything either, so that is why they were continued. Obviously these are also perfect for anyone who is just getting something like a grab bag and don't have a pre-built decks. That being said the new K/L starters have all of these attributes. The different mechanics they teach are listed with the deck lists, but I'm confident in saying, if someone has a K/L and understand how those decks work, jump straight to the introduction decks and skip the "level decks" entirely.



This deck is to introduce Redemption.  It has no abilities keeping the first game or two they play extremely simple and easy.  If a player has played with a starter deck this will be a confidence builder and will hopefully get them to want to play more.


Lost Souls:
Meek LS x 7

Utility Cards:
Philosophy [P]

Heroes:
Angel of Revelation [E] x 3
Legion of Angels (I) x 4
Reassuring Angel [Ap] x 3

Good Enhancements:
Sword of the Lord [J]
Angelic News [Ap] x 4
Hagar and Angel at Shur x 4
War in Heaven [F] x 4

Evil Characters:
The False Prophet [Pr]
Four Squads of Four [Ap] x 3
Laban [F]
Pilate's Soldiers x 4

Evil Enhancements:
Sun Worship [Pr]
Fortresses of Ashdod x 3
Sinful Kingdom x 3
Sword [Wa] x 3


This deck shows the importance of battle winners, and how low numbers are the best way to play those battle winners.

Dominants:
Angel of the Lord
Son of God
Christian Martyr
Strife
Vain Philosophy

Lost Souls:
Fool LS
Obstinate LS
Wanderer LS
Shame LS
Rejoice LS
Lost Souls LS
Resurrection LS

Utility Cards:
Paul's Belt
Altar of Burnt Offering
Chariot of Fire
Dragon Raid

Heroes:
Faithful Servant
Ananias of Damascus
Generations of Priests
Ithamar, Son of Aaron
Jude
Nicolas of Antioch
Paul's Disciples
Paul's Nephew
Simon the Tanner
Widows of Joppa

Good Enhancements:
Faith of Gideon
The Lord Rebuke You!
Burning Incense
Deception Exposed
A New Creation
Peter's Sermon
Speak with Power
Trapped in Cleverness
Zeal for the Lord

Evil Characters:
Disciples of the Pharisees
King Balak
King Mesha
Men of Moab
Nabad, the Wicked
Sabbath Breaker [RR]
Soldiers of Zobah
Syrian Marauders

Evil Enhancements:
Hypocrite's Proselyte
Uproar in Jerusalem
Arrest in Jerusalem
Coliseum Lions
Curse Their Parents
Uncleaness
Vulnerable

This deck is about speed and (basically) only speed.  It has just enough ways to win a battle to show how important speed is.

Dominants:
Angel of the Lord
Harvest Time
New Jerusalem
Son of God
Christian Martyr
Strife
Vain Philosophy

Lost Souls:
Fat LS
Shepherds LS
Thorns LS
Prosperity LS
Grumbled LS
Slaves LS
Orphans LS

Utility Cards:
Hopper LS
Judas Iscariot
Concealed Riches
Denarius
Four-Drachma Coin
Cursed Ground
Unknown Nation
Unsuccessful
Treacherous Land

Heroes:
Asa, the Upright
Matthew the Publican
Philip of Bethsaida
Simon Peter
Joanna, the Generous
Lazarus, the Called
Martha, the Diligent
Mary of Bethany
Polycarp
Reassuring Angels
Hannah
The Woman with Child

Good Enhancements:
Baptism of Jesus
Blood of the Lamb
Feast of Booths
Not Alone
Life in the Son
Miraculous Catch
Reach of Desperation

Evil Characters:
The Lying Prophet
Haman
The Highwayman
Emperor Claudius
Messenger of Satan

Evil Enhancements:
Betrayal
Scattered
Haman's Boasting

Reserve:
Persian Horsemen
John, the Fisherman
Resurrection of Martyrs
Eli, Samuel's Mentor
Zadok, Ark Carrier
Food for Priests
The Divining Damsel
Outsiders [Gold/Black]
Balaam's Teaching
The Herdsmen of Gerar


This deck target everything in the territory to try to outlast the opponent in the end.

Dominants:
Angel of the Lord
New Jerusalem
Son of God
Christian Martyr
Murderous Command
Vain Philosophy
Warrior Overtaken

Lost Souls:
Retribution LS
Hunter LS
Aimless LS
Color Guard LS
Foreigner LS
Darkness LS
Distressed LS

Utility Cards:
Endless Treasures
The Great White Throne
Twenty Shekels
Unholy Writ
Flying Scroll
Go Into Captivity
Madness
Pharaoh's Curse
Chamber of Angels
Storehouse [P]

Heroes:
The Two Witnesses
The Comforting Cherubs
The Expatriator
Gabriel (I)
Legion of Angels [GoC]
The Ministering Spirit
Resurrection Revealer
The Twenty-Four Elders

Good Enhancements:
An Angel Appears
The Child is Born
Angelic Guidance
Burning up the Chaff

Evil Characters:
False Leaders
The Lying Prophet
Abiram, the Stubborn
Dathan, the Follower
Korah, the Rebellious
Plagued Congregation
Rebellious Israelites
Wandering Israelites
Tubal-Cain

Evil Enhancements:
Better to be Slaves
Confusion
Dissent Against Moses
Korah's Rebellion
Zelophehad's Sin

Reserve:
Persian Horsemen
Image of the Beast
Blindness
Magnifying Multitude
Foreign Wives
Begging to go Back
Foreign Horses
Scattered
Treasures of War
Goliath [LR]

This deck focuses on just making sure you don't have site access, and hoping that is enough to allow the offense to break through.

Dominants:
Angel of the Lord
New Jerusalem
Son of God
Burial
Christian Martyr
Strife
Vain Philosophy

Lost Souls:
Unfaithful LS
Awake LS
Dull LS
Destruction LS
Deck Discard LS
Vindicated LS
Shut Door LS

Utility Cards:
Fire Foxes
Sixth Seal / Terror
Prisoner at Gaza
Goliath's Sword
Land Dispute
Lingering in Sodom
Pillar of Salt
Golden Censer
Covenant of Palestine
Besieged
Ashkelon
Raamses
Sodom & Gomorrah
Jerusalem [TPC]
Lycaonia
Patmos

Heroes:
Angel of Warning
Angels of Wrath
Gabriel (I)
The Guardian Cherub
Servant Angel
Seven Trumpet Sounders

Good Enhancements:
Angelic Guidance
Overwhelming Presence

Evil Characters:
Afflicting Spirit
Army of Jericho
Canaan, the Cursed
Doomed Canaanites
Og, King of Bashan
Philistine Invaders

Evil Enhancements:
Abandonment
Bringing Grief
King's Pomp
Treachery of Jezebel
Baal Worship
Wickedness of Delilah

Reserve:
Fifth Bowl of Wrath
Fourth Bowl of Wrath
Seven Lamps of Fire
The Seven Trumpets
Pit of Dothan
One of Seven
Flaming Sword
Trumpet Judgments
Foreign Wives
Sisera's Army


This deck focuses on draining your resources by not allowing you to use them, or taking them from you.

Dominants:
Angel of the Lord
New Jerusalem
Son of God
Voice from Heaven
Christian Martyr
Strife
Vain Philosophy

Lost Souls:
Oppressed LS
Accusers LS
Lawless LS
Hormah LS
Galileans LS
O.T. Only LS
Complacent LS

Utility Cards:
Judas Iscariot
The Prodigal Son
The Repentant Thief
Zaccheus, the Repentant
Sychar
Den of Thieves
Herod's Temple

Heroes:
Faithful Servant
Citizens of Sychar
The Good Samaritan
Jarius
The Nobleman
The Thankful Leper
Watchful Servant
The Woman at the Well

Good Enhancements:
Good Seed
Amazing Faith
Meeting the Messiah
Restoring the Afflicted
Talitha Kum!
Teaching in Parables

Evil Characters:
The Thief
The Ambushing Bandits
Barabbas
The Highwayman
The Mocking Thief
Plunderers
Temple Thieves

Evil Enhancements:
Regrets
Scattered
Table of Demons
Ambush!
Hurling Insults
Left for Dead
Stolen Treasures
Thievery of Judas

Reserve:
Restitution / Extortion
Ten Virgins
Samaritan Water Jar
Thirty Pieces of Silver
Jarius' Daughter
The Persistent Widow
Submission to Christ
Betrayal
Fence Jumpers
Seized by Babylon

This deck is going to add characters to battle every chance it gets. You think you won the battle? Maybe not.

Dominants:
Angel of the Lord
New Jerusalem
Ride Awesome
Son of God
Christian Martyr
Murderous Command
Warrior Overtaken

Lost Souls:
Behold LS
Covenant Breaker LS
Punisher LS
Darkness LS
Harvest LS
Gain LS
Crowds LS

Utility Cards:
Manasseh, the Humbled
Death of Family
6th Bowl of Wrath
Boaz' Sandal
Book of the Law
Covenant with Abraham
You Will Remain
Unknown Nation
The Gates of Hell
Gates of Jerusalem
Solomon's Temple
Land of Moab

Heroes:
Hezekiah, the Devout
Jotham, the Mighty
Boaz, the Redeemer
Moses, the Deliverer
The Chosen Warriors
Elimelech
Indentured Servant

Good Enhancements:
Counsel of Abigail
Faith of David
Feast of Booths
Not Alone
Ruth Meets Boaz
Shared Meal

Evil Characters:
The Frog Demons
Kings of the Earth
Ahaziah, the Wicked
The Fallen King
Messenger of Satan
The Sordid Spirit

Evil Enhancements:
Did God Really Say?
Fires of Abaddon
Achan's Sin
Zelophehad's Sin
Deafening Spirit

Reserve:
Asa, the Upright
Josiah, the Restorer
Ruth, the Redeemed
Rahab, the Defender
Royal Parade
Sing and Praise
Gleaning the Fields
Foreign Wives
Goliath [LR]
Unclean Spirit


This deck uses several options to reset the game state. So if it falls behind, it just resets and allows for a way to break through.

Dominants:
Angel of the Lord
A New Beginning
New Jerusalem
Son of God
Christian Martyr
Strife
Vain Philosophy

Lost Souls:
Remiss LS
Escape LS
Imitate LS
Humble LS
Revealer LS
Undesirables LS
Defiled LS

Utility Cards:
Fire Foxes
The Great Fish
Suicidal Swine Stampede
Delivered
Joseph's Silver Cup
Three Nails
Windows of Narrow Light
Covenant with Noah
Goshen
Noah's Ark (Ark of Salvation)
Wall of Protection
Egypt

Heroes:
Jacob, Follower of God
Enosh, the Worshiper
Judah, the Leader
Shem, Covenant Keeper
Joseph [CoW]
Melchizedek [PoC]
Zadok
Moses, Friend of God

Good Enhancements:
Abraham's Descendant
Bearing Our Sin
Faith of Abraham
The First Sacrifice
Love at First Sight
Numerous as the Stars
Offering Your Son
Virgin Birth

Evil Characters:
Foreign Wives
The Thief
The Fallen Star
Prince of this World
The Sordid Spirit

Evil Enhancements:
Hypocrisy
Blasphemies
Destructive Sin

Reserve:
Book of the Law
Covenant with Abraham
Oath of Purity
Blindness
Noah, the Righteous
The Lord Provides
Plague of Frogs
Angel of the Winds
Cherubim
Snaring Spirit

This is an upgrade on the level 4 deck, but it the plan is to make sure all enhancements don't work, except the ones played here.

Dominants:
Angel of the Lord
Buckler [RR]
New Jerusalem [1995 P]
Son of God [OR]
Christian Martyr
Destruction of Nehustan [Pa]
Falling Away [Wo]

Lost Souls:
Wanderer LS [Ps]
Punisher LS [RoA]
Foreigner LS
Darkness LS
Gain LS
Speed Bump LS
Site Doubler LS [Ki]

Utility Cards:
Hopper LS [Ki]
Foreign Sword
Goliath's Sword
Gifts of the Magi [F]
Captured Ark [RR]
Hebron
Storehouse [P]

Heroes:
David, Outcasts' Refuge
Jehoshaphat, the Seeker
Joshua, Son of Nun
Asahel
Benaiah [FoM]
Caleb [FoM]
Hananiah
Ishmaiah the Gibeonite
The Angel of the Winds
Captain of the Host [Ki]
The Strong Angel [Ki]

Good Enhancements:
Counsel of Abigail [RoA]
Feast of Unleavened Bread
Helmet
A Soldier's Prayer

Evil Characters:
Gomer [TxP]
Ananias
Sapphira
Seven Sons of Sceva
Job's Wife [Wo]
Foul Spirit [J]
King of Tyrus [Ps]
Spirit of Temptation
Wandering Spirit
Balaam [Di]

Evil Enhancements:
Gibeonite Trickery [Pa]
Deceit of Sapphira [G]
Balaam's Disobedience [Pa]
Worshipping Demons

Reserve:
Jehu's Sword
Phinehas, Son of Eleazar
Joshua's Spear
Shields
Sling Stones
Sword of the Spirit [CoW]
Abishai [Ki]
Heldai
Warrior's Spear
The Amalekites' Slave


This deck is going to try to prevent characters from entering battle as much as possible.

Dominants:
Angel of the Lord
New Jerusalem [1995 P]
Son of God [OR]
Christian Martyr
Destruction of Nehustan [Pa]
Falling Away [Wo]
Vain Philosophy

Lost Souls:
N.T. Only
Wanderer LS [Ps]
Female Only LS [Wo]
Punisher LS [RoA]
Darkness LS
Gain LS
Speed Bump LS

Utility Cards:
Delivered
Oath of Purity
The Empty Tomb
Flee from Enemies

Heroes:
John, the Fisherman
Simon Peter
Joanna, the Generous
Mary, Mother of James
Mary, the Restored
Salome, the Sorrowful
Resurrection Revealer

Good Enhancements:
Stone Rolled Away
Hospitality in Bethany
Lost Child Found

Evil Characters:
The Serpent [P]
Conjurers
Mounted Forces
Fiery Serpents
The Maltese Viper
Unclean Animals [Camel]
Messenger of Satan [TEC]
Panic Demon [Pale Green]
The Judean Mediums
Assyrian Survivor [FooF]
Assyrian Siege Army [FooF]
Assyrian Archer [FooF]

Evil Enhancements:
Scattered
Confusion [CoW]
Dissension in Antioch
Seized by Babylon
Fearfulness [TEC]
Achan's Sin [Pa]
Death of Unrighteous [Pa]
Forgotten History
The Rabshakeh's Threats
Two Thousand Horses

Reserve:
Confusion of Mind
Incurable [PoC]
John the Forerunner
Legion of Angels [GoC]
"He is Risen"
Balaam [Di]
Wizard
All Hope Lost
Judah's Sin
Palsy

Reserved for more potential decks.

Here is a rough draft of the new (and somewhat) updated identifier decks. Roots came out after I had built most of these decks, so I'll have to go back and add some stuff, so suggestions will be welcomed! These decks are created with no "high priced" cards like State and higher promos and URs. Those can obviously be added to anyone's deck that enjoys one of these strategies, but given these are "introductions" I want to keep them simple, and beatable for new players.

Some things I want help on for sure. I feel like I need the new Satan's Seat in several of these decks to get around protection. I also realized when I was posting the decks that the A-Bomb deck needs Angel Party in the reserve. So again, any suggestions on changes would be extremely helpful.