Cactus Game Design Message Boards
Redemption® Collectible Trading Card Game HQ => Deck Building & Design => National Tournament Winners => Topic started by: Redoubter on August 05, 2015, 08:10:07 PM
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For Sealed this year, I ended up putting together what I can only describe as a defensive stall/attrition deck, which I have not really seen before in the category (and never attempted). Below is how I reached the final product, and why I made the decisions along the way.
When choosing the packs, I was torn. There are lots of debates as to what to choose, because they all have potentially-great additions to at least one of the decks you can pull. Kings is probably the most consistent pack, but as I said to Chris F. upon registering, “I feel like I need to gamble to have a chance to win.” Therefore, I picked 3 Priests packs. Here are the reasons that these packs are my choice each Sealed:
- The potential to add Teal to the hero-starved starters as a viable third brigade. As this was the introduction of the brigade, there are many potential pulls that would make priests an option to include, and they can be very strong against the starter deck defenses.
- Purple: Large kings (3) help with the lack of heroes. The set also has several great enhancements that work well in these starter decks. Unified Kingdom (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Unified_Kingdom_(Pi)), Prayer of Faith (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Prayer_of_Faith_(Pi)), and Haman’s Plot Exposed (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Haman%E2%80%99s_Plot_Exposed_(Pi)) are auto-adds, and Pentecost (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Pentecost_(Pi)) is a strong play as well.
- Silver: A couple of mediocre angels (3), but a Protection of Angels (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Protection_of_Angels_(Pi)) is an incredibly strong pull.
- White: There is a large Covenant Keepers (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Covenant_Keepers_(Pi)) hero that is not killed by Ishbibenob (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Ishbibenob_(I)). Also, the musicians (3) and their enhancements work really well with the Ruth (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Ruth_(J)) component of the J deck. Sing and Praise (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Sing_and_Praise_(J)) is recurrable with Ethan (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Ethan_(Pi)), and he, Heman (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Heman_(Pi)), and Asaph (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Asaph_(Pi)) can all band together. Fellowship (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Fellowship_(Pi)) is almost certainly a battle winner (watch out for Coliseum Lions (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Coliseum_Lions_(J)) though) and a fantastic draw, while Bronze Cymbals (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Bronze_Cymbals_(Pi)) adds a huge power boost before playing a battle-winner, considering the lack of CBP (cannot be prevented) in the starter decks. First Fruits (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/First_Fruits_(Pi)), like Pentecost (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Pentecost_(Pi)) above, is a strong play for the draw.
- Gold: Large heroes (3) again help with having few heroes. However, the enhancements are probably not going to help you, and would not help that offense.
- Black: Malchus (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Malchus_(Pi)) is fantastic in the I deck, since if he loses he generates a soul, and is thus one of the few ways you can actually counter soul drought in Sealed. Otherwise, you have several large characters in the High Priests (3), though little in the way of actual useful cards.
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- Brown: Some of the best evil character options for this brigade will be found in this pack. Unfaithful Priests (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Unfaithful_Priests_(Pi)) and Sanballat (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Sanballat_(Pi)) are direct counters to both decks, and Mocking Soldier (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Mocking_Soldier_(Pi)) is great in either deck for additional banding or cross-table banding while maintaining enhancement access. Covenant Breakers (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Covenant_Breakers_(Pi)) are also great due to higher numbers. For enhancements, Rust (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Rust_(Pi)) again directly counters both decks, Wickedness Abounds (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Wickedness_Abounds_(Pi)) will almost always trigger in Sealed and is thus a fantastic card to draw into your block, and you have several large-number enhancements should you wish to add them (not recommended generally).
- Orange: The only pack you can find additional cards for this brigade, and there are many fantastic pulls. King of Tyrus (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/King_of_Tyrus_(Pi)) will win you battles, if not games, on his own in either deck. Prince of this World (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Prince_of_this_World_(Pi)) is also a strong addition to either deck and forces your opponent to wait for his bands or end up losing heroes. Against angels, Prince of the Air (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Prince_of_the_Air_(Pi)) and Prince of Tyrus (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Prince_of_Tyrus_(Pi)) are auto-blocks against all but one hero (each has a different hero in the I deck that stop them), and Evil Angel (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Evil_Angel_(Pi)) is incredibly strong. Seizing Spirit (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Seizing_Spirit_(Pi)) and Fallen Angel (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Fallen_Angel_(Pi)) allow for many more banding options, including cross-table, and The Thief (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/The_Thief_(Pi)) is terrifying to have to face. For enhancements, Corrupted (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Corrupted_(Pi)), Pride before Calamity (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Pride_Before_Calamity_(Pi)), and Sinning Hand (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Sinning_Hand_(Pi)) are all strong battle-winners (or resource drainers), while there is a great amount of character negation, poisoning, and territory destruction available elsewhere.
- Additional cards: Holy of Holies (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Holy_of_Holies_(Pi)) turns off John (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/John_(I)) and Ruth (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Ruth_(J)) (as well as the “fight by the numbers” pulls from other packs), which may save you in a pinch. Book of the Law (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Book_of_the_Law_(Pi)) would be an auto-add, in my opinion, as it allows your deck to keep recurring good enhancements despite the removal cards each deck has and other options you could draft (see my deck below). The Bronze Laver (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/The_Bronze_Laver_(Pi)) is a good card to draw with if you need some heroes or support for them.
Both Faith in Our High Priest (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Faith_in_Our_High_Priest_(Pi)) and The Sabbath (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/The_Sabbath_(Pi)) give your offensive enhancements CBN (cannot be negated), which almost guarantees you a lost soul.
Carcasses (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Carcasses_(Pi)) is insanely strong, especially when played as an enhancement, because of the lack of CBN (cannot be negated) otherwise found in the decks. Unknown Nation (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Unknown_Nation_(Pi)) gives you the exact character you need to block. Flee from Enemies (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Flee_from_Enemies_(Pi)) allows you to fight just one hero; combo this with Saph (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Saph_(I)) and Ishbibenob (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Ishbibenob_(I)) and your opponent is in a tough spot (with Angel of the Lord (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Angel_of_the_Lord_(I)) generally being the only cheap way out). Go Into Captivity (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Go_Into_Captivity_(Pi)) is simply an out-of-battle method of winning the battle (with no chance for negation by starter deck cards) and taking the most troublesome heroes out of the game. Unsuccessful (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Unsuccessful_(Pi)) is an extra negate (and can also be played as an enhancement in one deck with great numbers).
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In the end, I received the “I” deck (Disciples/Angels, Philistines/Israelites) and opened my 3 Priests packs. Here is the deck I ended up with:
Total Cards: 55
Heroes (9)
Andrew
Angel at Bethesda
Gabriel
Gathering Angel
James
John
Legion of Angels
Peter
Melchizedek (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Melchizedek_(Pi)) (Add)
Good Enhancements (14)
Angelic Guidance
Angelic News
Authority of Peter
Eaten by Worms
Fishers of Men
Glad Tidings
Loaves and Fishes
Overwhelming Presence
Raising Lazarus
Walking on Water
Wonderment
You Are the Christ
Unified Kingdom (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Unified_Kingdom_(Pi)) (Add)
Holy unto the Lord (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Holy_unto_the_Lord_(Pi)) (Add)
Miraculous Catch (Cut)
Water to Wine (Cut)
Evil Characters (10)
Delilah
Ishbibenob
Nabal
Saph
Selfish Kinsman
Shaphat
Sanballat (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Sanballat_(Pi)) (Add)
Unfaithful Priests (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Unfaithful_Priests_(Pi)) (Add)
Unfaithful Priests (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Unfaithful_Priests_(Pi)) (Add)
Prince of Tyrus (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Prince_of_Tyrus_(Pi)) (Add)
Achan (Cut)
Lahmi (Cut)
Evil Enhancements (11)
Achan’s Sin
Ashtaroth Worship
Bad Dealings
Ishbibenob’s Spear
Ishbibenob’s Sword
Lahmi’s Spear
Sin in the Camp
To Each His Own
Wickedness of Delilah
Shimei’s Malicious Curse (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Shimei%E2%80%99s_Malicious_Curse_(Ki)) (Add, traded for with demon support)
King Saul’s Jealousy (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/King_Saul%E2%80%99s_Jealousy_(Ki)) (Add, traded for with demon support)
Lost Souls (7)
Basic x6
Resurrection (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Psalm_30:3_(I))
Dominants (4)
Angel of the Lord
Christian Martyr
Son of God
Strife
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I removed Miraculous Catch (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Miraculous_Catch_(I)) because it did not fit with my final deck concept and I don’t like to discard cards when I don’t know what I might have to choose between. Water to Wine (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Water_to_Wine_(I)) was cut because it has no ability, and I needed to win battles and negate enhancements, not get numbers. Achan (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Achan_(I)) is too small with no ability, so he was replaced by my new defense. Similarly, Lahmi (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Lahmi_(I)) was cut due to having no ability and the brown in my deck being more important.
I only pulled two teal heroes, Melchizedek (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Melchizedek_(Pi)) and Eli the Priest (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Eli_the_Priest_(Pi)). As the former had useful abilities, and there was no difference between them in numbers, I chose him to be added along with Holy unto the Lord (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Holy_unto_the_Lord_(Pi)), since it is a CBI (cannot be interrupted) battle winner. I pulled the two together in all but one game, but it never actually worked. Once, they got under me and played Gibeonite Trickery (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Gibeonite_Trickery_(Pa)), and another time they blocked with Unclean Spirit (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Unclean_Spirit_(J)) from hand to take my Selfish Kinsmen (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Selfish_Kinsman_(I)) and prevent it; in each other game I didn’t need it as an option.
There ended up being two copies of Unified Kingdom (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Unified_Kingdom_(Pi)) in the packs, though I only kept one to avoid it being a dead card against another I deck that did not draft any king or teal support. It was a fantastic card. Even if I lost the battle, it cost a great deal of resources to overcome in every game I used it, as it could bring the entire J offense and any kings the I deck added to bolster their purple. Once, I even used it on my Andrew (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Andrew_(I)) to intentionally draw out Emperor Tiberius (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Emperor_Tiberius_(J)) and force him to either die or play Coliseum Lions (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Coliseum_Lions_(J)) (I had looked at hand with Angelic Guidance (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Angelic_Guidance_(I))) after banding to Boaz (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Boaz_(J)) and Elders of the City (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Elders_of_the_City_(J)). My opponent decided to discard all of the heroes, and I let them die even though I had a negate in hand, as I followed with Ashtaroth Worship (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Ashtaroth_Worship_(I)) to ensure that there was no coming back for the Ruth part of the deck. My intention was also to use it if I faced a large band to bring in Melchizedek (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Melchizedek_(Pi)) for his Holy unto the Lord (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Holy_unto_the_Lord_(Pi)) play.
Even though I was not playing the J deck with its orange, Prince of Tyrus (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Prince_of_Tyrus_(Pi)) was an automatic add. If I faced the J deck, he still allowed me to block smaller lone heroes to force them to spend resources (or force a stalemate off of my opponent’s bluff, which happened several times as well). However, whenever I faced the I deck, he sat in my hand until any angel besides Gabriel (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Gabriel_(I)) entered battle for an automatic win (and usually a dead angel). Having both him and Ishbibenob (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Ishbibenob_(I)) out at the same time completely shut down any silver my opponent had or forced an Angel of the Lord (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Angel_of_the_Lord_(I)), which saved my actual defense from it.
For other cards pulled, the only useful ones (besides the three Power of the Cross (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Power_of_the_Cross_(Pi)) cards I pulled without red...) were The Thief (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/The_Thief_(Pi)) and Army of the Lord (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Army_of_the_Lord_(Pi)). The latter only had Legion of Angels (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Legion_of_Angels_(I)) as a for-sure target, and otherwise I’d have to rely on whatever my opponent drafted; therefore, it wasn’t added. The Thief (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/The_Thief_(Pi)) was a harder decision. In hindsight, this was probably the only deck-building decision I would change, as he is a 10/10 body who discards a random card from my opponent’s hand. Even without support, you’ll see just how good that would have been in this deck concept below.
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Brown became my main evil brigade based on my packs. I actually pulled 3 copies of Unfaithful Priests (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Unfaithful_Priests_(Pi)), but based on the number of enhancements you need to hit in each deck (silver or white), it was not beneficial to add the third, and only 2 made the cut. Sanballat (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Sanballat_(Pi)) was a beast regardless of the deck I faced; if my opponent used Gabriel (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Gabriel_(I)) or Elders of the City (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Elders_of_the_City_(J)) to search out a battle-winner when a negate was available as well in discard, then I knew that they did not have one in hand. Blocking with him then sent that battle-winner back to discard, and allowed me to use up their negates in a futile attempt to win by numbers (the defense in the brown was sufficient). One game, I also used him to block late-game against a King’s version of Gabriel (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Gabriel_(Ki)) my opponent pulled. They were going to take away a powerful evil enhancement in my depleted deck, leaving me vulnerable, but by negating the search I could keep that card and hope to use it next block (I did end up drawing it the next turn). King Saul’s Jealousy (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/King_Saul%E2%80%99s_Jealousy_(Ki)) was often a second Strife (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Strife_(I)) in my deck (especially against the Disciples) and saw a great deal of use. Shimei’s Malicious Curse (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Shimei%E2%80%99s_Malicious_Curse_(Ki)) never failed to win a battle, and allowed me to waste quite a few of my opponent’s enhancements and heroes each time.
After the additions and subtractions, I found my deck as a defensive-reliant stall and destruction deck that removed the end-game options for my opponent. The black in the deck allowed me to cross-table band (to destroy their defense with their own battle-winners) or force them to use up those resources through the giants and their weapons. After enhancements hit discard in this early game process, I used Unfaithful Priests (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Unfaithful_Priests_(Pi)) to start removing cards from the game, and my opponent would quickly run out of options to recur in both decks. Meanwhile, I waited for my small number of heroes (as I got no real boost from my packs in that regard) to come out, and whittled away at their defense with careful rescue attempts until I could set up my end-game James (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/James_(I)) and John (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/John_(I)) band or Gabriel (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Gabriel_(I)) victory recursion.
The problem with this strategy was that I would often have to give up souls in the early game to force the resources into my opponent’s discard pile, and I was slow to rescue myself. We were almost always the last table done, but I succeeded in half my games to almost or completely shut out my opponent at the end (leaving only 3 heroes alive with no enhancement support in one case) and I always managed force my way through to get the final souls.
Since I was relying on this strategy, my differential was abysmal. Even though I was undefeated at 6-0 in the end, my games were 5-3, 5-4, 5-4, 5-4, 5-4, and 5-3 for a total of +8. I had to get lucky in one of the games that my opponent had Son of God (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Son_of_God_(I)) in his last 4 cards, and that I drew John (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/John_(I)) to stop Quirinius (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Quirinius_(J)) from drawing it (it was indeed the top card when we checked afterwards, and in the previous turn he draw Christian Martyr (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Christian_Martyr_(I)), which was the only block he had left…epic game). In each other game, I had to rely on the brown in my deck being good enough to stall or shut-out in the end-game while I waited for my heroes, and I had to make zero mistakes or I would surely lose. It ended up working, but had I lost a single game (even the last one), I would not have placed due to the differential.
Would I take the gamble with Priests packs again, and would I play a heavy defense again if it were handed to me? Probably. But I would seek advice from a cardiologist first.
To read advice I would give on avoiding mistakes, please see the Land of Redemption article (http://landofredemption.com/?p=2148) I wrote on the subject.