Cactus Game Design Message Boards

First of all, many thanks to the Dimaggio Family for their love, generosity, and hospitality to all of us and making Nats 2020 happen! God bless all of you!

Second,  it is my pleasure to reveal my Nats 2020 1st place Sealed Deck! After 10 years of playing the game, and attending 5 National  Tournaments (New York, Ohio, Iowa, Tennessee, and Maryland), I have finally won a category at Nats! Yay! Thanks to the PA playgroup for your encouragement to continue to play and build and making me better! And to all the guys I've played online to help me as well! So without further adieu I present my Nats 2020 1st Place Sealed Deck:

Deck Size: 53 (* = LoC)

J Deck
Lost Souls: 7
Remiss *
Rejoice
Unfaithful*
Meek Soul (Luke 19:10)
Meek Soul (Luke 15:13)
Meek Soul (Luke 15:15-16)
Meek Soul (Luke 13:25)

Doms: 4 (All J Deck)
AoTL
SoG
Martyr
Vain Philosophy

Support: 1
Damascus *

Heroes: 13
Asa *
Hezzy *
Jephthah
Shamgar
Samson
Eliakim *
Shealtiel *
Jehoiada *
Seth *
Boaz
Naomi
Ruth
Elders of the City

Good Enhances: 12
The Sword of Gideon
Samson's Strength
Trumpets and Torches
Gideon's Call
By My Spirit *
Solomon's Dream *
Feast of Unleavened Bread *
Ruth Meets Boaz
Kindness of Boaz
Gleaning the Fields
Preparing to Return *
Devotion of Ruth


EC's: 9
King Hazael *
Syrian Marauders *
Emperor Tibs
Mocking Soldiers
Quirinius
Pilate's Soldiers
Controlling Demon
Unclean Spirit
Foul Spirit

EE's: 7
Mercenary Chariots *
Hypocrite's Proselyte
Crucify Him!
Sorrow of Mary
Roman Whip
Coliseum Lions
Evil Strength

Reserve: 10
Gideon
Sing and Praise
Sword of The Lord
Family Bond
When Judges Governed
Temple Spears and Shields *
Feast of Trumpets *
Israel's Bow *
Shamgar's Oxgoad
Loyalty of Ruth

Adam Alvarez (New York) 5-2
Adam was a cool guy that I got to play first round. I drew 1 soul and he drew 2 or 3. He chose to start and I remember him playing down a brown guy and Goliath which was  an early shot to my white banding. To start off, Eliakim came up on my opening draw which was awesome! However, I didn't draw any enhances to support my grey EC's in hand. So, he rescued and I had to give up the first soul. Off of my draw 3, I drew Damascus and  Preparing to return, and By My Spirit. I played Damascus down as Fort for the draw off of any search he does and played down Boaz so I can play Preparing. For most of this game, I was able to rescue with Eliakim to negate Adam's brown guys to get the 5-2 win. I pretty much forced him to play his Phillies.
Ray Celotto (PA) 5-3
This was a memorable game because he also had Phillies plus Goliath's curse to protect them in territory. The most memorable play was blocking with King Hazael and banded to Marauders for a CBI discard of his Phillistine Garrison Fort and a CBN taking of Arrogance from his discard pile since he searched for a card during his rescue. Later I blocked with them again to take his Goliath's Curse which he was unable to take back. I remember rescuing with meek Asa late game and was able to play Dream in battle to go get Unleavened. I did lose Asa that battle and triggered Seth to add Samson to battle. Since Ray played the last enhancement I was able to pull of Unleavened during battle to banish about 10 evil cards from Ray's dc pile to get all 10 of my cards from Reserve to set up game win.
James Dimaggio (MD) 5-3
It was great getting to meet a member of the hosting Dimaggio family. He was very pleasant to talk to and wasn't afraid to ask questions during the game. I have no problems answering questions provided I knew the answers without asking a judge....lol. Unfortunately, I don't remember too much of this game except that he drew me 5 souls in 2 turns which worked out well for me! And I was able to pull off Feast of Unleavened Bread, again for game winning battle!
Ginger Dimaggio (MD) 5-2 Timeout Win
It was a pleasure to meet Ginger! At this point in the category, we were the only 2 undefeated people. So, I was pretty nervous about this game. Turn 1 she drew 3 souls to my 2 and chose to start. I drew both LoC gold heroes plus Feast of Unleavened Bread. So, I used  Shealtiel's star ability to go get Gideon from Reserve to help with his Shealtiel's hero ability to get a card from a look ability. She started and laid out Phillistine Armorbearer and a brown I deck guy. She was able to get the first soul on a walk in because I didn't have EC support opening draw. My turn: I draw 3 and most memorable of the draw was Seth which I placed in territory. I rescue with Shealtiel to look at top 3 and take 1 as I had Gideon, Samson, and Shamgar down for the meek hero status I needed. I was able to get Angel from the look ability. She blocked with Armorbearer and went to deck and brought out Goliath. He kicked me out which triggered my Seth sitting in my territory. I added Shamgar which allowed me to play Angel for the soul. Since Ginger was new to all the new cards and star ability stuff, she needed to ask a judge to come over to clarify that Seth could do what he does. Judge concurred that it was correct and it was a battle win for the soul. The rest of the game she had  a hard time blocking against Eliakim's negate brown characters.

Seems like you had a great tournament! I’m really happy for you my friend!

Seems like FoUB was awesome for you. I think that card was drastically underrated during the tournament (every open category).

It might be a little too good

I really enjoyed my game with Dermo. A few hiccups at the beginning, but it happens.
Yeah, FoUB pushed him back in control at the end of our game. It destroyed my ability to search out some cards I really needed in my discard pile to keep my defense strong.
P.S. I'm from PA. (Harrisburg area).

I didn't realize you were from PA. I live in Millersville. So you are  not that  far from me or our guys in York/Hanover. You should join us!!!