Cactus Game Design Message Boards

I've been thinking a lot about deck building recently and I have come to some conclusions about why defense seems to be underplayed in the Type 1 format. Interestingly, they greatly centered on the lack of play for several artifacts, or the misuse of them. Here's my thoughts:

1. Asherah Pole: For all the griping about CBN enhancements, you'd think this would be the most overplayed card in the game. It makes, any, I repeat, any, enhancement CBN against at least 50% - 75% of the heroes most commonly played in decks played today, including absolutely destroying 4/5 BTN heroes. Yet I would venture to say this card is only used in decks that are at least 75% defense or more. Why is this never used in a "balanced" deck?

2. Golden Calf/Confusion of Mind: These are two more cards that are ridiculously OP'd if you look at thier abilities in comparison to griping about what they do. Yet they hardly recieve any play. Golden Calf is more situational so I can see that not being played, but Confusion of Mind has absolutely no downside yet I see it in maybe 1/10 decks. Seems like it should be in many more decks that that.

3. Captured Ark: Despite being in many decks, I'd like to comment on how misused this card is. In today's game, this is the card you use to shuffle Writ twice, or a similar defensive artifact in order for you to maybe win in 5 turns, instead of waiting and using it more strategically end game when you are more sure of what they have and how to beat it. It can be infinately more powerful when you know other things about the opponent. When I see a Captured Ark enter play, I know all I have to do is turn up a Writ or a Mgic Charms and bang, Captured Ark is gone. This is such a great card with so much potential for stregic plays yet it is hardly ever utilized to full potential. I don't understand it.

I agree on Apole/Gcow hurting your own offense too much, UNLESS you use nothing but N.T. They work best in decks with 75% defense or more, because you arent going to be making nearly as many RA's early in the game, so its great to weaken their offense as you take care of business.

I use Captured Ark as a second DoN, and I do wait till theres one art up that seriously needs to leave.

APole

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Why is this never used in a "balanced" deck?

Because it makes your opponent's enhancements CBN when you rescue with an OT hero too.  If I play a balanced deck with NT heroes, I use it.  Otherwise, it is too problematic.

I disagree. The best players of Redemption are the best controlling the game and surprising thier opponents. For example, Gabe attempts to control the game (typically) by using a fast deck with many soul generating options so that the luck factor of the game is less important. Lambo would try to control the game by using such a huge defense that the game becomes slow and he can set up his combos.

Asherah Pole enhances your control factor in any game simply based on the fact your deck is built with it in mind and the opponent's is not. When you have your Asherah Pole up, your limiting the options the opponent wants to use. Most people won't use thier best hero against an Asherah Pole and initiative character if they think he might die, be captured, etc. This allows you to filter the heroes that come at you.

Meanwhile, your deck has been built with Asherah Pole in mind. Maybe your playing Blue Genesis so you can RA with Benjamin or search your deck for Angel of the Lord with Stone Pillar at Bethel and then AOTL the initiative character they block your Simeon/Levi band with. Or maybe your playing Teal and you just push your Phinehas into battle - he's protected from capture and conversion, so why not try it?

The point is that when you build your balanced deck, it is built with itself and the meta in mind. The question is would you rather build against the meta at a small cost to yourself or build in favor of yourself and let the meta be what it is?