Cho-Lin Master Killer

PLEASE NOTE: This deck has been developed purely for fun, is an exercise in theorycraft, and has not been tested. Enjoy!

Forever seeking stillness of mind and body, this deck's version of Nate has undergone regimented training and preparation to excel at combat against the Mythos, both weaponless and with mystical Shaolin blades. When Nate hits, he hits hard, and this deck is chock full of events to maximize the damage this warrior monk can inflict, even occasionally dealing a single "death touch" blow to an unsuspecting enemy.

OVERVIEW

Primary Role: Combat (via his bare fists aka max icons, and boomerang throwing knives)

Secondary Role: Treachery handler and low-shroud cluever (once built)

General Deck Concept: Rather than copy many other current Nate decks, this deck foregoes using Boxing Gloves, instead stocking up on Fight events poised to deliver 2 damage (via Nate's signature ability), with two of them eventually on tap (with Stick to the Plan). The 2 damage theme continues w/ a couple of constantly recurring well-maintained knives. Additionally, the Physical Training/Well Prepared combo provides a +2 skill boost to cover whatever baddies or treacheries head Nate's way.

UPGRADE PATH

The initial upgrade for this deck is Stick to the Plan, which allows for One-Two Punch and Monster Slayer to be always available, the former to take out most enemies w/ a double attack, and the latter upgraded to an "exploding palm technique" to deal with particularly beefy foes. Next comes Well-Maintained, to juice up any Knife that Nate or Randall may come across. The Physical Training/Well Prepared package is optional, but included since Nate would most likely be pumping resources into Physical Training anyway for Fight checks.

Key

• 3xp - 1x One-Two Punch => 1x Stick to the Plan
• 5xp - 1x Monster Slayer => 1x Monster Slayer
• 5xp - 1x One-Two Punch => 1x One-Two Punch
• 2xp - 2x "Let me handle this!" => 2x Well-Maintained

Optional

• 8xp - 2x Physical Training => 2x Physical Training
• 4xp - 2x Daring => 2x Well Prepared
• 2xp - 1x Glory => 1x Emergency Cache
• 2xp - 2x Prepared for the Worst => 2x Mano a Mano
• 4xp - 2x Counterpunch => 2x Counterpunch
• 4xp - 2x Take the Initiative => 2x "I've had worse…"
• 4xp - 2x Overpower => 2x Lesson Learned

0xp starting deck available here.

GAMEPLAY NOTES

• The workhorse for this deck build is One-Two Punch, especially once upgraded and under Stick to the Plan. An auto-succeed and 2 damage for every fight? Yes, please. Until then though, and if Physical Training isn't available to pump up your , pick your battles (and skill checks) wisely.
• With the heavy emphasis on combat (as is Nate's milieu), the deck most likely works best when paired with a strong cluever; however, to run this solo, cheap clue gathering cards like Evidence! and Scene of the Crime could be swapped in for your least favorite events. It's not ideal, but whoever said Nate was well-rounded?
• The upgraded Monster Slayer is particularly great against Nate's signature weakness, allowing him to take out Tommy Malloy in one shot, rather than waste multiple turns wailing on him to get him to go away.
• For treacheries, Physical Training is Nate's primary defense, bolstered by the added icons from several of his events. And at worst, the healing from Soothing Melody and "I've had worse…" will help him weather the storm.
• Taunt and "Let me handle this!" were considered for this deck, but as these would lead to basic Fight actions (rather than Fight actions triggered by events, to get the added damage), these were eventually left out of the build.
• The deck runs at an unbelievably low cost curve, freeing up resources to allow Nate to channel as much qi as he needs into Physical Training-driven big strikes to overachieve on , whatever he faces. Clean Them Out and particularly Emergency Cache (which is under Stick to the Plan) are splashed to support economy, but these could be swapped out for other Fight events, clue support or additional weapons to suit your taste.

P.S. Yes, I'm aware that Cho is a Korean last name, and that the Shaolin martial arts sect is Chinese; I just thought that the Nate-as-Shaolin-monk theme would be cool and unique.