Strength in Numbers

Strength in Numbers

EDIT 8/27: Due to a recent card reveal it's looking as though the Synergy trait will appear across all the classes! Updating a few things in my review accordingly.

This card utilizes a heretofore untapped mechanic, which appears to be associated with a brand new trait--"Synergy"--hinting that there may be a whole suite of cards with similar effects. Whether it will be strong enough to warrant a new approach to deckbuilding, if it will be a suboptimal gimmick, or somewhere in between, only time will tell. In any case, the challenge will be finding cards from different classes that actually, uh, synergize, to form a functional deck. I doubt it will be so strong that you can eschew good deckbuilding in favor of just throwing in as many different colored cards as you can legally take. Also keep in mind it's mostly assets you're looking for--the cards need to stay in play to count.

Some important rules notes as I'm sure these questions will come up (good rule of thumb is look for the class icons!):

  • "Neutral" is not a class. So no pip from Backpacks and the like.
  • Your investigator card counts (unless you're Lola Hayes; see above). In other words, you don't benefit from cards of your own class. On the upside, you'll always get at least one bonus pip, making this card an improved Unexpected Courage.
  • Permanents count. So for example if you're a non- with access to Shrewd Analysis, you can get an extra pip on setup, bypassing the risks and costs of having to draw and play a card.
  • Multi-class cards count for all classes printed on them. For example, .45 Thompson counts as both and simultaneously and so will grant up to two icons.

So you can get more value here by using multi-class cards from your off class, where the other class is one you normally don't have access to. For instance, William Yorick could play Enchanted Blade to get to +: one for being a , one for the icon, and one for the icon.

The downside is that you either lose value when you upgrade that card into a single class version, or you're not even eligible to upgrade it which will weaken your deck progression. This might be less of an issue moving forward, as there are leveled multi-class cards in this expansion.

So who should consider this and other Synergy cards? In general, the purebreds wouldn't be interested, and those with only a secondary class would have to use multi-class cards to get beyond a +2. The Dunwich group can take whatever level 0 cards they want, but since space is limited getting those cards into play will be a struggle and would compete with tried and true non-asset options. Those whose deckbuilding options include traits or keywords which appear across many class pools could get good value, but not if the trait is only associated with events/skills.

And then there's Lola Hayes. She's got the disadvantage of being Neutral, but she clearly has the best deckbuilding options for this archetype, and arguably is the best suited for it thematically. I initially thought it still wouldn't be good for her due to her role restriction and the setup required, but knowing the trait will appear in other classes and understanding better how she might build around it, I now believe one of the goals of this cycle is to give our favorite star of the stage a considerable indirect buff.

Lastly it's worth mentioning the combo potential with Teamwork, A Chance Encounter, "You owe me one!", and any other cards that let you borrow from your buds, greatly increasing the value of this and other Synergy cards in multiplayer. Strength in numbers indeed!

MiskatonicFrosh · 344
Looks better when you consider that Bob Jenkins can hand out items to another investigator, then commit this card to one of their skill tests. — togetic271 · 5
Bob can't take this card. We are all going to make this mistake so many times with all the Edge of the Earth investigators. — MouldOfMlem · 148
Bob can't take it, but one of his friends could, and Bob could give them some Rogue (or multiclass) items! Surely most investigators wouldn't mind a Lucky Cigarette Case. — Zinjanthropus · 231
According to https://arkhamdb.com/rules#Ownership_and_Control you control all the cards in your hand, deck and discard pile. — david6680 · 66
While you're technically correct, the more relevant ruling is that card/game effects generally do not interact with cards that are not in play (cards in your hand, deck, and discard pile are not in play). This is not the first time I've seen this misinterpretation and I'm not sure what the goal of it is other than to find a loophole that would end up breaking all sorts of already well-established basic card interactions if it actually existed. — MiskatonicFrosh · 344
I hate when they don't use consistent terminology. If they only wanted it to interact with cards in play then that is what should have been printed on the card. — david6680 · 66
There's nothing inconsistent about it. Able Bodied uses the same language and there is no confusion over what "control" means on that card, it counts the items in your play area. Nobody thinks Calling in Favors lets you fish an ally asset "you control" from an out of play area and put it in your hand, it has to be in play. Whitton Greene doesn't give you her bonus just because you have a tome/relic somewhere in your deck, it has to be in play. I could go on. Regardless of whatever "control" has to mean in the rules to encompass all abilities and effects, without specifying otherwise, a card ability can only interact with cards in play. There is nothing new or weird about the terminology on synergy cards, again, it's just people making up a nonsense loophole. — MiskatonicFrosh · 344

Ward of Radiance

Ward of Radiance

If your bag has 3 or more (75% or more), Ward of Radiance is quite good card. No resource cost, no horror. The main portion is that you can play this card for another investigator like A Test of Will. However, Ward of Radiance is not a spell card, so that Arcane Initiate may not search this card. In those reasons, Mateo or Mary is a good candidate; no Arcane Initiate, many blesses...

Rule Clarification: you should determine whether you use token control card such as Olive, Favor of the Sun before reveal any of tokens, as in 1st part of Olive FAQ.

Probability Table: Here is a probability table about Ward of Radiance. Column: # of , Raw: # of OTHER tokens (including ).

Normal case: reveal 5 tokens

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
12 41.67 64.10 76.92 84.62 89.42 92.53 94.61 96.03 97.02 97.73 98.25
14 35.71 57.14 70.54 79.20 84.98 88.93 91.70 93.68 95.11 96.18 96.97
16 31.25 51.47 64.95 74.17 80.63 85.24 88.60 91.08 92.93 94.35 95.43
18 27.78 46.78 60.09 69.59 76.50 81.61 85.44 88.35 90.59 92.33 93.70
20 25.00 42.86 55.84 65.44 72.64 78.11 82.32 85.60 88.17 90.21 91.84
22 22.73 39.53 52.12 61.70 69.07 74.79 79.29 82.86 85.72 88.02 89.90
24 20.83 36.67 48.85 58.32 65.76 71.67 76.39 80.20 83.29 85.82 87.91
26 19.23 34.19 45.94 55.26 62.72 68.73 73.62 77.61 80.91 83.63 85.91
28 17.86 32.02 43.35 52.49 59.91 65.98 70.99 75.13 78.59 81.48 83.92
30 16.67 30.11 41.03 49.96 57.32 63.42 68.50 72.76 76.34 79.37 81.95
32 15.62 28.41 38.94 47.66 54.93 61.02 66.15 70.49 74.18 77.33 80.03
34 14.71 26.89 37.04 45.55 52.72 58.78 63.93 68.33 72.10 75.34 78.15
36 13.89 25.53 35.32 43.62 50.66 56.68 61.84 66.28 70.11 73.43 76.32
38 13.16 24.29 33.76 41.83 48.76 54.72 59.86 64.32 68.20 71.58 74.54


Olive case: Reveal 7 tokens (2 more tokens)

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
12 58.33 80.77 90.38 94.87 97.12 98.30 98.96 99.35 99.57 99.72 99.81
14 50.00 73.33 85.00 91.18 94.61 96.59 97.79 98.52 98.99 99.30 99.50
16 43.75 66.91 79.78 87.23 91.70 94.47 96.23 97.38 98.14 98.66 99.02
18 38.89 61.40 74.91 83.27 88.60 92.07 94.38 95.95 97.04 97.81 98.36
20 35.00 56.67 70.45 79.45 85.44 89.52 92.34 94.33 95.74 96.77 97.52
22 31.82 52.57 66.40 75.81 82.32 86.91 90.18 92.55 94.29 95.58 96.55
24 29.17 49.00 62.73 72.39 79.29 84.29 87.96 90.68 92.72 94.26 95.44
26 26.92 45.87 59.40 69.20 76.39 81.72 85.72 88.75 91.06 92.85 94.24
28 25.00 43.10 56.38 66.23 73.62 79.21 83.49 86.79 89.36 91.37 92.96
30 23.33 40.65 53.63 63.47 70.99 76.79 81.30 84.84 87.63 89.85 91.63
32 21.88 38.45 51.12 60.90 68.50 74.46 79.16 82.90 85.90 88.30 90.25
34 20.59 36.47 48.82 58.51 66.15 72.23 77.09 81.00 84.16 86.74 88.85
36 19.44 34.68 46.72 56.28 63.93 70.09 75.07 79.13 82.45 85.18 87.44
38 18.42 33.06 44.78 54.21 61.84 68.05 73.13 77.31 80.77 83.63 86.02


elkeinkrad · 505
Favor of the Sun can also deliver that vital Bless token. — LivefromBenefitSt · 1092

Drawing Thin

Drawing Thin

I think, the design concept Drawing Thin is to find the way by earning resource or cards. However, many users find another way to use this card, and Drawing Thin is now one of the strongest card in AHLCG. How?

Simple. Do any action with test, such as investigate or fight without retailate or evade without alert. You don't need to succeed. You could convert 1 action into 2 resources. It seems normal? How about TWO Drawing Thins? Then, you can convert 1 action into 4 resources. If you meet a treachery card which has flat fail effect and you're hard to succeed such as The Yellow Sign, you simply trigger Drawing Thin to earn 4 resources without spending any action. How wonderful?

Moreover, you can guarantee the test fail with Drawing Thin. Also, you can boost the value of "fail by" with Drawing Thin. You don't fear to reveal with Take Heart test. It means you could commit Take Heart and return your hand by Grisly Totem for each round with Drawing Thin bonus. Also, your Signum Crucis adds 4 more thanks to Drawing Thin.

Drawing Thin is the key card of 's fail-base combo.

TOTAL: 6 resources + 5 cards + some tokens with 1 tokens, and ALL commited cards are returned in hand. Remark that the key card is Drawing Thin; this is because if you succeed, commited cards are not returned.

elkeinkrad · 505

Elusive

Elusive

The V.1.9 June, 2021 Rules including new Taboo includes a new rule for this card:

It is back at 0 XP but does not bring you multiple locations away.

The effect is now limited to a connecting location, against a revealed location as initially released in 2016, limiting the potential for huge action contraction.

Let's look at its worth as of June 2021:

Cost: 1 draw + 0 action + 2 resources = 3 actions

Effects: Testless disengage (therefore not exhaust) from X enemies + move to one connecting location = X+1 actions

Results: This card is interesting if:

• You have low (Hey Leo) and access to cards.

• You have the intent of regularly having more than 2 enemies engaged with you (On the Hunt, Taunt, Riot Whistle, etc...)

• You want to start TFA

• You play in Hard/Expert and want Testless actions

• [SPOILER] You tend to be looking for Strangers or Family members and want some help

This card is NOT interesting in case:

• You create a deck around exhaustion: Sneak Attack, .25 Automatic, etc...

• You play it as your last action on a hunter enemy, it won't save you from the attack

• You have high and have access to Nimble or the 's Survival Instinct

Conclusion:

This is a well done Taboo, the card is not a stapler anymore, becomes interesting in some decks, not so much in others, more interesting in certain campaigns, less in others. Well balanced!

Valentin1331 · 82131
Great analysis of the latest iteration of the card. Thank you! — acotgreave · 900
You definitely want to strongly consider Elusive even in high agility heroes. A testless evade plus a move essentially gains you 2 actions and skips a token pull. Sometimes just playing it a 2-cost Shortcut is precisely what you need. Free actions are just that good. — Blackhaven · 9
testless disengage* — Blackhaven · 9

Key of Ys

Key of Ys

Does the 2.12 card interpretation in todays FAQ update supercede the previous Q and A interpretation? If so the easiest path to keeping Key of Ys around by assigning horror to assets/allies may no longer be an option.

------‐-------------

(2.12) Interpreting “You” When Taking or Being Dealt Damage When an ability refers to “you” in response to taking damage or being dealt damage, it also includes any assets you control.

For example: The ability on Survival Knife ( 17) triggers “after an enemy attack deals damage to you during the enemy phase.” This ability triggers even if the damage from that attack is assigned to one or more of your assets, and not your investigator card. However, if all of the damage from that attack is assigned to another investigator or their assets (through the use of a card effect that allows them to do so), then no damage has been dealt to you.

bspring · 1
"deal" and "place" is different. 2.12 don't cover Key of Ys. Note that this is same for Agnes, requiring not dealing horror but placing horror onto her. — elkeinkrad · 505
The example with Agnes is void. In case of this card, horror is placed specificly "on Agnes Baker", not "on you". Might still be right, that place and deal/ take are different things. — Susumu · 383
Placing damage/horror comes after it being dealt. If you're dealt horror but assign all of it to assets, none is placed on you. Dealt > assigned > placed. — SGPrometheus · 855