[interrupt] → Whenever you would access a card in Archives, you may host it faceup on this program instead. (It is not installed.) Use this ability only once each time you breach Archives.
When the Corp purges virus counters, they trash 2 cards from HQ at random. Trash this program.
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Can the Corp purge virus counters while the Runner has Heliamphora installed if there are fewer than 2 cards in HQ?
Yes. Trashing 2 cards at random is not a cost. If the Corp has 0 or 1 cards in HQ, they trash as many cards as possible after purging virus counters.
How does Heliamphora interact with cards added to Archives facedown in the middle of breaching Archives, after the step where cards are turned faceup? Can the Runner look at a facedown card in Archives before deciding whether to use Heliamphora’s interrupt ability?
No. The Runner is only allowed to look at a facedown card while they are actually accessing it. Since Heliamphora’s interrupt ability replaces the access, the Runner must choose to use it or not before seeing the card.
Compare: Archives Interface × Fester
You can eat an operation from Archives (like Audacity) before it's recurred, an ambush that's “poisoning” Archives (like Mavirus) before it's accessed, and so on.
Flavor: heliamphora are carnivorous pitcher-plants in the Amazon rainforest (thus, this catches the Corp's flies). See wikipedia/Heliamphora.
The second punishment for purging viruses, after Acacia. But instead of giving you money, the corp loses two cards from hand.
But this comes at the cost of 1 MU. And MU are tights for Anarch.
Freedom Khumalo: Crypto-Anarchist would probably benefit the most from this program. But any virus heavy deck might consider this program.
Unfortunately, it does not prevent the purge of virus, just makes it more painful for the corp. And purging viruses is done only if it prevent the corp from losing the game.
Still, the first ability is also quite useful, to take out of archive the best cards, like Mavirus, Audacity, Seamless Launch, etc. Then the corp must purge to get those cards back, along with losing 2 cards. This is an undervalued ability, but quite potent.
At 2 influences, this can be used easily out of faction. Criminals using Aumakua and shapers using Conduit can benefit from Heliamphora.
The art represent what the name of the card is : a carnivorous plant. With a suiting quote and effect. Good design!
