Crimitiumia (MUGth @ EMEA)

You're probably wondering how I got here.

Atien is the best.

The decks

I couldn't risk someone else bringing neutrals and sniping one of my mugs. I think they were awarded by overall performance, so if anyone brought one neutral and one real ID then I knew I was out of the runnings for that mug, but if anyone else was on two neutrals I was going to fight for them. To that end I present reg crim and a half-hearted shrug in the general direction of fast advance.

Nova

I've always stood that Nova is playable. With enough value cards in the pool, the downside becomes less relevant, but with current IDs presenting so much value it's hard to justify a blank piece of card. This deck was largely unchanged during development and most of the changes were removing tech and skateboard tricks for hard draw and econ. The only interesting change was dropping DJ for Twinning. DJ Quetzal as an alternative fracter did some work in the few practice games I played, but this is a deck that loses if it draws badly and wins if it can capitalise on good luck. This deck took two wins, but had some close losses.

Ampère

I had a brainstorm with some of my flatmates the night before, trying to ressurect this pile of 49 cards into something that could maybe lose games just a little less efficiently. Again, all non-econ/draw had to be justified, and most of it was dropped. There used to be a tag package, but that got whittled down into nothing. The question "what is the deck trying to do" kept getting asked, which I felt was missing the point somewhat. The only thing this ordered set can do is spam as much cardboard onto the table as possible and hope that enough threats survive to fast advance some 3/2s, relying heavily on people assuming the deck is smarter than it is and playing it safe. My first two opponents installed a turn 1 Miss Bones. Even when I didn't see hard tech, my games were all about surviving as long as possible rather than actually winning. My one win was against a runner who kept missing on R&D and then floated a tag from Snare, letting me grease a final 3/2 out.

I dropped after 5 rounds. As much as I wanted the neutrals to last all 7 rounds, it was very hot and I was very tired. Also, as it happens, nobody else was competing for the mugs.

Most expensive mugs I own.

The weekend

This is where I get emotional and talk about how good everyone was that weekend. If you want to skip this and just read about the decks and their performance, you're in luck! I already put that above this section! Turn back now.

• QtM: as always, I must thank my testing group for their support and friendship. Not only did we get best Ampère and Nova, but we also won Standard and Startup, which is pretty good too.
• The EMEA champion: Even though I only went there to steal your culture I still feel like you got something from me. It's the memes!
• Fi and Kay: Thank you for hosting me, travelling with me, and being my friends. Oh yeah and for coming 4th in throwback.
• Phoebe: The best head judge the game has ever seen. Your commitment to supporting the Netrunner community is inspirational.
• AceEmpress: You bought my framed Seraph! This means I live vicariously in your house, in your walls. Please leave vicarious snacks on the vicarious windowsill.
• Mallory: You thanked me this weekend for getting you into both the game back in 2022 and later into QtM, but I have to thank you for becoming such a core part of my Netrunner community throughout that time.
• Cobalt: The two-time Startup champ (UK Nats and now EMEA for those who don't know) - You were constantly checking in on me and others throughout the week and I want you to know that was appreciated.
• Veronica: So great to finally meet you! Your pasta saved our lives more than once.
• Alpha: Truly we tried to make something of the Ampère. I salute your efforts, and if they ever print another minifaction I will return to annoy you with an even worse deck.
• Zoe and Rosie: It's been incredible to see you two grow as artists! I can't wait to see what you do next!
• MattOhNo: Always a pleasure! So glad that your favourite card Klevetnik finally saw the play it deserves!
• Council: It was really lovely to meet you and our game in the team tournament was probably our favourite.
• Rhahi: Thanks again for lending me your spare name tag! Your lists are brilliant and I can't wait to play them.
• René: Without your charger I wouldn't have survived Saturday! It was great to meet you and draft against you!
• The cute goth on the bus going home who complimented my boots: Call me.
• Everyone I played against: You were all great sports about my lists, and our rapport during even the foregonest of conclusions, made the day so much fun.
• Atien: An incredible event organiser without who none of this could have been possible. You encouraged me to submit art to the vernissage and put up with all my last minute problems. It was an amazing event and everyone involved in running or organising it should be so proud.