[Startup TAI] Wage Workers make Tanks

Idea: scoring 5/3s

With Wage Workers, never-advancing 5/3 agendas is now possible with just triple advance and 1 Seamless Launch.

If the runner plays passively and only sieges remotes, Big Deal is also a way to fast advance a 5/3, which is a potent game-ender.

Gameplay overview

The deck plays very similarly to the classic System Gateway SkunkVoid combo using both defensive upgrades Anoetic Void and Manegarm Skunkworks paired with AoT's bioroid specialty, making runs extremely costly in terms of both clicks and credits with a slew of high-strength bioroids.

Now, it is more defensive with low agenda density and never advance plans, and the bulky bioroids are even more challenging to tackle with the new Stegodon MK IV, effectively an inverse K2CP Turbine. Magnet and Ablative Barrier are good derez targets, whether to neuter a Botulus or to recur Wage Workers and the upgrades. One can also derez bioroids only to re-rez them with AoT's ID ability later, to keep the tank fuel going even if the runner only sieges one server.

Quick note on AoT

The nature of Bioroid ICE means a server is only safe with 2+ ICE. It will take some setting up before one can threaten 5/3 agenda scores, which usually involves 2+ ICE on scoring remote + upgrade and 1+ ICE on all centrals (takes value out of Pinhole Threading).

It is important as AoT to bait runs so that you get discounts and set up the board, and baiting the runner into making unsuccessful runs will further drain their resource. Likewise, rezzing assets behind ICE, or putting both upgrades down in a single turn are tricks to bait runs and activate your AoT ID ability.

Deck Strategies

(Trying to improve by documenting some trail of thoughts. Feel free to discuss if one sees play patterns differently.)

The game plan should be to build two ICEd remotes, one to defend assets with 1-2 ICE, and another being the scoring remote. Because of the low agenda density, one can afford to set up for longer with lower risks of flooding.

Early game try to install ICE that doesn't end the run (Ravana and Ansel) on centrals to force the ID ability and tax clicks from the runner. Remotes should be secured with ETR ICE (perhaps not Ablative Barrier, which is our recursion tool) for asset protection. Finishing a Nico Campaign or Regolith Mining License is great to kick-start the first piece of Bioroid ICE for our ID. Sprint back agendas if corp economy is not there yet. Try to never-advance a Stegodon MK IV if possible.

While the gimmick of the deck is about scoring 5/3s in fancy ways, sometimes it is also worth preserving resources to just IAA agendas when one thinks their remote is safe enough, especially to taunt the runner in the early game where they have insufficient tools to deal with the remote. If one is struggling with econ, it's also possible to equalize by conceding a Send a Message in the scoring remote, taxing as much from the runner as possible while getting a free Brân or Ansel as consolation.

Against multi-access, it is often worth installing a Manegarm Skunkworks or even Anoetic Void under HQ or R&D. Anoetic Void is better against run events, while Manegarm Skunkworks can effectively delay The Twinning by a turn or two. Nonetheless, your remote should be the safest place to house agendas mid-to-late game, so try to prioritize the upgrades there, as they are the strongest when working in tandem.

It's usually not worth the tempo to score more than one Stegodon MK IV, so it's strategic to make use of the once-per-turn derez ability. Try to hold it until it is an important run, be it a scoring remote siege or a multi-access run.

Finally, tricks with Wage Workers:

1. Advance 3 times, then Seamless launch to score 5/3.
2. Triple install ICE/Assets, including Wage Worker itself (you will get extra click as long as it is rezzed before the last install).
3. Gain 3x3 credits from Regolith Mining License, and have 1 click to spare.
4. They are Bioroids, so AoT can rez Wage Workers if there are no better ICE to rez.