Α / Ω v1.0

paddosan 3408

It's been a while since I last played a Chaos Theory deck, but with Alpha and Omega, the little Wünderkind might actually be the best Identity for this kind of deck.

When you have A&O installed, no server can be secure with less than 3 pieces of ICE. If they do have 3 or more, though, there is no way to pass, unless you either install other IBs or find a different solution.

This deck offers a few solutions: 1 - Parasites and/or Kraken to simply trash them; 2 - Crypsis, expensive and time consuming, but reliable; 3 - Escher, to rearrange them.

Most of the time, though, you should just go for option number 1, since the deck is built around that. Grimoire, Surge, Datasucker and ICE Carver are all cards helping you to destroy them as fast as possible. And Personal Workshop, together with Clone Chip and Self-modifying Code, can have them pop up mid-run, for the Corp's displeasure.

12 comments
20 Feb 2014 PeekaySK

Dude, you need a much more impressive econ to use Alpha and Omega as your primary (actually, only!) breakers - they cost an arm and a leg to get through everything, really. Just do the math on how much it costs you to get through a Katana + Bastion server and weep :P

I'd definitely go for Magnum Opus (possibly utilizing the awesomeness that is Cybersolutions Chip), and maybe even a couple Personal Touches (although that could get fiddly).

20 Feb 2014 paddosan

Yeah, you're probably right. Wasn't sure about MO due to the total MU needed, but I guess that if Parasite gets installed only to trash a piece of ICE on-the-fly, there won't ever be more than one installed... so maybe it could fit in.

What to remove for Magnum Opus, though?

Anyway the 2 copies of Datasucker should kinda help with decreasing the cost of a run, and the same goes for Ice Carver.

20 Feb 2014 Alsciende

Actually, without Grimoire, Alpha + Omega + Magnum Opus + Datasucker = 5MU. You'd have to choose between Datasucker and Parasite.

What about playing more Grimoire?

20 Feb 2014 JWHamner

You could use the new CyberSolutions Mem Chip as your "console"... you've got Personal Workshop so it's not like the excessive cost is too problematic.

20 Feb 2014 paddosan

Don't have enough influnce for a second Grimoire, unless I remove Ice Carver or Surge. And between the two I'd remove Surge, thus allowing a single copy of Magnum Opus too.

CyberSolutions Mem Chip could be an alternative solution, if I decide to remove Grimoire entirely, but the extra virus counter at install does wonders for Parasites, especially with recursion.

20 Feb 2014 lghitman

CT has 5MU

20 Feb 2014 PeekaySK

CT has 5MU

I swear, it's like people think Chaos Theory's ability says "Congratulations! You can run a 40-card deck!" :D

21 Feb 2014 steevo15

Don't have enough influnce for a second Grimoire, unless I remove Ice Carver or Surge. And between the two I'd remove Surge

I would say -2 Surge, +1 Grimoire, and +1 SMC. I've found in my parasite ice destruction deck that a data sucker (preferably two) and something to pull out a parasite mid run is powerful enough.

thus allowing a single copy of Magnum Opus too

If you want to include magnum opus, I wouldn't suggest also running with kati jones. In my opinion they are two different types of econ sources and it's the kind of thing where you either include one or the other. I'd suggest -2 Kati Jones, +2 Magnum Opus

21 Feb 2014 paddosan

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I'm making some changes to the deck and will publish version 1.1 soon. ;)

21 Feb 2014 p3los

I've got a few suggestions:

· Remove that Ice Carver. 1 card on 40, 3 inf...not worthy.

· Reduce A / O to 1 copy and include 3 Test Run and 3 Scavenge. It will save you lots.

· I understand one of the eco solutions for the deck is that PW...but dude you are losing surprise. As soon as you get an A / O there, a good Corp will go for ices or active-tag you and trash.

· If you are going to Parasite, you need 3 SMC.

· I'd use Femme instead of Crypsis because of antiAI.

· Consider one Corroder, or the new NBN barrier would f**k you real hard.

21 Feb 2014 Heartthrob

The Kraken eh? Have you been able to use that to effect? I've always wanted to use it but have been hesitant.

Also, I second p3los' suggestion to use Test Runs and Scavenge to get A/O on the cheap (it gives you that surprise element too).

Best A/O deck idea I've seen so far, though. Nice

22 Feb 2014 paddosan

Yeah the problem with kraken is that you won't always have the click to use it after stealing an Agenda (or the 3 credits), but when it hits, it's always very effective. In this deck it's kind of the best option to remove an ice.

I published the second version of this deck btw, check that out too!