blakink · 129
Hi guys!
Here you have the second of my two "Ashcan" Pete decks I published. I've tried both in difficult mode through TDL and succeed. I just publish the 18xp deck because I think it is viable all along the campaign in this way, anything else was nothing just comfort play.This is the evading version of the deck.
For you to know, I'm rating the different aspect of the deck as explained just here:
useless
bad
decent
good
high
awesome.
Investigator profile
Fighter: ........................................... /5
Clue gatherer: ...................... /5
Treacheries endurance: .... /5
Draw consistency: .......... /5
Resource generation: .... /5
Action economy: ................ /5
Going deeper into the character
The Core deck:
On the one hand, this deck relies on you cash generation thanks to the well-known trio Grisly Totem/Drawing Thin/Take Heart. Those 3 cards allow you to get 4 resources and draw 3 cards with only one action : a failed test. And if you have both drawing thin in play you'll be earning 6 resources and draw 4 cards! I give this combo a 4/5 cash generation because you need 3 cards for it (including a 3xp card Grisly Totemto bring back Take Heart into your hand) and you have to spend one action for it (while rogues can generate the same without any action even if it's a bit complicated to do it on every turn except for Preston Fairmont). Now, this cash generation will help you to figure out foes issues and most of the treacheries tests. Be aware that you're not needing 6 resource each turn and Grisly Totem can also be use to boost all your tests by adding an icon of any card you commit to the test (just like Minh Thi Phan!) and getting it back to your hand if you fail. A Glimmer of Hope is like a one resource cost Unexpected Courage. However getting this trio in play is not an easy task without the right cards to give more consistency to the deck. That's why Mr. "Rook" is here. He is the man who's going to give you the backbone of your play style here. That's also why I include a Calling in Favors, if despite the mulligan you don't get him.
On the other hand, the key point of the deck is mobility to run all the map gathering clues and avoiding foes. Track Shoes is a very powerful Item to combine with Duke investigating ability to skip foes on a location and to move 3 times (and investigating) for only 2 actions. Your mobility will be a plus for running scenarios with many locations.
Fighter:
Here "Ash" is almost everything but a fighter. Okay he is still a badass guy compared to Wendy Adams thanks to Duke which gives you a 4 and +1 damage and Scrapper to boost your but that's all!
You're here to run the map and be the faster you can with all your boosts: Moonstone, Trench Coat, Peter Sylvestre and Track Shoes. With an 8 base stat you're going to succeed almost every time the Track Shoes ability.
Clue gatherer:
"Ash" is not a innate fighter... well he is not quite a seeker neither. But our favorite dog is still here to help you. So you've got a 4 with one free movement before investigating (in other words you're quite an Ursula man!). So what do you have to do in order to get clues? On low shroud location (1-2) use Flashlight. On medium (3-4-5) use Duke with some boost perception, Resourceful or A Glimmer of Hope. Don't forget the amazing Fieldwork which enable you to investigate with 6 ! Finally for high shroud location you have the upgraded Gravedigger's Shovel. "Look what I found!" is here as a bonus when you fail a test to get your resources if there is 2 clues on your location. So "Ash" is a quite good clue gatherer (3/5) as he has different tools which are efficient if you use them in the correct way. Don't even think about wasting a Gravedigger's Shovel in a 3 or 4 shroud location!!!
Treacheries endurance:
With all your gear in play you will have a real fortress investigator with 6 and 8. if need Scrapper and A Glimmer of Hope with or without Grisly Totem will ensure you pass the treachery test. Keep in mind that A Glimmer of Hope is an auto recycling card! During my TDL campaign I've never missed an test (except for two during an evasion attempt). Moreover, you've got your best athlete to soak horrors if you fail a test. Even without any cancel button, the treacheries won't get you 5/5.
Resource generation / Draw consistency:
All is explained in the Core Deck above, 4/5.
Action economy /managing Duke:
Well... I give this deck a 3/5 decent level. It may seem quite severe for a deck with Duke but that rating is due to the action you need to spend to generate cash and draw cards. Because you'll "loose" one action every two turns in my opinion to make the deck works. That can be a problem in some scenario and its quite a weak spot here. Nevertheless, the deck construction mitigates that matter. In fact, Duke gives you a free move before investigating and you have Inspiring Presence to ready him without using "Ash" action. That enable you to ready Duke two times in a turn (and almost catch Speedy Gonzalez!). A Glimmer of Hope is a very convenient choice in this deck to ready Duke and be used as a skill card as you can recycle it easily. You can also use Moonstone to ready the dog and keep A Glimmer of Hope for skill tests. Track Shoes is a massive action gain Item which brings you high mobility and Belly of the Beast is getting even further you evasion build by grabbing a clue at the same time you flee. Gravedigger's Shovel is not an action economy card as you spend 2 action to get 1 or 2 clues ( playing it and discard it/putting it away) but a nice option to avoid investigating tests.
Resuming action economy
-
minus 1 due to your cash engine
-
plus 1 thanks to Duke
-
plus 1 with Track Shoes
-
plus 1 when using Belly of the Beast
(I'm not counting Mr. "Rook" ability to tutor cards even if it is quite a benefit too).
Side points:
Peter Sylvestre is a great Ally to soak horrors and the best choice for PTC, TFA or TCU. If you want more resources in NTZ and TDL Madame Labranche will be the one.
I took Resourceful to recycle Belly of the Beast or Gravedigger's Shovel and get more clue gathering consistency but you can easily swap it with Unexpected Courage or any event you would like to use.
Path of leveling
Priority
The cash engine can't run without it as you need to recycle Take Heart to be efficient. So it must be your prior xp investment.
Important
To get both Accessories in play and enhance your defensive stats while your cash engine is running.
Gravedigger's Shovel upgraded Gravedigger's Shovel
To be sure to not being stuck due to high shroud location.
Last recommended staff
To boost easily Duke fighting actions if needed and to help with tests.