Charlie runs the underworld 29xp

Wanted to build a Charlie deck without Summoned Hound, ended up leaning into an illicit criminal theme. Need economy to get these assets out. Wanted Chuck Fergus but couldn’t get enough events to justify it, passives + interaction with Damning Testimony put Gené Beauregard over the top and here we are.

This build will likely need some support early but when it gets going lookout! Foundational pieces are Dirty Fighting (Pickpocketing, Lucky Cigarette Case, Hope), and Haste (primarily activation compression, but flexibility for fight, move and play compression as well).

Hard mulligan for Haste and and allies, I wouldn’t pass up Dirty Fighting in the market either. Without those two action compression (AC) will be anemic and there’s a real possibility of failure to start. Bounce Gregory Gry around with Hit and Run/Calling in Favors and get those allies down for soak and pips ASAP!

Illicit package - 14xp I like cards, these are extra cards and strong cards at that. Though steep in resource cost this package provides critical flexibility and AC potential. Evading synergies should be the first priorities here, followed on the heels by activation flexibility.

Underworld Market 4xp consists of…

• Dirty Fighting 2xp AC Don’t let this one pass you by, this is the foundation.
• Pickpocketing 2xp Resource/Card flexibility!
• Damning Testimony x2 4xp AC
• Burglary 2xp
• Disguise x2
• Knuckleduster
• "I'll take that!" - Hidden Pocket - For the extra accessory

The Kane Gang 13xp

• Bonnie Walsh - More of whatever it is you’re doing
• Leo De Luca - +1 action
• Tristan Botley 2xp - Flexible passives
• Michael Leigh 5xp - More damage + passives
• Gené Beauregard 3xp Great interaction with Damning Testimony + passives
• Gregory Gry Push resources + Hit and Run/Calling in Favors
• Charisma 3xp - gets us to 5 ally slots, don’t really need this if Rod of Animalism gets into play but that can’t be counted on early and an extra ally adds enough value to warrant it.

C.R.E.A.M. 1xp We require LOTS of resources

• Lone Wolf extra resources
• Stylish Coat 1xp extra resources
• Dario El-Amin an extra ally can’t hurt + activation flexibility (+ passives)
• Sneak By x2 Resources for performing our primary engine action
• 2x Calling in Favors 2x Hit and Run (w/ 2x Gregory Gry)
• Drawing Thin x2 Track Shoes x2 Some will frown but what’s not to like?
• Well Connected resource synergy
  • (listed under illicit) Burglary & Pickpocketing

Party animal 2xp - 2-4 additional ally slots b

• Rod of Animalism 1xp Extra ally slots and economy ftw!
• Miss Doyle 1xp Ultimate flexibility, 2for1 slot, boosting base to 5 or testless!
• Sled Dog x4 Move and damage AC, which synergize with Track Shoes/Michael Leigh

When the going gets tough the tough get going (faster) 2xp

• Haste 2xp
• Quick Thinking x2
• Stealth additional stealth activation options,
• Lucky Cigarette Case looking to activate with Pickpocketing

With theoretical turns like…

• 0) draw low evade enemy in Mythos, start turn buff foot and book with Tristan Botley

• 1) Activate and tap Hope, tap Tristan Botley and Miss Doyle, tap 2x Drawing Thin gain 4 resources, test at net 7. Succeeded by two and proc Pickpocketing/Lucky Cigarette Case netting 1 resources and 2 Cards.

• 2) Proc Dirty Fighting, activate Knuckleduster on evaded enemy, tap Michael Leigh for +damage, tap Bonnie Walsh, tap Michael Leigh for pips to test at 10 for 3 damage.

• 3) Via 1 and 2 above and Haste activate Damning Testimony taping Leo De Luca to test at 8 for two clues. We’ve only spent 1 action!

• 4) Activate 2x Sled Dog to attack evaded enemy at 6 for 2 damage.

• 5) Move one to a location adjacent to an engaged investigator, tap Gené Beauregard to pull the enemy to you, activate Track Shoes at +1. Succeed or fail you either soak the damage without breaking a sweat or move on to join and high-five your co-investigator. You still have another action to… activate Burglary at a 5.

• *) Evaded , 5 damage, 2 clues, 5-8 resources, 2 cards, moved 1-2, and saved you partner! That will never happen but it shows the flexibility and strength of options on offer.

Additional incoherent thoughts

• Mysterious Raven/Stray Cat w/ rod can create free play opportunities via haste
• Drop 2xp and switch Lucky Cigarette Case for Garrote Wire adds fight action flexibility and extends execute range.