I'm really new in collective card games, and I'm thinking to buy Android: Netrunner. However I'm not sure I understand the basics:

Is it possible to play this game as any other board games (for example if I will have only a Core set) with someone who just play with me, but won't ever start to buy/build a deck for him/herself?

If the answer would be "yes" to the previous question, picking random expansion/deluxe set/data set/etc. for the existing sets would break the balance or those would only make the game more interesting, giving still the same chance to win for both player?

You can play the game with a single Core set. The simplest way is to use the pre-constructed decks which use all cards of a single faction added to the Neutral cards for their side (for example, Shaper + Runner Neutrals vs. NBN + Corp Neutrals).

The moment you add an expansion, you're getting into deckbuilding, where decks CAN be imbalanced if one is constructed less well than the other (this is also true of using custom decks from the Core set anyway, as you can deckbuild with no expansions).

Thanks a lot for your answer!

"decks CAN be imbalanced if one is constructed less well than the other" => The difference is in deck building from existing cards, or once I buy some expansion, some card may give me win, no matter how much the other player tries (until some expansion would give back the chance to win)?

Is every card in this game have chance I play with, or some card probably I will never play with if I don't want to lose? (can I play with diffent cards each time, or there are cards which probably I will choose much more often than others?)

What do you think, Deluxe packs would still keep the balance? Which way could I expand the existing game for both player have the same fun after?

(I know the way I'm trying to play is different than others probably play, however as seems this game is really much fun, I wouldn't like to miss the chance to get into, even with a different playing model. Just I have to understand well how much it would cost to me if I would like to keep this game in "board game" level while giving the same fun for both player. )

There are always going to be cards which are more powerful than others, even without additional expansions. In the Core set, there are some cards which players still complain about now (nearly 3 cycles and 2 deluxe boxes in).

That said, it depends on how you like to play. Personally I like to experiment with the less 'obviously good' cards and try out creative combos. If you're all about playing to win, then there will probably be cards which don't leave the box once you realise there are better options out there.

The deluxe boxes will give you the most value-add for a single purchase, but they do focus exclusively on two factions per box, so those factions may well end up stronger as a result. Other than that, I'm probably not competitive enough a player to give you a real run-down of which packs have the best 'power cards'.

Well, let's take one example:

If you have a single Core set, and the first expansion pack you buy is Opening Moves from the spin cycle, the corp gains access to a particularly powerful card. That specific pack doesn't contain anything quite so helpful for the runner.

So, as you add cards to your collection, the relative power of one side or the other will shift. The swings become less dramatic the more cards you own, though.

If you want to expand your deckbuilding options without disrupting the overall balance, you'll find a second core set to be an excellent value.

thank you for both of you!

Answering to CommissarFeesh: My goals are having fun during the game with my opponent, with relatively equal chances to win. Power cards probably not that important to me as those could limit my gaming experience during focusing on them. Also it is clear to me if I will like the core game, without expanding (at least a bit) it would be same as watching only few colors from the rainbow. Just it may easily end up with continuous expanding for somewhat restore the balance between sides.

Well, let's take one example:

If you have a single Core set, and the first expansion pack you buy is Opening Moves from the spin cycle, the corp gains access to a particularly powerful card. That specific pack doesn't contain anything quite so helpful for the runner.

So, as you add cards to your collection, the relative power of one side or the other will shift. The swings become less dramatic the more cards you own, though.

If you want to expand your deckbuilding options without disrupting the overall balance, you'll find a second core set to be an excellent value.

Not to forget the core set is the only set that doesn't have cards in triplicate so it is often suggested to buy two core sets because there is a lot of good cards in core that you only get one of (such as the shaper's tool box console.)

Well, let's take one example:

If you have a single Core set, and the first expansion pack you buy is Opening Moves from the spin cycle, the corp gains access to a particularly powerful card. That specific pack doesn't contain anything quite so helpful for the runner.

So, as you add cards to your collection, the relative power of one side or the other will shift. The swings become less dramatic the more cards you own, though.

If you want to expand your deckbuilding options without disrupting the overall balance, you'll find a second core set to be an excellent value.

Not to forget the core set is the only set that doesn't have cards in triplicate so it is often suggested to buy two core sets because there is a lot of good cards in core that you only get one of (such as the shaper's tool box console.)

Is there reason to buy 3 core sets? Or should you buy 2 and then just get the rest of the 1 of cards off ebay or somewhere? What is the optimal way? I have 2 core sets coming already. Is that enough, or would it be wise to fill in the rest of the 1 of cards with a 3rd by either getting another core set, or just buying 1 set of the 1 of?

It depends. If you want a complete collection (i.e. three of everything) or want the extra copies of the other 'staple' cards like Sure Gamble for running multiple decks with minimal card-switching, then a third core is a good purchase.

Personally I only have 2x Core, and while that's usually fine for me, I do plan to pick up a third eventually.

So a third isn't overkill then? Straight up, I've never even played hahahaha. But like someone pointed out in another thread, sometimes you just know. I trust the guys who told me this game is awesome, and from everything I've been looking at, it looks freaking sweet.

I had a bunch of store credit at coolstuff anyway, so I got 2 cores, one of the deluxe (they only had 1 in stock), and 4 data packs. I just picked up a data pack at the shop today, because I couldn't wait hahaha.

Can't wait til my stuff gets here within the next couple of days.

The Core set has a number of cards at 3x, many of which I don't mind having 6x of to put in multiple decks.
There are a decent number of cards at 2x, many of which you do want to have 3 copies of in a deck.
I think there are only 13 cards in the core set at 1x (I could be wrong on the exact count) but only 2-3 of those are must-have 3x.

So, IMHO, a second core set is an excellent value, but a 3rd suffers from severe diminishing returns.

The Core set has a number of cards at 3x, many of which I don't mind having 6x of to put in multiple decks.

There are a decent number of cards at 2x, many of which you do want to have 3 copies of in a deck.

I think there are only 13 cards in the core set at 1x (I could be wrong on the exact count) but only 2-3 of those are must-have 3x.

So, IMHO, a second core set is an excellent value, but a 3rd suffers from severe diminishing returns.

I will say that collecting and keeping up in netrunner is way easier and less taxing on your wallet than games with random booster packs. Diminishing returns on a core set does have a nice balance between low budget players and whales.