Just finished The Gathering with Roland and Wendy using the preconstructed decks and I'm not sure what to do with the experience points. I wasn't particularly excited about any of the remaining card pool.

Did you guys find any swaps that were particularly good?

With the Core Set alone there aren't many options for what is in your deck. I think if you had 2 core sets this may change as you could more reliably have a gun, and may want 2x reloads to keep them longer, or may rely more on cards like Beat Cop and upgrading them may be more important.

For the Core Set - I like Rolands upgraded Beat Cop, Reload, and Police Badge. Police Badge is +1 Will, which is a tough stat and is hit many times by the encounter deck, and can be ditched for 2x actions to any investigator at your location. Pretty good stuff imo.

Upgraded beat cop is great. Jury's out for me on the badge's ability, but it has great icons for sure. I didn't find extra ammo that helpful, as I prefer a machete fallback, but I've mostly played two players. 4 player's worth of encounter draws might ding machete damage more. Ammo is also a good option w shotgun, because you get more bang for your buck.

For Wendy, improved lucky is a solid trade-up. I really like Will to Survive, especially if you run it in concert with upgraded Leo de Luca. Pricey, but 4 predictable actions can turn a game around. Aquinnah's another card that I've found to be spotty, but might be better with more players and more encounter draws.

Has anyone of you tried the upgraded neutral cards yet? E.g. bulletproof west?

Did anyone of you try the upgraded neutral cards? E.g. bulletproof west?

Yep, I usually get them between scenario 2 and 3. If an Investigator has taken permanent starting trauma, they usually are already pretty low in that stat anyways. You don't want Skids starting against Umordhoth with 4 Sanity. The Elder Sign Amulet is a life raft for that.

Did anyone of you try the upgraded neutral cards? E.g. bulletproof west?

Yep, I usually get them between scenario 2 and 3. If an Investigator has taken permanent starting trauma, they usually are already pretty low in that stat anyways. You don't want Skids starting against Umordhoth with 4 Sanity. The Elder Sign Amulet is a life raft for that.

Haven't tried Scenario 2 & 3 yet - waiting for xmas to come - so no idea what or who Umordhoth is (and don't want to know quite yet ) - but sounds nasty

Some of Skid's higher level cards are good. Cat Burglar (don't think I could have soloed the last two scenarios without him) and the event that gives 10 resources (forget the name of it ATM) are both excellent.

For Roland: as already mentioned, the improved Beat Cop and Extra Ammunition both seem like must haves to me. Pretty sure there are some decent orange cards he can use too.

Not played any other characters yet so can't comment on them.

Roland, I had 5XP to spend, upgraded a beat cop and got 2 ammo, with 1XP saved for the next investigation. I drew both cards in Midnight Masks, so it felt good!

The XP system will really flourish in the Dulwich campaign, as with 8 scenarios you'll get many more opportunities to see your upgraded cards.

Roland definitely wants upgraded Beat Cop. Magnifying glass is good too. He NEEDS the Elder Sign Amulet, particularly if he's got any mental trauma.

Shotgun!!!