So I was a huge fan of the Cthulu CCG of the late 90s. I've been looking at maybe picking this game up, but I am hung up on one factor:

My friends are cheap. Any Asylum pack purchased for the game will be coming out of my pocket. So how's that gonna work in terms of deckbuiding if all the cards are mine? Does it work to just kind of buy an Asylum pack or two, toss the cards from them into each appropriate Faction deck in the core set, and roll with it? Or should I expect That One Powergaming Friend to want to sift through every card every time I buy a new pack and start slowing down game night customizing decks out of my collection?

Also, the multiplayer rules make it seem like multiple Core sets are required for games of three or more players. This is also a bit of a problem, there's never just two of us.

Regarding deckbuilding, I incessantly say you need all the cards in triplicate. But I will elicit much disagreement here on that front.

But about being the sole dude to invest, my take is simple. "Here, I made a few decks from which you may choose. Aren't you lucky I'm so generous. What? You say it's not fair I know all the cards in your deck. Well, go buy yourself a deck. My deck you may not see and is the pick of the litter. What? Got a problem with that too? Go buy your own. Oh, you want to customize? Not these decks. They're already made. I've got a great idea. Buy some cards and make your custom deck...from your cards."

Now, my tone is not so nice (always happens when I write while at work late, sorry). The sentiment would be voiced much more welcomingly to keep your friends. You could retire your deck once you're unbeatable and play one of the others. You are best served with a few nice decks, of course. But that'll take some money. With core alone you could make three forty card decks. Even playing field. But that's just silly

I'd start by asking your friends about their preferences regarding factions and then create decks for everyone to get things started.

Once they're hooked, they'll probably want to create their own decks and thus buying their own cards.

Alternatively, you could simply distribute the faction-specific cards among your friends. It's only the neutral cards that could result in problems (if everyone wants to use the same ones).

Neutral cards could be distributed either randomly or using an auction-style system.

Well, there is a new mulligan rule in the latest FAQ.

I'd say discard the cheap friends and redraw.

chick pulls out a zinger! ha ha

chicklewis said: