So, I have noticed that there is a lack of decks on this site. Maybe we can all rally and throw our collective knowledge in the pooll every week to make some fun decks? Just a thought, but I figured I would try it and see if it takes off. That being said, what better way to start doing this then to break the current card of the week. Make a deck that is really ridiculous centered around one card. This week's card is Hydra, Mother of the Deep

It is not a broken card by any means, and it pales in comparison to some other turn 5 bombs that you could drop, but it is able to create an army of zombie cultists for you. That being said, what we are looking for are combos that have forced responses for entering the game. Building upon that, we can add to our deck cards with forced responses for leaving the game, and ways to make that happen.

So, lets start with the base. Keeping in mind that this is a Cthulhu deck, we need to remember what they do best - Driving people insane and then killing them. For that reasons, we need to get the support down. Touched by the Sleeper is a great versatile card. Ravager of the Deep and Keeper of the Golden Path are also auto include in my book. Getting Keepers opening hand is an easy feed to the resources. Getting dupes opening hand is an easy first turn drop. We can expand the base later, but that is pretty good.

Moving onto the clockwork.... What will make Hydra work better? More to come later, but feel free to chime in.

So, I did not know that I couldn't modify my posts, but it seems, that there are a lack of cards with triggers upon entering play. So my new tactic, is going to be denial. There are plenty of cards that make both players sacrifice critters through effects. The advantage is that Hydra brings them back. I will tinker with a build and post it tomorrow!

First thing you'll need to look at is the Text of Hydra :

•Hydra, Mother of the Deep
[Cthulhu] Secrets of Arkham F25 / Illustrator: Marissa Rivera
[Character] - Ancient One.
Cost : 5 / Skill : 5 / Icons: TTCCC
Game Text: Villainous. Toughness +2. Action: Pay 2 to choose a Deep One character in your discard pile and put it into play.
Flavor text: She lurks in the deep waters beyond Devil Reef, watching over her children, the Deep Ones.

It's text only works with Deep Ones, not Cultists ^^ !!

THis way, you'll need to see what kind of Deep one should help you going to the yard and comming back. RIght now, the card is a spoiled one and will be hard to apply if the deep ons that comes with her are not shown yet.

But let's play !!

This card has 2 T icons, so Pulled under will be welcome ! And, as she's a Ancient One, The Bein of IB would have great interactions.

Thus said, if i'd choose to break the card, I'd forgot about the card that transform character into deep ones : Once in the yard, the card loose it's given subtype and Hydra would'nt trigger.

I think I'd use it purely in a Deep One deck, but I'd consider including the futur Yuggoth Contract : In a case where you're looking deeply for new card, you sacrifice your Ravager and then pay with hydra to get him back in play. ... You will draw for a total cost of 3 with two domains.

I'd add the ravagers, emerging deep one (as it might be nice to play once hydra in ingame), would forget about the Young deeep one (being of ib have already 0 skill, you can't play with 4 or more characters without skills).

Muddy waters and Called by Azatoth would be nice too (3ex)

Id add Julia Brown (deep one version), for cycling if my hand is low (maybe 1 copy only, she's too versatile). I'd consider playing Julia (normal version in 3 ex.)

I'd add 3 Local sherrif, in a way to benefit the transient boost for Hydra or the ravager.

I would play 3 Shadow Reefs + 3 deep one Assault, as it totally in the Deep Ones theme.

I'd consider Sacrificial Offering (2 ex, as Hydra might help to get the character back in hand).

As Hydra is unique, I'd play "in an unmarked grave" (2ex) and use it's ability to get the ravager back.

And I'd finalize my deck with "Lord of Silver Twilight, Silver Twilight temptress, Keeper of the Godlen Path, tiny characters to avoid the lake of power once the opponent strats to play. And as it seems that I'm able to win C struggle, I'd add nocturnal Scavenger to help, incase the DOA would'nt come.

I'd add Everlasting nights (3ex) in my side deck, to prevent Day themed decks+ Nyarlathotep (nice AO that would work with the being)+ Unconspicuous Zoog (too have some skill and A icon at a story+ Cats of Ulthar (3ex)

Prodigee's Hydracephalic Deck

3x CS F3 Local Sheriff
3x CS F43 Keeper of the Golden Path
3x CS F46 Ravager from the Deep
2x CS F50 Lord of the Silver Twilight
2x ASL F8 Emerging Deep One
2x AHS F29 Silver Twilight Temptress
2x AAD F48 Nocturnal Scavenger
1x APY F107 •Julia Brown, Oddly Amphibious
3x ATH F7 Beings of Ib
3x ADN F47 Dreamlands Fanatic
3x SOA F25 •Hydra, Mother of the Deep
3x ASL F17 •Julia Brown, Insomniac
3x CS F56 Deep One Assault
3x CS F57 Pulled Under
2x CS F59 Sacrificial Offerings
2x ASD F88 In an Unmarked Grave
3x CS F55 Shadowed Reef
2x ASL F9 Called by Azathoth
3x AAD F49 Muddy Waters
2x YWD F12 •The Yuggoth Contract, Nefarious Pact

Total 50