I like this game a lot, and one the things I like about it is the variety. You seem to get a different experience every time depending upon which factions you play and what cards you draw. I'm thinking that since I have no interest in building a competition ready ninja deck, I would rather just expand the game so that every card played was unique, as in the core deck.

Are there any problems with this approach? Will the universe take offence against this blasphemy and implode in retaliation?

Cheers.

On behalf of the universe, I can't believe you would consider only one copy, or highlander. Seriously though, seems you've already determined your current play style - more variation, more different cards. I like that plan. Having never been a ninja, I still assume that eventually you will want more than one of some cards.

Your approach will work just fine, and, as you point out, plenty of fun games can be enjoyed in 'highlander' format. If your opponents are also satisfied with highlander, you will never need a second copy of any card. The universe will remain in balance. FFG will be very happy.

Playing Highlander is fun for the reasons you mentioned. It is also a useful format to find new combos that you would not have thought of, otherwise.

After Secrets of Arkham was released I bought a second Core Set to have two copies of most cards. To me this makes for a slightly less random game and represents a nice compromise between the reliability of a 'real' deck and the variability of Highlander format.

What makes me sad are all the cards from older APs that I only have a single copy of. I would really wish for a Deluxe expansion including two copies for all of them.

Agent of Cthulhu said:

The universe is cold and uncaring, and doesn't bother with your insignificant descisions. If it would implode, it would do so whether you play highlander or not. I think the most current theory is that it just keeps expanding until maximum entropy is reached, and stop moving since the amount of energy is constant, and that energy has to be spread over greater space, so it will enter a phase called 'heat death.' But don't worry, you are not likely to be around when that happens. Unless you anger Yog-Sothoth, that is.

Know that you're sacrificing consistancy for flexibility here. Nothing wrong with that, but ill advised when bringing your deck to a normal tournament setting.

Thanks for all the replies

Highlander mode, lol.

That's pretty much what I figured, and since most of the expansions come with two copies of each card, I can always change my mind later. At the moment I'm only playing this with my girlfriend and it helps to keep the game interesting.

I have to admit that I am slightly disappointed that my actions won't end the Universe (it really is uncaring and somewhat selfish) - although, since I myself am constantly increasing the entropy of my surroundings no matter what I do, I can hope that I am helping to cause at least some energy escape from the Earth's system to contribute to the heat death of the Universe, even if only a little!

Agent of Cthulhu said:

Might want to check up on the spoilers. Earlier APs come with cards in either 1x or 3x, nowadays 3x every card.

Agent of Cthulhu said:

Even if the universe doesn't care much, playing only single cards does greatly increase the entropy of your deck. Too tired to do the math right now, but you exponentially increase the number of possible configurations of your deck, and thus, your draws. You'll get that great christmas feeling, as every draw will be a surprise, which is fun, but you risk your deck getting stuck in heat death and just not doing what you want - or anything at that, which is less fun.

It all depends on what you concider more fun: Experiencing something new every time, or winning more consistantly. You'll be able to cusomize your gaming experience this way, and there is no 'right' answer to which approach is more fun.

If you go highlander, it's recommended that your opponents also choose that restriction, to keep it fair.

I also recommend becoming a vampire. The sparkling sends many photons astray, more than usual reflection does.

Marius said:

Well, I only play with my girlfriend right now, and if I was winning too consistently then I think I'd end up playing with nobody! I agree that both sides need to play highlander if it's going to be played. I may well graduate to deck-building, but for now I think I'll stick with highlander. High entropy decks it is...

Sparkly vampires? Like Twilight? Come on! Twilight speak has no place in a H. P. Lovecraft related thread! ;o)

Any way you play the game that is fun to you is ok. If you and your friends like throwing the cards at each other like throwing stars, it's still ok. Will you deck be tournament competitive? Not even a bit though.

Another 'highlander' challenge that I quite enjoy is to try using each word only once in a given post, such as this one.