Looked over the card list and noticed some cards are only 1 in a box set. Does that mean to get full sets 3 would be required? Also is 3 even needed of said cards or to be competitive would 2 boxes be fine?

To get a full playset, yes, you would have to get 3 boxes. Some folks are saying that most of the 1-copy cards are situational, unique, or a combination of the two, but there were a couple that I was eyeing that I think I would like in 3s. However, that's just me.

I'm picking up 2. I haven't seen anything in the 1x bin that screams "needs a third." If people really demand it, perhaps I'll start a sideline business by buying core sets and splitting them into "1x" and "the rest" =)

No questions about it, I will be buying 3 core sets due to Aesop's Pawnshop but honestly, that's just me. If you are playing the game as a casual player, 2 core sets will be sufficient enough I guess.

I'd say one core set is more than enough for a 'casual' player of the game.

If you want to be able to fully optimize certain deck builds and play in a competitive environment, two would probably be better.

I question the necessity of three boxed sets. It's only going to be an advantage if you're seriously into the game, playing often enough to want to have multiple decks assembled at a time or you're planning on providing decks for other people.

If you absolutely must have a complete playset of every card and you've got the disposable income to do it, go ahead, but I think two is going to be more than adequate.

Ixamos said:

I don't mean to tell people how to play, but it seems to me that 2x Core Set is plenty, even for competitive players. The only card I might want 3x that isn't in there are the consoles, which are all 1x. Even then, 3x any of the consoles is probably overdoing it.

Having played it for 1 1/2 weeks now, I don't see any need for a third Core set except one: To make several decks if you're trying to assimilate… er, entice new players into the game. 2x Core sets is enough to make two sets of Runner and Corp decks without having to constantly swap out the neutral cards (though you might still end up needing to swap a few of the better OOF cards around). None of the 1x cards have shown themselves to be so vital I feel I must have 3 of them, but a few of the 2x cards were worth having 3x of and the convenience of an extra set of Neutrals is sufficiently worth it to me I don't regret buying the second Core set.

As the card pool grows and different IDs branch out more, yet another set of Neutrals may or may not be worth the investment. I'm hoping it won't be necessary.

More than anything, I'd like to see, maybe in a couple months, a pack of the neutrals from the core set. Maybe $15 or $20 for enough neutrals to fill out the other two runners and three corps to "starter specs"?

But even then, I'd still rather have more, different cards first.

I'll take 3 corporate troubleshooters

AussieKSU said:

Same here.

I personally feel like two core sets is the right number.

Zombisystem said:

You know, FFG in my opinion did an outstanding job with the core set. I feel like I may want another box or two for a slightly stronger deck (actually I really want more boxes for multiple decks), but for a single person making one deck for runner/corp, they really did oustandingly. An additional box just to improve your one deck will very marginally improve it.