http://stimhack.com/humanitys-shadow-spoilers/

N o scans, so no proof it's the real thing. Seems legit, though. And assuming that's really the new Crim ID, I am very happy.

A new Crim Identity? Great. That ability, if that is what it is, doesn't seem that great at least compared to Gabe. I dunno. I must think on this.

Creeper seems neat though. I have a feeling it will have some sort of Minecraft reference either in the artwork or flavor text, but who knows.

Not that great? That seems too good to be true for me.

We'll see, but you'll be pressed to get 4 cards into play to keep from discarding. So a lot of 0-2 cost. I'm thinking the only way to maximize it is to front load the deck with a ton of money makers, especially immediate payoffs (Sure Gamble) and plan to get them all out on the table in one form or another right off the bat.

Regardless, it's a major headstart. In a stupidly huge way. Assuming that ability list is close to accurate.

Even if you only use it as a way to dig through the deck a bit to get a choice card or two, it's still a huge bonus right out of the gate that the corp side will reel from. The momentum will be so solidly in that hands of the crim from the get go, even if he has to dump a few cards - you've still dug four cards deeper into the deck to get essential tools.

Sheesh. The more I think about it, the more I love it. I draw a huge mitt of cards. Turn 5 creds into possibly 13 with 2 clicks to spare and have a decent run rig already going within just a couple of turns. The Corp will be up against the wall wondering how to defend against it and where to defend against it.

(am I missing something?)

Holy cow: even if your first draw doesn't get you 2-3 uber-cards, you can still mulligan for 9 cards (right?)

I should have my Data Pack tomorrow. I'll confirm when I get home from working at my LGS

SnowcatAssassin said:

Gabe isn't bad, but I'm tired of rarely getting to use his ability. Barring a bad draw and mulligan, players will protect HQ as soon as the game starts. If they're facing Gabe, then they're going to put extra effort into it. :-( I was looking forward to the next Crim ID in hopes of someone less predictable, but if this 9-card hand ability is correct then, with her +1 link, I'm going to be really happy modifying my deck to fit her.

Nerdelemental said:

Assuming she's legit: comments on places who've seen this spoiler have people complaining about having to discard cards you can't use. Not having enough actions and credits to prevent yourself from discarding is such a small cost to what she provides. For example, she's far more likely to draw Account Siphon with that hand. Given a 1st runner turn opportunity for a successful Siphon and the larger threat of tag-based corp actions, let's say she spends a clikc on an action (maybe Infiltration or Satellite Uplink), Siphons, then spends her last two clicks on disposing tags. That leaves her with 7 cards in hand, so she has to discard 2. That's a small price to pay for having crippled the corp and gaining credits.

Also, if you really want to avoid discarding, you can just play Public Sympathy in your deck.

Another advantage: fearless 1st turn gamble with Jinteki. Is it an agenda or is it Snare!? It's Snare!. Andromeda's grip is down to 6 (chances likely she still has good stuff in there), she's got a tag, but that's one less Snare! to worry about while she still has a lot of options.

Lastly, yes, she mulligans for 9. The mulligan is referred to as a "new starting hand".

I stand corrected then. Will be interesting to see how she plays out. I may have to give her a shot.

…a first turn Account Siphon…

…fearless run against a Snare…

How soon can I get my hands on this damned pack…

Nerdelemental said:

• Andromeda: 45/15, +1 Link, 9 starting hand size - Effectively a deck size of 36 at the start of the game.
• Chaos Theory: 40/15, +1 MU - Effectively a deck size of 35 at the start of the game.

They're similar in that they've got an advantageously shrunk stack, but consider that Andromeda

• Can pack 5 more cards in her deck than CT can while almost being on par with CT in terms of deck size
• Has more options than CT right at the start of the game
• Belongs to Crims, the most consistently successful runner faction in the game while CT belongs to the Shapers who, while not bad, haven't been as successful as the former.

This implies that CT's 1-card smaller stack and +1 MU are enough to balance her against Andromeda's bonuses.

I really can't wait for an official reveal from FFG or someone getting their hands on the actual card to see if this is all true or not. Something is off.

Have my data pack in hand….let the questions begin

Pictues are up too: http://www.cardgamedb.com/forums/index.php?/topic/4392-humanitys-shadow-5th-data-pack/page__st__100#entry32231

This pack is officially amazing in my mind. Most of the cards seem like instant use for me . And I really like the way they made Andromeda a high-class con-artist type of criminal, as opposed to the down n dirty, hands-on kinda style we've already seen in Gabe.

Andromeda genuinely having a 9 starting hand is unbelievable. There are so many advantages, big and small, that she provides. I really thought that her ability was too powerful to be printed, but here she is.

Data Hound is just freakin' intriguing . He won't be easy to use but that ability to trash cards in the runner's deck is mind-boggling.