Assuming i own the following :

1x Core

1x Expansion

6x First cycle of chapters

How many Corporations and Running decks could i conceivably build without having to swap cards out. I would like these to be semi competitive ?

With one copy of everything you can really only run 1 runner and 1 corp deck at the same time without cutting essentials like Sure Gamble/ Hedge Fund. You need an extremely compelling reason to exclude those cards from any deck right now.

You'll also be missing the full set of useful two-ofs like Neural EMP, SEA Source, Astroscript Pilot Program, Archer, Melange, Datasucker, Corroder, and Account Siphon.

Not to say you can't do multiple decks, they just won't have the best economy.

With one copy of everything you can really only run 1 runner and 1 corp deck at the same time without cutting essentials like Sure Gamble/ Hedge Fund. You need an extremely compelling reason to exclude those cards from any deck right now.

You'll also be missing the full set of useful two-ofs like Neural EMP, SEA Source, Astroscript Pilot Program, Archer, Melange, Datasucker, Corroder, and Account Siphon.

Not to say you can't do multiple decks, they just won't have the best economy.

Thanks, i suspected this might be the case, I'm guessing the next step would be to purchase 2 additional cores in order to widen my horizons. Thanks again for confirming what i thought

You can build a Magnum Opus Shaper deck without Sure Gamble just fine. Hedge Fund, OTOH, is a little more problematic. I have four core sets and seven functioning decks from each side.

I find that Magnum Opus really is getting to be obsolete even in the long-term of the game as it has such an initial set-back in terms of cash and clicks and uses up precious resources on a turn. Honestly I'd rather go with burst economy events and Kati (or use Sahasrara) over MO.

/end MO rant

Anywho, it's kinda accepted (most people, anyway) that 2 core sets are the minimum required for competitive play and 3 are nice, but not really needed (3 copies of Desperado, Grimoire, and SanSan are really good to have, though).

Ok this is all very useful. I will get a 2nd core and then see what i come up with . Hopefully within a couple of months i will be fully caught up.

Thanks all