{% extends "archetypes/_layout.html" %} {% import "archetypes/_layout-erratum.html" as erratum with context %} {% import "archetypes/bibliodeque/emerald-legion.json" as deck_json %} {% block meta %} {% endblock %} {% block archetype_name %}
This is an allies toolbox deck using {{ emerald_legionnaire }}. This version uses {{ erlik }} as a star: his ability lets the player get another Harbinger {{ harbinger_of_skulls }} out fast and cheap.
The idea is to defend and get an {{ emerald_legionnaire }} out, then bring the others back from the ash heap if they are there. Once {{ the_unmasking }} and {{ fbi_special_affairs_division }} hit the table, they're a solid defence.
{{ liquidation }} is used to bloat and can put some {{ emerald_legionnaire }}, but also the cards to power their ability, in the ash heap.
As the game progresses, {{ emerald_legionnaire }} are used to bleed: they bleed only for one each, which negates the defensive power of {{ bounces }}, but they quickly swarm up, especially since they're not that easy to kill and they can be dreadful in combat with {{ target_vitals }}. On top of it, {{ vengeful_spirit }} and {{ trochomancy }} help boost the Harbinger bleeds, too.
The deck uses combat defense for the Harbingers {{ harbinger_of_skulls }}, with {{ for }} prevention cards like {{ rolling_with_the_punches }} alongside simple combat ends like {{ spiritual_intervention }}, {{ delaying_tactics }} for vote defense and {{ AUS }} bounces like {{ telepathic_misdirection }} against bleeds.
To be able to use their ability, an {{ emerald_legionnaire }} must be put into play by recruiting it: the ones in the ash heap can not have their effect used — their card text is ignored as long as they are in the ash heap. In order to manage to get at least one into play, the deck packs a bit of stealth with {{ spectral_divination }}, {{ call_of_the_hungry_dead }} and {{ breath_of_thanatos }}.
A key feature of this deck is the versatility of its cards: {{ spectral_divination }} can be used for stealth or intercept, {{ breath_of_thanatos }} for stealth or a deadly strike, and so on.
Many cards in the deck allow for additional discards to feed the {{ emerald_legionnaire }}'s ability. {{ liquidation }}, of course, but also {{ the_barrens }}, {{ dreams_of_the_sphinx }}, {{ aura_reading }} and {{ babalawo_alafin }}.
{{ trochomancy }} is a very {{ meta }} dependant inclusion, as {{ inevitability_of_the_void }} can be a stronger alternative to lunge. But {{ trochomancy }} has the distinct advantage to be a very strong counter against other {{ emerald_legionnaire }} decks as well as recursion heavy builds relying on {{ ashur_tablets }}.
The archetype has been so successful the last few years that a lot of decks now include strong counters against ally swarms, specifically ally-stealing actions like {{ entrancement }} and {{ far_majesty }} as well as anti-swarm votes like {{ anarchist_uprising }} and {{ ancilla_empowerment }}. The hight number of {{ direct_intervention }} and {{ delaying_tactics }} in the deck is designed to counterbalance this trend.
With {{ erlik }} as a star, {{ forced_march }} is often included. A few equipments like {{ sniper_rifle }}, {{ erebus_mask }} and {{ heart_of_nizchetus }} are also common.
A variant uses {{ the_capuchin }} as star, {{ richard_stefan_utners_deck }} from 2019 is a good example of it.
Another successful variant is {{ anttis_kurshidwall }}, using {{ khurshid }} as a star and introducing a small Anarch module with {{ anarch_convert }}, to allow for the inclusion of {{ piper }} for safe recruitments, and {{ gear_up }} for a welcome bit of recursion that plays very well with {{ liquidation }}. It's also possible to use {{ khurshid }} without going for the Anarch angle, like {{ lukasz_ho_thanh_proved }} through multiple wins.
{{ emerald_legionnaire }}'s ability is so self-sufficient that one does not even need to play a full Harbingers {{ harbinger_of_skulls }} crypt to make them work. Bill Troxel has been industrious in using them in very convoulted builds, like his {{ world_championships_win }} using {{ tupdog }} and {{ agent_of_power }} to play {{ summon_history }} to fetch them, or his {{ daughters_of_cacophony }} and {{ imbued }} variants. Other big names have explored alternatives, most notably {{ oriols_giotto }} and {{ daniels_weenie_obfuscate }}.
{% endtrans %} {% endblock %} {% block errata %}