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Redemption® Collectible Trading Card Game HQ => Deck Building & Design => Topic started by: Redoubter on April 14, 2014, 09:50:06 PM

Title: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judging - RESULTS AND NEXT INGREDIENTS!
Post by: Redoubter on April 14, 2014, 09:50:06 PM: [SUPER AWESOME NARRATOR VOICE]

TIME!

Well, the second time we called time at least, SOME smartypants competitor pointed out that midnight is not the same, though we all know that was just a clever ploy.

In any case, we had one of the builders run out the building screaming that his refrigerator was running and he had to go catch it, and now it appears that another competitor, thought to be napping all this time, is actually incredibly ill!

After locking out the crazy person and putting the sicky in quarantine, 7 decks have been submitted for judging*! And they are being revealed this week in alphabetical order, by the builder's nickname:

*All opinions, criticism, personal attacks, and terrible attempts at humor from the judges do not represent the panel as a whole, nor Cactus, nor the Redemption community, and should be taken as part of the fun and not taken seriously. The judges and panel take no responsibility for needing to actually be correct or to rate decks in a way that makes sense to normal people. You have been warned.

BUILDER: AJ

Spoiler (hover to show)
Deck 56

Lost souls 8
Revealer
Hopper
Wanderer
Shut the Door
Rejoice
First Round Protect
N.T. Only
Female only

Doms:7
Sog IJ
Grapes
Vain Philosophy
Mayhem
Don
NJ
Aotl

Arts:5
Gifts of the Tragi
Samaritan Water Jar
Magic Charms
A Pole
Lamp stand

Forts2
Solomon's temple
Gates of Jerusalem

Sites:2
Ceaseria Phillipi
Chorazin

Curses: 1
RBD

Heroes:9
Moses
King Amaziah: Roa2
Gideon: unlimited
Generous Widow
Good Samaritan
Woman at the Well
Aaron DI / or should I say Aaron Sanchez
Phineas Son of Eleazar
Ahimazz Priests
Thankful Lepper

Good Enhancements:5
SAMs Edict
Kindness DI
Meeting the Messiah
Convincing Miracle
Repentance and Resitution
Zeal for The Lord

Evil Characters:9
Manasah DI
King Amon
Gomer Pyle Texp
Uzzah
Am Slave
Balaam
Damsel
Spirit of Temptation
EM

Evil Enhancements:8
Hamans Plot
Scattered
Dou
2K horses
Gib trick
Forgotten history
Invoking Terror
Suicidal swine stampede
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Redoubter on April 14, 2014, 09:50:40 PM: BUILDER: jbeers285

Spoiler (hover to show)
Cards in deck: 56

Lost Souls: 7
Lost Soul (Beggar)
Lost Soul (N.T. only)
Lost Soul (revealer)
Lost Soul (Shut Door)
Lost Soul (Site Discard)
Lost Soul (site doubler)
Lost Souls (2-line)

Lamb Dominants: 3
Angel of the Lord
New Jerusalem
Son of God

Grim Reaper Dominants: 4
Burial
Christian Martyr
Destruction of Nehushtan
Mayhem

Fortresses: 3
Gates of Jerusalem
Solomon's Temple
The Throne of David

White Sites: 1
Golgotha

Red Sites: 1
Caesarea Philippi

Gold Sites: 1
Chorazin

Blue Sites: 1
Hormah

Purple Sites: 1
Marketplace

Artifacts: 4
Darius' Decree
Golden Cherubim
Lampstand of the Sanctuary
Samaritan Water Jar

Silver Heroes: 1
Gabriel

Gold Heroes: 3
Moses
Simeon
The Woman at the Well

Green Heroes: 1
Isaiah

Purple Heroes: 6
Abigail
King Amaziah
King David
King Hezekiah
King Hiram
King Solomon

Multi-Color Hero Enhancements: 5
In the Clouds (Purple/Silver)
Isaiah's Call (Green/Silver)
Pentecost
Raising Lazarus
Temple Dedication (Purple/Teal/White)

Gold Hero Enhancements: 1
Convincing Miracle

Purple Hero Enhancements: 2
Unified Kingdom
Valley of Salt

Crimson Evil Characters: 5
Creeping Deceiver
Judas Iscariot
King Abijah
King Rehoboam
Sapphira

Multi-Color Evil Characters: 1
Philetus

Multi-Color Evil Enhancements: 1
Scattered (Brown/Crimson/Gray/Pale Green)

Crimson Evil Enhancements: 4
Christian Suing Another
Dream
Nebuchadnezzar's Pride
Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

So this deck is clearly built around the defensive cards from the basket first but the offensive cards are not lacking here at all.. Combining the OT Protect Fort with the NT protect site made me step for a minute. Then it hit me that there were older version kings of Judah that were crimson and heretics were NT crimson that needed the sites to work at their highest level. I went with majority of NT souls to aid the heretics and burial to try and aid the site assisted droughts. I believe the synergy of putting these two different spices together created an amazing dry rub.

With Rehoboam being cbn off gates it only made sense with all the purple in my offense to add Gabriel for the infinite block with In the Clouds and Darius Decree. Not to mention Gabriel becomes a target for Isaiah's Call and gives me the ability to recur Call, Raising Laz or In the Clouds.

The really cool add of this deck is Solomon's temple with out any teal hero's or priests.
ST provided a double purpose for Pentecost, Temple Dedication and Raising Lazarus.

Having to add King Amaziah was what lead me to using The Throne of David which means a purple royalty offense. That part of the offense is pretty clean cut, use a purple king to band to Isaiah and Abigail using the play which won t2 nats in 2012. It also has the ability to use King David to his largest potential. Not to mention the fact that ST can instead lots of the major counters to royalty like Charms, Writ and CM. Obviously Solomon, Hiram and Hezekiah all make a ton of sense. I figured using the gold to get simeon (wa) in was crucial. It gave me a strong hero for convincing miracle to played on and gave me a band to King David, Gabriel or Isaiah. Also in gold I wanted to use the power of the woman at the well and water jar. Both play well into soul gen and water jar can be a game changer. Also the chance of setting aside someone's only site access with Jar when running several sites is super good. Moses was an easy splash with Convincing possibly being CBN, Temple dedication protecting Musicians and UK for a CBN FBTN band and even the potential for a solo rescue meant Moses belonged.

I hope you will find that I belong in the next round.
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Redoubter on April 14, 2014, 09:51:19 PM: BUILDER: KoalaKingoFA

Spoiler (hover to show)
"The InfiniblocKings"

Cards in Deck: 56

Lost Souls: 7
Hand Discard LS
Doubler (3-liner) LS
Site Doubler LS (Wa)
Female Only LS (H)
N.T. Only LS
Wanderer LS
First Round Protect LS

Dominants: 7
Son of God (J)
Angel of the Lord (C)
Falling Away
Burial (C)
Destruction of Nehushtan
Christian Martyr (C)
Strife

Sites: 2
Chorazin
Hormah

Fortresses: 2
Solomon's Temple (RoA)
Gates of Jerusalem

Artifacts: 3
Household Idols
Darius' Decree
Lampstand of the Sanctuary

Curses: 2
Go Into Captivity
Unknown Nation

DAEs: 1
Philosophy

Heroes: 11
Samuel
King Amaziah
David (Green) (Wa)
Armorbearer
Gabriel (I)
Captain of the Host (Wa)
Michael (Ki)
The Angel Under the Oak
Angel with the Secret Name (RoA)
Simeon (Wa)
Moses (Wa)

Good Enhancements: 10
In the Clouds
Wheel within a Wheel
Eli's Sound Advice
The Stars
Angelic Guidance
Striking Herod
Samuel's Edict
Ehud's Dagger (RoA)
Convincing Miracle
Provisions

Evil Characters: 6
King Manasseh (Di)
King Rehoboam (Di)
King Amon (Di)
King Saul (Ki)
King Zedekiah
King of Tyrus (Pi)

Evil Enhancements: 5
Scattered
Gibeonite Trickery (Pa)
Haman's Plot
Wickedness Abounds
Dungeon of Malachi

"The InfiniblocKings" was originally a Type 2 deck that I thought would be a fun strategy to try out after finding out that Gates of Jerusalem was one of the requirements. However, this deck has a lot of variations to set it apart as a Type 1 deck and to be creative. In case you haven't figured it out, which I'm sure you have, being the smart and experienced players that you guys are, that the strategy is to block with King Rehoboam, choose Gabriel and typically Michael to fight each other and then Gabriel plays In the Clouds after recurring it from discard pile to return Gabriel and my opponent's hero to owners' hands. In essense, the combo only requires 4 cards, Rehoboam, Gabe, hero that gives Gabe initiative, and In the Clouds, but to make it bulletproof, having Lampy in Solomon's Temple with Household Idols active ensures that they only have one hero in battle and then having Gates of Jerusalem makes Rehoboam CBN and I get to draw one as an added bonus.

Originally, the deck was 62 cards and so I had to cut out quite a few, especially after deciding to add more. I took out King Nadab and King Rehoboam, originally in for more recursion and King Amaziah fodder, Altar of Ahaz, originally in to stop them from playing SoG/NJ if I got set up, Legion of Angels, originally in as another hero for Gabe to fight but I figure between Angelic Guidance and Wheel Within a Wheel Mike should do the trick, Cherubim, originally in for King Amaziah and King David (switched to green David because if they could band to him my defense would struggle) as extra support, Aaron, originally in for offense support and Provisions playing, and lastly New Jerusalem (taken out for Burial), originally in for obvious reasons and taken out because if my deck works right, I shouldn't need it.

Notable Synergies:

•   Main Combo
•   Philosophy for Solomon's Temple, recurred with King Amon
•   Provisions to choose King Manny and play Ehud's Dagger or Edict to get rid of him for King Amon
•   Unkown Nation and Go Into Captivity for Chorazin
•   The Stars played on Moses after switching with Angel with the Secret Name who makes The Stars CBN
•   King Rehoboam and Darius' Decree to get rid of one of their annoying heroes by not letting them play enhancements in the side battle
Most other ones are just small uses to get set up faster (Unknown Nation to get Rehoboam, King Manny to band to KoT with Gates of Jerusalem out, etc.)

Usage of Required Cards:

King Amaziah--choose King Saul to block after getting him out with Samuel, usually a freebie
Convincing Miracle--can recur Simeon and is nice once they deck out and it's CBN
Chorazin--not protecting anything but hides souls and can activate Unknown Nation and Go Into Captivity
Gates of Jerusalem--protect my kings and help me draw

Reason for Deck's Name:

Fairly self-explanatory--can block infinitely and it's centered around the defense, which are all Kings.

Hope you like it and hope to see you in the next round. Thanks!
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Redoubter on April 14, 2014, 09:51:43 PM: BUILDER: Nameless

Spoiler (hover to show)
I call this Judges, Priests, and Kings. Enjoy!

Cards: 56

Lost Souls: 7
NT only
Exchanger
FBTN (I only have OT males, and so need help getting the NT and the female)
Shut Door
Revealer
Punisher
Woman's only

Dominants: 7
SoG (I)
New J (Warriors)
AotL (any)
Grapes of Wrath
Christian Martyr(any)
Mayhem
Strife(for blocking with King Rehoboam)

Sites:1
Chorazin

Artifacts: 4
Lampstand
Urin and Thummim
Golden Cherubim
Go into Captivity(to go with Chorazin)

Fortresses: 3
The Throne of David(Great card. You can play the first enhancement against defenses that rely on getting inish. And with Foreign Wives, you can draw 7 cards)
Gates of Jerusalem
Solomon's Temple

Heroes: 11
Auto
Sam
Moses
Martha(For giving to my opponent with King R, so they draw a card. This allows me to search my deck with Golden Cherubim)
King David
King Solomon
King Amaziah
Aaron
Phinehas, son of Eleazer
Seraiah the High Priest(Solomon's Temple Priest)
Temple Priests

Good Enhancements: 11
Edict
Convincing Miracle
Eli's Sound Advice
Zeal
Trumpet Blast(death to Naz)
Burning Incense
Pentecost
Vally of Salt
AOCP
Counsel of Abby
Temple Dedication

Evil Characters: 7
Uzzah
Gomer
King Abijam(I use him mostly as an evil character)
King Rehoboam
King Manasseh
King Amon
King Saul(for Sam and King Amazing)

Evil Enhancements: 5
Wickedness of the Tenants
Gib Trick
Plot
Wickedness Abounds
Scattered

This deck is only a few cards different from a deck that I have built now. It has a record of 4-2(It started out 0-2, but I made some changes). The offense is fast with a lot of insteading. That is the reason that I have a lot of teal enhancements. The defense can also be insteaded if in need it. It's point is to be fast, and give me blocks when I need it to. The reason that you should choose my deck is that it is a great deck, and is fun to play. It also is not vanilla, and so people are not expecting it!

BUILDER: RedDragonThorn

Spoiler (hover to show)
Cards in deck: 52
Lost Souls: 8
   Lost Soul (can't be prevented)
   Lost Soul (deck discard)
   Lost Soul (female only)
   Lost Soul (hopper)
   Lost Soul (N.T. only)
   Lost Soul (Resurrection)
   Lost Soul (revealer)
   Lost Soul (Wanderer)

Lamb Dominants: 4
   Angel of the Lord
   Grapes of Wrath
   New Jerusalem
   Son of God

Grim Reaper Dominants: 3
   Christian Martyr
   Destruction of Nehushtan
   Vain Philosophy

Fortresses: 1
   Gates of Jerusalem

Gold Sites: 1
   Chorazin

Artifacts: 2
   Darius' Decree
   Holy Grail

Blue Covenant Cards: 1
   I am Holy

Multi-Color Heroes: 3
   Aaron (Green/Teal)
   Phinehas, son of Eleazar (Teal)
   Samuel (Gold/Green)

Silver Heroes: 3
   Captain of the Host
   The Angel Under the Oak
   The Strong Angel

Gold Heroes: 3
   Gideon
   Moses
   Simeon

Purple Heroes: 2
   King Amaziah
   King David

Multi-Color Hero Enhancements: 3
   Eli's Sound Advice (Teal/Gold)
   Pentecost
   Zeal for the Lord (Teal)

Silver Hero Enhancements: 2
   Angelic Guidance
   Birth Foretold

Gold Hero Enhancements: 2
   Convincing Miracle
   Samuel's Edict

Multi-Color Evil Characters: 2
   Foreign Wives
   Scribe

Black Evil Characters: 1
   Lot's Wife

Gray Evil Characters: 5
   Emperor Tiberius
   Emperor Vitellius
   Pharisees
   Proud Pharisee
   The Entrapping Pharisees

Multi-Color Evil Enhancements: 2
   Scattered (Brown/Crimson/Gray/Pale Green)
   Tenants Kill the Son (Gray/Black)

Black Evil Enhancements: 1
   Stone of Thebez

Gray Evil Enhancements: 3
   Balaam's Disobedience
   Pretension
   Sorrow of Mary

Here is my appetizer deck.

King Amazing was actually in an early version of The Deck, so his inclusion was fairly easy. Convincing Miracle simply replaced Ehud's dagger as the second gold battle winner. the defensive side was a little trickier. the site simply ended up being general protection for my pharisees. Gates simply wasn't in the cards...
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Redoubter on April 14, 2014, 09:52:15 PM: BUILDER: RTSmaniac

Spoiler (hover to show)
Thank you Judges for your time and now I present to you...a tasty mixture of a first course refreshment to wet your pallet of deck building pleasure...I give you...

TempleGates!
Cards in deck: 53
Lost Souls: 8
Lost Soul (can't be prevented)
Lost Soul (Female Only)
Lost Soul (hopper)
Lost Soul (N.T. only)
Lost Soul (punisher)
Lost Soul (Resurrection)
Lost Soul (revealer)
Lost Soul (Wanderer)

Lamb Dominants: 4
Angel of the Lord
Grapes of Wrath
New Jerusalem
Son of God

Grim Reaper Dominants: 3
Christian Martyr
Mayhem
Strife

Fortresses: 2
Gates of Jerusalem
Solomon's Temple

Multi-Color Sites: 1
Kidron Valley (Teal)

Gold Sites: 1
Chorazin

Artifacts: 3
Darius' Decree
Golden Cherubim
Urim and Thummim

Curses: 1
Covenant With Death (Brown/Pale Green)

Multi-Color Heroes: 5
Aaron (Green/Teal)
Jeremiah (Green/Teal)
Phinehas, son of Eleazar (Teal)
Priests of Christ (Teal)
Seraiah the High Priest (Teal)

Silver Heroes: 3
Gabriel
Michael
The Angel Under the Oak

Gold Heroes: 2
Jair
Moses

Purple Heroes: 1
King Amaziah

Multi-Color Hero Enhancements: 7
Eli's Sound Advice (Teal/Gold)
First Fruits
In the Clouds (Purple/Silver)
Pentecost
Temple Dedication (Purple/Teal/White)
Trumpet Blast (Teal)
Zeal for the Lord (Teal)

Silver Hero Enhancements: 2
Angelic Guidance
Striking Herod

Gold Hero Enhancements: 1
Convincing Miracle

Black Evil Characters: 1
King Jehoahaz

Brown Evil Characters: 3
Foreign Wives
King Abijam
King Rehoboam
King Zedekiah
Uzzah

Multi-Color Evil Enhancements: 1
Scattered (Brown/Crimson/Gray/Pale Green)

Brown Evil Enhancements: 2
Dungeon of Malchiah
Haman's Plot

This deck uses the basket ingredients to emphasize the strategy of some very powerful fortresses in Gates of Jerusalem for defense and Solomon's Temple doing double duty in helping to protect characters in both offense and defense.

King Amazing! is quite an all-star as well in that he can be protected by Solomon's Temple, set aside with Pentecost, and targeted by a very tasty In the Clouds. The black King Jehoahaz was chosen as a target to stop my opponent from using a Scattered as well as helping to create some soul gen in capturing my own King Amazing!

The idea of discarding teal cards to Solomon's Temple for offense and defense calls for draw cards to help with this strategy. Convicing Miracle really pushed the deck toward card choices in what draw and power cards would be used. This includes Eli's Sound Advice, Jair, Moses, and silver The Angel of the Oak to search for them.

Adding silver included that tasty In the Clouds again with Striking Herod, Angelic Guidence, Michael, and Gabriel to recur.

Chorazin was the toughest of ingredients to work with in the basket. The Gates of Jerusalem really pushed the defense toward Old Testement, but maybe the second part of the ability could be relevent in activating a curse for a turn. I decided to go with the very powerful Covenant with Death that worked well with all the cannot be negated elements of the deck. The site also helps with another target for Trumpet Blast.

I chose to use Grapes to shuffle my Jair in if he doesnt hit. Mayhem combo's well with Foreign Wives and King Abijam. Strife for King Rehoboam who plays nice with my draw cards on offense, Darius Decree, and just a sprinkle of In the Clouds!
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Redoubter on April 14, 2014, 09:52:33 PM: BUILDER: spacy32

Spoiler (hover to show)
Cards in deck: 51
Lost Souls: 8
   Lost Soul (Female Only)
   Lost Soul (hopper)
   Lost Soul (N.T. only)
   Lost Soul (Site Discard)
   Lost Soul (site doubler)
   Lost Soul (site remove)
   Lost Soul (withdraw)
   Lost Souls (2-line)

Lamb Dominants: 3
   Angel of the Lord
   New Jerusalem
   Son of God

Grim Reaper Dominants: 4
   Christian Martyr
   Mayhem
   Strife
   Vain Philosophy

Fortresses: 2
   Gates of Jerusalem
   Solomon's Temple

Gold Sites: 1
   Chorazin

Artifacts: 2
   Asherah Pole
   Tables of the Law

Curse Cards: 4
   Besieged (Crimson)
   Covenant With Death (Brown/Pale Green)
   Flee from Enemies (Black)
   Go Into Captivity (Crimson)

Gold Heroes: 2
   Eleazar the Guard
   Eli the Priest

Purple Heroes: 4
   King Amaziah
   King Joash
   King Solomon
   The Magi

Gold Hero Enhancements: 5
   A New Creation
   Battle Prayer
   Blessing of Joshua
   Bow and Arrow
   Convincing Miracle

Purple Hero Enhancements: 4
   Asa's Good Reign
   Break Down the Wall of Gath
   Crushing Blow
   Elisha's Bones

Dual-Alignment Characters: 1
   King Abijam

Multi-Color Evil Characters: 1
   King Manasseh

Crimson Evil Characters: 2
   King Abijah
   Queen Maachah

Brown Evil Characters: 6
   Athaliah
   King Ahaziah
   King Amon
   King Jehoram
   King Joram
   King Rehoboam

Crimson Evil Enhancements: 2
   Apprehended
   Belshazzar's Banquet

Ok, I knew the show was going to run 3 rounds. (Appetizers, Main Course , and Dessert) So I wanted to make my decks the same way. The first deck that you see here is the light one to get you in the mood for the hearty savory main course. The dessert will be a fun deck since dessert is the cake on top. Todays deck concentrates on the Royalty quality. The one card I concentrated on the second ability to get a curse out and use it. I did have a tough time finding the synergy I relish in my concoctions But i hope you enjoy and I look forward to working with you next week. (oopps did I drop a twenty on the floor? Oh well sweeper will get it)
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Redoubter on April 14, 2014, 09:53:24 PM: [Redoubter scoots his chair up and begins to rifle through the decks

Let’s dig in judges, shall we!

AJ
Spoiler (hover to show)
Rain Becomes Dust is a great add for Type 1 right now, and does work well with Chorazin given how many artifacts you have. However, I think you perhaps have too many artifacts, when you consider Chorazin only holds a curse one turn at a time, and 4 of that pile can't be held in anything. I do like how you also used CP as a protect and as another site. My question is, given that you had a site already and you added another, why not use souls that take advantage of the site use? You seem to have gone with a very bland and overused set of souls without looking at your assets, which you could accent with the proper usage.

I like your offense in general, but the teal doesn’t seem to fit as well. With your Temple, you only have 1 artifact, of 5, able to go in, and only 3 teal cards to use with Solomon’s Temple’s ability. Sure, Zeal is a CBN battle-winner here, but I think the splash takes up space you could have used to beef up that offense to even higher capabilities, even if it does also help your defense.

On to the defense. I love the inclusion of Mannaseh and his brother in crime Amon, I’ve always liked that combo. With Gates, it is even better. With the rest of the enhancements and characters amassed, you have the makings of an annoying, and potentially fast, defense.

However, you did not use any Kings of Israel to go with your King Amaziah. In fact, Amazing seems to be without any support at all, just sitting in the deck as the only Purple card without a way to even choose your own King to block.
So, all in all, I think you incorporated Convincing Miracle and Gates of Jerusalem well into your deck, and overall it is a good deck, but Chorazin could have been used better and King Amaziah was almost neglected, relegated to the side of the plate as a garnish.

Thank you for your submission.
jbeers285
Spoiler (hover to show)
First, while you did not use any curses, your Chorazin was put to great use here. It is almost a trap, that part of Chorazin, since it only works one turn every so often, and thus curses aren't given that big of a boost. I love the idea of going straight Crimson and spreading the defense across testaments to get the maximum benefit from your protection, as well as turning the inclusion of sites to your advantage, including with the souls you chose.

Again, the defense is great. I would normally prefer a larger portion size, but the infinite-block, Burial, and extensive site usage satisfied my defensive appetite very well.

The offense is superb. While it may lack in some aspects, like the number of battle-winners, your ability to use Throne, Temple, and a healthy portion of overpowered characters makes this deck very viable.

I am sad to see no King of Israel that Amazing can block with, but as you incorporated a healthy amount of Purple in there, as well as Throne, he does see decent use.

Thank you for your submission.

KoalaKingoFA
Spoiler (hover to show)
I like the curses chosen for Chorazin, which does open your options for having multiple artifacts active. I feel you may rely too much on Chorazin, which won't activate much, and your curses may see less use than thought. Still, good adds. Your souls do take advantage of site use, which does show decent use of the ingredient as well.

Not so much a fan of the dominant choice normally, but it really does complement this deck through the use of site manipulation and dealing with bands for the infinite block to work even when Idols is not active, a very nice touch.

Great strength rests in your offense, and I love the combinations you put together to let you use ingredients I rarely see anymore, like The Stars, and make them actually powerful. Very nice. Overall, your offense and defense are both very well constructed in general, and while I would normally like for more options for Amazing, Samuel and the numbers on the characters involved make this work very well for a rescue in most games.

The infinite block is also well done, and I like that this deck has staying power with Amon and Manasseh without too much of a commitment.

Thank you for your submission.
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Redoubter on April 14, 2014, 09:53:52 PM: Nameless
Spoiler (hover to show)
You only used one curse, and one which is meant to be discarded on the rare times you can activate a curse, with nothing else for Chorazin. It really needs complementing flavor for me to consider it well-used. No other sites, and no souls to take advantage of it, means that Chorazin is mostly wasted currently. Trumpet Blast can be used to blow it up, but that’s not focusing on the ingredient for me.

However, the rest of the deck is well-done for me. It is some of the minor flavors you added, like using Martha to force a D1, not much of a benefit to the opponent but allowing a search for you. You also used Teal fairly well with the volume included, though I think you could have done better by focusing the power of the deck into other brigades.

The defense works well, and as with others your Samuel gets out King Saul for an Amazing rescue. However, it does lack in some of the staying power the other decks submitted have, with only Amon and Manasseh for recurring ways to win the battle. Still, the defense should hold its own relatively well.

The main problem with the deck, as mentioned, is the lack of creative use of Chorazin. Otherwise, well rounded.

Thank you for your submission.

RedDragonThorn

Spoiler (hover to show)
You did not run into trouble with Chorazin as some other decks did, and again I feel too much focus on the curse component may trap builders, and you did find some good uses for it outside of curses. Using one of the site discarding souls, and running a few evil characters that gain conversion protection, both are good uses. However, I’d have liked to have seen more, I think there was a lot more potential from this ingredient myself. Good, but could be great.

Your offense is good, and I think what it lacks in battle winners it makes up for in character power. However, I think you could have done well with adding Solomon’s Temple, given the amount of Teal you are using and characters for whom it would instead opposing battle winners. Just a thought, but I think you could have accented your deck well with that addition.

The defense is a good defense, but very bland. I get served one of these at every tournament I go to, and it has gone a bit stale for me. I think actually incorporating Gates as an ingredient integral to the deck would have helped rather than hurt, and its use only for taking up a spot in the deck is disappointing. I’m also expecting to see a King of Israel for Amazing to choose, since there is no real support for Purple in the deck as currently provided, but I am poking around in here and see none.

While the deck is very good, I feel it could have used a few more pieces. Also, not using 2 of the ingredients as essential parts of the deck leaves me wanting more from this deck.

Thank you for your submission.

RTSmaniac

Spoiler (hover to show)
As mentioned with others, powerful curses like Covenant with Death is a great choice for Chorazin, but it is unreliable to use. However, your limit of artifacts that cannot be held elsewhere means you did not waste a slot on a curse that will sit in the pile all game, which is good. I like that you also had the idea to use Trumpet Blast, and that this can become fodder. However, I do not see this card becoming central to your deck, even though it is used in good ways.

On the use of Teal, I love the concept. The only one to also use Kidron Valley of the contestants, you have a formidable priests attack with judicious use of judges. Solomon’s Temple probably does more for you than any of the submissions, and that is saying something. I feel like this offense is lacking Simeon, however, as he would work perfectly with the many different heroes in this deck and make your combos that much stronger.

For your defense, I like the initiative to sacrifice some synergy with your defense to go with a more surefire rescue with Amazing by using the Black version of King Jehoaz. A bold move, and I like it. However, your defense seems to lack staying power, with no recurs and only Into the Clouds as a viable repeat strategy. I would like to see more from this defense, it seems less than…redoubtable.

Overall, good, fresh ideas for the offense and a good take on Amazing. I would like to have seen more out of Chorazin still, as with most competitors.

Thank you for your submission.
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Redoubter on April 14, 2014, 09:54:21 PM: spacy32

Spoiler (hover to show)
I love your enthusiasm to incorporate Chorazin, I really do. My only concern is that you can only use the curses for one turn at a time when a soul is placed in Chorazin, meaning you will go quite a long time with these curses just sitting in the artifact pile, since there are too many to have up at a time. You did use some good souls for sites, but did not include any additional sites to use them in. I feel this could have been worked in a bit more smoothly with some more sites. You used the ingredient, but I would like to see its flavor be accented a deal more.

I like some of the ideas you are trying to incorporate in the offense were intriguing to me, but there are only 7 heroes total, even if you count the dual as one, and that is not enough for even this stout defensive player. I think the enhancements could have been chosen with some more care, as these seem to be thrown in at the last second (much like this $20 I found, is that supposed to be in here?). Even adding some overused staples like Samuel’s Edict and AoCP would have helped considerably, and something like Valley of Salt would have added extra flavor to the use of Amazing.

I like some of the character choices for defense, but they need more support. There isn’t much staying power I can see, and that will cost you in tournament play.

So, I think that Chorazin could have been better used with additional sites and being mindful of artifact clog, Convincing Miracle needed some help with other enhancements and more heroes, and just some more OOMPH! was needed on both offense and defence.

Thank you for your submission.
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Warrior_Monk on April 14, 2014, 10:03:45 PM: tl;dr nobody knows what Chorazin does
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Drrek on April 14, 2014, 10:07:50 PM: Quote from: Westy on April 14, 2014, 10:03:45 PM
tl;dr nobody knows what Chorazin does

Its sad how true this was.
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: jbeers285 on April 14, 2014, 10:19:36 PM: Can't believe I was the only one to go straight crimson. I am also shocked to see I forgot 1/1 crimson king for Amaziah. That's just a face palm moment.

I am surprised no one selected King Ahab with the brown defense. I know he doesn't get protection from Gates or ST but he searches Gates and Amaziah could choose him.
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Red on April 14, 2014, 10:43:23 PM: How in the heck does Chorazin only allow gold curses? That's ridiculous. The card says A CURSE not A GOLD CURSE.
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Drrek on April 14, 2014, 10:45:26 PM: Quote from: Red on April 14, 2014, 10:43:23 PM
How in the heck does Chorazin only allow gold curses? That's ridiculous. The card says A CURSE not A GOLD CURSE.

Hmm it seems the judges made a mistake. Err I mean the judges are perfect and every copy of Chorazin is a misprint.
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Minion of Jesus on April 14, 2014, 10:47:08 PM: Quote from: Drrek on April 14, 2014, 10:45:26 PM
Quote from: Red on April 14, 2014, 10:43:23 PM
How in the heck does Chorazin only allow gold curses? That's ridiculous. The card says A CURSE not A GOLD CURSE.

Hmm it seems the judges made a mistake. Err I mean the judges are perfect and every copy of Chorazin is a misprint.

+1
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Warrior_Monk on April 14, 2014, 10:51:00 PM: Quote from: Westy on April 14, 2014, 10:03:45 PM
tl;dr nobody knows what Chorazin does (even the judges)
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: browarod on April 14, 2014, 10:54:18 PM: I think the other judges confused Chorazin with Pithom. :P

I, on the other hand, judged it correctly and my below comments reflect that.

Spoiler: AJ (hover to show)
The spice that AJ used by including an additional site on top of the seemingly random Chorazin was soured by the fact that only 2 of his evil character ingredients even benefit from it (one of which already receiving that kick from one of the artifacts) so the taste really couldn’t come through. I also feel like the defense is a little bloated and the dish would have been better overall with a smaller portion in mind.

Spoiler: jbeers (hover to show)
I applaud jbeers’ usage of the rest of the Disciples site spice set as they offer a range of tasty flavors to add to any NT-focused defense. Marketplace was a rare site and I relished the aftertaste while it lasted. I felt that the offensive flavors weren’t truly built around Convincing Miracle, but it still combined into a moderately good base. When I encountered the combination of heretics and older, crimson variants of the Kings of Judah I was surprised indeed and felt that the textures meshed very well and gave the whole thing an affirmed solidity.

Spoiler: KoalaKing (hover to show)
Due to the fact that I was going through the appetizers by alphabetical order of the creator’s board name, random chance was not in KoalaKing’s favor this day as the main offensive aspects of his dish were very similar to the one I had just tasted from jbeers. That said, he did have a couple differences in underlying texture, due to his defensive choices in the dish, so I complement them both on having good ideas but being able to create dishes unique to each other. The defensive aspect gave me a foul taste at first due to the seemingly useless nature of the Chorazin main ingredient, however the flavor soon turned sweet and seemed to last forever, lingering long after the initial tasting.

Spoiler: Nameless (hover to show)
I immediately liked the differences in the offensive portion of his dish as they were an interesting diversion from the dishes I had tasted thus far. I was again disappointed to find a defense that didn’t take full advantage of the flavorful opportunities of Chorazin, though overall the contribution seemed satisfactory.

Spoiler: RDT (hover to show)
Finally a deck that uses Chorazin for something other than holding a curse! This immediately scored bonus points with me as I could taste the full flavor of the site. It went with a defense that I hadn’t yet seen this round so the new flavor definitely piqued my interest. The combination of NT Emperors and OT black seemed to fit well. The offense was a variant of the seemingly popular one this evening but with a FBTN twist that really pulled at the tongue. The serving sat at 52 and I think I might have enjoyed it a bit more if some of the other NT site spices had been included in the room left hanging, though I can understand keeping it at the current serving as well.

Spoiler: RTSmaniac (hover to show)
Another dish not using Chorazin to its full potential, I will admit I was already put off right at the start. Again a victim of chance insomuch as I’d tasted several dishes before this with a similar defensive base, I was not incredibly impressed. The offensive portion included the first appearance of Jair that I noticed in this round which was an interesting surprise. Overall the appetizer left me a little wanting, though.

Spoiler: spacy32 (hover to show)
While not utilizing a defense that entirely activated Chorazin, I applaud spacy’s use of many curses to make the most of at least part of the site. The crimson-brown defensive aspect had an interesting flavor, though the lack of enhancement ingredients to support the characters left it falling flat for me after a few seconds. The offensive flavors were interesting but very much overwhelmed due to their lack of presence in the deck overall. I think it was a good place to start but the dish would have benefitted from a larger offensive aspect to keep the base more intact.
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: TheJaylor on April 14, 2014, 11:09:00 PM: Quote from: jbeers285 on April 14, 2014, 10:19:36 PM
I am surprised no one selected King Ahab with the brown defense. I know he doesn't get protection from Gates or ST but he searches Gates and Amaziah could choose him.
I almost did but I'd have to have the warriors Cheribum too in order to band and beat Ahab's numbers and after switching the green David for King David I figured Cheribum wasn't worth it to me anymore.

Some pretty great decks here!
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Redoubter on April 15, 2014, 06:58:59 AM: This is what I get for listening to my brother. I'll edit my feedback tonight, since I don't have time tonight.

Stupid Chorazin not being Pithom...
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: RTSmaniac on April 15, 2014, 08:24:31 AM: Quote
I feel like this offense is lacking Simeon, however, as he would work perfectly with the many different heroes in this deck and make your combos that much stronger.

Thank You, Judge.

Quote
Another dish not using Chorazin to its full potential, I will admit I was already put off right at the start. Again a victim of chance insomuch as I’d tasted several dishes before this with a similar defensive base, I was not incredibly impressed. The offensive portion included the first appearance of Jair that I noticed in this round which was an interesting surprise. Overall the appetizer left me a little wanting, though.

Forgive me, Judge. I promise to impress you more next round!
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: TheJaylor on April 15, 2014, 03:45:55 PM: Quote from: Redoubter on April 15, 2014, 06:58:59 AM
I'll edit my feedback tonight, since I don't have time tonight.
:scratch:
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Redoubter on April 15, 2014, 04:43:01 PM: Quote from: KoalaKingoFA on April 15, 2014, 03:45:55 PM
Quote from: Redoubter on April 15, 2014, 06:58:59 AM
I'll edit my feedback tonight, since I don't have time tonight.
:scratch:

I woke up 10 minutes before posting that. Still night to me.

EDIT: Also, I updated my feedback. Enjoy!
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: browarod on April 15, 2014, 05:07:00 PM: I think his confusion had more to do with the fact that you said tonight twice. :P
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judges Comments
Post by: Redoubter on April 15, 2014, 05:10:52 PM: Quote from: browarod on April 15, 2014, 05:07:00 PM
I think his confusion had more to do with the fact that you said tonight twice. :P

I know, that's what I meant ;) I had woken up and responded to him, feeling like it was still 'night' for me, but still consciously knowing that 'tonight' was in 12 hours or so, after work. Basically, I was tired.
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judging - RESULTS AND NEXT INGREDIENTS!
Post by: Redoubter on April 16, 2014, 12:01:25 AM: [NARRATOR VOICEOVER]

The contestants return to the floor, as the judges have made their decisions. After much discussion, arguing, and fistfights, the Top Cut! has been determined. The nervous group approaches, not sure whether they are going home, or going to work on the next deck...

And here is that latter group, those who are going to move on, those in...

*boom doom daboom...boom boom..

beebaboom, boom...

boom boom...*

THE TOP CUT!

*BOOM BOOM...

BOOM BOOM...

MORE STALLING MUSIC...*

Revealed in alphabetical order:
Spoiler (hover to show)
jbeers285!
*dramatic music*
Spoiler (hover to show)
KoalaKingoFA!
*music gets louder*
Spoiler (hover to show)
Nameless!
*DEAFENING MUSIC, POUNDING BASS*
Spoiler (hover to show)
RTSmaniac!
*DUM DUM!*

Congratulations to those who made the Top Cut! For the others, we thank you for your time, and as always it is a difficult decision on who to cut. We hope you will join us next time!

For those moving on, the following are your ingredients for the entree round. You will find a basket with one copy of each of the following cards, but remember that your TSTC!SS™ will not restock before this round!

Your basket contains:

Windows of Narrow Light! (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Windows_of_Narrow_Light_(P))
Warriors Simeon! (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Simeon_(Wa))
Foreign Spearmen! (http://redemption.wikia.com/wiki/Foreign_Spearman_(RA3))
One copy of all versions of all cards with the identifier "Genderless"!

The contestants should note that they need not use ALL genderless cards, but should incorporate them in a way that shows creativity as always. Also note that the REG is the definition we are going with, but Gibeonite Delegates is on the list in error...do not use them and expect them to be genderless!

...What are you waiting for?! You only have until midnight US Pacific Time on Sunday to get these in!

GO GO GO GO GO!
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judging - RESULTS AND NEXT INGREDIENTS!
Post by: Nameless on April 16, 2014, 06:09:58 PM: Can we have a list of the genderless cards? All that I am aware of are Leviathan, and The Serpent.

We only have 4 days to do this? Wow.
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judging - RESULTS AND NEXT INGREDIENTS!
Post by: Drrek on April 16, 2014, 06:14:33 PM: Quote from: Nameless on April 16, 2014, 06:09:58 PM
Can we have a list of the genderless cards? All that I am aware of are Leviathan, and The Serpent.

We only have 4 days to do this? Wow.

Its in the REG, but I'll post it here anway

(Hero): Priests of Christ (P)
(Evil): Angry Mob (Ap), Bear (DL), Bear (DU), Complainers (FF), Doubt (Pi), Frog Demons (L),
Frog Demons (UL), Frog Demons (P), Frog Demons (Wa),
Idolaters (H), Madness (Pi), The Bear (RA), and The Jeering Youths (RA)

Keep in mind that the REG lists gibeonite delegates but they were ruled to be male.
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judging - RESULTS AND NEXT INGREDIENTS!
Post by: Nameless on April 16, 2014, 06:18:09 PM: I am still confused about the genderless part. We should use as many as possible? We have to use one? We have to use every one? Which one is it?
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judging - RESULTS AND NEXT INGREDIENTS!
Post by: Drrek on April 16, 2014, 07:29:09 PM: Quote from: Nameless on April 16, 2014, 06:18:09 PM
I am still confused about the genderless part. We should use as many as possible? We have to use one? We have to use every one? Which one is it?

Quote from: Redoubter on April 16, 2014, 12:01:25 AM
The contestants should note that they need not use ALL genderless cards, but should incorporate them in a way that shows creativity as always.
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judging - RESULTS AND NEXT INGREDIENTS!
Post by: TheJaylor on April 21, 2014, 11:23:59 AM: I totally forgot to send my deck in last night. I had planned to but Easter got kinda distracting. :P I'll send it in as soon as I get home from school and hopefully it will still be accepted. ;D
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judging - RESULTS AND NEXT INGREDIENTS!
Post by: browarod on April 21, 2014, 12:17:40 PM: The judges are currently consulting regarding the impact of recent holiday events on the due date of this round's entries.

Further update to come.
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judging - RESULTS AND NEXT INGREDIENTS!
Post by: TheJaylor on April 21, 2014, 12:56:11 PM: Quote from: browarod on April 21, 2014, 12:17:40 PM
The judges are currently consulting regarding the impact of recent holiday events on the due date of this round's entries.

Further update to come.
*crosses fingers*
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judging - RESULTS AND NEXT INGREDIENTS!
Post by: Redoubter on April 21, 2014, 04:39:06 PM: [BOOMING ANNOUNCER VOICE]

And...TIME!

Um...contestants?

...Well, it appears that all of the contestants are in a post-Easter feast coma! Who let all that food in here?! They are ALL asleep at their...wait, what is this? Well, Nameless brings up a completed deck, while the others snooze away! I have never seen anything like this in the day I have been on the air, incredible!

The producers are talking in the other room...they can't scrap the finale...WE HAVE A DECISION!

*BOOMING MUSIC*

And the decision...

*BOOMING MUSIC!*

...will be announced after this commercial break!

*commercials on sugary cereals and weight loss ensue*

The decision...
...reached by the producers...
...to affect this round...
...with no further stalling...

...is...

Nameless has automatically qualified for the finale, for being the only one submitting on time, regardless of the quality of the deck! The deadline for submitting a deck for the rest to fight for that FINAL SPOT is now set for midnight, Pacific time, on Wednesday April 23! Nameless, even though qualified, will also be able to change the submitted deck until that time, for as we know the finale is based on ALL of your submissions, not just the last round. However, there is only one other spot up for grabs anymore!

CONTINUE CONTINUE CONTINUE!
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judging - RESULTS AND NEXT INGREDIENTS!
Post by: Redoubter on April 23, 2014, 06:39:48 AM: [VERY TIRED NARRATOR]

You all...*YAAAAAAWN* have until tonight to submit! GO GO GO!
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judging - RESULTS AND NEXT INGREDIENTS!
Post by: Nameless on April 27, 2014, 06:12:16 PM: Did all of the judges die or something? Is the next round going to happen?
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judging - RESULTS AND NEXT INGREDIENTS!
Post by: Drrek on April 27, 2014, 07:33:09 PM: Quote from: Nameless on April 27, 2014, 06:12:16 PM
Did all of the judges die or something? Is the next round going to happen?

I think my brother is sick. I'd expect the next round soon.
Title: Re: Top Cut! - Appetizer Decks and Judging - RESULTS AND NEXT INGREDIENTS!
Post by: Redoubter on April 28, 2014, 05:06:06 PM: Quote from: Drrek on April 27, 2014, 07:33:09 PM
Quote from: Nameless on April 27, 2014, 06:12:16 PM
Did all of the judges die or something? Is the next round going to happen?

I think my brother is sick. I'd expect the next round soon.

Yeah, I got pretty sick and a lot of things I was supposed to do just kind of slipped my mind. I will post the decks submitted and the new baskets tonight for the finale!

Sorry all.