Just a modification of a casual deck that I like to play against newer players. Nothing too overpowered or super quick and have taken out cards like Jeffrey Farrington, Lucas Tetlow, (edit: Master of the Myths) and Matthew Alexander and streamlined it to focus on the 'discard from hand' theme to power the Ritual so as to still keep it interesting for me and highlight a neat little synergy, which sometimes manages a sacrifice every round !! Of course if you wanted to put those cards back in for a more 'serious' casual game then feel free to make the changes as you see fit.

Discard cards Cards:

Dedicated Butler (TOotST) x3
Alternative Historian (SoK) x3
Student Archaeologist (Core) x3
Lodge Librarian (TOotST) x3
Natural Philosopher (Core) x3
*Andrew-Chapman (TKatG) x3
Unbound! (TOotST) x3
Feast of Famine (Core) x3

Ritual Trio:

*Carl Stanford (SoK) x3
*Josef Meiger (DotU) x2
*Ritual of the Construct (TOotST) x3

Extra Draw:

College Prospect (SoK) x3
Alternative Historian (SoK) x3
Focused Art Student (WitD) x3
Obsessive Insomniac (IMoD) x3
Feast of Famine (Core) x3

In Story Hi-Jinks:

Alternative Historian (SoK) x3
Steal the Soul (TOotST) x3
Binding (Core) x3

Opponent Hand Discards:

Student Archaeologist (Core) x3
Natural Philosopher (Core) x3
Feast of Famine (Core) x3

EDIT: I took out Master of the Myths and replaced it with Devious Architect as MoM proving a bit harsh on the newbies. Haha. Its passive condition is relatively easy to 'trigger' with the discards and makes for some extra in story trickery.

Also note that 44 cards come from Core(12), OST(18), KAG(3), SOK(9) and DOU(2) boxes so probably quite easy to build / modify with small card pool (especially if adding Matthew, Jeffrey etc back in) using the 'discard card' theme.

Ok. Threw this together with 3 x Core, OST and SOK boxes. Seems to goldfish ok without the draw card Characters but give it a whirl if you feel the inclination. I took out Unbound! to reflect the lack of drawing available and also added Atwood Science Hall because with limited pool you're probably going to have a Syndicate Skill based deck to contend with. With only 2 x Core you just need to shore up 5 cards as well so certainly 'viable'.


DISTURBING INSIGHTS (limited card pool)

Total Cards (50)

Character (35)
Dedicated Butler (TOotST) x3
College Prospect (SoK) x3
Alternative Historian (SoK) x3
Ghost Hunter (SoK) x3
*Lucas Tetlow (SoK) x 2
Student Archaeologist (Core) x3
Lodge Housekeeper (TOotST) x3
Lodge Librarian (TOotST) x3
Natural Philosopher (Core) x3
Devious Architect (TOotST) x 3
*Carl Stanford (SoK) x2
*Lord Jeffrey Farrington (TOotST) x2
*Matthew Alexander (SoK) x2

Support (6)
Atwood Science Hall (Core) x3
*Ritual of the Construct (TOotST) x3

Event (15)
Steal the Soul (TOotST) x3
Binding (Core) x3
Feast of Famine (Core) x3

And another rough build with 2 x Core, SOK, OST and TIV. With these decks you might also like to put in Eschatologist and some prophecies for another discard effect or if going for a higher cost curve Senator Nathaniel Rhodes could be a valuable addition.


DISTURBING INSIGHTS (limited card pool 2)

Total Cards (50)

Character (35)
Dedicated Butler (TOotST) x3
College Prospect (SoK) x3
*Bruno Carioli (TiV) x2
Alternative Historian (SoK) x3
Ghost Hunter (SoK) x3
Keeper of the Silver Sphere (TOotST) x3
*Lucas Tetlow (SoK) x 2
Student Archaeologist (Core) x2
Lodge Librarian (TOotST) x3
Natural Philosopher (Core) x2
Devious Architect (TOotST) x 3
*Carl Stanford (SoK) x2
*Lord Jeffrey Farrington (TOotST) x2
*Matthew Alexander (SoK) x2

Conspiracy (3)

Purity of Purpose (TiV) x3

Support (5)
Atwood Science Hall (Core) x2
*Ritual of the Construct (TOotST) x3

Event (7)
Steal the Soul (TOotST) x3
Binding (Core) x2
Feast of Famine (Core) x2


You get the idea anyway..........

These seem like a fun set of decks to try out.

Did you consider using any of the Silver Twilight cards that key off having no cards in hand, or is that a step too far?

Generally you'll try to have a card to use with the Lodge Librarian, but I did include Devious Architect because there will be times when you have none (and it's always a nice bluff when you only have 1 card and a free Domain as well).

Ah yes, good call. I look forward to seeing this in play soon.

Well you'll be facing it at some stage / in some form on Lackey !!

Oh. Mage Known as Magnus (if you have it) is another nice discard card for removing any annoying 1 or 2 cost Characters too.

Also took out Alternative Historian. Taking away Arcane struggles from new players is just mean, though it is quite a central 'discard-er'. Hmmm. Dilemma. Ok. She's back, but only for Terror and Combat Struggles.