Deconstructing: Shaper

Welcome back to the Deconstructing series, looking at the cards for a faction in detail. For the final article in the series, as I started with a Runner faction, I felt it best to end with a Runner faction, with the Shapers.

Shapers fondness for technology shows, with their Icebreakers keeping their strength boosts for an entire run, whilst also having the largest console in the game.

So, let us begin our foray into the Shapers.

Identity
Kate "Mac" McCaffrey: Digital Tinker (Core) - Kate encourages us to play programs and hardware, bymaking the first one a turn cheaper by 1 credit. As a result, it can help increase our efficiency by making us need to spend less clicks on gaining credits. Whilst what the new Shaper identity will do is unknown right now, I feel it will have to stand out to get past making our tools to run cheaper. In addition, she is the only Runner identity with a Link higher than 0, making it more expensive for a Corp to try and trace us.

Events
Diesel (Core) - I have mentioned it before in previous Deconstructings, as well as forum discussions, but card draw is always useful I feel it is even stronger for the Runner, as they are not forced to draw a card each turn. Whilst it gives you three cards for a single click, it has also cost you a click to play, so you only save a click. However, for those times when you need a sudden influx of cards, such as running against Jinteki, or to try and draw into a particular card, it is very useful.
Modded (Core) - Similar to Diesel, in the fact that it helps you make the most out of a single click. Whilst it can be compared to Easy Mark (Core), as that gives 3 credits whilst Modded saves 3 credits, it also installs at the same time. As such, if you were going to use the credits to install a program or hardware, it just pushes ahead. Having it combine with Kate if it is the first program or hardware for a saving of 4 credits can give the Runner a solid boost.
The Maker's Eye (Core) - The Shaper's event that allows them to make a run, and this one can be an absolute game changer. By being able to access three cards from R&D instead of one, the chances of hitting an agenda, or trashing cards that the Corp wanted, could set the Corp back heavily. Whilst it is highly unlikely, it is possible for all three cards to be agendas with a total of seven or more points. Just beware of decks using Snare (Core), as it could flatline you, and works well as a means to put the Runner off from using The Maker's Eye.
Tinkering (Core) - For when you need to get through a particular piece of Ice and lack the appropriate Icebreaker, being able to make it count as every type for nothing more than playing the card, could let you access a server the Corp never expected. Because it lasts for the turn, if you need to run against the same server multiple times, it will be very useful. However, if I have the influence for it, I would rather use Special Order (Core), so I have the Icebreaker I need and can use it over and over again.

Hardware
Akamatsu Mem Chip (Core) - If you have a large selection of programs, especially those that cost more than one memory, this gives you a cheap but effective boost to memory. Assuming you try to maximise Kate's effect, you could play one of these for free in preparation for playing more memory demanding programs in following turns. The amount to use however, depends on what console you are including in a deck, as they should be your first port of call for increasing memory, in my humble opinion.
Rabbit Hole (Core) - At the time of writing, whilst FFG has said that Trace will be getting a boost in the upcoming Genesis Data Packs, currently Trace isn't a big threat. The majority of the Trace effects are tied to subroutines, and as such if they are broken, there is no need to worry about Trace. Plus, for Shaper decks which run The Toolbox, then they will have enough Link to make it simply a contest of credits with the corp. Once Trace does become more threatening, having a means to increase Link that allows you to thin your deck by searching for anthoer copy, so long as you also install it. As a result, with 6 credits, or 5 if Kate has not been used, all three copies could be played, assuming two are still in the deck.
The Personal Touch (Core) - Personally, I am not a fan of this card. It cost a click to draw, a click to install as well as 2 credits. So unless you spend more than 4 credits on the one Icebreaker for extra strength over the game, it would have been better just spending credits for extra credits. Instead, I would advise taking Cyberfeeder (Core), as whilst it costs the same, the recurring credit can be used for paying for strength, but also for breaking subroutines, or even installing Virus cards if those are added as well.
The Toolbox (Core) - A card I am in two minds about. On one hand, 9 credits, or 8 with Kate, is a large dent to a Runner's economy. However, it is the equivalent of 2x Cyberfeeder (Core), 2x Access to Globalsec (Core), and 2x Akamatsu Mem Chip (Core), which would be 8 credits but spread over six cards, which takes more time to draw into and install. As I mentioned with Rabbit Hole above however, the extra Link isn't giving much of a benefit at present. Depending on the deck, I would go for Desperado (Core), as it is cheap, gives a credit for succeeding at a run, and adds one memory.

Programs
Battering Ram (Core) - The most noticeable part of this Icebreaker is that it requires two memory, which worries me. As it is a Shaper Icebreaker, when credits are spent for extra strength, it lasts for the entire run. Because of this, Corp players may try to make sure the Ice in the servers is varied, preventing you from benefitting from keeping the extra strength. Another problem I have with Battering Ram is that it is 2 credits for up to two subroutines. When the Ice has two subroutines, that works out the same as 1 credit for one subroutine, but only two out of five Barrier's have an even number of subroutines. Once again, if the influence is available, I would be replacing this for an Anarch card, namely Corroder (Core).
Gordian Blade (Core) - One of only two Decoders in the game, and the only one which can increase it's strength. As a result, this Ice is essential in a Shaper deck, and likely used in Criminals as well.
Magnum Opus (Core) - I feel the best thing I can say is what I mentioned in a thread previously. I will warn you now, I am now a fan of this card.
The obvious comparison to Magnum Opus is Armitage Codebusting (core). Both give 2 credits for a single click. Codebusting can only be done six times, and then it is trashed, whereas Opus can be used until it is trashed or the game ends. If Codebusting is used six times, they have made 5 credit profit (12 credits are earnt from the six clicks. Six clicks would normally earn 6 credits, and then the cost of 1 credit to play it). If Magnum Opus is used six times, they have only made a single credit profit (12 credits earnt, 6 credits discounted from normal earnings, and 5 credit cost). I discount the click to draw it, as the Runner will be spending clicks to draw cards anyway, so they all even out in the end. Codebusting is susceptible to being trashed if the Runner has a tag, due to it being a resource. Currently there are three pieces of Ice which can trash programs (Archer (core), Ichi 1.0 (core), Rototurret (core)), so unless the Runner chooses to trash the card themselves, the chances of it being trashed are much lower. Codebusting has no restriction on being played, or restriction on other cards. Opus has a memory cost of two, so unless the Runner can increase their MU, they cannot play a full suite of Icebreakers. There is also the added element that if Codebusting is down to two credits stored on it, and the Runner is using Aesop's Pawnshop (core), then they could trash it at the start of their turn, make 3 credits instead of 2, and save themself a click, as it was going to get trashed anyway.
Net Shield (Core) - Is there enough net damage in the game to justify installing a card that only works once a turn (although the Corp and Runner turns are different turns, so can be used once in each), takes up one memory slot, costs 2 credits to install, and costs 1 credit to use? Right now, I don't think so. If there was a sideboard element to the game, then maybe. However, because there isn't, I doubt this card will ever see it into a deck I build.
Pipeline (Core) - Our final Icebreaker, and like the other Killer Icebreakers in the game, only costs one memory. Costing 2 credits for every one strength gained is steep, however the alternatives aren't that thrilling either.

Resources
Aesop's Pawnshop (Core) - An interesting resource, as it allows you to trash unwanted cards for credits, without costing a click. The two cards I see this working with the most are Armitage Codebusting (core) and Bank Job (core), as they can be trashed with the minimum amount of credits remaining, and grant extra reward on top. Just remember it can never trash itself, as Aesop won't sell his own shop!
Sacrificial Construct (Core) - Whilst it can be trashed to prevent a program or hardware being trashed, there are no cards that can trash hardware yet. There are only three cards to trash programs, namely Archer (core), Ichi 1.0 (core), Rototurret (core), and as two of them are due to subroutines, they can be broken. Early game Sacrifical construct can help protect your important programs, if you run against one of the above Ice and can't break it. What is important to note, that as explained in the FAQ, if Aggressive Secretary (core) chooses the trash the same program more than once, a single Sacrifical Construct will protect the program from being trashed

So there we have it, the Shapers. I see them working differently to the other Runners, in that they suit the longer game more, waiting to build up their rig until they are ready to run against the Corp and cut through any Ice that gets in their way. However, if their economy is hindered, it will hurt them the most


Please note that like so many people, this is based on theory and a small but growing amount of practical experience. I do not dare declare myself as a seasoned veteran, although I do plan to be one day

Hope you all enjoyed the Deconstructing series