Welcome to Card Game DB
Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!
Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Mala Tempora Review
Dec 23 2013 06:15 AM |
CardGameDB
in Android: Netrunner
Android: Netrunner Mala Tempora Review
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_reina-roja-freedom-fighter-mala-tempora.png'] Reina Roja: Freedom Fighter 20 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 3 out of 5
I might be tossing out the lowest score here, but by no means is that a bad thing. Reina is a very good identity with a solid ability that will slow down the Corp. The provided link is a nice bonus but all in all, she is no mold breaker. When paired with Xanadu and the odd Rook she has the potential to ruin your day real ricky-tick, but once their ICE is up and running she obviously loses her teeth. She’s balanced. There, I said it. She’s balanced.
Hraklea - 4 out of 5
This is probably the strongest Anarch identity right now, she has link and an ability that doesn't depend on your opponent. Paired with Vamp, Rook and Emergency Shutdown, Reina Roja definitely raises the level of Anarch credit denial decks with her natural Xanadu.
Jamieson - 4 out of 5
Expect to see her a lot. Not just over the next few months but long term. Roja comes out of the gate being a dominant force to play against. 1 Link and a standard 45/15 deck limit add to a powerful ability. This is a benefit that will carry over the course of the full game. (You will want to be running at least once a turn to take full advantage of it since its only the first piece of ice rezzed that it applies to). Then with tools in place mid to late game you can pile on the pain ( Xanadu, Rook). The scariest thing is that the she has the tools available to her right now to be a competitive build. She is not like some of the ID’s we have seen previous that had future potential, and I no doubt there will still be more coming before the end of this pack cycle. Red is back.
Scud - 4 out of 5
Reina is the real deal. Her ability extends the early game unless the Corp gets a lot of money quickly, since the math on all that early-game ICE goes out the window. She plays the denial game very well and the Caissa shine when the Corp is on her back foot from the start. So far the biggest problem with building a Reina deck has been getting it down to 45 cards...
SlySquid - 5 out of 5
There I did it, I rated her a five! Truth is she is the first runner that I saw and thought this is the identity for me, it was like reading Replicating Perfection for the first time… Standard 45 card count with 15 influence is great but its her ability that makes her sing, 99% of the time it will be useful against 99% of the decks you'll face! And to toss a nice little cherry on top she has a link! BAM! this is the Kate of Anarchs, shes just a great baseline and will see a ton of play… not just by me...
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_deep-red-mala-tempora.png'] Deep Red 16 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 3 out of 5
When used in a Caissa suite it will be a boon to be sure, possibly a necessity. Of course this is only if the deck running it is also using a traditional breaker set. Considering the amount of MU you plan on needing in the worst case scenario, it might make just as much sense to throw in Dysons or splash for Mem Chips and take a console that adds to another area of your deck.
Hraklea - 2 out of 5
While I do believe that 3 MU for 1 credit is a very strong call, I'm not convinced that a full Caissa rig is the best plan for Anarch. While Rook and Bishop are playable cards, they are not enough to justify it when you can be playing Spinal Modem or Desperado instead. I believe that the Caissa deck deserved a better Console than that.
Jamieson - 3 out of 5
This is a very hard card to tie a number ranking on. It is very dependent on the use of Caissa programs. Im really trying to give it an overall rating. 3MU is a huge amount of extra memory and for the price of 2 credits its a cheap console. It’s an auto include if you want to run a Caissa rig, else you are burning clicks away without this. I settled on this rating because I like the low influence value (1), giving the opportunity to try a Caissa build out of faction.
Scud - 4 out of 5
Of course this rating only counts if you are going to use Caissa programs but if you are going to rock the Caissas, Deep Red is invaluable. Being able to install Rook, Knight, or Bishop directly onto ICE is awesome, but Pawn benefits the most, especially early, when there are a lot of one-ICE servers to choose from. Oh, yeah, and don't forget that with Deep Red out, you can trash a Clone Chip to put Knight directly on ICE from the Heap!
SlySquid - 4 out of 5
I was trying to think of how to rate this card and i'm going with Scuds approach, rank it assuming your using it with Caissa programs… I love Rook and have used it since i got it, but boy howdy did clicking it onto ice suck… Thats not to say i didn't, but know you don't have to and you have all the Mem you need to run a big chess set! this card will just speed up your deck so much and give you the ability to instal mid run with cards like SMC and Clone Chip… its just a very cohesive card… and with Knight out why wouldn't you want to use this...
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_knight-mala-tempora.png'] Knight 18 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 3 out of 5
A nice way to gain an almost Femme Fatale effect for Corroder cost. Knight is a really nice addition to the Anarch card pool even if you aren’t playing full-out Caissa. It could be taken in small number to cripple those giant ICE that generally prevent a Yog.0 or Mimic from getting through after a Datasucker counter purge. Boy, do I ever hate those…
Hraklea - 2 out of 5
This is a great ally to use on a Darwin only Anarch deck, as you'll be probably running E3 Feedback Implants too, which makes this card way more viable. If that's not your case, paying 2 credits per subroutine in an Anarch economy might be very complicated. I'm not a fan yet.
Jamieson - 4 out of 5
If you take a look at what most people believe to be the most effective standard breaker rig in current meta, ( Ninja, Corroder, Gordian Blade) on average Knight breaks ICE for cheaper than these and will also break Trap ICE. It is natively stopped by only 3 current ICE ( Wotan, Swordsman, Janus 1.0 ) but two of these can be worked around with manipulating the ICE strength. This card is just great! It will be stood next to Femme Fatale and proclaimed as her replacement. Cheaper instal cost. Larger base strength. Movable. Femme just wins on influence count but its not much difference there.
Scud - 4 out of 5
"Remember Femme Fatale?"
"Oh, yeah, we used her all the time before Knight, right?"
"Yup. Can you pass me my hoverboard?"
Okay, that conversation from the future might be overstating it a bit, but if you only need to get through a piece of ICE once or twice, Knight is a great option. Teaming him up with E3 Feedback Implants can make things even better. He is AI, though, so watch out for those Swordsmans. Or is that Swordsmen? It's like breakdanced/brokedance. Gah!
SlySquid - 5 out of 5
Let me start of this rant with the fact that Femme was my favorite breaker… there thats out of the way… HOLY HELL ITS ANOTHER FEMME EVERYONE! EXCEPT YOU CAN MOVE IT!!!
yep Im that guy, the one basing every deck moving forward with this card as the baseline for my breakers… listen i understand that the corp can just trash the ice its on but I have two things to say about that… First GOOD! trash your ice, you would be daft to think I don't have a way to bring this back more times than i'd like to count… Second a smart player will leave clicks open to move Knight onto a strong ice that you more then likely won't want to trash, like if you play it on an unrezzed ice and the corp doesn't rez he's probably planning on trashing to to save money and pop your card, but if he lets you in without rezzing just move it to another less likely to be trashed ice… This is going to stop a lot of Chimera fast advance type decks dead at their PC, its just so many good things in one card! and we havent even see what Queen and King do… (please gain the other abilities of the other Caissa programs in play or help to bring them back… or BOTH!!!)
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_expert-schedule-analyzer-mala-tempora.png'] Expert Schedule Analyzer 11 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 2 out of 5
I hate having to judge cards like ESA at a time like this when revealing and exposing have not quite come into their own yet. What I will say is that I do not like how this card is a program. I suppose that it was found to be OP during playtesting as a hardware because a program platform for this type of “instead of accessing†card really makes you second guess throwing it into a finely tuned running rig.
Hraklea - 3 out of 5
This card is great for Shaper players. You can search when needed and it gives you total knowledge on the Corp's hand. No more useless runs where you keep checking HQ over and over for an agenda that is not there.
Jamieson - 2 out of 5
If you're the player that likes to know what’s coming, here is a card for you. I find the price of 1 MU too valuable in my rig for this card to find a place. The 2 influence has me hard pressed to see it out of faction, since Shapers can do so much mid run to find a solution to a problem encountered they don't need to spend a click to take a peek and with Anarch it seems too one off the play style.
Scud - 2 out of 5
With everyone and their mothers talking about crazy Power Shutdown + Jackson Howard combos, knowing when the Corp has the correct pieces in HQ can be worthwhile, if only so you know how long you have live. This feels like it is mostly anti-Jinteki tech, though, letting you make use of multiple HQ accesses when facing those stabby clone-merchants without taking a faceful of Snare!s and Fetal AIs. Since you access HQ blind, the information is helpful but doesn't really increase your odds of sniping an Agenda. It doesn't even save you much money, since you still have to break into HQ in the first place.
SlySquid - 2 out of 5
This is a weird card, I feel like it's going to be comboed but we haven't seen the rest of the cards to go with it. Maybe we see a card that says "once a turn if you expose an agenda you may steal it" if that ever happens that would make this card a little OP but untitled then if you're not certain it's time to make 4 runs on HQ it lets you make one "recon" run to justify the rest... I think it's ability doesn't give it a spot it most decks...
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_grifter-mala-tempora.png'] Grifter 17 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 3 out of 5
If you find yourself playing out of Criminal faction and you want to save on those Desperado influence, welcome to Grifter town. Not too much else to add really. In a deck that makes one really solid run a turn (looking at you shapers) this card is just awesome. I can foresee myself sitting across from it in a green R&D lock deck and just praying to Odin that a tag sticks…
Hraklea - 4 out of 5
Seriously? FFG gave a new Desperado for Criminal? And for 1 influence point?! Geez. This seems a very dangerous card, specially in Kit/Man decks, who can run cheaply thanks to the Yog.0/Saurus combo.
Jamieson - 3 out of 5
I think the intention here is leveling the Desperado playing field. 1 influence makes this easy to fit into any faction and this baby can stack, so you can have 3 copies in play. This is good for a late game boost but early game when you are trying to get set up you risk losing it. If you only make those sure to be successful runs this card is a great add into your deck. If you were the player that constantly tagged yourself (unintentionally) while playing with John Masanori, I would stay clear of this card.
Scud - 3 out of 5
Baby Desperados for everyone! Grifter isn't unique, so you can get three credits at the end of your turn if you successfully run, which makes just hitting an unprotected, empty Archives better than clicking Magnum Opus once. Of course, you have to find all three of your Grifters and spend three clicks and six credits to get the whole shebang started, so I'm keeping this one at 3.
Sly Squid - 4 out of 5
Wow! This card is great! First things first if the corp didn't have a good reason to throw ice over archives THEY DO KNOW! Lol... Secondly it makes you want to make at least one run a turn, which is the most important thing in the game and lastly it's super cheap and easy to splash...
This card is a monster and I feel it'll be in a lot of decks to come...
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_running-interference-mala-tempora.png'] Running Interference 12 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 2 out of 5
After you pay $4 and an extra click, I sincerely hope you don’t come up from the run empty handed or caught in a trap. I do not love this card. Not yet anyway. It wants to be played early before the ICE is up and yet it costs so much. It also wants to be splashed into a Caissa deck but it uses up x4 influence a copy. Hard to place this little fella anywhere favorable at the moment.
Hraklea - 2 out of 5
I'm not sure why this card is so expensive. In most cases you could use this, Inside Job would cause as much harm as this card would, maybe even more. Four credits and two clicks is not worth it, considering all possibilities that Criminal players have, and four influence points simply kills this card as an out-of-faction option.
Jamieson - 3 out of 5
This is going to be a good criminal card but with the high (4) influence cost its going to be rare out of faction. Going to be good for a late game push into a heavy guarded remote server. I dont like the additional click cost though but can see why it needs to be there.
Scud - 3 out of 5
This card is great for hitting that remote you've been ignoring all game in favor of pounding on Centrals like John Bonham in minute twelve of an epic solo. The Corp thought she had you, she was going to stop you cold and push though that Agenda and then it's just a matter of time until she OH MY GOD WHY DOES MY TOLLBOOTH COST SIXTEEN CREDITS?!?! Several of my compratriots are looking at this as an early game card, but I think it is more of a mid- to late-game kick in the soft parts. Emergency Shutdown a nasty piece of ICE and then run it and either steal the Agenda it was protecting or drain the Corp so she can't score it right away.
SlySquid - 2 out of 5
This card is very boggling, my first thought is OMG "that's going to get me in a server no problem" but I feel like you still need all your breakers anywho just encase they can Rez something to keep you out because it would be total "Weak Tea" if you spent 4c and an extra click just to get them to pay a cred or two to Rez a small wall, you think forge activating a pop up window is brutal wait till you want to flip the table after I Rez my paper wall during this run!
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_torch-mala-tempora.png'] Torch 13 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 3 out of 5
Solid breaker. Expensive to drop, sure, but Shapers have neat ways to mitigate that damage. Once it’s down you are basically Bird-Dogging (Cyber Cyphering) down every lane. Kinda worth it when you think about it, yes?
Hraklea - 1 out of 5
This is almost as bad as Morning Star. Shaper already has 3 good Decoder programs. What about releasing the Stealth Decoder that... I don't know... EVERYBODY is waiting for?
Jamieson - 4 out of 5
Love this card. Sure it cost 9 but in faction it should not see any trouble getting it out. You will make up the difference saving money during a run. Would you rather pay now or pay later? This is a multi server Cyber-Cypher. You don't need any tricks to move it in and out as it not locked to a server. Its still 1 MU and base strength 4 makes it on average the cheapest natural decoder to use to break codegates ( natural as in no strenght manipulation as with using Yog). This also helps with deck space as you don't need to see multi copies of Torch like you had to with cyber-cypher so you can get 1-2 card slots back. Out of faction its currently to influence expensive.
Scud - 3 out of 5
Yeah, it costs nine, but Kate can use Modded to install it for 5 ad get a Cyber-Cypher on every server. And with the scary Code Gates we know are coming, I think we'll see more and more of Torch. In Shaper decks, that is – those four pips of Influence kill it for out-of-faction use.
Sly Squid - 2 out of 5
This card is going to "DO WORK" when it hits the table, but there in lies it's biggest problem! The cost...
The only reason this is getting a 2-5 for me is because of all of the tricks runners have to play cards without spending their cost, because without them I think this would never get sleeved... I'm sure we will see this in play but I won't be using it...
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_woman-in-the-red-dress-mala-tempora.png'] Woman in the Red Dress 13 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 3 out of 5
The wee girl from Shindler’s List is all growed up. Odd though, I could have sworn she wasn’t in for a happy ending… Any-who, she is a beauty. And obviously she does just fine in the Android universe as she’ll be around for her role in the Matrix in a couple of centuries. I am a fan of anything that messes with the Corp’s pace. By exploiting this resource you can effectively force the Corp to ICE up where they don’t want to and also narrow down the most probable odds of hitting an agenda in each specific locale. Not too shabby at all.
Hraklea - 2 out of 5
I'm not sure how this card is supposed to be used, but I guess that there will be cards that punishes the Corp for drawing too much - thanks to Laramy Fisk winning the Plugged In Tour. By now, this card is garbage, and the only reason I'm not giving it the lowest score is because Laramy Fisk.
Jamieson - 2 out of 5
Starting to see a few cards like this come into the game that play with the corp draw and peeking at R&D ( indexing, deep thought, record reconstructor, Laramy Fisk). I dont see this being a big threat yet. 4 influence is very steep for this card right now, so you wont catch it out of faction. But that heavy of an influence value must mean something big is coming with this……...right? I like the fact that it is unavoidable and once in play there is no cost to activate. The word “may†is interesting though cause the draw affect decision is left up to the corp player.
Scud - 3 out of 5
This card has a really neat-o effect. While it doesn't directly effect the game, it alters the way the game plays out. If you get her out early, you just KNOW what's in HQ unless the Corp uses clicks to draw. If the Corp leaves the revealed card on top, you know whether to spend a run or not on R&D that turn. I'm in love with the Woman in the Red Dress right now.
SlySquid - 3 out of 5
I'm loving this card, it's not the greatest or game changing but man is it going to mess with the pace of the game... Being in "the know" is a huge advantage in this game even if it's at the cost of the corp drawing a few extra cards, I've said it before "I love risk for reward cards" because almost all disadvantages can be midagated, that said it'll be hard to play against strong burst econ corps like wayland... If you get this turn one you get to see at most 50% of the corps cards, which could not only tell you where a lot of the agendas are going but also tip you off to what cards they are splashing and what deck there using all together... My thought is there going to get the cards anywho, but now you get to be a creeper too!
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_raymond-flint-mala-tempora.png'] Raymond Flint 18 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 2 out of 5
A glimpse of things to come. Exposing will no doubt be playing a big part in game mechanics in the near future and I am excited to pull the Ziabatsus out of the binder for just such an occasion. But for now, what I see is an expensive expose card with a secondary ability that will work very rarely.
Hraklea - 3 out of 5
This guy is cool. It gives you access without requiring runs. Access, meaning that HQ Interface and Nerve Agent triggers with Flint. Also, an expose effect that can be used during a run is never a bad thing.
Jamieson - 5 out of 5
This is a game changing card. No doubt. Hands down. What we have here, is the first card that allows the Runner to access a card without actually making a run. The expose paid ability ( so it can be done mid run) is just a nice bonus here for the 2 credits that will only see more use once the expose build comes out with Blackguard. With Raymond in play the corp must change strategy mid game. Choosing a little more carefully when and where to take the bad publicity, so it can be played around. But that could also stop or have them second guess times to rez ICE or use scored agenda abilities. Surprised to see it be zero influence. Thought we would have seen more neutral influence cards after The Source, and this seemed like a good candidate. OH, and since he is a connection don't forget you can search for him with Hostage.
Scud - 4 out of 5
You can access cards without running. That is huge. Yeah, it's conditional but the condition is pretty prevalent right now. His expose ability (clickless, even, which is awesome), means he isn't a dead draw against Jinteki, to boot. You want to pair him up with some tech to get multiple cards from a single access (HQ Interface, Nerve Agent) and be wary of Snare!s.
SlySquid - 4 out of 5
Man, another great card!!! It's an Infiltrate with an ability, and a wicked one at that... Well aside from this card being an auto include when Blackguard come out now you have far more options to get your exposes off...
And I love the fact that him being unique really means nothing, if you get another one in your hand just pop the one in play and hammer the other one in play! This is also the first card that let's you access cards without spending a click! Let alone running... Pure "cool beans" with this card!
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_isabel-mcguire-mala-tempora.png'] Isabel McGuire 13 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 2 out of 5
This card seems to be right up the same alley as Rework. I am not a big fan of cards that so far, are to be used as contingency plans when you are having a bad game or are being outplayed. Either tweak your deck, put in some practice hours or pray to Lady Luck (although she is a harsh mistress). Maybe we’ll see some fun combos in the future, but for now Isabel the Scottish Rose is a bit of a duff. Get it? I’m clever.
Hraklea - 3 out of 5
Missed a Project Junebug? Ok, Trick of Light it and take your Project Junebug back to HQ. Your protected remote has a Melange Mining Corp? No problem, take it back, install the agenda there and start "melanging" again after you scored it. The fact is that this card has so many uses that I can't say it is bad.
Jamieson - 3 out of 5
Can we start something like baseball has when listing stats on a player called a slash line. Instead we take Rez cost / Trash Cost / Influence. Isabel has an incredible slash line 1/3/1. That’s the same as Jackson Howard. That being said her ability is a little ahead of her time. Sure we can recur economy cards before they run out and get trashed but from some testing it really messes with the pace of your play, slowing you down. She will see her day when we see more “on rez†effects come into the game. Example - Elizabeth Mills , When you rez her you remove 1 bad publicity. I'm not necessarily saying recurring Mills is the best use of this card just dropping an example. Currently Isabel is great if your ICE is getting loaded with Caissa programs or parasites. Also relocating ICE from 1 server to another or resetting a CHUM.
Scud - 3 out of 5
This card hs an interesting ability that I think, right now, is too narrow to see wide use. It bones Caissa decks and can make ICE-destruction decks unhappy (although the Parasites from thos decks tend to come out mid-run when Isabel's click ability is useless). Personally, I think the biggest upside is that you can now install Snare! in a remote with a little more abandon, since if the Runner susses out the trap, you can reuse it.
SlySquid - 2 out of 5
To get it out of the way, this card is a Caïssa decks worst nightmare... But other then that I only see it to be really useful to have continuous Eve and Adonis campaigns going off, and even then the math dosent really add up… But all of that being said, I can see this in a combo deck to come...
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_hudson-1-0-mala-tempora.png'] Hudson 1.0 15 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 3 out of 5
I almost gave Hudson here a 2 for being a narrow answer to a moderate threat but after a good ponder, I think he’s worth a 3. Deep dives into R&D can really hurt if the Runner is outpacing you. Ensuring that they can only pull one card at a time is actually not too bad at all. If he were to be at a strength of 6 and maybe cost $4 I would be happier. Just so that the dreaded Yog.0saurous couldn’t break him naked.
Hraklea - 3 out of 5
While this card has very limited uses, this is a great counter against R&D Interface and Medium. Not that Anarch players were dangerous before Mala Tempora, but... maybe they will be! Ok, they won't, but I like to keep an optimistic attitude. ^^
Jamieson - 2 out of 5
I really like seeing Code Gate ICE with strength above 3 so I’m very happy to see this sitting at base 5. That means on average with a natural strength breaker it cost about 6 credits to get past this guy. The 1 influence makes it very easy to fit it into other faction decks which is plus number 2. But I just don’t like ICE that the runner can click through. You will most likely be seeing this sitting over R&D or Archives due to its subroutine ability but not ruling out a remote with an asset and some upgrades. Stopping deep digs or slowing down a mill strategy is a great advantage, if it didn't let you click past. Those that really want to get in and past Hudson will have no issues.
Scud - 4 out of 5
A five-strength Code Gate with an awesome ability for three credits is all kinds of wonderful. Not only does this bad boy defend against R&D and HQ digs, but he can help protect your valuable Upgrades and/or Assets by forcing the Runner to choose which she'll deal with.
SlySquid - 3 out of 5
Rez for three and STR five! Yes please...
Let me ask you a question, do you hate medium and R&D interface....!? Cause I do!!! And looking at the top Andy decks who splash for them all the time this card looks pretty sweet... Sure it can be clicked through but let's say you have two in play, now we're going to stop a lot of that extra card B.S... I see this as a great filler card, let's say the main "Meat" of your deck is built and you need one or two cards BAM! Put a few of these haters in sleeves...
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_accelerated-diagnostics-mala-tempora.png'] Accelerated Diagnostics 16 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 4 out of 5
So as things stand, we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg of the Jackson, Shutdown, Diagnostics combos that will no doubt be causing us all to splash for Imp pretty soon. This card is pretty boss when used in tandem with a set of pretty standard (or soon to be standard) card choices. Even if used in an Operation heavy deck it will see good use out of the combo. I look forward to the shenanigans.
Hraklea - 4 out of 5
By now, you probably already have read about the Power Shutdown + Jackson Howard using this. I think that people are overrating a little this combo, but this card has more uses than this combo. I know that most Haas-Bioroid forgot it, but you can overadvance Project Vitruvius to use this safely. And other factions can use it too, as it is just 1 influence point.
Jamieson - 3 out of 5
This is a very nice combo card. With the low cost and influence values. Sure its 1 third of the most talked about combo in the history of this game to date. But most of these combos revolve around a lot of pieces to line up properly. They are definitely fun to think up and talk about but don't think they stack up too well. A deck with this card will have to be built around its use. I cant see this just being slotted in if you have some spare influence to use up and some card slots. For the same reason Accelerated Beta Test’s ability was not used that often I believe this to be the case here. Although there are players that love high risk , high reward.
Scud - 3 out of 5
Combos! Woot! This card does, indeed, allow for some ridiculous things that are easier to pull off than a lot of people are giving them credit for (namely Cerbral Imaging using Shipment from Mirrormorph and some Efficiency Committee tokens to score 5+ points out of hand), but it can really shine in an Operation-heavy deck, combos or not. As long as you have a bit of recursion to grab anything you toss accidentally, six click of utility (draw three cards, play three cards) for two clicks is nothing to sneeze at.
SlySquid - 2 out of 5
I'm not going to talk about the nonsense combo with Action Jackson and Overpower grid overload... I'm going to speak on the fact that this card is just another card that most people will be afraid to use outside of big combo decks, I cant count how many times people did not utilize Accelerated Beta Test, this is a huge risk to use… the only faction i see making a real solid use out of this card is Weyland… but hey im one man, im sure ill be proven wrong lol
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_unorthodox-predictions-mala-tempora.png'] Unorthodox Predictions 17 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 4 out of 5
A great addition to the Jinteki pool. If you time it right, scoring this beauty and then advancing another agenda (or trap) behind a Katana or two leaves the runner with two really bad options to consider. Either draw up, run it, lose my hand and get EMP’d to death or ignore it and Corp potentially wins. As a Corp player, I likes dem odds. Great addition to the Jamesteki deck that consistently ruins Andromeda’s day.
Hraklea - 3 out of 5
I’m not a big fan of the “20 agenda cards†Jinteki deck that some people support. Three advancements for 1 agenda point is not something to hype about, and its ability is not that good, specially in Jinteki. Hopefully, the deluxe expansion will bring some better options.
Jamieson - 4 out of 5
This is a great ability and I’m really glad to see it land in Jinteki faction. I don't mind the 3/1 advance to score ratio as I believe its balanced well to the ability. Its just a stone cold run stopping ability if you need it to be or its making all you damage ICE hit the runner.
Scud - 4 out of 5
I am very tempted to give this a 5. The ability to make a type of ICE unbreakable for a turn can let Jinteki get the breathing room to score that last Agenda or engage in some top-rate mind games. Most often, if you name Sentry and you have any facedown ICE< the Runner just won't run. Also, I am a big proponent of the 16-Agenda Jinteki deck with the slow grind it puts the Runner through and Unorthodox Predictions is a great addition.
SlySquid - 2 out of 5
Man do I hate 3 for 1 agendas, even more so when it has a totally situational ability… I mean its a better ability the Braintrust but at least its a 3 for 2! hopefully we see some good agendas in the big box but until then this just isn't finding its way in my deck and i can't see it hitting a norm personal evolution deck either, that being said I know that Jamie cant wait to put this in his Jamiesteki build….
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_sundew-mala-tempora.png'] Sundew 17 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 3 out of 5
Not too bad an economy card. Use it in Replicating Perfection behind a piece of ICE and you have at worst made the Runner sink a ton of cash into ridding you of it. At best, they’ll leave it alone until you’re Scrooge McDucking in your piles of credits. Worth it.
Hraklea - 4 out of 5
This is the economy card Jinteki was needing. It probably won’t solve all their economy problems, but it definitely helps. Sadly, other factions won’t be able to use it, because it spends too much influence, but more in-faction economy for Jinteki will allow it to use more out-of-faction pieces of ICE, which is a great thing in the current meta.
Jamieson - 3 out of 5
Pairing this in a Replicating Perfection build is a natural fit. 2 credits to rez, gains you 2 credits. You auto break even and have forced the runner to spend 2 clicks in doing so. Outside of Replicating Perfection it starts to lose its value. I don't think this is as much a necessity card these days as Jinteki does not have the money issues it did in the early Netrunner days though.
Scud - 3 out of 5
If the Runner lets Sundew become an economy card for the Corp, then they are doing it wrong, and I am speaking from experience here. The Runner HAS TO trash this thing ASAP, which is where the real strength of the card lies. Especially in Replicating Perfection, but it works in any Corp, making the Runner "waste" a click running through even a single ICE to get to Sundew is a win.
SlySquid - 4 out of 5
Considering I play Replicating Perfection, one of the most niche identities in the game religiously, I was SUPER STOKED to see this card!!! its insane how perfect this card is for RP, just rez it at the beginning of the runners turn and gain the money back you used to rez it and force them into a situation that they may not have been planing on and with a trash cost of two its even better, I mean worst case is they spend a click after running through your death trapped central servers and another click along with 2 creds to trash it or best case you make FAT STACKS! down sides to this card is it is not going to see a lot of use out of faction do to the influence and all but its a unique tool for a shell game faction anywho...
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_city-surveillance-mala-tempora.png'] City Surveillance 13 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 3 out of 5
Hard to see this leaving faction. Weyland tag & bag wants to use it but will be foregoing a lot of great tried, tested and true ways to tag a fool. Still, I like it. I will try to form some strategies around it at a later date.
Hraklea - 3 out of 5
I like this, but as far as I know, I’m a minority. Rezzing this to punish the runner for ending the turn with zero credits can add an extra pressure and get you enough time to score that AstroScript. In the other hand, I don’t think this has any use in a Tag n Bag Weyland deck.
Jamieson - 3 out of 5
I like this card. It plays into the NBN faction so perfectly. This is not fast advance NBN. This is tag punishment NBN. Having this rezzed on the table with a broke runner is going to cause them some problems and put them in a hole to dig out off. I doubt we will encounter this very often out of faction as the influence is pretty high. It could become situational as a runner with credits in the bank will not be bothered by this at all. You would have to drop a Closed Accounts on them first.
Scud - 2 out of 5
The return for your investment on this card is just too low. The tag comes at the start of the Runner's turn, which means that, yes, a broke Runner is going to have to normally spend three clicks to clear it, which can be a pain in the tuchus. There is a Closed Accounts, City Surveillance, Scorched Earth deck out there that's probably loads of fun, but I don't see this card being much use outside of that type of build. Wait, I just realized something - Flase Lead loves this card. A broke Runner clicks twice for credits and then you tank their last two clicks and blow up their apartment. Hmmm. Getting closer to a three...
SlySquid - 2 out of 5
To be honest I love the idea of a denial corp deck with Tollbooths, pop ups and Pikes but this card just cost far too much to rez and with a trash of 3 I will be surprised to see this across the table from me… Weyland could deal with rezzing this card but with an influence like that i don't see it being splashed at all…
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_snoop-mala-tempora.png'] Snoop 18 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 3 out of 5
A front-loaded sneak and peek on an ICE platform. Neat. This is begging to be shunted into Jinteki builds to hit the Runner with an unsuspected discard. And when played in faction will provide some nice intel as to what the Corp’s plan of action should be for the next few turns. I wish it wasn’t so expensive, but wishing will get you nowhere unless you are in possession of some sort of Genie.
Hraklea - 2 out of 5
Knowing the Runner hand is an important advantage. If you know the icebreakers he or she has in hand, you can make better decisions about where and which piece of ICE you will install. The problem is the cost. The information isn’t worth six credits.
Jamieson - 5 out of 5
This is everything an NBN ICE needs to be. It does not end the run but is very taxing and dangerous. I know the cost is high but the payoff’s upside is so much more than that. With a natural Killer program you are looking at an average of 6.8 credits to break this subroutine. Thats already good right there. It comes with a front loaded ability so you use it every time and that front loaded ability is really helpful early to mid game. Knowing what breakers or events a runner is holding is such a good benefit. Now lets get into the subroutine. A base of 3 is pretty decent and coupled with 2 recurring credits of making news this see’s pretty much a base 5 without spending any additional. A runner with a base link is already spending 4 to match that. If that trace goes off this subroutine is so powerful. The corp looks at the runners grip and gets to pick the card that is trashed. WOW. This could surely cripple a runner and set them back a couple turns if a breaker is trashed. Toss the Plascrete Carapace away and make them uneasy and have to adjust play style. Best part, its ability is saved as a token to be used at any time. The influence of 2 is not even unreasonable to see it out of faction. In Jinteki this is net damage that can be saved up.
Scud - 4 out of 5
So. Good. I love me a nice 6-stength Sentry and this one has a great ability. See, no one (aroind here, at least) is running link and this thing's Trace ability is, in its own way, more dangerous that even Flare's - it is on-tap, unstoppable damage and the Runner can't afford to let you have that option, so they are going to pay to break or beat the trace. Many times, it will be worth it to go, a la Sylvester Stallone, OVER THE TOP, and win the Trace. Snoop plus Viktor 2.0 is an awesome server of inevitable death.
SlySquid - 4 out of 5
I'm digging this card, I know that i'm always going to want to break the sub on this beast!
Corp “oh did you just search for a card?â€
Runner “yepperâ€
Corp “ya you can just go a head and trash that LMAOâ€
other than the cost being a little on the high side but its made right by having a huge STR to go along with it I just really don't see a lot wrong with it… Watch out for this card!
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_ireress-mala-tempora.png'] Ireress 10 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 2 out of 5
A cool ability for a nice early game ICE. However, my problem lies in the fact that this card gets better as the game ages but a single Yog.0 ruins this card’s vintage. Not in love with it, but I also don’t hate it. It just exists. Like 2 ½ Men.
Hraklea - 3 out of 5
A bad publicity filter, this is a great 1 influence card for this Cycle. But we still live in a world where most players have a Yog.0 on their pocket, ready to ignore this card. Will this be a good card to have against Kat/Man? Well, probably. The question is how many Kat/Man decks will you face to be worth using a piece of ICE that all other archetypes break for free. Nowadays? Not enough, in my opinion.
Jamieson - 1 out of 5
Wooo! Burke Bugs flash back. Weyland what are you doing to yourself. This card is basicly just removing the free money you gave the runner for taking the Bad Publicity in the first place. To do anything here you have to stack these back to back. Then you actually crack into the runners funds. But lets also say what everyone else will be saying. Code Gates at strenght 3 or less just don't work because you all know why.
Scud - 2 out of 5
This card is nice for BP-heavy decks. Nice. Not great. I do like that getting a Decoder out ASAP is becoming a thing, though.
SlySquid - 2 out of 5
Its Hard to be objective about all the cards that come out but really what meta doesn't see Yog in at least 50% of the decks they play… This is also a card I would hate to see in my opening hand making it a mid to late game card, I don`t know I just really don't see this hitting the table all the much...
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_power-shutdown-mala-tempora.png'] Power Shutdown 18 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 4 out of 5
The second piece of the combo… Even as a stand alone card, Power Shutdown can ruin a late game Runner’s day. Even though the runner gets to choose what gets got, it could still mean the end of the game if you are holding agendas and have an endrun ICE of each type in front of your remote. Or maybe they nix that Plascrete they think they don’t need anymore. Either way, when paired with jackson, you’re still safe to toss a few cards in the discard pile.
Hraklea - 4 out of 5
This is sooo much better than Power Grid Overload that Fantasy Flight Games should be ashamed of releasing that card before. This is also the first active way to trash a program, which is great. And I call Project Vitruvius again: spamming this card against certain decks is a very strong option.
Jamieson - 4 out of 5
Most talked about card part 2. What to say about this card that is not already typed out across the internet in 2,000 word essays, single spaced. Lets talk in general and not as a piece of ‘said combo play’. There seems to be enough ways in the game now that the cards you burn to pay for this can be retrieved from the archives so thats not much of a worry. The more you pay the more choice you are giving the runner so keeping it small to get cards like Faerie, Self-Modifying Code, Datasucker, Clone Chip or a Scheherazade with a few programs hosted on it seems best. Alot will depend on board state when this is triggered. All that aside having the power to be able to deconstruct the runners rig is great.
Scud - 3 out of 5
This is a very good card. In certain circumstances, it is an awesome card, like when the Runner has only a couple things installed. At other times, like when the Runner is rocking her full rig and some bonus pieces of Hardware or utility Programs, it's just okay (unless you really need to kill a Self-Modifying Code or Scheherazade or something else 0-cost). Yes, the "trash my deck to sculpt my R&D with J-Ho" combos are neat, but overall, this is "just" a strong, often useful card.
SlySquid - 3 out of 5
Meh, I think that the best target for this is a Desperado dropped first turn or a mid game Plascrete to sure up a scorch, but all of that is very situational… If you could find a good way to spam this card that would be great but don't forget all the cards you're losing in the process… It also makes cards like Pawn a life saver!
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_paper-wall-mala-tempora.png'] Paper Wall 22 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 4 out of 5
Short and sweet. If you are still using influence on Ice Wall for a cheap early endrun ICE, you’re not anymore.
Hraklea - 5 out of 5
My favorite card in this Pack. Probably my favorite card in this Cycle until now. Ending runs for zero credits and zero influence is nothing less than broken. I don’t think I’ll ever build a deck without this card.
Jamieson - 4 out of 5
Great early game barrier. Free to rez, no influence. This is just a really solid opening play card.
Scud - 4 out of 5
Rush decks will love this. Everyone else will like it, since it is basically a 0-Influence Ice Wall.
SlySquid - 5 out of 5
This is a flawless card, it simply does what you need it to do for as long as they don't have an answer to it… I mean sure Ice wall cost the runner a cred everytime they pass it but it really becomes useless once they get a factor in play, and ice wall costs one influence, NOT THIS GUY! this card is going to see a LOT of play...
[/CRB]
[CRB='forums/uploads/an/med_interns-mala-tempora.png'] Interns 15 out of 25
Corps3mourn - 3 out of 5
Okay. Here’s a neat one. If you really need that specific agenda and you’re well protected, here you are. If you are running the Mala Tempora combo, this card can make the combo explode. In essence, this card (if used correctly) can put a one turn finish clock on the game at best and a two turn clock at worst depending on what your ultimate goal is. And we’ve all had those games where all you are doing is drawing for that last agenda...
Hraklea - 2 out of 5
I can see uses for this. What I don’t see is a slot. What should I remove from my Corp deck to include this? Maybe this can be use in 54~59 cards decks, but these are not popular enough to make me believe this card will see the board that often. But I have to say that I loved the art.
Jamieson - 4 out of 5
This card is the “Same Old thing†- Corp version. Installing a piece of ICE late game in the 4th or 5th row free. Recurring your economy cards ( adonis, eve, pad, marked accounts, miners). Pulling back that critical asset or upgrade you were counting on that got trashed out of hand or from R&D (SanSan, Hokusai Grid, Edge of World, Jackson Howard, Corporate Troubleshooter). Anything with high trash cost is going to be lovely to have the runner pay it again. Or just help recover after a scored Accelerated Beta Test ability goes wrong. This is just the tip of the iceberg of ideas. As you can tell I am favoring the install from Archives ability more than HQ.
Scud - 3 out of 5
Recurring that SanSan that the Runner paid all those credits to trash is hilarious, as is installing a failed Snare! that's been facedown in Archives for a while. Any deck that uses trashable Upgrades and/or Assets could benefit from Interns. The question is how to make room.
SlySquid - 3 out of 5
This is just a BLAH card, im glad its in the game because it could at some point have a good use but as it stands i'm not digging it at all… I do love the idea of installing a card from archives but really I don't see me wanting to do it enough to warrant trying to squeeze this in my deck...
[/CRB]
- sirprim, Sligui and kurthl33t like this
26 Comments
Just one thing: Hraklea, I don't know what kind of Katman decks you are playing aginst, but pretty much ALL the good ones run a singleton(sometimes two copies) of Yog. The days of dedicated Katman should be over by now, especially with Swordman in the card pool. You can either play Atman or the other breakers as support, but usually other breakers are going to be there somewhere.
I know you weren't speaking to me, but Katman doesn't actually need any other breakers (aside from a Deus X or two) as long as you are running Datasucker and recurring Parasites. Even if you lose an Atman to Swordsman, you can kill it and reinstall.
Also is it just me or is this the highest scored set? Does that make it a must buy?
The kind that doesn't run 2 copies of Yog.0 to beat Ireress and Salvage.
Ok, jokes aside...
As I said somewhere before (I don't remember where), code gates are disappearing because of Yog.0, and often not using Yog.0 is the best move, because you'll face no code gate at all in some matches.
That's my experience. I'm aware that my group is small compared to a GenCon competition, and my evaluation of cards should not be taken as absolute truth. That's why we have other 4 reviewers, all familiar with the US and/or OCTGN meta.
That said, I appreciate the feedback and I'll try to make a better review for True Colors. I'm sorry.
I, for one, like "balanced" packs rather than important packs that come with one "must have" card. For example, if you want to be a tournament player, you must have Opening Moves because of Jackson Howard, but overall, Opening Moves is not that great.
The guys in my group think my hype is not justified, but from all the 9 data packs released so far, I'll say Mala Tempora is my second favorite. There are good cards for all factions.
Am I the only thinking that Isabel McGuire in a nice Jinteki deck is a 4/5?
First of all, there is absolutely no need to apoligize. This is just your opinion after all. Sometimes I heavily disagree with some evaluations and critique might come off as a little harsh at times, but there is no ill will from my side and from most others.
Regarding Yog: Pretty much everyone I play with runs Enigma as a cheap ETR to force a Yog out. Tollbooth sees more and more play again as well. It's still a really efficient breaker and if you don't need it, you don't have to install it as a precautionary measure, because codegates that do actual significant damage are far and few between.
You can get a rare brain damage from a Viktor, but that's pretty much it.
In my meta, it is better to use Rabbit Hole to get through Viper than use Yog.0.
I have been using Darwin to break the few Enigmas I see, and as far as I know, our Katman players are doing good without Yog.0. Tollbooth is really rare too, but that might be because NBN is the least played faction here.
But I understand that, in a bigger meta, you're more likely to see more and more code gates (my group has only 11~12 people), so you're probably right and I overrated Ireress a little bit.
And as much as you want to compare Knight to Femme everyone failed to mention the most important fact: Femme is a standalone Sentry breaker in addition to bypassing a piece of ice. With a knight you still pay 5 for tollbooth and then it only allows you to pay 5 for tollbooth. There may be cases where knight may be the cheapest option but it still requires time to load, is an AI breaker and only affecting one piece of ICE compared to breaking all sentry breakers. It's not even in the same league.
As for Knight, you're right that they do different jobs. There are some ICE that Knight can break cheaper than a lot of other breakers can. Playing a Caissa deck requires either gambling on Knight being on the right unrezzed ICE, or moving him to a rezzed ICE for cheap breaking. No, it's not Femme, but how hard is it to retarget Femme in comparison?
Now there's a shocker - two programs for two different factions that fill a comparable, but ultimately different, role.
I think that, in general, a card that benefits a Runner for running is above average (considering 3 the average). We don't have half scores so, while in a perfect world I'd give 3.5 to Grifter and 4.5 to Desperado, considering both a "4 out of 5" is the most fair solution to the problem in my personal opinion, even if it gives people the impression that I'm overrating it.
While Grifter might not start pwning as soon as the next season starts, it is a card that has potential to be abusable someday. I stand for my score, but thanks for sharing your opinion.
Depending on how you model the game, anything can "be proven" mathematically. Numbers are easy to manipulate if you're smart enough. I believe time will show you're wrong about Grifter, but probably none of us will remember this discussion when (and if) it happens.
Peace, and merry christmas.
That's quite easily the worst criterion ever to base an opinion on. You really should have a better basis than "other people play it, so it's good".
How would you rate Spinal Modem, for instance? Try giving a score, along with a rationale that doesn't consider whether other people play it or not, and whether they're sucessful or not.
Desperado would be a 5, soley based on opinion but can also be compared to Grifter. However, there are also observable facts that I referred to, since Desperado has been in a lot of decks and has existed since the beginning of the game. This is what lead to my previous explanation and should have been expanded upon.
Here's a quick comparison.
Desperado- Cost 3, grants 1 memory, produces 1 credit every time there is a successful run. This could potentially produce 4 credits in a turn and is a side effect of running, an action the runner must take in order to compete in the game. It is a console so you can only have 1 and lose the option to include a different console. On the upside it can produce multiple credits during a turn and it also grants the additional memory. If you choose not to run during a turn, desperado stays on the table and potentially generate credits on future turns.
Grifter- Costs 2, is a resource and produces 1 credit per turn at the end of the turn, only in the event of a successful run during the turn before any money is made. If the successful run criteria isn't met, the card simply ceases to exist. So, the benefits of the card are that you can play multiples and they don't take a console slot. The down sides are that it can only ever generate 1 credit per turn, it generates that credit at the end of your turn and if it doesn't generate a credit it is because it is instead being trashed. It also doesn't generate memory and the cost difference between this and the most easily comparible card is 1 credit. It's also a resource, which we can say is either good or bad, and is mostly contingent on what your opponent is playing.
Spinal Modem is a card I play because it's a budget Toolbox, but I'll try and stay as impartial as possible.
Spinal Modem (3 out of 5): Spinal modem fills a small gap in the game where you like the effects of toolbox but can't seem to afford the hefty 9 credit cost of Shaper's core console. The benefits of this console are that it generates 2 credits per turn so it will quickly pay itself off. It fits great with Darwin decks (it can pay for the begininning of turn virus counter or pay for 1 use of Darwin's breaker cost every turn) and also produces the additional memory for using other tricks. The glaring downside of Spinal Modem seems to be the Brain damage upon a successful trace during a run. With the recent popularity of NBN and tracing ICE this may be an issue, but it can normally be overcome by careful planning and knowing the card pool well enough to know the capabilities of your opponent. It's also important to mention that the damage comes only after a successful trace during a run.
I understand where you're coming from- some random guy comes to a forum and slams other people's opinions and then backs it up with anecdotal evidence. I will happily back up my big talk by openly challanging all comers. Let me know when you want to show me how wrong I am.
People click for credits all the time. It just happens. Perhaps your anecdotal evidence with clicking for credits has more to do with the specific ID you're playing. I would agree that I click more for credits in Jinteki than in HB ETF, but that's not to say I don't click for credits at all using ETF.
Also, I mostly play NBN. Still almost no clicking for credits. Admittedly, it's a point of emphasis in my deckbuilding process (because having money helps you win and clicking for credits is the worst economy action you can take - duh.), but I pretty much only have to do it when I'm close to playing a Restructure or Hedge Fund or when I've been struck by a really bad Account Siphon.
The fact that "people" do it doesn't mean it's good.
No, it doesn't make the card more useless, because it applies to everything else as well. It was just more of a disclaimer.
I guess my actual problem is, I just don't like the fact that it doesn't tell you anything about the tempo of a card. Some decks like click-intensive economy cards, some like click-efficient economy cards. This is still something you have to take into account. Liberated Account is an awesome economy card if you are looking at its net gain, but it has absolutely no place in a PC-driven economy for example.
Just saying "This card doesn't pay for itself until turn X." and "This card nets you X credits." and leave it at that when you compare them is a little bit too easy in my opinion.
Right now there isn't really a reason though and even then the card has some severe timing issues.
Linking up is never a bad thing IMO anyway; most Corps have SOME kind of trace going on somewhere. Against T&B it sets the bar higher for the SEA-Scorch. Against NBN it really hampers a lot of their Trace ICE.
I think Grifter could be a great card - in the right deck. Perhaps a Ken Tenma Doppleganger deck with Early Bird? (Don't know what Tenma's ability will be yet, but I suspect something that rewards running often). Naturally if you can save clicks on running, running every turn becomes less of a problem.
I totally agree about UWC and link. Randomly having link can put a damper on your opponent's strategy. Things like SEA source and Midseason Replacements eat poop to link.
If something comes around that can utilize Grifter I'll amend my statement. For now, it's too inconsistant and conditional to win a card spot against the already existing economy card pool. It's a card I wouldn't even play in-faction, as it stands.