A Road Less Travelled

In this article we’re taking a look at a Faction combination rarely seen around the gaming tables, and exploring exactly what the Silver Twilight and Hastur can offer in terms of synergy and function. Although it may not be possible for this mix to take on the meta decks, I’m sure you can have a lot of fun with them, and hopefully we may see a bit more of them around in the future.

First of all, let’s see the main reason why you might want to bring these two Factions together, with a couple of the most efficient and popular cards in the pool that will be at your disposal. Both Lord Jeffrey Farrington (TOotST) and Stygian Eye (IT) are excellent in terms of value for cost, netting you a swing of 2 Characters for the one Domain, and they make for a solid base to begin your deck whilst also filling out that restricted spot nice and early. Of course Initiate of Huang Hun (CotJE) might be more to your own personal tastes, and there’s no reason why you can’t include this card instead.

Following on from that, you can then decide which of many paths you might include to bring a focus and overall strategy to your game. There are quite a few synergies that cross between the Silver Twilight and Hastur, and from here I’ll highlight a few of the main ones that strike me as being a great way to enjoy this reclusive pairing. In keeping with a more competitive deck in mind, I’ve only shown cards that lie within the 3 Cost bracket, but there are few more expensive cards that fit the following categories if you so desired.


THE COMMITMENT SUITE

Probably my favourite of the ‘suites’, the compounding of just a few of these triggered effects can cause quite a lot of trouble for an opponent. It’s only through having played this combination that I’ve come to appreciate just how powerful a Sweet Old Lady (TOotST) can be, and she can often gain an undefended 2 success tokens on her lonesome unless your rival makes specific plans to stop her. Protector of Secrets (IotF) can also mean the opposition has limited capabilities, especially if there are any Stealthy Byakhee (TTotT) or Feathery Watchers (DD) already in your playing area. Zanni (TiV) and The Cavern of Flame (ItDoN) round out a nice set of cards that focus on the committing aspect of the game.


THE RETURNING SUITE

Returning an opponent’s cards to their hand is not only annoying for them, but in some cases it can also be the best form of removal, being immune to several of the available disrupts and discard pile manipulations. Be it Character or Support, every one removed is another one they have to spend a Domain playing out again, and it is a sure fire way of slowing them down. Of course there are the old faithfuls from the Silver Twilight like Lord Jeffrey Farrington (TOotST), Unscrupulous Acquisitionist (TGS) and Lodge Housekeeper (TOotST), but Hastur also lends some cards to this mechanic. The Musk Crow's Wind (SotM) is perfect for getting rid of any malicious attachments your own Characters may have been afflicted with or gaining a second use of an ‘enters play’ ability, and is one of the only ways this Faction pairing has of dealing with cards like the Khopesh of the Abyss (TSS). Despair (Core) on the other hand combines best when you’re using cards such as Victoria Glasser (Core) or Master of the Myths (IT), and is a bargain for a card that can remove even Ancient Ones, although of course it can be difficult to trigger. Lastly, you also have Agoraphobia (Core) which can be handy versus Black Dog (WoP) and Master of the Myths (IT) among others.


THE DISRUPTION SUITE

Hastur has long been known for its ability in bringing a halt to many a fine plan and all sorts of deadly effects. Power Drain (Core) and Performance Artist (Core) have now been joined by the The Unspeakable Oath (TiV), and the Silver Twilight brings to the mix one of the best disrupts in the game I feel. As a 1 cost card that is immune to non-night cards, the Hermetic Seal (TiV) can make an ‘enters play’ enthusiast cry, and not only can it stop this popular mechanic, but it returns to hand so you can do it all over again.


THE DISCARD SUITE

It certainly strikes me that when combined with returning an opponent’s cards to their hand, the subsequent discarding of those cards might be something you’d like to pursue, and if this does indeed interest you then by all means have a look at cards like Apeirophobia (NN), Byakhee Attack (Core), Swooping Byakhee (TSC), Wraith (TWB) and You Know Too Much (TOotST).


THE MASTER SUITE

Well. He is a strategy all unto his own. And what better way to use it than in a Resource friendly deck.


Hopefully some or all of the above will inspire you to give this combination a try and I’m sure it will be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for anyone who does. It’s great to play against a deck type that you don’t often come across, so I’m sure your opponents will have a great time playing against it too, and may even be surprised by its tricks and obstacles. Also don’t forget that there is a whole world of insanity and control that you might like to include in your Committing, Returning, Disrupting, Discarding and Master of Mything extravaganza.

To finish up with I’ll submit the deck list that I’m currently taking through the playtesting and refining process, and enjoying immensely as I do so. Not finished by any stretch, it should though be able to give you a good idea of the possibilities that the Silver Twilight and Hastur have to offer.



THE CAROUSEL

Total Cards: (50)

Character: (32)
3x Zanni (TiV)
3x Guardian of Dawn (TiV)
3x Performance Artist (Core)
3x Protector of Secrets (IotF)
3x Stealthy Byakhee (TTotT)
2x Meticulous Scribe (TGS)
3x Feathery Watchers (DD)
3x Sweet Old Lady (TOotST)
3x Lodge Housekeeper (TOotST)
3x Lord Jeffrey Farrington (TOotST)
3x Master of the Myths (IT)

Support: (8)
3x Hermetic Seal (TiV)
2x The Cavern of Flame (ItDoN)
3x Stygian Eye (IT)

Event: (10)
2x Steal the Soul (TOotST)
2x Despair (Core)
2x Apeirophobia (NN)
2x Power Drain (Core)
2x The Musk Crow's Wind (SotM)

Conspiracy: (0)