TFP is both the best and worst 5/3. It’s the hardest one to lose, but it doesn’t do anything for you while scored, whereas other 5/3s have very strong effects. I suspect 5/3s with sufficiently strong effects will compete with TFP-- for instance, I’ll definitely be testing Utopia Fragment in my RP deck-- but I also suspect that Labyrinthine Servers won’t be one of them (assuming the spoiler is true).
1 Like
Yeah, TFP’s value is that it’s likely safe enough in your deck or hand that you don’t need to protect yourself as heavily there. It’s anti-R&D lock, sort-of, and goes well in RP particularly because there’s a bit more strength in the remote servers by way of costing that extra click to run – so the lack of protection there becomes tolerable, and the benefit is focused on the not-losing, not on the help winning. This is true of most good RP agendas except for Nisei – Fetal and NAPD both are the same way.
But I do think that LS might be able to see play in competitive situations – either as an addition, or even as a substitution (though this is less likely and very much is dependent on a decktype that doesn’t exist presently in any practical sense).
EDIT: To go into more detail, I think the deck that wants LS is one that focuses on a glacier/net-damage strategy. Build up heavily taxing/dangerous servers and use Port Anson grid and LS to force the runner into situations they can’t get out of easily. Hokusai, Fetal, Komainu, Chum, Snare, Shock, and Shi.Kyu are the key pieces in my head, with Neural EMP, Cerebral Cast, and Tori Hanzo as possible contributors. Beyond that, Pup and any other ice that has net damage potential that can be stacked up to the sky.
It’d be the first Jinteki deck I’ve seen in a while that’d want to run 3x Chum, as a deterrent and a means of keeping other Ice alive. A Komainu at 4 strength is much less likely to be immediately removed with Parasite, for instance, and is also more painful to break. If they’re able to do so cheaply, Hokusai, Fetal, or Snare could spell their doom. If not, then they’re spending a pretty hefty sum to do it. A pair of Junebugs or Ronin or something to make running more necessary/riskier… or not, I’m not sure of that just yet.
It feels like about as good a PE deck as any. Maybe not – but LS makes flatline potential rather heftier, because you can prevent the runner from removing themselves from basic risks. Once it’s scored, they have to know they’ll get through the server able to eat a Snare – unrezzed Ice becomes all the more worrisome because it could spell their doom. The time they spend preparing becomes scoring windows.
2 Likes
Time to retake Civics 100? 
I celebrated a few days ago. Happy 4th, though. 
4 Likes
Honestly, you can have them, if you really want.
1 Like
Last data pack previewed: The Source. Here’s some new spoilers.
Looks like Earthrise Hotel is probably a neutral Wyldside that eventually trashes itself. Code Siphon is pretty neat, sort of a combo Modded/Test Run. Can’t quite tell what Industrial Genomics says but I doubt it’ll unseat white tree in my heart (or my deck).
Of course, by then, we’ll all be playing Blue Sun decks anyway, right? Right?
3 Likes