What is the worst deck in Summoner Wars?

[mrkurtb]

If you like to play Summoner Wars against live opponents it's generally a good idea to not crush them their first three games or those will likely be the last three games of Summoner Wars they'll ever play. So what is the best way to avoid this?

Previous discussions on handicapping play have focused on such options as reducing hand size, playing dumb, and giving oneself in-game objectives - such as wall destruction. More recently, I have been trying to pair the three card hand limit with the worst decks and matchups I can come up with.

Experience has taught me that the Cave Goblin events are hard to manage properly using a three card hand limit. Consequently, in a recent game I decided to also use some Cave Goblin units that had previously played or looked somewhat underwhelming: Climbers, Beast Riders, Berzerkers, and Skagg. However, I later realized that since these guys aren't reliant on the CG event cards, this largely negated the three card hand capacity handicap. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

So, what then is the worst deck in Summoner Wars (assuming a 3 card hand limit)? Here is what I've got so far:
1. Base Cave Goblins setup with Blarf, Skagg, and Reeker as champs. (worst matchup vs. PE)
2. Firebeast, Guardian, and Archer Phoenix Elf build that lacks Holleas; champs: Rahlee, Sairook, and Khan Queso (worst matchup vs TO? or GD?)
3. Base Vanguard Deck w/Khan Queso subbing for Kalon Lightbringer and Sairook subbing for Archangel; perhaps Vermin subbing for some Guardian Knights. (worst matchup vs. PE)

It really speaks to the quality of the Summoner Wars gamesystem that it is difficult to come up with a really horrendous deck even when you consider the 3 card hand handicap.

So what's the worst you got? No free build suggestions please.

[killercactus]

Worst deck with a 3 card hand limit:

Ret-Talus

Dragos
Elut-Bal
Magos (making the 3 cards go to 5??)

Reaper x10
Skeletal Archer x2
Zombie Warrior x6 (5x Owls would probably be worse)

[mrkurtb]

Thanks for the reply KC. That would definitely be challenging.

I probably should have stipulated worst deck assuming only single copies of each set/expansion.

[Jexik]

Heh. My first thought was 10-reaper.

[airdroppers]

It seems like the Fallen Kingdom really benefits from having multiples of it, mercenaries additions to the faction are really good for the Fallen Kingdom also. I just can't see 5 Reapers as a good thing.

[Kaiser Cat]

Plan the VG offensively while completely ignoring your opponent's walls.

Keep Sera just behind your line so she can heal but also get shot.

[Sauam]

I learn that playing handicap-rule is not a great way to introduce new player (at least in my case) as they wont learn from it

Rather, I let them have the ability to undo their move in one full turn if able as long as that undo does not interfere the game

I've learn that new player often made crucial mistake that needs to re-move or re-summon their unit. This way by letting them undo, you are playing fair but also they would pick up their mistake and gets better at the game... playing handicap-rule made them a bad player down the road i find

[Codeman]

If you like to play Summoner Wars against live opponents it's generally a good idea ...............

Good idea! that is an understatement, if you don't, my guess is you will be the primary suspect.

[r0gershrubber]

How about handicapping a player by discarding N cards from the top of the draw pile or by discarding cards from the starting setup?

Edit: I'm not trying to get off topic, just suggesting another route to handicapping that could be combined with the others.

[the mouth of sauron]

I personally think the vanguards are the worst faction