Some questions about Archenemy
The Kitchen Table forum
Posted on Oct. 7, 2015, 11:11 p.m. by combustablecake
So, my casual playgroup recently learned about the existence of Archenemy, but none of us have gone out of our way to grab up some scheme cards yet. I was considering being the one to make the plunge but I had a few questions that I couldn't really find answers for.
Exactly how big an impact can the scheme cards make? Should one only make a deck out of the stronger ones or are they strong enough that holding a bit back is probably a good idea?
Should one make a deck exclusively for the purposes of Archenemy? If so, general tips for making one?
Does the Archenemy's deck generally have to be much better than the decks of the other players for the game to be even?
And any other just general advice about the format would be nice.
there is an app for archenemy and planeschase on android, it might also exist on ios but I don't use those devices. it's fine for testing out the waters, just some things with certain planes or schemes drawing multiple cards that gets tricky.
for the low price of free and some internet access, I found it's good enough to test the waters.
if you do end up getting archenemy or planeschase cards, they do have sleeves that will fit them which I'd also recommend.
October 8, 2015 7:37 a.m.
combustablecake says... #4
I don't think I can thank you enough for that app recommendation, I'll be sure to give it a shot with some existing decks before I buy anything.
Though if I were to make a deck (I'm thinking probably Grixis Control) would anyone have any particular tips? Would I be right in assuming that I should be focusing on boardwipes and cards that give a lot of board presence? Like in Grixis, 4 Pyroclasm would probably be an auto-include, right? And creatures like Grave Titan are the kinds of bombs I need to be looking for?
and of course, in Grixis, and in Archenemy, Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker would quite literally need to be in there, with one if not two Perhaps You've Met My Cohort. Probably two so long as there's a second walker in there.
October 8, 2015 8:05 p.m.
MindAblaze says... #5
Yeah cards that are going to kill a lot of creatures/force a lot of discards, are going to be your friend.
October 8, 2015 9:07 p.m.
probably some prison or stax effects. esper might have more answers with boardwipes in white and a few in black than grixis
October 9, 2015 2:50 a.m.
combustablecake says... #7
What large threatening creatures would you recommend in Esper?
The more I think about it, the more appealing Jund and Abzan seem due to the amazing bombs Black/Green provides (I'm particularly enamored by Spiritmonger, even if he isn't great against 3 players) and the last color picking up the board wipe slack. I'm not sure if I prefer the more, final, boardwipes of white or the smaller ones of red along with the amazingly spot removal red brings. I'm also not sure which color's bombs I value more. Any thoughts?
October 12, 2015 4:37 a.m.
MindAblaze says... #8
have no shortage of strong creatures. It depends on what you want to do with them. Iona, Shield of Emeria is great for locking your opponents off their spells. Sundering Titan could be fun. Sharuum the Hegemon has been known to be part of callous and uncompromising decks.
MindAblaze says... #2
I would build a deck with archenemy in mind. You need to build your deck so that it can combat a few players at the same time, think x for 1s.
The schemes make a big difference, but it obviously depends on when you top deck them. Don't waste slots on schemes that don't benefit you though, it's not going to be as easy as it sounds even with as much life as the rest of the table.
That leads into the next point, your goal should be to crush them, so build the best deck you can build.
October 8, 2015 2:07 a.m.