Awesome Level 9000

GHOSTS

High

Gain benefits for discarding a lot of cards and having very few cards left in your hand.

Description

The Ghosts faction, part of the Awesome Level 9000 set, brings a haunting presence to the table with a wide range of abilities. As you delve into their realm, you'll find your options expanding, even as your physical form dissolves into nothingness. With a complexity rating of High, they demand a thoughtful approach. The Ghosts are joined in this set by three other factions: Bear Cavalry, Killer Plants, and Steampunks.

Cards Overview

The Ghosts faction is comprised of 10 minions and 10 actions, offering a unique blend of abilities. Notably, their minions have a lower base power total of 28, averaging 2.8 power per minion, which is slightly below the typical average. This faction also boasts a titan from the TITANS Event Kit, a rare distinction. Their action cards include a range of effects, such as three play-on-minion actions: Incorporeal, which appears twice, and Make Contact. There's also one play-on-base action, Door to the Beyond. The standard actions, totaling six, do not directly impact minions and consist of Across the Divide, two instances of Ghostly Arrival, Séance, Shady Deal, and The Dead Rise. Additionally, Door to the Beyond is the sole action that directly enhances a minion's power.

1x Across the Divide - Choose a card name. Place any number of minions with that name from your discard pile into your hand. 1x Door to the Beyond - Play on a base. Ongoing: If you have two or fewer cards in your hand, each of your minions here has +2 power. 2x Ghostly Arrival - You may play an extra minion and/or an extra action. 2x Incorporeal - Play on one of your minions. Ongoing: This minion is not affected by other players’ cards. 1x Make Contact - Play on a minion. If you have any cards in your hand, destroy this action. Otherwise, take control of this minion. Ongoing: After this action leaves play, give control of this minion to its owner. 1x Séance - If you have 2 or fewer cards in your hand, draw until you have 5 cards. 1x Shady Deal - If you have two or fewer cards in your hand, gain 1 VP. 1x The Dead Rise - Discard any number of cards. Play an extra minion from your discard pile with power less than the number of cards you discarded.

Actions

Characters

1x Spectre - power 5 - Special: If you have 2 or fewer cards in your hand, any time you can play a minion, you can play this card from your discard pile instead. 2x Haunting - power 3 - Ongoing: If you have two or fewer cards in your hand, this minion has +3 power and is not affected by other players’ cards. 3x Spirit - power 3 - Choose a minion. You may discard cards equal to its power to destroy it. 4x Ghost - power 2 - You may discard a card from your hand.

Strategy

When paired with factions that enhance hand management, Ghosts unlock their full potential, offering increased power and versatility.

Synergies

To maximize the potential of Ghosts, pair them with factions that enhance hand management, as their power and utility shine when cards are carefully controlled. Factions that provide additional card plays and draws are ideal, as they amplify speed and control. Those that can operate effectively with an empty hand also make suitable partners. Interestingly, opponents' abilities that force card discards can sometimes work in your favor. The Zombies faction is a natural consideration, but their synergy with Ghosts is not entirely reciprocal. While Ghosts support Zombies well, the reverse is not as strong, as Zombies don't help empty the hand and instead return discarded cards to it. However, Zombies can still function with an empty hand, making them a viable, if imperfect, match. Wizards, on the other hand, offer exceptional support to Ghosts, providing fine-tuned control over numerous extra card plays and draws. This synergy allows Ghosts to thrive, making Wizards a strong choice. Killer Plants form a highly effective combination with Ghosts, as their abilities intersect in multiple, small ways. For example, Sprouts can evolve into Haunting, while a Water Lily's extra card draw at the start of the turn is more valuable than one at the end. Plants also enable additional minion plays, helping to empty the hand, and their Sprouts and Venus Man Trap continue to deploy minions independently of the cards remaining in hand. Magical Girls also pair well with Ghosts, thanks to the likes of Lunar Captain and certain actions that make discarding their minions less detrimental. With a strong team in play, Magical Girls can achieve a great deal even with an empty hand, making them a suitable partner for Ghosts.

Tips

Ghosts excel at unleashing a flurry of cards in a single turn, mirroring the intense, fleeting nature of horror genre tropes. This aggressive playstyle often results in a subsequent lull, leaving you with limited options for several turns. Consequently, destroying bases on your turn becomes even more crucial. To maximize their potential, seasoned Ghost players meticulously manage their cards, setting up powerful combinations for strategic moments. By ensuring consistent access to key cards, you can maintain a lean hand without compromising your chances. Techniques like stacking your deck and drawing from your discard pile can provide the necessary card reliability, mitigating the risks associated with a small hand size. Typically, a minimal hand is a precarious strategy due to the unpredictable deck draws and uneven card distributions, but with careful planning, Ghost players can turn this approach to their advantage.

Mechanics

Gain benefits for discarding a lot of cards and having very few cards left in your hand.

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