{"ops":[{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Ruin has come to our family..."},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"image":"https://i.redd.it/8m6bdvc95rfe1.gif"}},{"insert":"\n\nThis is flavour-first Darkest Dungeon™ list, with some fairly direct references, but mostly featuring mechanics that attempt to emulate the feel and atmosphere of the game. While flavour is at the core of the list, a somewhat coherent gameplan was also taken into consideration, with minimal art/card-name references.\n\nBroadly speaking each base-game zone is centered in black while also borrowing from a different colour of mana: Ruins WB, Weald BG, Warren BR and Cove UB which works out nicely in uniting the deck under a black identity while giving each area a distinctive feel to some degree.\n\nFirst things first, blue has been excluded from the deck for one main reason: Cove has enough material to be its own deck, and in order to not dilute this list too much, it has been spun off into its own thing. This allows for the main themes of the deck to emerge in a more distinct manner without getting lost in the 5C slush that tends to happen.\n\nAt the helm we have the only direct Hero reference "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Saskia the Unyielding"}},{"insert":" , the Hellion, which allows us to take advantage of the decks main mechanics: curses and combat. Just like in the game, the player is enticed to enter increasingly dangerous dungeons to extract better loot and further the game state. We use goading and curses, as well as other tempting propositions to instigate combat and benefit from it. Saskia helps us trigger combat abilities in a pinch or accelerate the game's clock by acting like a curse of sorts.\n\nI have attempted to give a unique identity to each area, but at times respecting the flavour of the Bosses made it challenging.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#b2b200"},"insert":"The Ruins"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#b2b200","italic":true},"insert":"Pace out the halls of our lineage, once familiar, now foreign."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe ruins is mostly centered in WB but I can see a splash of R in there, with a light overarching sacrifice theme.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Prophet"},{"insert":" - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Malik, Grim Manipulator"}},{"insert":" : Malik makes a fantastic Prophet with its ETB mimicking the 1-2 target Prognostication into Rubble of Ruin signature attack pattern. The treasure generation is a nice bonus as we do have some sacrifice enablers . \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Necromancer"},{"insert":" - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Acererak the Archlich"}},{"insert":" : While the concept of a necromancer is fairly generic, Acererak make a convincing imitation, summoning undead on attack or furthering our gameplan by letting us repeatedly venture into the dungeon when needed. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"From the Catacombs"}},{"insert":" is another flavourful addition that makes use of the graveyards while introducing the initiative to the game.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#008a00"},"insert":"The Weald"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#008a00","italic":true},"insert":"I knew all these paths once; now they are as twisted as my own ambitions."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nI immediately imagined the Weald as BG, with a splash of W and a focus on enchantments. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Hag"},{"insert":" - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sythis, Harvest's Hand"}},{"insert":" : I'll admit that a 1/2 in WG for the Hag has been hard to fully commit to."},{"insert":{"card-link":"Baba Lysaga, Night Witch"}},{"insert":" was the next choice I could have gone for but the aspect of the Hag experimenting with curses and afflictions made me more incline to lean into the enchantress archetype, seeing that a good amount of enchantments in the deck are curses or cards with similar effects. \n\nCrones ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Argothian Enchantress"}},{"insert":" also imitating the stealth mechanic with Shroud) and beastmen ( "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Satyr Enchanter"}},{"insert":" ) are parts of our enchantress package that allows us to pile enchantments on the board while keeping our hand stocked.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Brigand Pounder"},{"insert":" - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dawnsire, Sunstar Dreadnought"}},{"insert":" : In this instance instead I think the flavour has been pretty on point, if we ignore the spacecraft subtype. Mechanically speaking, just like in the game, this marvel of technology needs additional units to prepare it for an attack, but once it has been loaded, chances for a misfire are low. Opponents can prevent the BOOOOOOM by targeting potential attackers, just like in the game the heroes can target the Matchman to prevent the nuke.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#a10000"},"insert":"The Warrens"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#a10000","italic":true},"insert":"To prosecute our war against the Swine, we must first scout their squalid homes."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe Warrens is mostly BR-aligned with some elements of G. It was tough to come up with close enough references for this area; either mechanically uninteresting or lacking in flavour.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Swine God"},{"insert":" - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Atropal"}},{"insert":" : I did not believe any card accurately captured the Swine God mechanically and flavourfully. The atropal token however shares many similarities with this boss with them both being incomplete gods in the lore. Deathtouch is a nod to its lethality but not much else to add. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Unstable Flesh"},{"insert":"- "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Klothys, God of Destiny"}},{"insert":" : Definitely low on aesthetic flavour, but behaves like the boss lore-wise. An undefeatable mass that can dish out damage and heal itself as it consumes discarded creatures (and other cards) in the depths of the Warrens (the graveyard). A bit of a stretch but I still believe it to be better than a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Decimator of the Provinces"}},{"insert":" in terms of mechanical flavour.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#0047b2"},"insert":"The Cove"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#0047b2","italic":true},"insert":"The smell of rotting fish is almost unbearable."},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWhile the Cove has been omitted it is definitely UB, with a plausible splash in G.\n\nThe Crew and the Siren would be represented by "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Captain N'ghathrod"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Maeve, Insidious Singer"}},{"insert":" respectively and the deck would lean into the Eldritch horror, insanity (mill) archetype.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Other Bosses"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Collector"},{"insert":" - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Athreos, Shroud-Veiled"}},{"insert":" : Very similar lore-wise, slowly identifying new items for its collection only waiting for them to expire to add them to its ranks.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Shrieker"},{"insert":" - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger"}},{"insert":" : Definitely not a bird in any way, shape or form but a recurring, pestering thief nonetheless. Just like the bird in-game, Kroxa robs the players of choice by making them discard their tools, and they will need to take extra steps to retrieve them.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Countess"},{"insert":" - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Queen Marchesa"}},{"insert":" : not a vampire but just as lethal, Marchesa introduces the Monarchy to the game , adding another layer of combat incentives to the game. If the crown is lost, one of her loyal attendants can attempt to retrieve it, inviting other players to combat once again.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Shambler"},{"insert":" - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Karazikar, the Eye Tyrant"}},{"insert":" : An incomprehensible horror from beyond the stars, this beholder can afflict opposing creatures, causing them to become tapped on your combat and panic the next available combat forcing an attack on other players. The Shambler is a tough fight due to its ability to dish out damage and stress in large amounts, and Karazikar makes a credible imitation all in all.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Brigand Vvulf"},{"insert":" ( and the Brigand package) - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Garruk, Cursed Huntsman"}},{"insert":" : The abilities available to Garruk align to some degree to what Vvulf is able to do: summon ads, nuke a target and if the expedition is ignored, can downgrade your buildings, making encounter more dangerous and skewed in favour of the monsters.\n\nWhat emerged alongside Vvulf is a package of cards - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Isshin, Two Heavens as One"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Windcrag Siege"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wulfgar of Icewind Dale"}},{"insert":" - that greatly synergizes with our curses and other attack triggers. One especially flavourful interaction is that this Brigand package makes our Pounder increasingly more lethal. Having just one of these on the board can greatly shift combat into our favour.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Combat Incentives and Costs"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nAs mentioned, heroes are not specifically referenced but are mostly tied to the dungeon venturing and the initiative, our most prevalent combat incentive. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Triumphant Adventurer"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nadaar, Selfless Paladin"}},{"insert":" can trigger on attack, while other like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Seasoned Dungeoneer"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Undermountain Adventurer"}},{"insert":" are an one time ETB unitive triggers. Ideally the initiative can provide better overall value, but depending on the circumstances one of the other 3 dungeons can be a valid choice."},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ravenloft Adventurer"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"White Plume Adventurer"}},{"insert":" also prove to be strong members of our party. Lacking a critical amount of evasive creatures is not too bothersome as we have multiple ways to get the initiative back and/or venture deeper into the dungeon without it.\n\nOn the other hand we have several curses that help us redirect aggro or simply benefit from when it is inevitably directed at us. We certainly include all the unluckiest Planeswalker curses - "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curse of Opulence"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curse of Bounty"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curse of Disturbance"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curse of Vitality"}},{"insert":" - as well as other more utility-oriented ones in "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curse of the Restless Dead"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curse of Clinging Webs"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curse of Oblivion"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curse of Death's Hold"}},{"insert":" . Just as in the game's heroes develop quirks as they return from expeditions, so do players at your table can get cursed as the game progresses, making them a more appealing target or weakening their strategy to some degree. Other curses can be contemplated depending on how punishing they need to be.\n\nWhile some attacks and aggro directed at us is acceptable and tollerable, there is no reason to make it as painful as possible, reminding our opponents that no expedition can be truly safe or without casualties. on the softer side we have effects like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Crawlspace"}},{"insert":" that limit aggro towards us through the tight hallways of our dungeons, or the "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cunning Rhetoric"}},{"insert":" of our ancestor and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Search the Premises"}},{"insert":" that both give us resources in return for being attacked. More punishing are "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Glissa Sunslayer"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"No Mercy"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"and ("},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"gnawin uncertainty - the birthplace of) "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dread"}},{"insert":" that let our opponents know that attacking us will result in loosing one or more attackers, tilting the scales towards a less beneficial combat. in combination with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Trove of Temptation"}},{"insert":" , creatures will be like lambs to the slaughter, slowly eating at our opponents' boards. \n\nWe also have "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Darkness"}},{"insert":" to foil a wide swing, as accuracy tends to decrease when torchless, and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Whip of Erebos"}},{"insert":" to provide some sustain and the game progresses and some recursion in a pinch. While this las one is not a direct reference to any item or event in particular, it represents the Dungeon's resilience and the undying nature of the evil that lurks within.\n\nRamp and Removal"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nA lightning round of references where possible:\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Glittering Gold, trinkets and baubles "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arcane Signet"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fellwar Stone"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Chromatic Lantern"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":", paid for in blood"},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Coveted Jewel"}},{"insert":" .\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Three Visits"}},{"insert":" : the amount of times required to kill each boss.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nature's Lore"}},{"insert":" : the lore that can be looted in-game.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Farseek"}},{"insert":" : the ancestor's letters reaching far and wide to attract new heirs.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spelunking"}},{"insert":" : the exploration of the various tunnels, caves and winding paths of a dungeon.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tempt with Discovery"}},{"insert":" : the temptation of exploring and learning more about what really happened.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Open the Way"}},{"insert":" : when a new region is unlocked for exploration.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Deck of Many Things"}},{"insert":" : the RNG nature of the game.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Loot Dispute"}},{"insert":" : Kleptomania. \n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gisa's Favorite Shovel"}},{"insert":" : THE shovel. \n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Beast Within"}},{"insert":" : Abomination's transformation.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nowhere to Run"}},{"insert":" : when fleeing a battle is not allowed or fails.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Doom Foretold"}},{"insert":" : the game's overall feeling of impending doom.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Assassin's Trophy"}},{"insert":" : the unique trinkets from each boss, obtainable after defeating them.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Force of Despair"}},{"insert":" : the game leans into the hopelessness of fighting back against these undying horrors.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Blasphemous Act"}},{"insert":" : honestly any of the ancestors many failures.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spiteful Banditry"}},{"insert":" : the raid on the hamlet called by Vvulf.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Toxic Deluge"}},{"insert":" : no real reference in particular, but fits the atmosphere.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tragic Arrogance"}},{"insert":" : "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Be weary - triumphant pride precipitates a dizzying fall..."},{"insert":"\n\nI hope that you enjoyed my interpretation of DD into this list. i will be keeping my eyes open for any better references that may appear in the future. \n\nIn the meantime I am open to receiving feedback regarding better additions.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}]}