This opening trade early game power for better scaling. This is typically useful against slower Adversaries, most notably England.

Unique Powers reminder

    

Opening

Growth

Turn 1

G2 top.

Play Sudden ambush or Voice of thunder.

Turn 2

G2 top.

Play Words of Warning.

Turn 3

G3 bottom.

Play Voice of thunder/Sudden ambush and Manifestation.

Turn 4

Reclaim, gain 2 Minors.

Play 2.

Turn 5

G2 bottom.

Play 3.

Turn 6

Reclaim, gain 2 Minors.

Play 3.

Turn 7

G3 bottom.

Play 3.

Turn 8

G2 bottom.

Play 4.

Remarks

On either or both Reclaim turns (turn 4 and 6), you can gain one Major (do not gain a second Major, even if the first one is bad, in order not to give up a card play later on). It’s recommended to gain the Major first, then gaining a Minor keeping the Major’s threshold in mind (if feasible). It’s best to forget Sudden Ambush, as it’s of limited use against England, doesn’t have , and costs too much to be used alongside Manifestation and a Major.

On turn 8 G3 top can be selected if needing Energy, delaying 4 CP to turn 10.

The 3rd Energy can be unlocked on turn 3 by selecting G2 top+bottom. This will give less energy on turn 3, 4, 5, even out on turn 6, and give more Energy from turn 7 onwards. This is generally less effective, as Energy in the mid game is usually a bigger problem than in the late game.

Stats

Turn Growth Owned cards Cards in hand CE Ele+CP
1 2 4 4 2 1
2 2 4 3 4 1
3 3 4 2 10 2
4 1 6 6 12 2
5 2 6 4 14 3
6 1 8 8 16 3
7 3 8 6 22 3
8 2 8 4 24 4

Pro and cons

Pros:

  • Good Energy while still placing double presence often.
  • Unlock right Innate from turn 2 onwards.
  • 4 unlock on turn 5.
  • 4 unlock on turn 5.

Cons:

  • Very weak turn 1 and fairly weak turn 2.
  • Very late Reclaim 1 unlock.
  • 3 CP only from turn 5 (which is average), but no option to unlock before that.

Variant: Early 3CP (Minors/Mixed)

This variant trades getting to 3 CP earlier for fewer unlocks of Lead the furious assault (skipping in on turn 2 and possibly turn 3 as well).

Turn 1

G2 top.

Play Sudden ambush or Voice of thunder.

Turn 2

G3 bottom.

Play Words of Warning.

Turn 3

G2 bottom.

Play Manifestation and Voice of thunder / Sudden ambush.

Turn 4

Reclaim, gain 2 Minors.

Play 3.

Turn 5

G2 top.

Play 3.

Turn 6+

Same as above.

Remarks

Reclaim 1 can be unlocked on turn 5, if you want to unlock 4 CP on turn 7. This is usually not worth delaying 4 until turn 7 (instead of turn 5), but it’s sometimes useful.

Stats

Turn Growth Owned cards Cards in hand CE Ele+CP
1 2 4 4 2 1
2 3 4 3 8 2
3 2 4 2 10 3
4 1 6 6 12 3
5 2 6 3 14 3

Turn 6+ are the same as above.