Legends of Norrath Preview: Karlemayn the Mage Starter Deck

Legends of Norrath Preview: Karlemayn the Mage Starter Deck
by Chuck Kallenbach, Game Designer

The Mage archetype's key attribute is attack. Mage cards have many ways to enhance the attack attributes of their avatar and units. Mages are somewhat lacking in defense, but this is the classic 'glass cannon' analogy; pouring out tons of damage before the opponent can overcome their weak defenses.

Pets are another keystone for the Mage archetype. They are the only units that have an archetype in the first set. Mages have ways to heal their pets and fetch them from their decks, and your starter provides many pet units.

The Karlemayn the Mage Starter Deck features Karlemayn as your avatar. The action in her game text exerts a unit, and that's an example of one of the effects of cold magic in the game. There are a couple of fire abilities in this deck as well, and you'll find that fire magic usually does direct damage to units and avatars. There's a little of both kinds of magic in this starter deck to give you samples of what kinds of decks you can build when you add cards.

Along with elemental-based spells, you find an assortment of manipulative abilities to thwart and confuse your opponent. Let's take a closer look at some of the cards in your deck.

As always, if you don't have a level 2 ability to play on your first turn, redraw your hand. For this deck, that means Column of Ice, Renew Servant, or Decoy. Sure, they all have great effects to use later in the game, but you want to complete a level 2 quest right away.

Whenever you have a choice as to which of two abilities to apply with this deck, try to leave a cold ability in play. For example, when you're questing and have Decoy and Column of Ice to apply, choose Decoy. You have a tactic called Aqueous Stalkers that gets better for every cold ability you have, and it's free!

Using Assault and extra attack provided by cards like Roaring Flames and Brittle Bone Wand, you should be able win with an avatar kill.

Even though your abilities have low levels, you have Aery Stalkers to boost the levels of abilities you apply. Keep them alive and win by questing. This deck has ten Pet units, and Renew Servant heals each of them, so spread the damage around.

The advantage of playing a Mage deck is using your extra attack to win combats. You don't have much defense, so use it sparingly. Make your opponent exert an extra card for attack to save yourself from suffering an ugly damage bonus.

This deck is built with lots of cold effects that exert your opponent's cards. Use this 'judo-like' capability to win combats and prevent extra damage against you. Of course, the 'big bomb' in this deck is Lava Storm, one of the best cards in the game for mass unit damage.

Karlemayn's deck is fun, flexible, and a great introduction to the many types of Mage cards available to customize your deck and fit any style of play.

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