SolForge starter decks allow players to obtain a healthy assortment of cards that exemplify the corresponding faction’s core strengths and abilities. Already available on the iOS version of SolForge, the starter decks should quickly become available on the upcoming Steam/PC launch.
The Alloyin faction starter may actually be the best of the starter options, and some of the cards look like excellent candidates for competitive constructed play once that rolls out down the line. Let’s run down the contents of the Alloyin starter deck and take a look at some specific cards and how it plays.
The Alloyin starter deck focuses heavily on additional level ups and a powerful endgame. While other decks may progress naturally toward level 3 cards, the Alloyin deck has a number of ways to gain the edge in a match by loading up on extra level 2 and 3 cards.
This ensures a smoother transition period during level 2, 3, and 4 and can help avoid “dead” hands that can determine the winner of match. Let’s look at two specific ways that the Alloyin deck can embrace technology and gain the level advantage:
Synapsis Oracle
While it’s impossible to tell what cards will become constructed SolForge staples this early in the game, there’s a real chance Synapsis Oracle will see play in plenty of decks. At level 1 this card easily takes out lower HP assailants and lives on to continue leveling up cards. It’s not immediately apparent to new players, but cards that use their activation ability are still around to participate in combat, so keep that in mind.
A few turns with an active Synapsis Oracle can make all the difference and provide a player with a healthy stable of leveled up cards over the course of a game. More importantly, Synapsis Oracle can level up cards that players have no intention of actually playing at the lower levels, and the Alloyin starter contains a perfect example of this that we’ll tackle in just a moment.
Synapsis Oracle is excellent at all levels and even more devastating at level three where it can actually take a card in hand and level it up before play if necessary. There’s nothing like looking down at a hand of level 2 and 3 cards and being able to handpick the perfect options for the situation, all made possible by Synapsis Oracle. There’s only one copy in the starter deck, but count on seeing decks experimenting with multiple copies of this card once the first set launches.
Technosmith
Technosmith provides a one-shot level up and discard when it comes into play, an ability that you’re likely to find especially useful during the level 1 phase of the game. Later on in a match, it’s unlikely that a player will want to waste valuable card allocation to a Technosmith, whose stats are not terrible but are optimized for early game trades and efficient leveling processes. Like Synapsis Oracle, some early Technosmithery can go a long way toward facilitating...
Scrapforge Titan
There are two copies of Scrapforge Titan in the Alloyin starter deck. These are great examples of SolForge creatures that are incredible weak during their first play, alright during their level 2 phase, and amazing in their level 3 form. The ideal method to play Scrapforge Titans is by flinging their weaker forms into the scrapyard via Synapsis Oracle or Technosmith so that a player does not get overwhelmed while working up to level 3. Against most decks, all you’ll have to do is lodge one of these on the board and wait things out, as almost nothing can stand up to one.
Brightsteel Sentinel
Look for Brightsteel Sentinels to lead the way when constructed robot decks become an archetype. When played, these can create horribly unbalanced board swings that can leave the opposing side of the table blank and leave a player’s robot army completely unharmed. There’s one copy of Brightsteel Sentinel in the Alloyin starter, and while it’s not a 100% robot deck this card can swing many games in a player’s favor.
And certainly one of the most important cards in the deck that can be overlooked at first glance –
Sonic Pulse
Playing the Alloyin starter can sometimes just be a battle of surviving and outlasting your opponent by having more reliable access to leveled up cards and massive level 3 titans. Because of this, Sonic Pulse may actually be the most important card in the deck, as it lacks any real removal spells. While there are a few cards that Sonic Pulse won’t be able to deal with, it can effectively shut down and stymie superior forces with ease.
Sonic Pulse is so good that it’s often the right decision to play even if your opponent only has one creature on the board at the low levels, because it’s such an essential tool that you’re going to want to have leveled up and ready to go later on. Sometimes alternative methods of leveling up may be preferable (see above), but there’s no doubt that this is one of the strongest Alloyin tools to keep a game stalled long enough to win with the superior technological edge.
The rest of the deck is an assortment of “bread-and-butter” cards that may fit the situation but don’t really merit any additional discussion. These building block cards make a fine addition to what is designed to be a beginner’s look at SolForge and the Alloyin faction.
SolForge starter decks are currently priced at $4.99 on the App Store and purchases will carry over into player collections when the game officially launches. Accounts will be cross-platform, so cards and collections purchased for iOS play will carry over into PC and Android launches.
