Hard Stealth Kit w/ Astrolabe

BTrain 2971

They move fast. Move faster.

This is a hardware-centric Kit build that can get set up scary fast with Replicator, Inside Man, and Astrolabe. The newest Shaper console works wonders here. The more the corp tries to expand their server portfolio, the quicker you get the tools you need. And that additional 1 MU will make a world of difference in the amount of pressure you can put on. Now you can have a Magnum Opus, a breaker, and an SMC in play without having to have dropped up to 4 credits on your CyberSolutions.

In terms of Magnum Opus, drawing into it is perfection, but tutoring for it with an early SMC is hardly ever a bad move (I tend to save Test Runs for breakers, plus you can always clone chip that SMC back later). In fact I usually dedicate my first SMC to making sure Mopus hits the table; not only does it set up a devastating economic potential, but it's your Scorch/Midseasons protection in a deck that just doesn't have time for Plascrete. That makes it all the more important to realize the healthy mix of blazing speed you can achieve needs to be tempered with economic patience. The more money you have, the less the corp can do to you. There are usually one or two money-making turns you should be able to identify in most games, wherein you should feel comfortable letting off server pressure and clicking Mopus for 8 credits; in much the same way corps identify scoring windows, your win rate with this deck will skyrocket when you can start to identify economy windows.

This build isn't wildly different from the first version of Hard Stealth Kit that inspired it. The second copy of Magnum Opus is out, which can put a little more weight on your Clone Chips' shoulders should it get trashed, but since I consistently SMC out the Mopus, drawing into the second was always a disappointment. Depending on your meta, this deck can run a one-off Deus X or Sharpshooter if you want it to, but I personally favor patient play over the silver bullets. Give it a try and let me know how it works for you!

4 comments
13 Oct 2014 Softman25

See this deck reposted w/ Astrolabe.

Ohhh yeah.

13 Oct 2014 Prox

How do you find BlacKat working? I've personally dropped it from my Kit Stealth decks in favor of Corroder

14 Oct 2014 BTrain

@FameByProxyI love BlacKat. Love it. I had done the same thing as you, bringing in Corroder instead, but after one game where I came face-to-face with a Heimdall 2.0, BlacKat came right on back. This deck has no problem getting stealth creds online, so you shouldn't have a problem breaking barriers with them, and breaking them early. They have to have stacked ice two deep for BlacKat to even come into the equation.

Side note, I played an NEH in a store tournament with this deck (it went 4-0 on the day!) and I drew into both a BlacKat and a Refractor early. There was one piece of ice over HQ, so I decided to install BlacKat instead, expecting the Wraparound. I was right, and I ran his hand. No rez, and so I went in three times that turn and pulled three agendas from his hand for the win.

14 Oct 2014 BTrain

Clarification: I ran the original Hard Stealth Kit build in the tournament, but it's basically the same thing.