This is one of the decks that will be played in the Les Classiques side event at the 2025 UK Megacity in Sheffield. To find the other decks, search [Classique 2025] or check my profile. You can also read all the writeups together here.

Classic Andy

From 2014 Worlds - Andromeda: Dispossessed Ristie VS Jinteki: Personal Evolution

What Your Deck Does

This is the classic early era Criminal deck; you're playing very efficient breakers and using powerful events to constantly keep the Corp on the back foot. Once you're set up you can get through every ice very cheaply, and will look to win from repeated R&D digs and the occasional Legwork.

Cards to Mulligan For

Mimic, Desperado

Tips and Tricks for the Matchup

The most important element of this matchup is working out which cards you need to play, and which will be sacrificed to net damage.

You have no recursion so will generally want to install breakers proactively. Mimic is particularly important in this regard because you only have one copy and it answers most of the most damaging ice.

You're far more likely to win from central servers than remotes, but if you can prevent the Corp scoring a House of Knives early the game will be a lot easier for you.

None of the Corp cards do any core damage, so you can afford to draw up and check some double or triple advanced remotes. However, be mindful of the number of cards left in your deck and adjust your aggression accordingly.

Unlike more recent builds of shell game PE, your economy is important in this game. You'll likely have to break ice with multiple subroutines several times, so try to keep your credit position stable with Kati Jones, Desperado credits and the proceeds of Account Siphon.

Also be aware the Corp needs credits to function. You can try to force this issue with well timed Account Siphons or by making the Corp rez ice, particularly on centrals, and landing Emergency Shutdowns when they do.

Run early in the turn and draw back up to have a full hand of cards. Take care never to overdraw so that you're not wasting cards by discarding them.

The Corp has a single Scorched Earth, so you'll either need to install your Plascrete Carapace or clear tags if you can't find it.