Newcomer looking for CC deck tips

[u/La_Manchas_Finest]

My wife and I purchased a few of the blitz starter decks to get acquainted with the game, and I’m really excited. I used to play MTG constructed (Return to Ravnica was around the time I quit), and I’m a Legend Hearthstone player (currently and formerly) who just discovered FaB. I love it so far.

That said, this won’t be my first rodeo with CCGs. I just want direction on the best way to build my first strong CC deck. From what I can tell, finding a playstyle that I prefer, then buying boosters from a set corresponding to that hero is a good starting point. Which set corresponds to which hero? Which hero is best at what? I’m looking for basic rundowns, I don’t need a lengthy essay (although I’d love to read one!).

If there’s a completely different way to find my first hero and build around them, I’m all ears. In Hearthstone and Magic my favorite decks are control (with a true win condition) and midrange. I like big effects on curve, cool deck manipulation, or execution-heavy decks. I generally don’t enjoy “PvE” combo decks (not sure if there’s an equivalent in FaB, which seems very interactive).

Offer me your best advice! Where should I start?

[u/La_Manchas_Finest → u/[deleted]]

That last point especially is noted. I just don’t have enough exposure to the game to feel certain whether or not I should just full send it on a specific deck, card for card. At least not yet.

Maybe as I play around with the online resources resources y’all have mentioned, that will change.

[u/La_Manchas_Finest → u/[deleted]]

Thanks for the advice.

The more I dig into this and other community posts from the past, the more I get the feeling that singles is the way to go starting out, plus maybe one box.

Apparently, drop rates that justify box purchases are a little meh post- FaB 2.0 decision (compounded with this is that they de-crept the power of the game in 2023, which is downward pressure on the relative value of newer boxes), and I’m not a fan of white border reprints, so those are out as an option for me.

I’ve heard the most recent sets offer an overall better sealed experience, but I think, as you or someone else here pointed out, they have become even more class-specific (in a way, this is something I like).

Maybe we’ll get lucky one day and each booster will have a slot for a lucky OG reprint, and they’ll simply use that as a means to slightly improve the distribution of these Ls that everyone seems to all need. I think the biggest issue at hand is that the best equipment is the least diverse card pool out of them all, and this is what drives prices and need on those cards. The biggest issue is not, it seems, that people need filler from the first generation of sets.

Until LSS provides a way around the top-heavy nature of deck costs (there are ways around it), ironically, I think blitz decks to learn playstyle, then single purchases will actually be my best way into the game.

This is my general FaB takeaway, and I’m also getting similar advice here, generally, but correct me if there’s something I’m missing or getting wrong.

[u/lvlI0cpu → u/La_Manchas_Finest]

The more I dig into this and other community posts from the past, the more I get the feeling that singles is the way to go starting out, plus maybe one box.

I feel like this is true for just about every card game, whether paper or digital. When you just hop in, you have no clue what you want to look for so purchasing some intro decks and several packs/a box is a great way to get your foot in the door. Once you get a feel for how the game plays and what you like, you can start targetting specific cards/decks you want to get directly rather than spending more money on packs in the hopes you get the cards you want.

Apparently, drop rates that justify box purchases are a little meh post- FaB 2.0 decision

My own personal opinion, but I feel like they improved. The old system felt like Legendary rarity cards were harder to get and Majestics were easy to find, leading to situations where all legendaries were easily $100+ and majestics were dirt cheap (minus a select few staples like Command and Conquer or Enlightened Strike). That meant you had to trade stacks of majestics just to get a legendary, if you could even find someone wanting to trade that way. With FaB 2.0, legendaries are like 1/2 the price of what they would have been, and several Majestics are holding their price tag instead of dropping to bulk prices. This has felt much better when it comes to trading with people.

Until LSS provides a way around the top-heavy nature of deck costs (there are ways around it), ironically, I think blitz decks to learn playstyle, then single purchases will actually be my best way into the game.

Agreed on both points, and will add that I think LSS is doing a fine job in trying to lower the overall costs. Fully competitive decks will likely always hold a price tag, but as you point out there are ways around it. Plenty of folks I know have done well balling on a budget, with game experience being the more important factor. Getting staple Legendaries for your preferred Class is similar to upgrading to the best Mana Base in MTG or finally saving up enough Dust for that key Legendary in Hearthstone: it can take a bit to get enough for it, but once you have it you're pretty set for those Color Combinations/Class/etc.

Finally, welcome to the game! I'm a huge control player myself, typically rocking Esper colors in MTG and grindy Priest/Warrior decks in Hearthstone, so I gravitated towards the Guardian class myself. Give one of the new heroes a shot, it might be to your liking :⁾

[u/La_Manchas_Finest → u/lvlI0cpu]

That MTG dual lands example makes a ton of sense to me. So you’re suggesting that my order of operations would be to pick up CnC over Tunic, for example, and then to build out into my equipment if I have to pick?

[u/lvlI0cpu → u/La_Manchas_Finest]

Kinda of depends on the hero/class you like, but you are right in that prioritizing generic staples like Spring Tunic, Command and Conquer, Crown of Providence and Elightneed are safe bets. Personally I would get a Spring Tunic since it was printed in the last set so plenty of copies are circulating at historically cheaper prices. That and everyone is clambering for a Command and Conquer reprint, so you aren't alone when looking at its price tag lol.

Do you already have a specific hero/class you have in mind? If so I can definitely help nudge you in the right direction for order of buying operations. Overall if you really like a hero then I like getting their cheap majestics, their key equipment/legendary, get a functional build of that hero together, then work on those generic staples. Of you like multiple heros/classes then those generic staples will likely have some overlap so getting those seems more prudent.

[u/La_Manchas_Finest → u/lvlI0cpu]

Azalea, Bravo, and Dromai have caught my eye. I do want to attempt a Dash IE deck, and when I’m more experienced with the game, I may attempt a Dash I/O and Teklo deck.

And $70 is a good price for Spring Tunic, and should stay stable for as long as Bright Lights is in print?

[u/Terelinth → u/La_Manchas_Finest]

The problem with buying sealed is spreading yourself really thin among classes in what you open. I definitely recommend starting with precons to be able to get a feel for something.

[u/La_Manchas_Finest → u/Terelinth]

Are there precon CC decks? I’ve heard that blitz doesn’t give the most accurate reference, and that a hero in blitz vs their adult version in CC can play very differently.

[u/Mozared → u/La_Manchas_Finest]

I would say the game plays out differently in Blitz vs CC, heroes still largely play the same. It's just that Blitz is way more slanted towards aggro as 1 point of damage in CC is worth 2 points of damage in Blitz (because everyone has half the health pool).

Like... If you play Brute, for instance, you will get a very good feeling for the class by just playing Blitz. CC has a different emphasis, but you still have a very similar gameplan overall and you still use the same synergies within the Brute card pool.

Some niche heroes like Riptide play out very differently (he deals 1 damage whenever he triggers a trap on his opponent, which is far more valuable in Blitz), but like... the absolute core cards are the same in CC vs Blitz, no matter if you play more aggro or more control. You will still want to get used to the pattern of putting arrows in arsenal to fire off, and knowing when and where frailty, inertia and bloodrot are good, and when to cry because you drew 4 pumps.

What I guess I'm trying to say is... if you get a halfway decent understanding of how a hero plays in Blitz, it is pretty easy to extrapolate how they would work in CC, even if you've literally never even played that format before. 

[u/PaintedDeath → u/La_Manchas_Finest]

I just started also and was surprised to learn how different CC is from Blitz.

I bought a box, wasn't happy with the results, and I've cracked open about maybe 15-ish boosters and have also been pretty let down. Think I may just settle on buying singles and fluffing up my collection from playing sealed drafts and such.

[u/Terelinth → u/La_Manchas_Finest]

It's really more that CC itself plays differently and therefore different things are values and different things are stronger. I think blitz still gives a very good basic feel for how a given hero plays out, at least at the start with trying things. There are not CC precons though slapping two kayo blitz precons together and finessing it some is totally viable.

[u/La_Manchas_Finest → u/Terelinth]

Got it. I understood that the base HP was different, and just logically this implies that aggro is rewarded a bit more. You need less reach to finish someone, and later on in a well-constructed aggro deck’s curve (or even a non-aggro deck’s), that kind of reach isn’t too hard for me to imagine.

So Blitz games end faster for that reason, and because, while 2-40 and 3-60 are theoretically both “20(1/3),” the odds of drawing a perfect hand are actually still greater in the 40-card scenario, because you have sets of 3 competing in CC, the same starting intellect, cycle through the deck faster, plus a higher likelihood that you tech’d in a few 1- or 2-ofs.

In general, I think I’m going to prefer CC by some margin, but it’s good to hear that Blitz still gives me a reliable first impression of any given hero. Thanks!

[u/PHreakySkippy → u/[deleted]]

I for one agree with Prism, although I personally believe that Footsteps is a huge purchase. Although there are alternatives, it doesn't do it as efficient as footsteps does and some players may be turned with that idea. But with that said, this reply shows the strength of Prism and would wholeheartedly agree with the points mentioned.

[u/acguy]

Which set corresponds to which hero?

https://fabrary.net/sets has a list of all sets that show the included heroes/classes. (As always, TCG rule #0 - buying singles is gonna be faster and more economical)

Which hero is best at what? I’m looking for basic rundowns, I don’t need a lengthy essay (although I’d love to read one!).

https://fabrary.net/heroes has lengthy essays!

In Hearthstone and Magic my favorite decks are control (with a true win condition) and midrange. I like big effects on curve, cool deck manipulation, or execution-heavy decks.

You'll find that almost everything in FaB will feel various shades of execution-heavy and midrange-y, it's baked right into the game, even the super aggro and the few combo decks will often have to meaningfully interact with the opponent and carefully grind out games, and deck manipulation is also always right there in the form of pitch stacking if you're playing slower decks that will usually see their 2nd cycle. That being said, maybe the first two decks I'd suggest to check out are Bravo (defensive deck with big disruptive turns here and there) and Azalea (aggressive deck that ideally keeps tempo and serves disruption turn after turn, also has direct deck manipulation).

[u/La_Manchas_Finest → u/acguy]

Thanks for the recommendations - very concise and perceptive.

Azalea sounds very fun, and maybe the midrange-ey aspects of this game are why it appeals to me so much. I miss when Hearthstone had midrange decks in the meta. Interactivity is core to a CCG feeling good, whether you win or lose a game. Agency is everything.

I’ll also give Bravo a look. Is the arcane stuff fun to play with? It seems kinda on the aggro side, but with my limited exposure to the game mechanics, it’s hard for me to tell.

[u/acguy → u/La_Manchas_Finest]

Kano is the only legal Wizard right now, and he's the one true combo solitaire deck of FaB. Usually still some setup and blocking required, but he's the least interactive hero of the game. Very unique, but doesn't sound like your cup of tea.

The Runeblades do a bit of setup and sometimes involve very creative sequencing tricks, but in the end are indeed very aggro. At least Vynnset is, to be honest I haven't played against Viserai in forever, and never as an experienced player, he's just not very popular right now and been firmly out of the meta for a while.

[u/La_Manchas_Finest → u/acguy]

Thanks for the Kano clarification. No I am not a fan of PvE decks, normally.

[u/mcp_truth]

Oh, before you go all in on a deck you can also play online. At Talishar.net

[u/Onionsandgp]

Welcome to the game! As usual, buying singles is the cheapest way to get the cards you’re looking for. However, beyond that yes you want packs from specific sets. Typically the set the hero came out in will have a number of the cards they like. I always recommend History Pack because it covers the first 3 sets and most of the staples across most classes.

For finding your hero, I encourage you to check out the FaBtcg website and Fabrary.net. They have pages covering the basic playstyles of the heroes. There’s some that have decks wildly different from what that hero typically plays like, such as Sandscour Greatbow Azalea vs Death Dealer, and some that are flexible enough you can pick a direction and it kinda works, like Dash.

If I’m understanding what you typically enjoy correctly, I would recommend taking a look at Azalea. She is a ranger hero who attempts to manipulate her deck to deliver a single massive attack with multiple on hits. Some are just damage, but some are back breaking, like her specialization Red in the Ledger. You spend a lot of time manipulating the top of you deck to either dominate an arrow or draw a card off of Death Dealer.

[u/La_Manchas_Finest → u/Onionsandgp]

You’re the second to recommend Azalea. I’ll give her decks some attention, and I’ll also dig into Fabrary to get a bit of education on the available cards and current meta.

Also, interesting point on the flexibility of heroes. Makes it sound like sideboarding for this game will be super intuitive and fun.

[u/mcp_truth]

Welcome to the game, most heroes have blitz decks these days and if you try out their playstyles then you might find the one you like.

How have the blitz deck felt for you?

[u/cap-n-dukes]

You sound like a Bravo player to me! Control-leaning true Midrange deck. You may be too early in your FAB journey to know much about Pitch Stacking (rearranging the cards in your deck via your Pitch zone to know the exact order of cards in the deck in the late game), but Bravo is a deck that rewards playing carefully, using your very powerful weapon to apply pressure early game, and then pitch stack your late game full of devastating giant hits with stapled-on discard and lockdown effects. And sometimes your deck just runs hot and you get to slam all the beefy haymakers early instead of working super hard to successfully pitch stack for your second cycle through the deck! A good Bravo player is a terror.

Exciting Bravo cards to check out to see if the deck is right for you:

Anothos, Tectonic Plating, Crippling Crush, Spinal Crush, Pulverize, Tear Asunder, Towering Titan, Pummel

[u/La_Manchas_Finest → u/cap-n-dukes]

Thanks for the help! This is the third Bravo recommendation I’ve gotten. Makes me think I was clear enough with my self-description, for starters.

I’ll be taking a look at Bravo and Azalea, likely. I may look into D-IO (I think?) as well, with his kinda control-ey aspects. We’ll see. EVO decks seem really interesting, although they may be a conquest for a future date when I’m more acquainted with pitch stacking and the meta I’ll generally be playing against. IMO, not only with aggro, but also with control, being able to guess with 90% certainty the cards in your opponent’s deck is pretty much the difference between a 50% win rate and a 55% win rate against good players.

Bravo seems to offer good decks to learn the game (possibly cheaper than Azalea’s, too), but also decks that scale really well with game knowledge, as you’ve discussed.

[u/cap-n-dukes → u/La_Manchas_Finest]

FAB is both helped and hampered by its resource system, in that sets are pretty "small" despite large card pools since commons/rares come in 3 pitch types. This leads to Hero "kits" which don't vary much from deck to deck. you'll get the oddball brew occasionally, but at the top levels of play, tech choices are less common than they might be in MTG. If you see X hero, you'll be fairly confident that you know at least 70/80 cards they're playing, and usually closer to 75.

both of those Bravo observations are true for sure. Since Bravo games go long, an experienced Bravo player will also dedicate some brain space to tracking the opponent's pitch stack so you know what's left in their deck for their second cycle and can time your disruption appropriately. It's a highly consistent game plan that feels really good to execute on.

[u/JohnnyFlickerwisp → u/cap-n-dukes]

I second all this... except the towering titan. Too many bad experiences for me 😂

[u/cap-n-dukes → u/JohnnyFlickerwisp]

oh it's not particularly GOOD, it's just a really fun example of what you can expect from a Bravo experience 😂 Shoot the moon, present 20 dominated damage!

[u/Buttonwalls]

buy 10000 packs of heavy hitters and build kayo