Serena needs a diet

[ProfMarks]

New to the game but I've developed a deck play-style I like and have had some success with. Essentially control, limiting the opponents options through discards, disables and quick kills on ally match ups. My biggest frustration is the unpleasant randomness of running a 60 card deck, hence my desire to skinny up sweet Serena. When the cards fall, all is well. When they don't, I'm the one left without options.

So, in trying to control the randomness as much as one can, I'd like a skinnier deck that still provides me the play style described above and I look to the forums expertise. My current deck:

Hero: Serena Thoughtripper

Allies:

Jasmine Rosecult x 3
Lily Rosecult x 1
Puwen Bloodhelm x 3
Raven Wildheart x 1
Aidon the Brave x 1
Zoe Silversmith x 2
Priest of Light x 4
Aeon Stormcaller x 1
Nightshade x 4
Champion of Irum x 1
Layarian Seductress x 2
Wymer the Lionheart x 1
Nightowl x 2
Lyra Blackrose x 1

Actions:

Assassination x 4
Reconnaissance x 4
Ill-Gotten Gains x 4
Stop Thief x 4
Procured and Restored x 2

Items:

Black Garb x 4
Old Iron Dagger x 4
Ankle Breaker x 4
Fan of Blades x 2

Thoughts?

[Deja Vu]

Cut it to 40 to make ur deck consistent. Try my current build.

4x Nightshade
2x Champ
4x Night Owl
3x Aldon
3x Jasmine/Seductress
3x SW

4x IGG
4x ST
3x Assassination

3x AB
3x FoB
4x Black Garb

[ProfMarks]

Thanks Deja Vu,

Since posting, and before seeing your response, I did a bit of trimming and results (limited though they are at this point) have been good. Trimmed down to 45 as follows:

Hero: Serena Thoughtripper

Jasmine Rosecult x 2
Lily Rosecult x2
Puwen Bloodhelm x 1
Raven Wildheart x1
Aidon the Brave x 1
Priest of Light x4
Nightshade x 4
Champion of Irum x 1
Lyra Blackrose x 1

Assassination x 4
Reconnaissance x 4
Stop Thief x 4
Ill-Gotten Gains x4

Black Garb x 4
Iron Dagger x 2
Ankle Breaker x 4
Fan of Blades x 2

So far, I've had the cards I needed more often and while I don't have the build up ability Aeon gives, or the staying power for allies and weapons I had with Zoe and Wymer, it's been a fair trade off. With Nightshade, I haven't really missed Aeon tbh, well perhaps the draws on defeat but I've been able to overcome.

Keep trimming? If so where?

[Hrinkell]

You have a problem of consistence. Many 1-of cards. Sure you want versatility but Shadow Era card pool does not feature search engines (would indeed be a nice add) and that becomes in getting the wrongs card most of the times, as you said.
Then, you must focus on a main strategy, whatever it is, and fill your deck accordingly. Test, identify your weak pairings and tweak those 4-6 cards to turn those unfavorable matchups into something doable. Always try to find a card that improves various matchups. The goal is having as few dead draws as possible.

Anyway, keep in mind no hero has every matchup favorable. SE is a well-balanced game, luckily!

[phyaH]

Read preybirds hero breakdown in same rogue forum

[Arithtinir]

Drop the Recon and Iron Daggers.

They're really not that useful compared to say, Treasured Heirloom or Fan of Blades.

Continue trimming your deck I'd say! Good luck with that!

[GrimGuardians]

Would suggest using Deja Vu's exact build for a few games to get a feel for it and then branch off and start creating your own from there. Deja Vu has a solid build that is consistent so it will allow you to get a good starting point while you add your own touches to it.