If you don’t mind some decks being stronger than others, then this is the Vader deck you want to play. It’s fun. It’s unique. It does Vader-y things. And it’s appropriately strong.
What does this deck do: Gains strength as it spends cards. Wins when cards are low. Makes everyone discard down to 3. Isolates opponents. Punishes you for having strong defense.
Darth Vader, Jedi Hunter
by Roman F & Geektopia
Darth Vader, Jedi Hunter
20 HP
Melee
22 cards
Red Deck
2x Storm Troopers
4 HP
Ranged
9 cards
Weak Ranged Minor Deck
Vader – 12 Talent Cards
4x BATTLE RAGE
A10*/D10*. *Subtract 1 from the attack and defense values for each card in your hand after playing this card.
2x DARK SIDE DRAIN
A5, for each point of damage done with this card, Vader recovers a hit point.
2x I HAVE YOU NOW
Move Vader adjacent to any character. That character takes 4 damage.
2x WRATH
Vader does 4 damage to each adjacent minor character. No one may move until Vader’s next turn.
1x YOUR POWERS ARE WEAK
A5. If a defense is played, the player controlling the defending character discards a card for each point of the defense value of the card.
1x MASTER OF EVIL
All players discard until they have only 3 cards.
Theme: An ass-kicking evil dude in a cape
Path to Victory: MASTER OF EVIL or YOUR POWERS ARE WEAK or I HAVE YOU NOW + WRATH + BATTLE RAGE
Strengths: Potentially high attacks, high defense, high direct damage, kills minors, forces opponents to discard, good movement, can get to enemies anywhere on the board, can isolate
Weaknesses: Potentially weak defense, no card drawing power
Strategy: Play a low-card game
Test Level: Very High
Tier: 1
Inspiration: We tinkered with the original Vader, and tinkered, and tinkered. Eventually, we figured to really get the type of sluggo ass kicker Vader we wanted, we had to start over to get it. We got it.
Playing JH Vader: Although the Jedi Hunter is clearly stronger than his predecessor, he is a tricky deck to play. BATTLE RAGE encourages you to act early and often and although you can play a low-card game better than most, it’s a gamble. Vader is still like everyone else in that he tends to be stronger with a big hand, but his big hand isn’t as good as some other elite characters’ big hands. However, unlike everyone else, as cards get played, his strength increases instead of decreases. When used to full effect, YOUR POWERS ARE WEAK is a crippling card and MASTER OF EVIL is a game changer.
Playing against JH Vader: Beware YOUR POWERS ARE WEAK. Whenever Vader attacks you, not getting crippled by it should be your primary focus. Also remember Vader kills minors quickly so use their offense early if you get it. Next, Vader can force you to discard with MASTER OF EVIL so be careful about hoarding a big hand. Finally, remember that Vader can get you anywhere with I HAVE YOU NOW. He’s definitely a beast and a high-tier character, but he isn’t that strong defensively so if he gets too aggressive, punishing him with multiple attacks can take him down. When everyone has a full hand, Vader is not that scary, but MASTER OF EVIL can take you right out of the game.
I am very interested in purchasing additional characters and playing cards. Can you please let me where I can purchase?
There are no pre-packaged sets of Epic Duels expansions to purchase. You can download and print cards from sites like this and you can find more at http://epicduels.pbworks.com/w/page/9779461/FrontPage . For figures, we use Star Wars Minis which you can find on Ebay. http://www.ebay.com/sch/Star-Wars-/158718/i.html Happy dueling.
This deck is a monster! Totally fits the “ass-kicking dude in a cape” theme because that’s exactly what he does. First time we played with this deck, I pulled an “I Have You Now” with two “Battle Rage” cards and a “Wrath” in the opening hand against Assaj Ventress. Combine that with him getting a very offensive pull and me having the first turn, I said “I’ll have her, please” and it was game like that. I’ve been convinced ever since, and I have not since gotten such a lucky 1v1 pull (thankfully).
Love the deck, he’s as powerful as a Jedi Hunter of his stature should be (and I feel the same way about Grievous!)
Wait, so if Obi defends with his D12 against “Your Powers Are Weak” does he have to discard his entire hand? (I know Obi is cheap himself, but still.) Might want to limit that one to 4 or 5 discards. Just a thought,
Hi Separatist. Thanks for your interest. Since YOUR POWERS ARE WEAK is an A5, the most damage you can defend is 5, so it is capped at 5.
If you defend then lose 5 cards in addition, it’s devastating. CageyBB has argued that it should be capped at 4 — but the only characters with D5 or better are Jedi, so it’s sort of an anti-big-defense or Jedi Hunter type of card.
Thank you for this deck!
Does Wrath really mean everyone, or just the adjacent minors?
You’re welcome! This is one of our favorite decks and also one of our most popular.
Only the minors take damage but NO ONE may move. The idea is that Vader can get next to someone and isolate them together for a turn.