My deck, and its evolution for the Alchemy Kit streaming series. The Alchemy Kit is perfect for new players, with a playmat, precon set, and a box of AL and Beta. Escalation is an awesome way to get value out of the bundle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBXpXh0RLhs

--Week 1--

I let the live chat vote (on anything but Water) and they decided I should play Flamecaller (aw, shucks!). I didn't have enough cards in my initial 6 packs of Beta to effectively splash any other element, so I slotted five Air sites in to gain access to the Towers (Lone Tower, Gothic Tower, etc.).

I didn't play any Air cards in the deck week 1, but their Genesis effects are good enough to play even if you don't need the threshold. In general, Fire wants to be the proactive player at the table and be the player the opponent has to respond to when possible. The Towers let me ramp resources early and get threats, like the Ogre Goons, on the table a turn earlier to start applying pressure.

--Week 2--

After winning my game in week 1, Steven banned Sacred Scarabs (I would never choose to remove these electively). So, I naturally had some space to fill. Opening six more packs of Beta, I saw several really good 1-threshold Earth cards... and a Pudge Butcher. So, I pivoted from an Air splash to an Earth space. Importantly, I also gained access to Bury, which can solve 'big minion' problems that Fire's direct damage just can't overcome. Also part 2, how am I not supposed to play 2x Amazon Warriors?!

The general game plan stays the same. Apply pressure and make sure my opponent can't keep may threats on the board that are bigger than my own. Fire go BURRRR!

--Week 3--

Coming off a second win, Steven banned Infernal Legion (sadness...). We opened 6 packs of Beta and 6 packs of Arthurian Legends, and suddenly I felt flooded with options.

In general, the changes to the deck so far have been focused on increasing the consistency of the deck. For example, I cut Sand Worms, Vanguard Knights, and Spin Attack for more reliable options - like additional copies of Petrosian Calvary, Clamor of Harpies, and Bury. I'm having to actively leave out cards that I actually want to include though (ex. Bury, Backstab, Duel, Siege Giant, etc.).

My sites got their first real bump in quality/consistency, opening a Steppe alongside Fire sites that provide value on play (Forge and Bonfire). I decided to drop Shifting Sands in the name of consistency. They often don't do more than a single desert, and the single deserts always do what they do. Consistency!

--Week 4--

We played two games in week three, leading to two more victories and Steven banning Infiltrate and Minor Explosion. We also opened 12 more packs (6 Beta, 6 Arthurian). I opened some really important and fundamental Earth and Fire cards this week, including 2 x (of each): Vile Imp, Redcap Powries, Kettletop Leprechaun, and Amazon Warrior.

The deck is looking more and more like a solid Fire/Earth constructed deck at this point, so I'm feeling pretty good going into the week 4 match!

--Week 5--

After another win, Steven decided to ban Common Sense. This was probably the ban that has the biggest impact on my deckbuilding so far, as I’d dropped down to 1 copy or a lot of Ordinary cards because I could rely on fishing them out with Common Sense.

Roughly half of the adjustments to the deck this week were to account for the ban. I added a second copy of Heat Ray and a single copy of Fire Bolts. I also added Earthquake, which would have been a second Bury if I didn’t happen to pull an Earthquake this week.

The other half of the changes come down to consistency. I opened a fourth copy of several key cards, including Vile Imp, Kettletop, and Petrosian. I also saw another Forge, which I couldn’t help but include.

The final change was a relic I couldn’t ignore, Flaming Sword. I don’t have a lot of ways to abuse this particular card, but there are a lot of situations where this card can be absolutely devastating.

Alchemy Kit Escalation - Zach

@zachbunn