Timo wrote:Entirely arbitrary game design theory semantics, but I don't feel like a card downloading another card is a combo. It's just using the card as literally intended. Granted, 1E has so many download options for complex download chains that there is potentially a lot more going on there.
To me, a "combo" is a key part of deck building design "cognitive flow" were you discover how well multiple cards work together spontaneously. The more obscure and unexpected the better, (at least feeling like) you've discovered a new deck engine that the designers didn't even think of.
For me, it's usually the last one I managed to pull off successfully in a sanctioned game, so right now I'll nominate
Kaiser's Heel Stable combo from last weekend:
Seeded
Let Me Help and
Bluegill Infestation to boost the dilemma series of
1)
Entertaining Display (downloading
Worf and Jadzia,
Seven of Nine (League Promo) and
Mila) into
2)
Koon-ut-kal-if-fee into
3)
"God"
Koon-... lets me surgically choose two guys to meet their doom in the form a heel-turning Worf; both will be killed in combat as W+J pearl harbor them with their combined Strength of 28 (thanks to double boost from Bluegill), which usually guarantees that "God" (or whichever other high-impact stopper you choose to run) will hit by getting rid of high-Integrity personnel; if there is danger of opponent sending a second team, kill Anthropology guys to make sure the Entertaining Display protects the mission.
On my turn, Worf and Jadzia and their enforcer Seven of Nine pick a fight (W+J in Klingon mode get past affiliation attack restrictions, but I *think* that Koon-ut.. would actually allow me to counterattack anyway), usually killing three more guys. Manager Mila watches from outside the ring (seperate away team), but she'll throw in a foreign object (
Transport Inhibitor) to make sure any surving away team members can be killed and the mission can't be completed unless opponent has the necessary tech (landed ship, Orbital Bombardment, etc.)
Ideally you kill an entire away team, blow up a ship, and lock out your opponent from completing that planet (bonus effect: set this up at the furthest planet so any Love Interests and
Primal Urges lizard lovers will also end up as punching bags for the heel stable.)
It can be an effective combo, but it's by no means overpowered and can be countered by various means. Also, I can play out some 'rasslin storyline in my head, but most importantly, it uses new cards and I haven't seen it played like that before, so I consider it original, and that makes me happy.
/multiple edits for typos and links