Epic Puzzle: Loyalty X

Foreword

This article is my second puzzle contest with prize support (previous puzzle, original test puzzle). The goal is to discover the greatest possible Loyalty X reveals for each Loyalty X champion (Zannos Corpse Lord, Chamberlain Kark, Velden Frost Titan, and Scarros Hound of Draka). Each solution may use 2 turns, requires a different 60 card deck, and can’t use its gold on the same cards.

The leader at the end of the first week will receive an Epic Deck Box. The leader at the end of the second week will receive their choice of 4 Epic/WWG playmats. In addition, the top 9 participants (not including the winner(s) of the deck box and/or playmat) will receive a Kickstarter exclusive Elder God/Elder Goddess card, a Kickstarter exclusive Demigoddess/Demigod card, or an alt art promo card.

At the end of the first week, I may add another part to the puzzle depending on answers received.

Challenge

Over 2 turns (an opponent’s turn and your turn in either order), what is the greatest number of cards that can be revealed when you play:
1) Zannos, Corpse Lord
2) Chamberlain Kark
3) Velden, Frost Titan
4) Zannos, Corpse Lord
5) What is the combined total cards revealed in all 4 answers?

Conditions

  1. Each solution must have a different, 2-player-constructed-legal, exactly 60 card deck, only 3 copies of each 1-cost card may be used in all 4 decks combined, each 0-cost card may only be included in 1 deck, and most promos are legal. Inspiration is not legal for this contest
    • Decks must contain exactly 60 cards, with no more than three copies of each card.
    • For each 0-cost card of an alignment, the deck must contain at least two 1-cost cards of the same alignment. (For example, a deck with seven 0-cost Sage cards must have at least fourteen 1-cost Sage cards.) Therefore, a maximum of 20 0-cost cards may be included.
    • Across all 4 decks, only 3 of each card may be used. For example,
      • 1 deck could have all 3 Erases while the other 3 decks have none
      • 3 decks could have 1 Erase while the 4th deck has none
      • 1 deck could have 2 Erases, a second deck deck could have 1, and the other decks could have none
    • Each 1-cost card may only be played in one of the 4 answers. For example, if I played Lesson Learned in my Velden answer, I could not play Lesson Learned in my Zannos, Kark, or Scarros answers. Also, if I play Erase in my Velden answer, I could not play Lesson Learned targeting Erase in my Zannos, Kark, or Scarros answers because that would involve playing Erase in 2+ answers.
    • Each 0-cost card may only be included in a single deck. For example, if you include 1, 2, or 3 Word of Summonings in a deck, you may not include any copies of it in any other deck.
    • If you only specifically use X cards in your 60 card deck, you can just list those X cards and say “60-X irrelevant 1-cost cards.” For example, 3 Angel of Death, 3 Apocalypse, 2 Corpsetaker and 52 irrelevant 1-cost cards.
    • Inspiration is not legal for this contest, but all other Kickstarter and Year 1 Promos are legal for this puzzle (Dark Prince, Hill Giant, Hunting Pterosaur, Kalnor’s Blessing, Knight of Dawn, Necromancer Apprentice, New Dawn, Ritual Sacrifice, Scrap Golem, Searing Blast, Spite, Aftershock, Time Master, Warrior Angel, Owl Familiar, Cleansing Light, Forbidden Research, Elder Greatwurm, Teleport, Keira Wolf Caller). See below for pictures.
  2. The turn you start on (either your turn or your opponent’s turn) you may have
    • Any number of cards from your legal deck in your discard pile
    • 7 cards from your legal deck in your hand
    • No champions in play
    • If you start on your opponent’s turn, since you do not discard at the end of your opponent’s turn, you should start the next turn (“your turn”) with more than 7 cards in hand
  3. Draw a card at the start of your turn
  4. Your opponent can do nothing
    • They have no cards in their discard pile
    • No cards in hand
    • No champions in play
    • Any time they may do something, they choose not to
  5. Both you and your opponent have infinite health

Rules for Entering

  • To Enter, post a comment below with just the name of each Loyalty X champion, the number of cards revealed for each, and overall cards revealed count (example below). Then, send me the solutions through the contact field at the bottom of this post. Include the decklist for each solution. I will respond to the comment within 48 hours to verify if it is valid. If it is not valid, I will respond to the email address provided to explain why it is invalid. (If not already in some form of Google Doc/Sheets or other sharable online document, I will also add it to an unique Google Doc to make it easier to track future, improved answers.)
    1. When posting a new submission, create a new comment, do not reply to your original comment.
    2. Feel free to post general questions, cheer on participants, etc.
  • The contest starts now at 8pm GMT on 1/28/17
  • A week after the contest starts, at 8pm GMT on 2/4/17, the highest verified solution will win an Epic Deck Box. I will also reply to each participants’ highest submission in the comments with their solutions at that time.
  • New submissions (with just the Loyalty X champions, number of cards revealed for each, and overall cards revealed count) may still be posted until 2/11/17 at 8pm GMT (sending me the solution through the contact field/updating Google Doc and telling me). On 2/11/17 at precisely 8pm GMT, submissions will be closed. (At my discretion, I may allow small, apparent typos/mistakes to be corrected, as long as the integrity of the solution is apparent.)
  • After I finish reviewing any last minute entries, the participant with the current highest verified solution will win their choice of playmat. The top 9 participants to win neither the deck box nor playmat will then be given their choice of prize in order. (This will probably take some time to fully resolve.)
  • Playmat and deckbox will be shipped at the conclusion of the contest (in case 1 person wins both).

Scoring

Instead of assigning points based on who has the highest score for each Loyalty X card by name, I will be assigning points based on each player’s 1st highest answer, 2nd highest answer, 3rd highest answer, 4th highest answer, and total revealed card.

Implications

If you lead in at least 1 category at the end of at least 1 week, you are guaranteed a prize (because you are guaranteed a Victory Point as explained above).

In addition, if you can’t think of a way to get the top score, but you can think of a way to get your worst score better than everyone else, you win a prize.

Prizes

Primary Prize (Playmat)

The first person to submit the overall winning answer receives their choice of playmat pictured below.

**Unfortunately there is very slight creasing in both of the Kickstarter playmats (more visible in the Angel of Death playmat picture). These are pictures of the actual playmats that will be sent out.**

To my unofficial/unaffiliated, nonbinding, unconfirmed knowledge:

  • Kickstarter playmats can only be purchased through WWG kickstarters (maybe conventions?). I believe only 500 of each were made?
  • White Wizard Games Fair 2016 could only be purchased at that game fair?
  • Sea Hydra playmat has been available as a top 8 prize at tournaments, possibly purchasable at conventions too?

Basically, I’m seeing these on neither WWG’s store page, nor Legion Supplies WWG page. A quick search on ebay turned up these sales:

Secondary Prize (Deck Box)

The first person to submit the winning answer in the first week receives an Epic Deck Box. **Card sleeves not included**

Link to Legion Supplies product page

Tertiary Prizes (Kickstarter Exclusives or Promos)

The 9 participants with the top scores, who win neither the deck box nor the playmat, will receive a promo pictured below. The eligible participant with the best answer gets first choice on down to the 9th play finisher (not including the winner of each week).

  • The top 2 finishers may choose between an Elder God/Elder Goddess card, a Demigod/Demigoddess card, or a promo
  • The 3rd and 4th place finishers may choose a Demigod/Demigoddess card or a promo
  • The 5th-9th finishers may choose a promo
  • Exactly 2 Elder God/Elder Goddess cards, 2 Demigoddess/Demigod cards, and 5 promos will be awarded
    • Therefore, if a higher reward tier participant does not choose an Elder God/Elder Goddess, a lower reward tier participant will.
    • Similarly, if a higher reward tier participant chooses a lower reward tier item, that choice will count towards the prize distribution. For example, if 1st and 2nd place both choose a Demigoddess/Demigod, the 3rd and 4th place finishers may only choose from Elder God/Elder Goddess and promos.
    • If anyone from top 1-9 decline the reward, I will give the chance to the next eligible participant (if any)

The sleeved promo card will be sent via a standard envelope. I take no responsibility if they are damaged in transit.

Basic Example

 

While I tried to preemptively answer any question that might come up, I know the combined intellect of the community can think of questions I didn’t answer. Therefore, if you have any questions, or want me to explain anything better, let me know in the comments.

49 thoughts on “Epic Puzzle: Loyalty X”

        1. 1. Velden, Frost Titan: 58 (came up with new solution while I was verifying) Verified
          2. Chamberlain Kark: 55 Invalid
          3. Zannos, Corpse Lord: 0
          4. Scarros, Hound of Draka: 0
          5. Combined Total: 58 Verified

          Reply

    1. Velden, Frost Titan 58
      Zannos, Corse Lord 55
      Scarros, Hound of Draka 18
      Chamberlain Kark 14
      Total Revealed 145.

      Reply

      1. 1) Velden, Frost Titan: 58 verified
        2) Zannos, Corpse Lord: 55 verified
        3) Scarros, Hound of Draka: 17 verified
        4) Chamberlain Kark: 14 verified
        5) Combined Total: 144 verified

        Reply

  4. We can’t play the same 1-cost card in different solutions (though we can include it in our decks, up to a total of 3). But can we *put it into play*? For example, can one of my decks play Bellowing Minotaur, and another one Surprise Attack => Bellowing Minotaur?

    Reply

    2. I have a new pair of solutions, this time for Velden & Scarros (dropping Kark for now).

      Velden hits the fabled 59.
      Scarros is played twice, once with 55 and once with 54 – just for fun. Feel free to count it as 109 if you like. 😉

      Reply

        1. Added Zannos for 52, which may or may not be valid depending on interpretation of the rules.

          So that’s now:

          Velden: 59
          Scarros: 55 (I made a mistake, had to go back down to 55)
          Zannos: 52
          Kark: (not done yet)

          Reply

            1. 1) Velden: 59 verified (second, pending verification)
              2) Scarros: 55 Pending Clarification
              3) Zannos: 52 Pending Clarification
              4) Kark: 17 verified
              Total: 183 Pending Clarification

              Reply

              1. 1) Velden: 59 verified (second, Pending Clarification of previously submitted answer)
                2) Scarros: 56 verified
                3) Zannos: 52 verified
                4) Kark: 17 verified
                5) Total: 184 verified

                Reply

                  1. 1) Velden: 59 verified (second, Pending Clarification of previously submitted answer)
                    2) Scarros: 56 verified
                    3) Zannos: 53 verified
                    4) Kark: 17 verified
                    5) Total: 185 verified

                    Reply

                    2. That would make it:
                      1) Velden: 59 (v)
                      2) Scarros: 56 (v)
                      3) Zannos: 53 (v)
                      4) Kark: 19
                      5) Total: 187

                      Oh, Kark. Noone loves you.

                    3. I have an alternate set of solutions which is 1 more for Zannos, 2 less for Kark (Velden & Scarros are unchanged), as follows:

                      1) Velden: 59
                      2) Scarros: 56
                      3) alt.Zannos: 54
                      4) alt.Kark: 17
                      5) Total: 186

                      I mainly made this because the alt.Zannos has a trick I think you’ll love – and which I really wanted to make work.

                      I don’t know how you want to handle alternate solutions. Let’s say the other (total 187) is my “official” solution for now. But if at any time this alternate solution would be worth more VP, or same VP and more RP, I’d like to switch my official answer for this one. How does that work? 🙂

                    4. Eh, forget it. The alt. solution had a mistake and doesn’t gain a card. I’ll send it to you separately for fun, but don’t include it in my submissions. 🙂

    1. 1) Velden: 59 Pending Clarification
      2) Scarros: 55 verified (second)
      3) Zannos: 17 verified (second)
      4) Kark: 14 verified (second)
      5) Total: 145 Pending Clarification

      Reply

      1. Update:
        Velden- 59 Will verify the next time I’m at my computer.
        Scarros- 55
        Zannos- 22
        Kark- 16
        Total- 152

        Reply

        1. 1) Velden: 59 Pending Clarification
          2) Scarros: 55 verified (second)
          3) Zannos: 22 verified
          4) Kark: 16 verified
          5) Total: 152 Pending Clarification

          Reply

  6. As of 1/29/17 at 5:46pm GMT
    1) 59 Nathan Overbay (Pending Clarification), Greylag-59, Thomas Dixon-58 [all Velden]

    2) 56 Greylag [Scarros], Thomas Dixon-55 [Zannos], Nathan Overbay-55 [Scarros]

    3) 52 Greylag [Zannos], Thomas Dixon-17 [Scarros], Nathan Overbay-17 [Zannos]

    4) 17 Greylag, Thomas Dixon-14, Nathan Overbay-14 [all Kark]

    5) 184 Greylag, Nathan Overbay-145 (Pending Clarification), Thomas Dixon-144

    Some very impressive top-end answers from the 3 participants so far. They will be hard to beat.

    However, if any participant can come up with at least 18+ cards for all 4 Loyalty X champions, the 4th highest answer is still up for grabs.
    (A complete submission has answers for all 4 Loyalty X champions. In other words, our participants with the top-end answers might have already used the cards needed to compete for the 4th highest answer.)

    Reply

  7. I’ve improved my Kark result to 31, no change to other solutions. This should need minimal cross-verification against the other 3 solutions (cards used) but I’m confident that aspect of it should be fine.

    1) Velden: 59
    2) Scarros: 56
    3) Zannos: 53
    4) Kark: 31
    5) Total: 199 (so close!!)

    Reply

      1. Impressive

        1) Velden: 59 verified (Nathan Overbay’s solution had an error, so Greylag is the first verified 59 by timestamp)
        2) Scarros: 56 verified
        3) Zannos: 53 verified
        4) Kark: 32 verified
        5) Total: 200 verified

        Reply

        1. I’ve improved my Kark solution to 41. No changes to the other solutions, I’m fairly sure there are no card overlaps.

          1) Velden: 59
          2) Scarros: 56
          3) Zannos: 53
          4) Kark: 41
          5) Total: 209

          Reply

  8. As of 2/1/17 at 4:35am GMT
    1) Greylag-59, Thomas Dixon-58 [all Velden]

    2) 56 Greylag [Scarros], Thomas Dixon-55 [Zannos], Nathan Overbay-55 [Scarros]

    3) 53 Greylag [Zannos], Thomas Dixon-17 [Scarros], Nathan Overbay-17 [Zannos]

    4) 32 Greylag, Thomas Dixon-14, Nathan Overbay-14 [all Kark]

    5) 200 Greylag, Thomas Dixon-144, Nathan Overbay-86

    Reply

  9. Velden 59
    Scarros 55
    Zannos 23
    Kark 16
    Total 153

    This is a new 59 solution. Because it is new I lost my time stamp, Greylag deserves this one anyway.

    Reply

  11. I lied and didn’t play by the rules before.

    Here’s my Real Answer:

    Zannos 57
    Scarros 55
    Velden 58
    Kark 23

    Total = 193

    Reply

  12. Ok, I bested the above and finally figured out the Kark

    So I got

    Velden = 59
    Scarros = 55
    Zannos = 57
    Kark = 43

    Total = 214!

    Reply

    1. 1) Velden = 58 verified
      2) Zannos = 57 invalid
      3) Scarros = 55 invalid
      4) Kark = 43 invalid

      Total = 58 verified
      I sent you a google doc with explanation.

      Reply

  13. I’ve improved my Kark solution to 52. Velden is unchanged but all other solutions have changed to accomodate it. It’s up to you if you want to verify – I have some more potential improvements in the pipeline which will also involve reshuffling other solutions.

    I’ll make a new spreadsheet for this solution set to avoid mixing it up with the others.

    1) Velden: 59
    2) Scarros: 56
    3) Zannos: 53
    4) Kark: 52
    5) Total: 220

    Reply

    1. Done with all the improvements I had in mind.

      My current list is:

      1) Velden (E): 59
      2) Scarros (E): 56
      3) Zannos (F): 56
      4) Kark (F): 52
      5) Total: 223

      Tom, the E and F point you to the tabs on the spreadsheet. Velden & Scarros are the E solutions, Zannos and Kark are the F solutions.

      (Basically the evil/good Fs are pure improvements on the Es, and leave the sage/wild Es unchanged).

      Reply

      1. Just kidding. 😉 An extra one for Kark.

        1) Velden (E): 59
        2) Scarros (E): 56
        3) Zannos (F): 56
        4) Kark (F): 53
        5) Total: 224

        Reply

        1. 1) Velden (E): 59 verified
          2) Scarros (E): 56 verified
          3) Zannos (F): 56 verified
          4) Kark (F): 53 verified
          5) Total: 224 verified

          Reply

  14. As of 2/4/17 at 5:23 pm GMT
    1) Greylag-59, Nathan Overvay-59, Thomas Dixon-58, Benjamin Hebert-58 [all Velden]

    2) 56 Greylag [Scarros], Thomas Dixon-55 [Zannos], Nathan Overbay-55 [Scarros]

    3) 56 Greylag [Zannos], Nathan Overbay-23 [Zannos], Thomas Dixon-17 [Scarros]

    4) 53 Greylag, Nathan Overbay-16, Thomas Dixon-14 [all Kark]

    5) 224 Greylag, Nathan Overbay-153, Thomas Dixon-144, Benjamin Hebert-58

    At this point the scores would be:
    Greylag: 11 VP
    Nathan Overbay: 0 VP, 11 RP
    Thomas Dixon: 0 VP, 8 RP
    Benjamin Hebert: 0 VP, 2 RP

    There are still around 2 and a half hours to enter.

    In addition, 6 promos are currently left unclaimed with only 4 participants. If only 6 participants enter in the home stretch, all of them will have a high chance of winning a promo, regardless of the value of their answers (since RP are only awarded in the first week).

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.