Full Scheme Ahead

All Aboard the Thwart Train!

This is my accidental favorite deck at the moment. It started as an experiment to use as many PSS as possible. As I deployed it, and iterated, it stopped being that and just became a streamlined "essence of Cable" deck. Is it intensely powerful? No. Does it utilize a fun card synergy? Nope. Is it a support deck to enhance others in multiplayer? Nope. It is best in True Solo. It attempts to be simple, provide tools for most obstacles, and support Cable's kit. It just ends up being smooth and fun.

Cable's whole shtick.

Clear player side schemes (PSS) to get a ready each phase and enhance Mind Scan, Telekinetic Blast, and Plasma Rifle.

Graymalkin also readies when any side scheme is cleared, so it is usually wise to make a use of it before any scheme gets cleared. Priority of play should always be to get your free ready by clearing a side scheme, and fill up the victory board.

QuickPlay

Ideally you want to clear Specialized Training turn 1. Mulligan for Lay Down the Law, Mind Scan, or Professor X to accomplish this. Remember that if Specialized Training is in your hand, you can not use it for the setup ability. Do not be scared about putting PSS into the discard pile. Professor helps dig them out, and there are so many of them in the deck that you shouldn't find yourself in need.

If Specialized Training DOES end up in your hand, or you are trying this multiplayer, Build Support is a great runner up. Specialized Training is usually used to get the Thwart upgrade, and Build Support primary target should be Graymalkin.

From here, focus on defeating side schemes to ready Cable. Overwatch and Chance Encounter should always have a target, use them to manage main scheme threat and fetch the ally that suits your immediate need.

The trick is to prioritize thinning your deck where you can. This means Supports and Upgrades that stay on the table. Once built out you have good card draw, but most of it triggers from AE.

Use confusion from Astonishing X-Men and Professor X to protect flips to AE.

Turn the Tide and Marrow do a lot of the damage during build up. Plasma Rifle, Telekinetic Blast, and Psimitar start cooking later.

Specifics about card use:

Clear the Area is pretty easy to setup, and gives a card draw too.

Lay Down the Law is cheap for a lot of thwart, but it requires a flip up from AE. Great early game and opening hand.

Turn the Tide is amazing. Minion control and villain chip damage. Schemes should be dropping like flies, so trigger for this is not an issue.

One Way or Another is a late game play. Make sure and check how many cards are remaining in encounter deck. It is not a fun feeling to get stuffed on this card. BUT 3 cards is usually well worth a side scheme. Late game i have used it when i no longer have a PSS in play to clear. It gives you a target for Chance Encounter, Overwatch, and your ready ability.

Skilled Investigator is a no brainer. You will be clearing a lot of schemes, might as well get a card for it.

Psimitar is controversial. Pros. Stays on the board so deck thins. Chip damage / tough removal whenever you play one of Cable's Psionic cards, or play a psionic ally. This can add up during play. Cons. 2 cost can make it a low priority play for most of the game. That means by the time it comes into play, you wont get many uses of it. Honestly i can't decide if i like this in here or would just like another Turn the Tide instead.

Marrow is a cheap utility card. Remove a tough, then do 2 damage, and still block. OR do 4 damage, then block. Both of these options come at a 2 Cost. Great utility. I find she is OFTEN the pick for Chance. Can be used to fuel Plasma Rifle.

Professor X needs no introduction. Confuse the villain, 3 thwart, and a guilt free block.

White Queen is the most specialized. If you want to remove a tough, Marrow is likely cheaper. But if you are stunned or confused, Emma is your savior.

That should be it. Have fun.

If it is running right, you should always have simple choices and tools available for the job. The biggest hurdle it has right now is there is not a way to remove attachments from a villain. Go be the future soldier that you always wanted to be!

P.S. Be on the watch for Stryfe. He will rip you to the future, but you can usually put him down hard and fast, then use the scheme for a ready/trigger. His real danger is adding Mind Scan and TKB to the encounter deck. I have had 8 schemes in Victory multiple times... which makes both of those encounters game enders if you are not careful.

I do not really talk about the PSS, because their effects are pretty straight forward. Use what fits the situation at hand, or grab what you need with Professor

P.S.S. (get it?!?!) I forgot to mention my embarrassing headcanon for this one. There are only three allies in this deck, but they can be played many times each. In my head, they are not allies. They are representations of skills / abilities that cable is utilizing.

Marrow is ferocious with an animalistic joy for violence. Cable once took advantage of this and recruited her onto an X-Force team when she was vulnerable. The guilt of his actions lives on it him, but so do the lessons on mindless violence.

Professor X is also an Omega class telepath who Cable has shown great respect for, and gone to for guidance during times where this ability was both waxing and waning. Makes sense it is who would come to mind (Get it??!?!) when using that skill.

White Queen is a bit of a stretch. The overlap in characters here is not strong. Nevertheless, Emma is great source of inspiration for separation of emotions from action needed to be taken.

edit Dec 18

I have had the opportunity to use this deck in a few expert 2P games and it still shines brightly. It just tends to have a trick to handle the current dilemma. thinking of the allies as events helps. They each have very useful when played ability, and chance encounter ensures you get to pick one to play.