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Cthulhu Deck Archives - Science of Destruction at Worlds 2005 When I first started playing back when Arkham Edition came out, I soon noticed the card MU Science Building (AE U58). In A Game of Thrones there were decks using the same mechanic, changing subtypes and then playing a card that affect that subtype somehow (destroying or taking control) so I built a deck around this strategy with AE cards hoping that I had found a new deck type that nobody else was aware of and that would be torney viable. I wasn't the only one that thought of this deck nor the only one that quickly realized that it was way too weak. But with every new expansion there has been cards that fit into this strategy and many other players have noticed this too. The deck called "Science of Destruction" is now not only viable, but strong. This deck type has seen many incarnations and the one I will publish here is the deck that took 3rd place in the 2005 World Championship. Big thanks to Eric Hylin for sending his deck list as well as the comments that became this article. So close, yet so far away As I said, this deck took third at Worlds. Erics last opponent, Greg Gans, took the championship. This is Erics own words: "I will say this. In all honestly, without being boastful, I almost had this game won. I was in control of the game until he won the draw ten cards story. I didnt watch the stories close enough which is a big problem I have. For a rainbow deck to draw ten cards is death for most of their opponents, including me that day. The real bummer though, was that if I could have beaten him I would have gotten to play my brother-in-law for the final! Why I point this out is so that you'll understand that this deck type is very strong when built well and played well. Some of the tech When Eldrich came out this deck got a great boost in a lot of ways. Moonlit Phantom replaced the neutral night card Terrors in the Dark. Not only does it have the same effect with the same cost and neutral spot, but it's also an extra character AND lets you draw an extra card. Similarly, Egyptology Consultant replaced Expedition Leader. Same cost and skill, but an extra icon. The set also boosted the deck with Wild Beasts, A Single Glimpse and most important of all, Screaming of the Spheres. Screaming of the Spheres, as well as Double-Cross, allows you to use the Science Building during your opponents turn. This is very important and extremely helpful. Not being able to do this before was one of the decks weak points. Screaming of the Spheres lets you use the effect in any phase you want, for free. Not even needing to drain a domain. While teching for Worlds with Scott, Eric's brother-in-law, this card was Erics only chance in beating Scotts second-placing Shiny Trap Infinite-loop deck. Eric needed something to use during his opponents turn, since Scotts deck could win in one turn. Scott would play everything for his Shiny Trap combo on a single turn and if you couldn't stop it you were done for. Spheres was the answer. How the deck plays Half of the time this deck wins by the quick characters it can get out. When you play this deck you want to get characters out real fast and destroy anything that slows you down. Some have investigation while others are great defenders. It's not made to be a rush deck but with every card costing two or less it often ends up that way. Journey to the Other Side is usually used to get the Science Building. Mysterious Benefactor and Gathering at the Stones allows you to use cards from anywhere. When stacking your domains you want to try and get every one up to two, preferably with both MU and Yog on each one. Also, you don't mind going first since you'll then get the domains filled before your opponent does. The extra card draw is not as important to this deck as getting two on domains to use the Science Building as much as you can for each effect. The deck list This deck list is how the deck was played by Eric Hylin at the 2005 World Championship which was held after Eldritch Edition came out, hence the lack of cards from Masks of Nyarlathotep, Forgotten Cities and later editions. Sixteen cards activate the Science Building. Of those, eight are characters. Twelve can be played for free, eight can be used on the opponents turn and four let you draw a card after you play them.
This is a great build on the Science of Destruction deck and I hope it helped you understand the deck type better. Obviously you can build it in many other ways, why I choose to publish this one is because it performs so well. That's it for this time! Hope you enjoyed it and learned some. Now off to the message boards to discuss. I will be there :)  - xedric
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