Countdown to Cataclysm - Deck Review

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NEW VERSION

Countdown to Cataclysm is a mastery deck, which means adding complexity to your game. As the countdown ticks down to cataclysm this deck boosts in power. If you are looking for a deck to add extra layers to your primary playstyle, this is the deck for you.

In this breakdown, I’ll run through how the deck plays, the general theme of its objectives, and a few key cards that stand out. Along the way I will add some of my thoughts on its strengths, weaknesses, and how best to pilot it.


Objectives - Building towards Cataclysm.

The deck includes 12 objectives: 6 surges and 6 end-phase cards, totalling 16 potential glory. Eight cards score for 1 glory, three score 2 glory and one scores 1 or 2 glory depending on the countdown position. The deck does not have a particular scoring theme but does benefit from occupying Treasure tokens.

A few objective highlights:

  • Spread Havoc – The longer you wait, the more you score and there is no way for your opponent to stop you.

  • Collateral Damage – You kill me, I score, I'm behind, I score. The only way to stop me from scoring it, is to let me win.

  • Wrecker – Injure and slay multiple enemy fighters, again, other than healing, your opponent cannot stop this scoring.

  • Set Explosives – 2 glory for holding two Treasure tokens, easy. Just make sure you have all the tokens in at least one territory.

  • The Perfect Cut - A great Strike pairing. It's always nice to gain glory when your opponent fails any dice rolls, though fair warning the dice gods can be fickle with this card. 
  • Overwhelming Force - Successfully attack with 4 or more dice. Beware, few warbands can attempt this without Power card support
    • How many fighters have this ability and in which warbands are they found?
      • One fighter
        • The Gore chosen of Dromm - The Gorehulk (uninspired and inspired)
        • The Dread Pageant - Slakeslash (inspired)
        • Khagra's Ravagers - Cragan (inspired)
        • The Grymwatch - The Royal Butcher (inspired)
        • Morgok's Krushas - Thugg (inspired)
        • Farstriders - Swiftbalde (inspired)
        • Hexbane's Hunters - Haskel (inspired)
        • Emberwatch - Farasa (inspired)
      • Two fighters
        • Cyreni's Razors - Renglaith and Cephanyr (inspired)
        • The Crimson Court - Prince Duvale and Ennias (both inspired)
      • Three Fighters
        • Jaws of Itzl - Kro-Jax, Ro-Tak and So-Kar (inspired) 



Ploys – Disruption and Control

The ploys in Countdown to Cataclysm are all about disrupting your opponent's plans by leveraging the Cataclysm mechanic or repositioning fighters. This tool set will allow you to adapt to your opponent in any game.

Some standout cards:

  • Counter Charge: Allows a friendly fighter to push adjacent to an attacker, enabling surprise counterattacks or objective control.

  • Growing Concerns: Reduces enemy fighters' movement based on your Cataclysm Value, hindering their mobility and plans.

  • Sunder the Realm: Deals damage to fighters near neutral territory based on dice rolls and Cataclysm Value, introducing an area control element. 

  • Total Collapse: A dice dependent ping that gets easier as the game progresses. Importantly, it can target vulnerable fighters.

  • Violent Blast: Multiple pushes, of friends and foes, near a Stagger hex, that can aid in Treasure token control. It can act like a second Confusion.

  • Improvised Attack: It may only be one damage, but it is an extra attack and action economy is everything.


Used well, these cards aid your plans whilst hindering your opponent's.



Upgrades – Erupting Power

The upgrades are about adapting to the changing condition of the battlefield, with the deck's upgrades becoming more potent as the Cataclysm value increases

Key upgrades include:

  • Utter Conviction: Save tech that only improves as the Cataclysm value rises. 

  • Desperate Rage: A weapon upgrade that turns a weak minion into a damage dealing missile. If they die, it may help with Collateral Damage and if nothing else advance the Cataclysm count.

  • Hurled Weapon: a great weapon upgrade for an all melee warband to provide some options.

  • Driven by Pain: Make opponent's make bad decision is the kill more important than the drive back? they need to decide.

  • Visions of Ruin: Extra movement speed based on the Cataclysm value to get you where you need to be, but it has a downside of Stagger.



Taken together, these upgrades change the roles and abilities of your fighters, making it harder for your opponent to counter your game plan, whilst giving you options to undermine theirs.


Weaknesses – Danger, Explosive!

While the deck has plenty going for it, there are a few pitfalls that could catch you out if you’re not careful:

  • Complexity: The countdown mechanic adds a layer of complexity that may be challenging for newer players.

  • Timing-Dependent: Many cards are most effective in the later rounds, potentially leading to a slower start and reliance on surviving early aggression.

  • Synergy Reliant: Success often depends on drawing and playing specific cards in the right sequence, which can be disrupted by poor draws or opponent interference.


Strategy Tips - Light the fuse

To get the most out of Countdown to Cataclysm, you'll want to:

  • Manage the Countdown: Carefully consider when to advance the countdown token to align with your strategy and maximize card effectiveness.

  • Control the Board: Use ploys to manipulate enemy positioning, setting up favorable conditions for your objectives and upgrades.

  • Adapt to Opponents: Be prepared to adjust your approach based on your opponent's strategy, leveraging the deck's versatility to counter various threats.

  • Leveraging your fighter's demise: Losing fighters is inevitable but use this to your advantage by ticking the countdown onwards.


Nemesis Pairings

Countdown to Cataclysm is all about control and adding layers of complexity to your game. The deck that works brilliantly as the secondary deck in a Nemesis pairing. Its cards allow you to synergies with an existing play style while opening up new options for scoring glory that opponents will find harder to predict. Importantly, Countdown to Cataclysm has a plot card, so it cannot be paired with other 'Plot card' decks.

Here are a few pairing ideas that Countdown to Cataclysm could add its strengths to and open up some interesting strategic options:


Blazing Cataclysm – Controlled Chaos

Pairing Countdown to Cataclysm with Blazing Assault, the deck focused on the Strike playstyles but adds the complexity inherent in Mastery. You keep the core aggression of Blazing Assault, but add tools for card draw, power card usage, for broader strategic play, making your overall game play less predictable and more adaptable.

Key synergy: You can pivot between aggression and board control. Again, you'll find several useful two-glory end phase cards, namely Spread Havoc and Wreckers, to boost your glory count. Do not expect much from the Ploys and Upgrades but these can be used to provide ping damage and adapt the roles of your fighters

Watch out: While more versatile than a pure Strike, this pairing takes practice. It’s less “run forward and smash” and more “move, strike, adapt.”


Sentinels of the Cataclysm – Strike Twice, Fall Once

Pairing Countdown to Cataclysm with Emberstone Sentinel creates a more nuanced Take and Hold deck. This combination doubles down on board control, offering even more tools to secure and defend Treasure tokens.

Key synergy: Both decks benefits from claiming Treasure tokens, with Spread Havoc and Set Explosives replacing 1 glory Emberstone Sentinel end phase cards, thereby boosting the glory ceiling of the deck. The deck also provides additional push and defensive tech to keep your fighters where they need to be.

Watch out: This pairing doubles down in 'Take and Hold' and you need to remain focused on your Objectives, once you get distracted your game could totally collapse!


Final Thoughts

Countdown to Cataclysm stands out as a thematically rich and strategically powerful deck. Its unique countdown mechanic offers a rewarding challenge for players who enjoy planning and adaptability. While it may present a steeper learning curve, the potential for late-game big plays makes it a compelling choice for those seeking an engaging Rivals deck.

If you’re looking to develop your game play beyond just killing your opponent this is the deck for you.

Checkout my Warhammer Underworlds for more articles.

Thank you for reading. Are you intending to use this deck? If so, with which warband?

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