So, I've been messing with the
Alessi, Combrei Archmage +
Pearl Abbey Smuggler combination to produce a consistent gauntlet deck, and this is the result. It is pretty consistent, losing only to terrible opening hands and when the opponent has nut draws. The idea of the deck is to boost either
Alessi, Combrei Archmage, or
Pearl Abbey Smuggler with spells, or
Wandering Wisp and push through the opponent's defences with overwhelm and killer.
Alessi, Combrei Archmage can be drawn via
Crownwatch Press-Gang, or with
Reweave, although
Reweave can be used to fetch
Pearl Abbey Smuggler (if in need of inmediate answers),
Unraveling Fanatic if you are not pressed,
Ghar, Master Sandmage (if the oponent has many cards in hand, or you are against a heavy flyiers deck),
Desert Marshal (if you need to silence something right then),
Thrashing Dune Wurm (if you need a killer to push through damage) or
Wandering Wisp (if you already have the 5 time influences, and have a means to give
Wandering Wisp overwhelm).
As you can see, there are plenty of decisions and interaction between the cards, and knowing the opponents deck is 75% of the match.
Market has
Harsh Rule, for those times when you are only drawing spells and the oponent has played various units.
Pristine Light has a similar use, but can also get a buffed merchant back in hand (or a permafrosted alessi, etc) or recover a unit with killer.
Porcelain Mask gives overwhelm, with a marginally useful silence.
Stand Together when the match is still uncertain, and you have an alessi or wisp in board.
Last slot I have not decided.
Svetya's Sanctum is nice, but maybe a tad too slow. I'm open to any suggestion you might have.
Regarding the spells used, I would have more copies of Auralian Infstation if I owned them, probably cutting a marshall. The others I feel are ok-ish.
The only real drawbak of the deck (that I have found) is the dependancy on
Sword of Unity for overwhelm, which can make some matches take more time than it would be ideal. Also, (un)surprisingly bad matchup against the boss that makes units cost 1 less, ruins
Crownwatch Press-Gang.
P.D obviously, the powerbase needs more insignias, which I don't currently have, but will craft as soon as I can. Crownwatch Standard is also an option I'm considering.