Jim Culver - Structure Deck Series ( Dunwich Legacy )

Hello Fellow investigators

Welcome to my structure deck series!

Concept

We finished with the core set and we decided to buy the whole Dunwich Cycle to feel the Arkham experience. We 'll discuss the new cards we added in our deck and which upgrade choices we take in solo and multiplayer.

I will focus on 19 XP upgrade routes since this is pretty much average in my Dunwich runs. I will also create decks of the Dunwich investigators and I will upgrade everyone setting as the final cycle The Forgotten Age. In the Circle Undone, Taboo List was introduced and I think you will already know the advantages/disadvantages of your favorite investigator in order to create your unique deck.

Let start with the show, shall we?

Jim Pros and Cons

Unlike Agnes, Jim have a different approach as a mystic character. His theme is the manipulation of the chaos bag while Agnes is more of a fighter. He's pretty flexible with his deckbuilding and he usually shines in multiplayer where the chances to draw are higher with more investigators.

His biggest advantages are:

1) Jim's Trumpet is actually his 2nd main ability and you can understand that since his main one gives you the choice to treat your as a in order to activate your instrument. More players mean more chances to draw a skull in a test and activate its ability to heal 1 horror.

2) His main ability is actually good in higher difficulties where can be -3+ and have some nasty negative effect. In standard is a good addition but most of the time you will be able to succeed in your tests.

Neutral: His plain stats makes him good in general but you need to set him up like Jenny Barnes if you want to seal the success on the test. He stands in a good position as far as it concerns his health and sanity and also cards to support them ( Jim's Trumpet/Painkillers)

His disadvantages are:

1) His low is a bad trait especially in solo. That means you might consider adding some weapons in solo if you feel Shrivelling is not enough. That leads us to his second weakness...

2) His Five class card slots. Your 5 choices feel more important than any other investigator since your main ability is not that impactful like others. You need some luck to draw and for now, you don't have many choices to manipulate the chaos bag as you do in other cycles.

3) Final Rhapsody is manageable. Usually, you will draw 1 or 2 tokens and you can take those hits and heal them later with your cards.

Gameplay

Before we start mention/suggest cards lets talk about the new deckbuilding options the Dunwich investigators have and what criteria you should use to determine your card choices.

First and foremost the Dunwich Investigators have access to all classes and they can choose 5 cards from them. The criteria you should use are:

1) The most important is that you should choose cards that will impact your gameplay until the end of your campaign. You won't change them so better use their full potential.

2) Are you playing solo or Multiplayer? Some cards are great for solo, others for Multiplayer and some play well with specific investigator combinations.

3) Try to close the gap or neutralize your weaknesses/disadvantages as an investigator. Specific cards can help you with your low sanity or health or even boost greatly your signature ability where cards from your class cant.

Saying these let's talk about which cards I recommend for Jim:

1) 2x Dr. Milan Christopher You got two main stats. and . Along with Alyssa Graham, Dr. Milan Christopher boosts your by 1 and helps with your economy status. Adding Charisma later on you 'll get +2 intellect to a total of 5 where he can search any high shroud location with no problem. Also Arcane Studies are there for you to spend these resources and boost him even more.

2) 2x Lone Wolf Great card for solo, swap it with 2x Lucky! in multiplayer. You may consider adding Forbidden Knowledge instead of Painkillers then.

3) 1x Scavenging is your option to bring back your Jim's Trumpet if you lose it and other cards like Flashlight, Grotesque Statue or Knife/Machete if you play more offensively. If you decide that then play 2 copies since you will have more item options on your display.

Honorable Mentions:

1) Lucky! great card for Jim since he can manipulate the chaos bag and this card adds value when you don't want to spend resources on your Arcane Studies.

2) Dodge if your role is more general in your multiplayer game consider this card. It will help especially in higher difficulties where Jim shines.

3) Machete adding this weapon to his deck makes Jim more like a generalist which is good for solo. Instead of using your Shrivelling and Rite of Seeking you can focus on a more heavy event deck which I believe works better with a bigger card pool. Add 1x Prepared for the Worst if you follow that path.

4) Guard Dog is your meat shield. Unlike Painkillers it adds consistent damage to an enemy and you can sacrifice him for the Final Rhapsody. If you feel you don't want to invest in a Bulletproof Vest then this is your choice.

5) Elusive disengage from a difficult situation. This card helps greatly with your low and gives you one more chance to build up and go face your enemy.

On to our cards:

Rite of Seeking and Shrivelling are our main spells. If you go more offensively feel free to remove 1x Rite of Seeking and add a Knife. Holy Rosary is a great tool to boost Jim's sanity and his up to 5.

Alyssa Graham gives that passive +1 and gives you the chance to avoid a nasty treachery if you don't have problem adding doom. She works well with Dr. Milan Christopher if you add Charisma. Arcane Studies is your main talent to boost your abilities.

One copy of Delve Too Deep. Use it at the end of a scenario to grab that extra point of victory. Use Drawn to the Flame on the high shroud locations and only if you haven't played Dr. Milan Christopher yet. Finally, Ward of Protection is a great card and works really nicely with Alyssa Graham.

Ideal opening Hand: Shrivelling, Lone Wolf, Flashlight,Jim's Trumpet, Emergency Cache.

Upgrade Route

You want to take cards that help you improve your odds with the . In this cycle, your only option is Grotesque Statue and is the main target of your Scavenging. First, buy 1x Charisma to have both of your allies in the game. Then take 1x Bulletproof Vest to provide a health shield along with Holy Rosary that boosts your sanity.

1x Charisma

1x Painkillers Bulletproof Vest

2x Drawn to the Flame Grotesque Statue

Finally, in Multiplayer go for:

1x Delve Too Deep Jewel of Aureolus since it works better than solo.

If you have the XP go for 1x Shrivelling to add more damage in the final stages of the campaign.

Honourable mention: Song of the Dead is a card that was made for Jim. I recommend you to choose Shrivelling over this for the time being. You will need cards like Olive McBride and Dark Prophecy to make it work. Avoid it for now and add it in later cycles.

Summary

Jim is the character that you play him like a supporting character in a multiplayer. He can help to grab clues and defeat monsters. He can do multiple tasks and help the team in higher difficulties by balancing the chaos bag. Solo is a challenge for him since you need time to set things up and your low doesn't help you evade an enemy early on. His ability is very unique and situational so be prepared that most of the times you won't use until the Path to Carcosa where you add 3 skulls in chaos and the odds are better.

And since we mention Path to Carcosa let's continue with our investigators there and find out some new deck concepts and ideas. I hope you liked this guide!

To be continued..