Zoey's Items

Card Breakdown

A fairly standard build, with all the typical modern cards, but this one solves one of the biggest issues for Guardians - resources.

Zoey is already tops when it comes to affording all the later game fun stuff that the Guardian class members can run, but Charles Ross, Esq. gives her even a leg up on other Zoey builds.

Why Charles? In an Item heavy deck like this one he can dramatically boost the speed with which the early game comes together, and later on he builds up his discount turn after turn making cards free to play or helping out an impoverished fellow player. Even better, he is disposable if necessary, Zoey only has 6 Sanity, so she often needs an ally to help keep her alive.

Backpack is pretty amazing when it only costs 1 (or even 0) to get in play thanks to Charles, and at base, this deck has 16 cards with the Item or Supply type that can be found with it. It's not uncommon to hit the maximum 3 cards when played. The best thing, of course, is that running Backpack dramatically increases the chance of drawing Zoey's Cross, an incredible powerhouse of an Item that turns Zoey into a virtually unparalleled monster killing machine.

Gravedigger's Shovel is a great off-hand compliment to .45 Automatic or Machete, especially given the rise in the number of 3 health monsters seen in recent campaigns. Hit once with Machete or the .45, then follow up with the Shovel for the last point and a better Fight boost. The auto clue grab feature is a fantastic bonus that helps compensate for Zoey's weak Intellect.

Handcuffs can be a bit campaign specific, but in the right situation it can help Zoey compensate for her low Agility, or just deal with high fight low evade humanoids.

Everything else is fairly obvious, Liquid Courage is a one of just in case, it can easily be swapped for something else depending on scenario, it's arguable that Smoking Pipe could work as well or better.

1x Prepared for the Worst isn't really necessary here either, it's mostly present for the eventual purchase of Stick to the Plan (stashing Prepared for the Worst, Emergency Cache, and Extra Ammunition).

Upgrades

Beat Cop to Beat Cop (2), (4XP) Beat Cop (2) is an incredible upgrade, just no reason not to grab this right away. Beat Cop (2) + Zoey's Cross + any weapon is ridiculous.

Charisma (3XP) It's nice to have Charles and a Beat Cop (2) in play simultaneously.

.45 Automatic to Lightning Gun, (10XP) Zoey can afford the Lightning Gun cost with the help of Charles and her own innate ability. It's better than the other high end Guardian options here because of the Extra Ammunition + Stick to the Plan combo, along with leaving open the body slot for Backpack and eventually Bandolier (2).

Backpack to Bandolier (2), (4XP) Bandolier (2) makes Zoey's already great Willpower that much greater, and now she can have Lightning Gun, Machete, and Gravedigger's Shovel or Flashlight all in play at once.

Handcuffs to Extra Ammunition (2XP) Later stages of campaigns typically have fewer Humanoid enemies and bigger elite threats to kill, Extra Ammunition is still compatible with Backpack and boosts Lightning Gun to a level that lets it become the main weapon.

Stick to the Plan (6XP) Pricey, but worth it to start with Emergency Cache, Prepared for the Worst, and Extra Ammunition at the start of a scenario. Makes it much likelier that Lightning Gun will be found, hit play, and stocked with ammo quickly.

Vicious Blow to Vicious Blow (2) (4XP) A fairly significant upgrade, but usually it makes sense to prioritize the Lightning Gun combo pieces.

Keen Eye (3XP) Not essential, but sometimes Zoey will have more resources than she knows what to do with, so this can smooth over her weak Intellect. This might be more valuable in a group without a dedicated clue-getter, in that case it could be taken earlier.

Mulligan

Obviously opening Charles is great, he is the economic engine of the deck. First turn Charles into .45 Automatic or Machete followed up by one of Backpack, Flashlight, or Shovel the next turn is fantastic.