Ursula Downs - Ornate Bow Thematic V2

This is a derivation of an earlier deck that I used in Carcosa with Mark Harrigan on Standard Mode. Ursula was fantastic in that campaign but usually her intellect and combat (with the Ornate Bow) were at the 5-6 level and a 4 for evasion. Great for Standard Mode but that isn't going to cut it in Hard Mode.

The goal of the deck is to upgrade to the Ornate Bow ASAP while maintaining Ursula's cluefinding skills. If Elli can find the Ornate Bow then that makes everything easy but the upgrade path here is setup to boost her cluefinding regardless if she has to carry the Ornate Bow or if Dr. Elli Horowitz has it.

I play two handed solo with one core, all of Carcosa/Dunwich and about half of FA/TCU (getting the rest in a month or two). This deck should work fairly well if you have the Ornate Bow, Dr. Elli Horowitz, Grisly Totem and Otherworldly Compass. I don't have the The Skeleton Key (no slots required) but I would use it in this deck almost for sure.

I think this deck would work well with anyone that is combat focused but possible all arounders would work so they can handle combat in the first 1-2 scenarios. I might try a Leo Anderson combo since I haven't played him yet or bring back Akachi for a 3rd campaign but make her more combat focused. "Ashcan" Pete or William Yorick could be fun also. I would probably play Carcosa (instead of Dunwich) again since this will be an XP intensive build. At least the first 20XP will really be needed.

I used Fieldwork before and it works great but is inconsistent. The big change compared to my previous Ursula campaign is adding Grisly Totem and some additional skill check cards to use with it. I think the additional skill cards combined with Grisly Totem and Fieldwork can turn Ursula Downs into a 7-9 skill level cluefinder and fighter when needed.

The big issue with playing at Hard Mode is that Ursula is no longer getting intellect boosts from her ally slot and her hands aren't totally free for intellect boosts either.

Last Cuts

The Chthonian Stone - Elli could hold onto something in the early scenarios but this isn't a central part of her strategy.

Fingerprint Kit - might still swap this in for the Hawk-Eye Folding Camera. Ursula can use the Willpower bonus though and she clears locations pretty quickly.

Mind over Matter - decent card to help her in combat in the first couple of scenarios

No Stone Unturned - Great card but I didn't use it in my previous campaign with Ursula Downs. She isn't totally dependent on any particular card other than the Elli/Bow combo but that is more of a bonus than a necessary card.

Last Cards Into the Deck Trench Coat - a little evasion bonus

Art Student - an untested clue

Eureka! - I might need need two of these since they synergize so well with Grisly Totem

Upgrade Path

1st grab the relics that allow her to use Dr. Elli Horowitz effectively

Ornate Bow - 6XP

Otherworldly Compass - 4XP

Next Upgrades - still not sure about the order of these

Arcane Insight - 8XP - stacks with the Otherworldly Compass or can be used independently when a 0 or 1 benefit would be gained from the compass

Pathfinder - 2XP - one of my favorite Seeker cards - Ursula gets so many actions every round

Deduction - 2XP or 4XP - picking up 2 or 3 clues at a time is AWESOME

Forewarned - 2XP - hate the encounter deck

Death • XIII - extra intellect boost is great but which cards can be taken out

Cards that will get taken out

Art Student - won't be played once Dr. Elli Horowitz is searching for the bow and compass

"I've got a plan!" - would like to keep it but no room

Shortcut - for Pathfinder

Hawk-Eye Folding Camera - for the compass

Working a Hunch - for a second Deduction

Trench Coat - helps evasion but Forewarned or Death XIII would be an upgrade