Marie Lambeau: Who Needs Sanity When You’ve Got This Swing?

If you're looking for an investigator who respects the laws of physics or basic mental hygiene, keep walking. This deck is for those who believe Baron Samedi is an excellent drinking buddy and that Doom on your cards is just "thematic decor."

Here’s why Marie will clear the map while the other investigators are still trying not to wet themselves at the sight of a Ghoul.

The Strategy: "Living on the Edge (of Inexistence)"

This build is based on the delicate art of flirting with the apocalypse. Thanks to Marie’s ability, that extra Spell action is the engine of an occult-powered Ferrari.

• list text hereThe Fate-Weaving Combo: We bring Alyssa Graham not just for her +1 Intellect, but to look at the Encounter deck and say: "Not today, Nyarlathotep." Along with St. Hubert's Key, Marie hits stats that would make an Elder God rethink its career choices.

• list text hereBlood & Soul Economy: Who needs resources when you have David Renfield? Sure, he’ll flood the table with Doom, but that’s why we have Moonlight Ritual. It’s like money laundering, but with arcane cosmology.

• list text hereFlash Investigation: Between Sixth Sense and the Hawk-Eye Folding Camera, you’ll snatch clues faster than a cultist can recite a paragraph from Abdul Alhazred.

The (Skeletal) Elephant in the Room: The Baron

Yes, we are running Baron Samedi. No, it’s not a mistake. It’s our way of telling the encounter deck: "Hit me, I feel nothing." With the Trench Coat and Mists of R'lyeh, Marie is more slippery than a politician's promise in Arkham.

Pros:

• list text hereActions for days.
• list text hereIntellect and Willpower stats through the roof.
• list text herelist text hereMakes the Lead Investigator very, very nervous.

Cons:

• list text here99% chance of sudden death due to "excessive confidence."
• list text hereTeammates will stare when you talk to your Occult Lexicon.

Upgrade Path: From Jazz Singer to Voodoo Queen

To ensure Marie looks Cthulhu in the eye without blinking, follow this XP roadmap focused on maximizing her free spell action and managing Doom.

Phase 1: Foundations of Power (0-10 XP)

• list text here2x Sixth Sense (Level 4) replaces [Sixth Sense (Level 0)]: Absolute priority. Investigating at a distance using Willpower allows you to clean the map without moving.

• list text here1x Charisma (3 XP): Marie is popular in the afterlife. You need space for Alyssa Graham and David Renfield (or the Baron) simultaneously.

Phase 2: Controlling Destiny (11-25 XP)

• 2x Mists of R'lyeh (Level 4) replaces [Level 0]: Better evasion bonuses and a free move to save actions for more spellcasting.

• 2x Ward of Protection (Level 2 or 5): In Arkham, the only thing worse than a monster is a nasty Encounter card. Level 2 lets you protect your "meat shield" teammates.

• 2x [St. Hubert's Key] → 2x [Cyclopean Hammer] (Wait, no...) → Eye of Chaos (Level 4): Massive Willpower boosts to ensure you never fail a test.

Phase 3: The Apotheosis (25+ XP)

• 1x The Hierophant • V (3 XP): A Tarot that adds +1 Willpower and lets you slot more accessories.

• 2x Azure Flame (Level 5): To replace any combat needs. If you’re going to kill, do it with your mind, not your jazz-singing hands

And remember: if Baron Samedi asks you for one last dance as the doom clock strikes midnight, make sure he picks up the tab. After all, for Marie, the End of the World is nothing more than a stellar opportunity for an encore without having to worry about the next morning's reviews.

See you in the abyssal void, and pray that Nyarlathotep doesn't know how to swing dance!