Deep Dive into Gwent’s Monster Deck

Gwent, the strategic card game spun out of The Witcher universe, encapsulates the charm and grit of the world it’s based on. Today, we embark on an exhaustive exploration of one of its more distinctive decks – the Monster Deck. Representing the savage and uncivilized wilderness of The Witcher, this deck empowers you to lead an army of fearsome creatures.

Monster Deck Identity

The Monster Deck is infamous for its playstyle that capitalizes on the horrifying creatures from the Witcher’s wilderness. Its primary mechanic is ‘swarming’ – flooding the board with numerous units, then empowering them via leader abilities, inherent boosts, and synergistic interactions. A well-orchestrated Monster Deck can quickly establish control by swarming the board with numerous creatures, exerting relentless pressure on the opponent.

Monster Deck Mechanics

Monster Deck hinges on several unique mechanics that lend it a distinctive playstyle.

• Consume: This mechanic lets a unit devour another unit either on the board or in the graveyard, absorbing its power in the process. This mechanic serves a dual function: boosting your units while activating ‘Deathwish’ abilities;
• Deathwish: Units carrying the ‘Deathwish’ mechanic harbor abilities that trigger upon their demise. The range of these abilities is diverse, including spawning additional units, inflicting damage to adversaries, or boosting other units;
• Thrive: Units with ‘Thrive’ gain one power point each time a higher power unit is played on their side. This mechanic promotes the strategic deployment of your hand, fostering a continual growth in power.

Key Monster Cards

The strength of a Monster Deck lies in the choice of its cards.

• Golyat: This high-powered unit intimidates with its sheer power. However, its ‘Deathwish’ ability is a double-edged sword that can turn the tide of the game, summoning the highest unit from the opponent’s deck upon its demise;
• The Beast: This card becomes a growing threat if left unchecked. Its power increases to match the highest unit on the field, making it a persistent menace;
• Ozzrel: This card is quintessential to the ‘Consume’ strategy. Ozzrel can consume a unit from either graveyard, making it an ideal late-game card when graveyards are filled to the brim.

Key Monster Cards

Card	Mechanic	Description
Golyat	Deathwish	High power unit with the ability to summon the opponent’s highest unit upon its death
The Beast	Power Increase	Increases its power to match the highest unit on the field
Ozzrel	Consume	Can consume a unit from either graveyard, increasing its power

Building a Monster Deck

Constructing a Monster Deck involves striking a balance between units that leverage the deck’s unique mechanics. Let’s discuss the key components:

• High-Powered Units: Cards like Golyat and The Beast rapidly increase your overall power and intimidate the opponent. Their high power also fuels your ‘Thrive’ units;
• Consumers: Key to the ‘Consume’ strategy are cards like Ozzrel and Ghoul. They ensure the cycle of power absorption continues, keeping momentum on your side;
• Deathwish Units: These units add strategic depth. For example, a destroyed Rotfiend damages all opponent’s units by two, potentially disrupting their strategy;
• Spawners: Cards like Harpy Egg, which spawn new units when consumed or destroyed, ensure a constant flow of units on the field, maintaining constant pressure;
• Weather Cards: Certain Monster Deck cards, such as Woodland Spirit and Caranthir Ar-Feiniel, can change the weather on an opponent’s row, inflicting continuous damage.

Strategies for Playing Monster Deck

Playing the Monster Deck to its full potential requires a solid understanding of the deck’s mechanics and strategy. By effectively utilizing the unique abilities of your units and capitalizing on synergies, you can maximize your chances of victory. Here are some detailed strategies for each stage of the game: early game, mid game, and late game.

Stage of Game	Strategy	Details
Early Game	Play low-power ‘Thrive’ units	These units gain a boost in strength whenever a higher-power unit enters the battlefield, allowing gradual power build-up.
	Establish a strong board presence	The more ‘Thrive’ units you have, the more power they will accumulate, becoming formidable threats later in the game.
	Control the game’s tempo	Use your leader ability and low-cost cards to gain a card advantage and set yourself up for success in later stages.
Mid Game	Deploy ‘Deathwish’ units	These units have abilities that trigger when they are destroyed, either by being consumed or through combat. Strategically place these units on the board.
	Consume units	Utilize units that can consume your own or your opponent’s units. Consuming ‘Deathwish’ units triggers their effects, allowing additional benefits and disrupting opponent’s strategy.
	Control the round	Manage your units and remove threats from the opponent’s side to maintain a strong board presence and apply pressure.
Late Game	Use ‘Consume’ units	Trigger ‘Deathwish’ effects and bolster the power of your units. ‘Consume’ allows removal of units and gain strength, while also activating the ‘Deathwish’ abilities.
	Deploy high-powered units	Use units with significant strength or powerful abilities during the late game to secure victory.
	Consider timing and sequencing	Optimize your strategy by considering the timing of your plays and the sequencing of abilities. Combine units with complementary abilities for devastating plays.

Conclusion

The Monster Deck in Gwent offers a uniquely thrilling experience, allowing players to marshal the terrifying forces of The Witcher universe. With a comprehensive understanding of its mechanics, key cards, and strategic nuances, commanding even the most horrifying of monsters becomes a path to ensure victory.

FAQ

Gwent, the strategic card game spun out of The Witcher universe, encapsulates the charm and grit of the world it’s based on. Today, we embark on an exhaustive exploration of one of its more distinctive decks – the Monster Deck. Representing the savage and uncivilized wilderness of The Witcher, this deck empowers you to lead…