Runner Strategy: Phase 2 Cards

Phase 2 is where you put together your running mechanism, whatever it may be. This group primarily consists of cards that allow you to run with impunity (e.g., icebreakers and base links) or cards that allow you to get these cards into play. This includes cards that enable you to prep for Phase 2 (e.g., by giving you bits to install programs), even though these cards might be played during Phase 1.

• All base links, unless otherwise noted
• All icebreakers, unless otherwise noted
• Nasuko Cycle
• Nomad Allies
• Cloak
• Clown
• Corolla Speed Chip
• Force Shield (having this out in Phase 1 can extend Phase 1)
• Forgotten Backup Chip (when you start Phase 3 earlier than you should have...)
• Gideon's Pawnshop (same here)

  Comment by Stephane Bura:
  This is a very strange concept :) Phase 3 never comes too soon. I agree with the idea that these cards are phase 2 cards, but you should refrain from using them till you have a combinasion of Microtech Backup Drive, Umbrella Policy, Joan of Arc, installed. Regarding card manipulation, you should try to keep a Mantis in your hand if you're playing with "after the fact" preps (Security Code WORM Chip, Deal With Militech, Terrorist Reprisal, etc.)

• Invisibility
• Leland, Corporate Bodyguard
• Microtech Backup Drive
• Parraline 5750
• PK-6089a
• Raven Microcyb Eagle
• SeeYa
• Shield

  Comment by Stephane Bura:
  Only if you already have a Force Shield installed. Otherwise, play it as soon as you can (Bolter Cluster costs only 7 to rez :)

• Smarteye

  Comment by Stephane Bura:
  This one wasn't in the phase 1 list but, IMO, it definitely should have been, while I Spy should be moved here. As a corp I would rather create a new fort than pay for I Spy if I don't have many bits and the affected fort is small.

• Temple Microcode Outlet
• The Short Circuit
• The Springboard
• Tycho Mem Chip
• Vewy Vewy Quiet
• WuTech Mem Chip
• Zetatech Mem Chip
• ZZ22 Speed Chip
• Afreet
• "Armadillo" Armored Road Home
• Armored Fridge
• Artemis 2020
• Danshi's Second ID
• Databroker

  Comment by Stephane Bura:
  It's a good phase 3 card too, if your main income comes from a Broker.

• Dermatech Bodyplating
• "Drifter" Mobile Environment
• Dropp(tm) (but having Dropp provide recon in Phase 1 can focus your Phase 2 development)
• Fait Accompli (one of the few Phase 2 viruses, FA requires a well to poison)
• Hell's Run
• Imp
• Militech MRAM Chip
• MRAM Chip
• Pandora's Deck
• Pattel's Virus
• Rabbit
• Raven Microcyb Owl
• Signpost
• Smith's Pawnshop
• Speed Trap
• Startup Immolator
• Technician Lover
• Techtronica(tm) Utility Suit
• Umbrella Policy
• Valu-Pak Software Bundle
• Zetatech Software Installer
• Arasaka Portable Prototype
• Aujourd'Oui
• Bodyweight(tm) Data Creche
• Corporate Ally
• Emergency Self-Construct
• Field Reporter for Ice and Data
• Joan of Arc
• Microtech 'Trode Set
• Microtech AI Interface
• misc.for-sale
• MIT West Tier
• Mystery Box
• Poltergeist
• Ronin Around
• Scatter Shot
• Silicon Saloon Franchise
• Sneak Preview
• Succubus
• Terrorist Reprisal (take a break from installation to notice what the corp's been up to)
• Top Runners' Conference (start Phase 2 with this)

Reminder: A card belongs to a particular phase if it should be played/installed during that phase, not if it is used during that phase.

Disclaimer #1: While i don't expect you to agree with all of my choices, i figure i'll learn more about how to play these cards by hearing your explanations. i don't have all of these cards, of course, so i may not understand their actual effect when in play.

Disclaimer #2: For the most part i'm looking at cards in isolation. Card combos are a different matter, and one i'm not very good at.

Comment by Stephane Bura:
IMHO and in retrospect, Code Viral Cache is more a phase 2 card than a phase 1 one. It helps you installing cards "faster" by making the corp waste actions.

"Wait! You can't play Urban Renewal on me now. It's not a Phase 2 card."