Re-live the legendary battles with David and his mighty men and other Israelite warriors against the powerful Philistine army with this Challenger Deck! Comprised of banding heroes and heroes that have unique abilities, all of which are supported by various weapon enhancements, your opponent will feel overwhelmed and have an extremely difficult time blocking! Like the offense, the defense is composed of powerful giants and warriors that can band, negate and/or play the first enhancement, which will cause your opponent to immediately be put on the defense! Check out the Contender Deck version here!
Dominants
Son of God (I/J)
New Jerusalem (I/J+)
Angel of the Lord (I/J)
Grapes of Wrath (GoC LR)
Christian Martyr (I/J)
Lost Souls
Behold (L Deck)
Shepherds (L Deck)
Fool (RoA)
6*/ (FoM)
(3) Meek Lost Soul (I/J) (no special ability)
Artifacts/Covenants/Curses
Altar of Dagon (FoM)
Josiah's Covenant (LoC)
Besieged (PoC)
Fortresses/Sites/Cities
Judean Garrison (LoC)
Philistine Outpost (I/J+)
Ashkelon (FoM)
Dual-Alignment Cards
Goliath's Sword (LoC)
Heroes
David, the Shepherd (CoW)
Jehoshaphat, the Seeker (LoC)
Jotham, the Mighty (LoC)
Asa, the Upright (LoC)
Josiah, the Restorer (LoC)
Benaiah (FoM)
Elhanan (FoM)
Ahimaaz (FoM)
Joab (CoW)
Eleazar, the Potentate (LoC)
Matthan, the Defender (LoC)
Good Enhancements
Builder's Sword (LoC)
The Lord's Charge (LoC)
Temple Spears & Shields (LoC)
Israel's Bow (LoC)
Shields (LoC)
Helmet (LoC)
Evil Characters
Abimelech, King of Gerar (LoC)
Commander Phicol (LoC)
Saph (I)
Lahmi (I)
Philistine Invaders (LoC)
Philistine Armor Bearer (LoC)
Devouring Philistines (PoC)
The Herdsmen of Gerar (LoC)
Aliens (Blk/PG) (LoC)
Evil Enhancements
Tenants Kill the Son (GoC)
Stricken (PoC)
Go Away! (LoC)
Ishbibenob’s Spear (I)
Overrun by Philistines (LoC)
Reserve
Jonathan, son of Shimei (FoM)
By My Spirit (LoC)
David's Triumph (LoC LR)
Israel's Sword (LoC)
Ishbibenob (I)
King Achish (CoW)
Foreign Spears (LoC)
Goliath's Armor (LoC)
Lahmi's Spear (I)
Goliath's Curse (LoC)
Deck strategy and tips:
- The offense has multiple strategies/tactics to win the battle, but one of its biggest strengths is its band abilities.
- The defense has strong warriors that tend to do a lot of damage by their own special abilities, but are also backed up by strong battle winning enhancements that target banded heroes.
- David is the lynchpin of the offense as he has a strong search ability, and some of the heroes’ abilities and certain enhancements are the most potent with him being in play, so make sure you can get him in play as soon as possible!
- One of your strongest rescuers is Benaiah, as he negates characters and enhancements (except band abilities and good weapons). While your opponent will have difficulty getting around Benaniah's ability, your cards will have an easier time working with his ability to win the battle as he won't negate your own band abilities and good weapons!
- The offense doesn’t rely on one strategy or certain abilities to win the battle. For example, banding is very strong and is backed up by plenty of interrupt/negate enhancements; however, using meek hero strategies may be the better rescuing option on certain turns.
- Use Philistine Outpost to get the right Philistine for the right time/block.
- Saph equipped with a battle-winning weapon, such as Ishbibenob’s Spear, is a very strong combo, as the opponent's first enhancement is prevented by Saph's ability. This means that your opponent will need a cannot be prevented or cannot be negated good enhancement which also interrupts the battle or negates your weapon.
- King Achish's draw-and/or-play ability is great for speed and battle-winning; he is a great target to recur with Philistine Armor-Bearer as well!
- The Herdsmen of Gerar is a great blocking option for the right time, particularly when your opponent drew several cards that turn.
- Grapes of Wrath can be used as a battle extender on the offense or defense. Time it right to maximize its use!
YTG recommends the below cards as other viable options for this deck’s theme. You can view and purchase them by clicking on each one, or search for them here!