Detective Noir | Thematic Parallel Roland

'The world is a fine place and worth fighting for.' I agree with the second part.

Detective Noir is a flex deck that uses the new Parallel Roland front and back from By The Book to take advantage of turning Insight and Tactic event fast while engaged with enemies. Is this deck actually good? No idea - but if you like to have every turn become a challenging puzzle of restrictions like me, check it outl! And it's totally thematic too!

Good Cop - Arresting Suspects and Interrogating Them

With Handcuffs, Detective Banks can arrest suspicious Humanoid enemies, and proceed to engage them to escort the harmless suspect throughout the remainder of the scenario. He can Interrogate the suspect about the Scene of the Crime, or he can resort to Burning the Midnight Oil and Winging It, netting Roland valuable clues to Seek The Truth.

These Insights and Tactics are made even more efficient and won't provoke enemies by following strict Red Tape regulations with Due Diligence. If there are no enemies in play, the detective can continue his search for clues with his Flashlight .

Bad Cop - Closing the Case, By Any Means Necessary

When facing inhuman enemies, the first thing Detective Banks wants to do if there are still clues at his location is to discover them with his fast Insights or Tactics. With clues, Roland can convince his rookie partner Alice Luxley to help him stop the monsters.

After completing the Seek the Truth regulation, the detective will be allowed to use his various combat skills to take down the monsters with his .38 Special or .45 Automatic. If all else fails, he may also resort to an Act of Desperation, chucking away his various Items that are out of uses for an economy boost.

By the Book - Following Your Regulations

• Due Diligence is quite simple to follow, since most enemies will not survive more than 2 gunshots and a punch from your rookie partner. However, Detective Banks shouldn't be afraid to break this Regulation if his life is in danger.

• Red Tape is the difficult one. This is why Detective Roland doesn't have many fast or reactive events - since those will take away from the precious amount of plays you can do every turn. Your extra non-play actions should be used to move, investigate, engage or fight if possible.

• Seek the Truth changes the way Roland is usually played - you want to stay at locations without clues as often as possible, or clear your locations as fast as you can, especially before the Mythos Phase, to be able to commit cards to nasty treacheries. This is why we have few skills to help with investigation - most of your cluegetting methods will be testless, or can be used with Due Diligence.

Potential Upgrades - One Last Case Before Retirement

• Stick to the Plan (6XP): After a few cases, Detective Banks learned to always plan ahead - You need to be Prepared for the Worst, with an Emergency Cache, and have your favorite Tactic ready to use. (I like to have access to a fast Winging It, since it gives you an easy way to get clues if you are engaged.)

• Police Badge (2XP): Replace your least favorite skill or event with your agency badge, letting you do much more during a turn - likely while breaking a regulation at the same time.

• Other potential purchases include "I've got a plan!" (3XP), Shortcut (2XP), Under Surveillance (1XP), Seeking Answers (2XP), Grete Wagner (3XP).

• Or upgrade your existing cards, such as .45 Automatic (2XP) or Vicious Blow (2XP).

Variants - Other Genres

• Blade Runner: Like neon lights? Use an Enchanted Blade. Or go Stargazing if it isn't raining.

• The Exorcist: Feeling blessed? Grab a few holy equipment such as Holy Rosary, Sacred Covenant or a Book of Psalms to perform Rites of Sanctification and Righteous Hunts.

• John Wick: Want revenge for your Guard Dog? Take the normal Roland deckbuilding to get One-Two Punch and Sweeping Kick, with help from your friends in high places such as Michael Leigh.

If you have any feedback or ideas, feel free to comment!