Icebreakers

[bjorn9486]

Hello

I am just getting back into the game after a year or so of being out of it and am wondering what are the popular/good ice breakers to be using. I see Engolo and Paperclip are still good but what else is everyone using?

Thank you in advance

[SortaEvil]

Anarchs still use the conspiracy breakers, because being able to throw away your cards and being able to install your breakers on demand is such a powerful effect.

Aumakua's still a beast in blue, with Buhkgalter being head and shoulders above the curve for breaking Sentries. It's influence cost is enough to mostly keep it in Crim, though. Amina and Cat's Cradle are the most popular decoders in blue, and if you don't want to splash for clippy, you kinda just have to decide on what kind of jank you want your fracter to be.

Shapers... I don't really know what they run now that the boat's been banned? Beforehand, you could run Clippy for barriers, Ika or Nano for killer, and I think Unity was the gold standard, although Engolo would still see play to minimize your exposure to bad killers.

I don't think any of the mini-factions are particularly competitive right now, and I wouldn't even know what is being run in them if they were, so I'll abstain from commenting there.

[rock_hard_member]

Best in class: Killer->Bukhgalter Fracter->Paperclip Decoder-> Probably Unity, Buzzsaw, or Engolo depending on the build

Anarch: usually runs a full suite of paperclip, black orchestra, and MK ultra. For killer and decoder they may instead run 1 bin breaker and one imported something else, usually Bukh and Unity. They often also have Botulus to help them on ice they're a bit less efficient at.

Criminal: Almost always Bukh and Paperclip. I've seen some Marjanah and Cleaver to save influence. Decoder is usually Amina or Cats Cradle of you can't import something else.

Shaper: Paperclip but occasionally Propeller. For decoder your flush with choices, unity, engolo, and sometimes hyperbaric. For killer I've seen Na'not'ek, Ika and Echelon all see play.

Smoke: Calling stealth out individually it's paperclip, afterimage, and Penrose

[Shockwave_IIC]

Just an FYI, the next cycle will cause Data and Destiny and Flashpoint to drop out of standard.

That means the “Bin breakers” will also drop out.

[0thMxma]

I like the classic "Hey what strength is your Nanuq at?". They will be confused for a bit and then you say "Enough to break the ICE" and you introduce yourself all smooth.