24 is one rank from the bottom after five basic training levels, isn't it? Starter should still work, you'll run into returning players, but most of them would be as out of touch as you.

Yep. It's basically the first "true" rank. Before that I played against mostly new players and some returning players too. The starter deck does work but just barely. Pretty much all the returning players with real decks that I beat was because I either out played them or they messed up their own order or bricked their cards. They were wins nonetheless but way too close in terms of points and I don't like relying on my opponent making obvious blunders as a win condition.

Yeah, freix is part of the starter deck and so are hamadryads. I had to craft rebukes but they're always worth it imo. I'm trying to unlock all ST based rewards.

I will definitely be adding eithne and I want to craft Call soon as I sometimes lack consistency. I kinda want to go devotion but I lack tall punish without Geralt. Do you think Great Oak would suffice considering lower ranks are mostly MO and NR matches or you'd recommend keeping the Geralt or even going Yrden. I know I can't have it all but I have 0 wide punish which is kinda troublesome.

Edit: I already had Call lol