Opossum Paper #18
Netrunner, Australians being funny, and being the last girl alive in a horror movie.
In this newsletter…
Blog: Discovering Netrunner, one of the greatest card games ever made.
Content watch: Australian short films are maybe the funniest things I’ve seen on YouTube.
Blog: Discovering Netrunner, one of the greatest card games ever made
No one who knows me would be surprised to learn that I struggle with hyper-fixation and frequently flip-flop between hobbies. Whether it’s buying sim racing equipment and only using it for a week, or picking up three cases of a new TCG that I’ll “totally get serious about this time,” I find it challenging to stick with a hobby consistently. My sister recently started calling me a “hobby guy,” and honestly, it’s pretty fitting.
I rarely return to a hobby once I’ve moved on, but Netrunner is an exception.
About a year ago, Teage Watson (guest author on The Opossum Papers) introduced me to Netrunner using the old Fantasy Flight Games (FFG) cards. Netrunner was a living card game (LCG) that FFG licensed from Wizards of the Coast. It’s set in a dystopian, cyberpunk future where hackers (“runners”) clash with mega-corporations.
I was immediately hooked. Netrunner nails its flavor, making you feel like you’re standing in the shoes of hackers taking down corporations. Or, you can play as a corporation, advancing secret agendas while protecting them until it’s time to make them public. This immersive storytelling is one of the reasons Netrunner is often regarded as one of the best card games ever made.
The Art of Social Deception in Gameplay
Beyond its strong theme, the game skillfully incorporates social deception. As the corporation, you’re on defense, protecting secrets from the runner’s offense. Deception is key, whether through advancing hidden agendas or setting traps that can corner the runner.
Usually, I’m not a fan of social deception games—no one’s good at them, and those who think they are can be insufferable. (See also: mob mentality.) Netrunner, though, is my one exception. The one-on-one deception allows layers of strategy, and over time, regular playgroups can develop a fun meta-game through shared histories.
I won’t go into all the rules here—there are better teachers than me, like this one:
I also love a good hero-centric game. Playing as either the corporation or the runner feels exciting and resonates with other games I enjoy, like Flesh and Blood and Star Wars Unlimited.
The Appeal of the LCG Model
The LCG model is another big appeal. For those unfamiliar, an LCG is like a booster box of a trading card game, but it comes with a full playset of every card in the set. This model is dramatically cheaper than TCGs because it removes the concept of rarity. While I love opening booster packs, the LCG model allows me to be “playset complete” and even maintain two sets (for when Abbie plays) without much extra cost.
Netrunner Lives on Through Null Signal Games and Getting Started
Today, Netrunner is maintained by a fan-led non-profit called Null Signal Games. In 2018, Wizards of the Coast declined to renew FFG’s license, so Null Signal took over, creating a game compatible with the original Netrunner. Null Signal designs new sets, manages their own ban list, and runs an organized play system, including a world championship. You can watch the 2024 world championship here:
You can pick up a starter set here for $45. This includes everything two players need to start, and the Null Signal site offers links to all their other products. That said, you don’t need to buy anything to play—proxies are legal in all tournaments, so you could print and play your way to a world championship if you wanted. I think that’s awesome, and it leaves no excuse not to give it a shot.
If you like the starter decks or want some ready-to-print options, here are the corp and runner decks I currently have sleeved up:
I’m not writing this as an ad for Null Signal Games or to convince anyone to spend money; I just want to share a game I’ve come to love. Maybe this seems like another chapter in my saga of hyper-fixations, but Netrunner has stuck with me in a way few games have. It’s just that good.
Content Watch - Fairbairn Films
These Australian fellas, Lachlan and Jaxon, are among the funniest people I’ve ever watched on YouTube. Not bad for being upside down the whole time.
These guys produce two to three minute videos on a variety of topics, typically pointing out the absurd things in life. They have videos about keeping up with TV shows, getting rid of your old phone, or when you have five minutes to create a power point presentation.
What’s better is that these guys have been making videos together since they were kids, so there’s seven years of hilarity to work through. It’s just light, good humor that we need more of today. Here’s just a sample:
What to Play - Final Girl
Final Girl by Van Ryder Games captures the classic horror movie trope of a lone survivor facing off against a slasher. As the "Final Girl," you aim to take down the killer before he gets to you, with the option to rescue other victims along the way.
This game shines for a few reasons, especially because it’s single-player—a huge perk if you’re often on your own due to work or travel. It also works well as a couple’s game, letting both players share control and make decisions together.
Another standout feature is its modular design. After buying the core set, each expansion adds a new Final Girl (with unique stats and abilities), a location, and a killer. You can mix and match these to keep the gameplay fresh. While you do need both the core set and an expansion to start, it’s well worth it for the replayability.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Opossum Papers. Again, there won’t be a published schedule or goals for this newsletter, but as I’m inspired, you’ll hear from me. I imagine more Netrunner content to come.
If you like my general vibe and want to hear more about card games, consider checking out the podcast I do with my friend Dan Norton. It’s called the Columbus Card Guys, and it’s available wherever podcasts are found.
Of course I am going to agree that Netrunner is one of the best games ever made. I would also add that one advantage of the LCG model is how easy it is to dip in and out. I am a bit of a hobby butterfly myself. So I will often leave my Netrunner cards to collect dust for a year or more between getting the chance to play. With the LCG model, I just look up the couple sets that were released while I wasn't looking and order them. Job's done. I have an up to date playset again. I will never be competitive, but I can jump in and out without sweating over singles prices, trying to find good box prices, selling bulk, etc. It makes for a game that is so easy to pick up (or pick back up). I would also mention the Start Up format that makes it so easy to get in for a new player. I can't praise Null Signal enough for being such an excellent steward of the game.
I would also like to +1 your suggestion of Final Girl. Great game.