by DarkSabre
I hope that everyone who has read this knows what a Patrol Neutral Zone Deck (PNZ for short) is. It incorporates the four Patrol Neutral Zone missions, Iconia Investigation, and Covert Installation. The deck below can be built four different ways (which is explained below). Remember that this article is just my own ideas, thoughts, and experiences about this type of deck. The bottom line for all decks is that you must build it around your own preference and the cards you own.
Missions:
Missions are what the deck revolves around. Without it, your deck is nothing. You must have four Patrol Neutral Zones, Iconia Investigation, and Covert Installation. This will make every PNZ Mission worth Sixty Points since it says on it 10 points x the number of Neutral Zone missions in play.
Personnel:
Yet another very important thing for this deck. Unlike other decks, this one really tells you how you are going to be using interrupts, events, dilemmas, etc. This is because a PNZ deck can be used by both the Romulans and the Federation. Because of this you have three options.
Federation - Klingon - Romulan
This deck is used when the person wants to play PNZ and is trigger happy.
It is also used when a person doesn't have enough temporal rifts to make
sure the enemy stays away from the PNZ. I've found when I've used this deck
that I don't have that much of need for the Q Dilemma, or Temporal Rifts.
I have also been able to hold at bay Armada Decks, and Borg Decks. If you
know you are going against those types, I really do suggest this type of
deck. But then it also depends if you have the correct cards.
Federation - Romulan
This is by far the most popular way to play this deck. The combination of a Romulan skills and Federation skills is by far I believe the best one I've seen between to races. Unfortunately, you will not be able to use the standard 'Q' dilemma because of the low integrity of Romulan Personnel. However this combination gives you cloaking, a nine range non-staffed ship, and a few great stoppers that only the Romulans can use. If you have the patience, and the right personnel, you will be able to pull this deck off using the combination of Federation and Romulan personnel. And if you are even in a fix, you will be able to rush over two the Iconia Investigation or Covert Installation if you really want to do them.
Romulan
Another popular way to play this deck. However, I say this is the weakest way to play it. Although this race has everything you need to do the PNZ missions, however you will not be able to use the 'Q' Dilemma, which I say is the best and easiest way to play it. If you love the Romulans, Cloaking Devices, and other Romulan stuff then play it. Just make sure you are packing a lot in your deck to slow your opposite.
Federation
My favorite way to play the deck, and I personally believe is the best way to play this deck. With the high integrity, you should be able in nine turns to win the game if you set up the 'Q' Dilemma up properly. The federation also has another advantage at having a universal nine integrity card up their sleeves, the Exocomp. Ten exocomps and a some high nine or eight personnel with leadership will really help you win the deck in no time. But as I must point out, each deck must be made to suit each persons collection of cards.
Interrupts:
Best way to make sure your opposite doesn't stay in the Neutral Zone is Temporal Rift. Make sure that you pack six or seven of these in your deck. Without it this deck will not survive very long, especially if your opposite has cloaking power.
Events:
Only real event that you could use is Red Alert. You don't really need it, since most decks don't get off the ground under ten turns, but if you are a Red Alert fanatic, then put in some.
Doorways:
There are some doorways that should be included in this deck. Either as counters, or as a useful part of the deck.
Spacedock
Extremely useful. You can download that ship that you need, as well as making sure if your opposite uses Red Alert, you will also be able to. Either way an extremely useful card.
Alternate Universe
This doorway will come in handy if you run into another PNZ deck, or a person who likes to use Temporal Rifts. Make sure you stock a couple in your deck.
Dilemmas:
Any good Dilemma that will slow down your opposite will be useful to you. The most useful card will be the Q Dilemma. When it is seeded under your own mission will help you do the PNZ far quicker, and without the hazard of losing any of your crew which can put you at a disadvantage since most PNZ decks do not come back when they lose a good portion of their crew. I've lost a good number of games till I decided to start using the Q Dilemma.
Summary of the deck:
The Patrol Neutral Zone deck at the bottom line is simple. Get the personnel out, do the missions quickly, and watch your opposite wither away from the shock of losing one hundred points to zero, in your favor. However it is not as simple as that. You must first modify the deck to fit your needs and the cards you have. Then pick one of the four basic layouts (Three Way Treaty or Romulan or Federation or Romulan-Federation Deck). Once you have done that, you will be able to effectively make your deck. But PNZ decks are really dependent on if you have Temporal Rifts and Q Dilemmas. If you don't, you can compromise and do without, but I believe that those two cards are important. If you don't have them, design a deck that will work around them. But remember that it is extremely easy to make a mistake while designing and playing this deck, and that one mistake will destroy your deck.
If you have any questions about this deck design contact me at horizn4evr@aol.com