We're one core set and one deluxe expansion into this LCG and already certain paradigms are taking shape. Certain classes (like Guardian, or Seeker) are well equipped to focus on a specific task (monster hunting, clue seeking) and corner that task completely. Other classes, like Mystics, are not as clear. Cards like Scrying and Clarity of Mind suggest that magic can be used specifically to support your group by watching their backs, but there are alternative uses to mysticism.

Rite of Seeking and Shrivelling do something different, they can turn Mystics into makeshift clue hoovers or damage dealers. They won't be able to take on the role forever due to the limited charges, but in the meantime you can have Jim quickly suck up clues in low shroud places while Rex tackles the darker locations, or you can have Agnes pierce the mysteries that Roland Banks cannot.

Of course the card comes stacked with downsides that trip it up. First of all its expensive, and it takes an action to play it as an asset so the 'extra clue per investigate' isn't as strong as it sounds. If you're using this just to try and hoover up clues quickly you're trading 4 resources for 2 clues. Furthermore if you search multiple times in your turn (or as first or second action for any reason really) you risk triggering the end of your turn, which further adds to the chance that you will rob yourself of the action economy you're trying to save.

That being said if you're awash in resources, really need to move quickly, want to stay away from a dangerous clue ridden location, or need help piercing that 4 shroud location Rite of Seeking will allow you to get those difficult to grab clues. Probably the best use however is just allowing you to nab clues at the end of your turn while doing something productive with your other 2 actions. Combined with Drawn to the Flame you can those last sticky clues and make sure your team is done with the act before the threats really begin to mount.

Duke is a good doggie. An issue I have found is that investigator specific cards only being a one per deck means that the likely hood of drawing even after a hard mulligan is low. Duke mitigates this by starting in play.

The obvious points here is that Duke shores up "Ashcan" Pete's weaknesses, books and fists. However the best part of Duke is his fetch ability, moving then investigating. This action economy is increadibly useful, especially in solo play.

Solo play is where Duke and "Ashcan" Pete thrive. As noted he starts in play so "Ashcan" Pete is ready to roll turn one as you don't have time to get set up playing solo.

Some card synergies. The full range of neutral skill cards as Duke can't carry helpful items to boost skill checks and card draw. Rabbit's Foot, Scavenging and upgraded Lucky! for dog tucker. Ritual Candles also help with increasing chances for success without additional weapons.

Get out there and play fetch!

I didn't think too much of Disc of Itzamna when I first considered its use in Daisy Walker & Roland Banks decks. Let's look at its upsides: First, it has 3 resource icons, giving it a lot of flexibility when used for skill tests. Second, it discards an enemy, meaning you probably won't encounter it again until the Encounter Deck recycles (though you also won't get its Victory Points, if any). Third, it can discard any non-Elite enemy spawning at your location, even if it another investigator draws that enemy. Fourth, its 2XP cost is not exorbitant and means Roland Banks can use it, too. Lastly, it uses the Accessory slot, which is, at present, under-used for Seekers & Roland.

Now for its downsides: First, it only works on a non-Elite enemy. Okay, not a big deal; it'll still work on most enemies you're likely to confront. Second, it only works when that enemy spawns at your location, so it can't be used on an enemy already in play or that moves into your location. Third, it is discarded when used. This seems to me to be its largest liability since, although its effect is good, its cost of 3 resources seems high for a one-shot item. Now, if it had charges...

For Seekers, who do not typically excel at fighting, Disc of Itzamna is a good option to remove an enemy. And, since Seekers are often in a support role, it's nice that it can affect any enemy spawning at your location, thus protecting the entire party. On the whole, though, I had pretty much decided that Disc of Itzamna was not generally worth leveling-up for. Maybe if it could be recycled with Scavenging but, unfortunately, neither Daisy Walker nor Roland Banks have access to that card.

Then, along comes Rex Murphy. Rex can use Scavenging and, given his investigative bent and his 4 , he can probably use it often and successfully. Now, you can almost always have one copy of Disc of Itzamna in-play and ready for use, especially with 2 copies of the Disc in your deck (though only 1 copy can be in play at any given time, since it's unique). Granted, re-playing it over and over can become expensive at 3 resources each time. But, with Dr. Milan Christopher and lots of investigating, Rex should be able to consistently gain resources. You could also consider giving him Burglary as one of his off-class cards.

Of course, Disc of Itzamna can also be used for its skill icons at no cost. With 2 copies in his deck, Rex can play one to have it ready to use for its effect, when needed, and use the second to aid a skill test with any of its 3 icons. No matter how Disc of Itzamna is used, Scavenging (consider including 2 copies) can continuously recycle it, providing Rex with consistent enemy control and skill test boosting. And, since one of those icons is , it can contribute to its own recycling by boosting investigation skill tests and, thus, helping to trigger Scavenging.

It just goes to show how new cards can give new life to old ones (er... cards, that is, not Old Ones). One of the great things about the LCG format.

Machete is one of the finest weapons in the core set. It's cheaper than the .45 Automatic, not limited in the number of uses like that or the .41 Derringer, and it's damage bonus is reliable too. The only issue is the need to be engaged to an enemy - and only one enemy - to get that damage bonus. Even if you can't, though, it's still as good as a Knife, and often you're only having to deal with one enemy at a time.

It's a great weapon for Roland Banks or "Skids" O'Toole, though it's less clear that it's a good choice for Zoey Samaras, as it seems to her advantage to engage with as many enemies as frequently as possible. If used in a group with Scrying to control the flow of encounter cards, it's a really useful weapon for Roland to have; keep him engaged with only 1 enemy, damaging lots and gaining clues.

This one is one of my favourites, because it is middling priced, effective, doesn't use ammo, and in an uncertain world, reliable.

A review of a Weakness? Yep. Inasmuch as Weaknesses go, I "like" Dark Memory. It is unique among investigator Weaknesses (so far) in that it can actually have beneficial effects in addition to its harmful ones. [Possibly Baron Samedi and Smite the Wicked could be considered to have positive side-effects, but not quite as tangible as Dark Memory.] One of the features I like most about Arkham Horror LCG is that magic is frequently a double-edged sword. Positive effects often have negative blowback--as with Ward of Protection, Shrivelling, Blinding Light, Forbidden Knowledge, etc.--and negative effects can occasionally have a positive side-effect, as with Agnes Baker's innate effects.

Dark Memory falls into the latter category. While its negative effects--spend an action to play it, pay 2 resources, and gain 1 doom token OR keep it in your hand (taking up space toward your hand maximum) and take 2 horror at the end of each turn--are bad, both can have a silver lining for Agnes. In the first case, as a Spell, when played, Agnes can draw a card with Heirloom of Hyperborea. While this doesn't mitigate its ill effects, at least it's something positive, and Dark Memory is discarded. In the second case, Agnes can take one of those two horror on herself to deal 1 damage to an enemy at her location. Since her horror-for-damage effect is limited to once per phase and this horror is taken in the Upkeep Phase, this enables her to potentially deal damage with her effect in all 4 Phases. Yes, that's a lot of horror for Agnes to take; but, then, she's probably prepared for it with assets that soak horror, and healing from Fearless and/or Clarity of Mind.

All in all, if an investigator is going to have a weakness, it's nice if that weakness can also provide some kind of benefit as well. All the more reason Agnes Baker is one of my favorite investigators.