Krampus
Santa vs Krampus · Complexity: 4/6 · Health / CP (1v1): 50 / 2 CP
How to play Krampus
Overview & game plan
A wicked controller: Coal chokes enemy CP, Rejects deliver extra effects – he wins through your empty pockets.
If after roll 1 4× Horns for Spoils are reachable. Keep 4× Horns and reroll all dice not needed, aiming at Spoils (4 dice). If fewer than 4 matching dice remain after roll 1, switch to Discomfort and Pain!. Spoils deals a documented 9 damage and applies coal, so the 4 committed dice stay on the table.
Strengths
- Coal: at 4 tokens the next CP gain costs all 4 AND 1 CP
- Bad Tidings: 2 collateral per Coal on the target – scales with the soot
- Rotter: 8 damage + Coal + a bonus die from just 4 symbols
- Spoils: 9 damage + 2 Coal + Gift + Reject
Weaknesses
- Deviled Eggs prevents NOTHING – only retaliation and restock
- Reject management (max 3 in play, 1 activation/turn) costs overhead
Dice & symbols
Most likely attack
Requirement: 3× 🌿 Switch · Chance: 98.4%
Damage: 5 damage
Attacks & odds
| Ability | Requirement | Chance | Damage | Damage type | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swat | 3× 🌿 Switch | 98.4% | 5 damage | Normal | – |
| Scavenge | 3× 🎁 Present | 35.5% | – | – | – |
| Bad Tidings | 1× 🌿 Switch + 1× 🔔 Jingle + 1× 🎁 Present + 1× 😈 Horns | 53.8% | about 6 damage | Collateral | coal, All opponents |
| Rotter | 2× 🌿 Switch + 2× 🔔 Jingle | 49.3% | 8 damage | Normal | coal |
| Misbehaving | Small straight (4 in a row) | 58.7% | 7 damage | Normal | – |
| Spoils | 4× 😈 Horns | 10.4% | 9 damage | Normal | coal |
| Rejection | Large straight (5 in a row) | 24.9% | 9 damage | Normal | – |
| Discomfort and Pain! Ultimate | 5× 😈 Horns | 1.3% | 10 damage | Ultimate | – |
How you defend
Deviled Eggs: 3 dice – 0 prevention; a switch pair inflicts Coal, a present grants a Gift, horns counter 1 per Reject in play. Your defense is the opponent's poverty.
Concrete dice decisions
- If after roll 1 4× Horns for Spoils are reachable. Keep 4× Horns and reroll all dice not needed, aiming at Spoils (4 dice). If fewer than 4 matching dice remain after roll 1, switch to Discomfort and Pain!. Spoils deals a documented 9 damage and applies coal, so the 4 committed dice stay on the table.
- If after roll 1 5× Horns for Discomfort and Pain! are reachable. Keep 5× Horns and reroll all dice not needed, aiming at Discomfort and Pain! (5 dice). If fewer than 5 matching dice remain after roll 1, switch to Spoils. Discomfort and Pain! deals a documented 10 damage, so the 5 committed dice stay on the table.
- If after roll 1 2× Switch + 2× Jingle for Rotter are reachable. Keep 2× Switch + 2× Jingle and reroll all dice not needed, aiming at Rotter (4 dice). If fewer than 4 matching dice remain after roll 1, switch to Spoils. Rotter deals a documented 8 damage and applies coal, so the 4 committed dice stay on the table.
- If after roll 1 a small straight for Misbehaving are reachable. Keep a small straight and reroll all dice not needed, aiming at Misbehaving (4 dice). If fewer than 4 matching dice remain after roll 1, switch to Spoils. Misbehaving deals a documented 7 damage, so the 4 committed dice stay on the table.
- If after roll 1 a large straight for Rejection are reachable. Keep a large straight and reroll all dice not needed, aiming at Rejection (5 dice). If fewer than 5 matching dice remain after roll 1, switch to Spoils. Rejection deals a documented 9 damage, so the 5 committed dice stay on the table.
Concrete playing rules
Late game
Keep Coal at 4 and bundle Reject effects and the ultimate to close.
Resources
- Coal: Max 4 on opponents: whoever would gain CP with 4 Coal first removes all 4 and gains 1 less CP. Also fuel for Bad Tidings (2 collateral per Coal). Bad Tidings spreads 3, Rotter +1(+1), Spoils +2, a Deviled Eggs switch pair. Nothing to spend – stack it: 3–4 Coal on the target turn Bad Tidings into a 6–8 AND paralyze their CP economy.
Statuses & timing
- Coal max 4 on one opponent; Gift max 3; Rejects max 3 in play and activatable once per turn.
- At 4 Coal the target's next CP gain is taxed as documented; do not overstate this timing as a permanent lock.
- 4 Coal on the target is the relevant CP-tax threshold; 3 Gifts/Rejects are the engine caps.
- 5 horns = ultimate threshold.
- Coal: Bad Tidings spreads 3, Rotter +1(+1), Spoils +2, a Deviled Eggs switch pair.
- Coal: Nothing to spend – stack it: 3–4 Coal on the target turn Bad Tidings into a 6–8 AND paralyze their CP economy.
- Gifts / Rejects: Scavenge +3 (+2 CP + card), Misbehaving, Spoils, Rejection, ultimate.
Avoid these mistakes
Works well with
- Cursed PirateRank #1/37Cursed Pirate applies Cursed Doubloon (Cursed Doubloon, Cursed Form), Powder Keg (Powder Keg, Powder Keg); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Cursed Pirate adds Cutlass Strike (7 damage, normal), X Marks the Spot (6 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- MonkRank #2/37Monk applies Chi (Chi, Chi), Evasive; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Monk adds Fist Strike (8 damage, normal), Combo Strike (7 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- Moon ElfRank #3/37Moon Elf applies Blind (Blind), Evasive (Evasive); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Moon Elf adds Longbow (7 damage, normal), Demising Shot (4 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- TreantRank #4/37Treant applies Barbed Vine (Barbed Vine), Wellspring (Wellspring); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Treant adds Splinter (7 damage, normal), Overgrowth (8 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- Shadow ThiefRank #5/37Shadow Thief applies Shadows (Shadows), Sneak Attack (Sneak Attack); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Shadow Thief adds Dagger Strike (8 damage, normal), Shifty Strike (4 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
Partner rankings
- Cursed PirateRank #1/37 · Very good choiceCursed Pirate applies Cursed Doubloon (Cursed Doubloon, Cursed Form), Powder Keg (Powder Keg, Powder Keg); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Cursed Pirate adds Cutlass Strike (7 damage, normal), X Marks the Spot (6 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- MonkRank #2/37 · Very good choiceMonk applies Chi (Chi, Chi), Evasive; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Monk adds Fist Strike (8 damage, normal), Combo Strike (7 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- Moon ElfRank #3/37 · Very good choiceMoon Elf applies Blind (Blind), Evasive (Evasive); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Moon Elf adds Longbow (7 damage, normal), Demising Shot (4 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- TreantRank #4/37 · Very good choiceTreant applies Barbed Vine (Barbed Vine), Wellspring (Wellspring); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Treant adds Splinter (7 damage, normal), Overgrowth (8 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- Shadow ThiefRank #5/37 · Very good choiceShadow Thief applies Shadows (Shadows), Sneak Attack (Sneak Attack); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Shadow Thief adds Dagger Strike (8 damage, normal), Shifty Strike (4 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- PyromancerRank #6/37 · Very good choicePyromancer applies Burn (Burn, Burn), Fire Mastery (Fire Mastery, Fire Mastery); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Pyromancer adds Fireball (8 damage, normal), Burning Soul (5 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- HuntressRank #7/37 · Solid choiceHuntress applies Nyra's Bond (Nyra's Bond, Nyra's Bond), Bleed (Bleed); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Huntress adds Animalistic (5 damage, normal), Savage (5 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- NinjaRank #8/37 · Solid choiceNinja applies Delayed Poison (Delayed Poison, Delayed Poison), Smoke Bomb (Smoke Bomb); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Ninja adds Slash (7 damage, normal), Walk the Line (12 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- IcemanRank #9/37 · Solid choiceIceman applies dice-cube, ice-shard; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Iceman adds Frostbite (7 damage, normal), Ice to Meet You (2.5 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- RavenessRank #10/37 · Solid choiceRaveness applies feather, hex; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Raveness adds Peck (7 damage, normal), Murder of Crows (7 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- PaladinRank #11/37 · Solid choicePaladin applies Crit (Crit), Protect (Protect); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Paladin adds Righteous Combat (7 damage, normal), Mighty Prayer (3 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- GunslingerRank #12/37 · Solid choiceGunslinger applies Reload (Reload), Bounty (Bounty); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Gunslinger adds Revolver (5 damage, normal), Bounty Hunter (1 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- SeraphRank #13/37 · Solid choiceSeraph applies flight, blinding-light; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Seraph adds Holy Blade (7 damage, normal), Glorious (6 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- Headless HorsemanRank #14/37 · Solid choiceHeadless Horseman applies dreadful, grim-pursuit; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Headless Horseman adds Cleave (7 damage, normal), Reap (3 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- Scarlet WitchRank #15/37 · Solid choiceScarlet Witch applies probability manipulation, reality warp; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Scarlet Witch adds Hex Bolt (8 damage, normal), Jinx (9 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- BarbarianRank #16/37 · Solid choiceBarbarian applies concussion, stun; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Barbarian adds Smack (8 damage, normal), Sturdy Blow (4 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- Doctor StrangeRank #17/37 · Solid choiceDoctor Strange applies crimson bands, premonition; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Doctor Strange adds Augury (8 damage, normal), Astral Incursion (8 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- SamuraiRank #18/37 · Solid choiceSamurai applies shame, honor; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Samurai adds Katana Slice (7 damage, normal), Wakizashi (3 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- ArtificerRank #19/37 · Poor fitArtificer applies Synth (Synth, Synth), Nanite (Nanite, Nanobot); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Artificer adds Spanner Strike (6 damage, normal), Eureka (7 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- SantaRank #20/37 · Poor fitSanta applies cheer, egg-nog; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Santa adds Trim Your Tree (8 damage, normal), Festivities (9 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- Pale LadyRank #21/37 · Poor fitPale Lady applies moonShard, bleed; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Pale Lady adds Scratch (6 damage, normal), The Hunt (6 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- ThorRank #22/37 · Poor fitThor applies guard break, electrokinesis; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Thor adds Hammered (7 damage, undefendable), Odinforce (7 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- Captain MarvelRank #23/37 · Poor fitCaptain Marvel applies cosmic-ray, cosmic-flare; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Captain Marvel adds Photon Punch (7 damage, normal), Inner Light (4 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- Spider-Man (Miles Morales)Rank #24/37 · Poor fitSpider-Man (Miles Morales) applies combo, webbed; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Spider-Man (Miles Morales) adds Punch (6 damage, normal), C-C-C-Combo (5 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- WolverineRank #25/37 · Poor fitWolverine applies rage, alpha; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Wolverine adds Adamantium Claws (6 damage, normal), Regenerate (3 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- DeadpoolRank #26/37 · Poor fitDeadpool applies donut, onomatopoeia; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Deadpool adds Finger Guns (7 damage, normal), Donut Hole (4 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- CyclopsRank #27/37 · Poor fitCyclops applies battle-plan, support; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Cyclops adds Hand to Hand (7 damage, normal), Target Acquired (5 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- RogueRank #28/37 · Poor fitRogue applies influence, ionic energy; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Rogue adds Brawl (6 damage, normal), Sass (3 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- Black PantherRank #29/37 · Poor fitBlack Panther applies kinetic-energy, vibranium-suit; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Black Panther adds Vibranium Claws (6 damage, normal), Stealth Strike (3 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- GambitRank #30/37 · Poor fitGambit applies molecular-acceleration, dissolution; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Gambit adds Bo Staff (7 damage, normal), Bojutsu (2 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- PsylockeRank #31/37 · Poor fitPsylocke applies paralyze, agility; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Psylocke adds Lunge (7 damage, normal), Devise (3 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- LokiRank #32/37 · Poor fitLoki applies illusion, bag of tricks; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Loki adds Mockery (8 damage, normal), Confuddle (7 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- TacticianRank #33/37 · Poor fitTactician applies tactical advantage, constrict; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Tactician adds Saber Strike (6 damage, normal), Carpet Bomb (2 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- Jean GreyRank #34/37 · Poor fitJean Grey applies force field, acuity; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Jean Grey adds Mind Attack (6 damage, normal), Psychic Multiplier (2 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- Black WidowRank #35/37 · Poor fitBlack Widow applies covert ops, agility; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Black Widow adds Baton Strike (7 damage, normal), Widows Gauntlets (7 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- Vampire LordRank #36/37 · Poor fitVampire Lord applies blood-power, mesmerize; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Vampire Lord adds Gouge (7 damage, normal), Glamour (4 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
- NecromancerRank #37/37 · Poor fitNecromancer applies decrep-ify, resurrect; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Krampus's existing routes.Necromancer adds Shear (5 damage, normal), Harvest (2 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Krampus.
Not rated yet: Storm