Perpetual Light (standard RoL/Hope, always up to date)

[Higurashi]

Brand new full-speed version!

by Higurashi

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Deck import code : [Select]

7jp 7jp 7jp 7jp 7jp 7jp 7ju 7ju 7k4 7k4 7k4 7k4 808 808 808 808 808 80e 80e 80e 80i 80i 80i 80i 80i 81q 81q 81q 81q 81q 8pu

Been using Angels since June 2010. Bit tired of having to go for the deck code when posting it to people that ask for my version. Also noticed there's no Hope version with Archangels in the FG deck archive, so I've submitted this solely for the purpose of showing people it's just as awesome. Also, the name is based on the concept of Aether being unchangeable, and it's also a reference to Perpetual by VNV Nation. (<3)

I like speed in my Hope, since that's the deck's main strength. It has a solid win rate of ~45% while still being very fast, making it a perfect deck for grinding FG's. For that purpose, Archangels speed it up quite a bit as it helps you by getting the damage output going earlier in the match. This helps against all FG's, since you'll finish faster and reduce the power of their double draw. It also helps against FG's with shields, since you'll usually be able to get more damage out before that shield comes up, and it helps against FG's with healing for the same reason. For instance, I rush Ferox a lot more often with Archangels than Dragons.
On the flip side, you'll do less total damage late-game, which means you can't one-turn kill most FG's, and might deck out against Chaos Lord if he times his Dissipation Field well. Pros and cons to both.

There are two sides of the coin to the problem of CC as well, of course. While it's easier to bait most CC with an early Archangels to protect your RoL's, they don't have 12 HP like the Light Dragon. Luckily though, 7 is quite enough for most FG's, and since they can heal themselves, they won't go down over time like Dragons. Pros and cons to both.

As some of you know, I've participated in many Archangel/Light Dragon debates. The reason I explain the differences in this thread is I submit it because it's a different version. This thread is not for discussing what's better. Thanks in advance for respecting that.

That said, feel free to say what your preferences are, as always. If there's anything the countless debates have shown, it's that it boils down to preference. RoL/Hope is a very customisable deck since it relies on a combo. Anything around that can be adjusted. For instance, I sometimes run this with 2 SoG's, 2 Electrocutors, 3 Archangels, 5 RoL's, 4 Fractals or any combination of these.

Upgrading priority
Assuming you start from this: http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,14533
1. RoL's
2. Pillars/Pendulums (improves win rate a lot. splitting from the start is never a bad idea)
3. Dragons/Angels (depending on what you go for. more damage is very useful)
4. Lobotomizer (economical upgrade since you will often use its ability several times)
5. Fractal
6. Hope (due to new AI logic of prioritising RoL's when Hope is up, the extra protection comes in handy. however, this is still optional, as you can lose some games from having 7 and upped Hopes on your last turn)

Skips
The rest of the info on this deck can be found in other RoL/Hope guides. However, I will note here than I only autoskip Octane. If early shield pops up for Hermes and Neptune, I quit. If early Inundation or Octopi and no Electro pops up, I quit vs. Neptune. If Ferox gets several early Bonds, creatures and early to mid-game Shield, I quit.

Update: Removed the SoG's since they were changed in 1.29. It may very well be even more lucrative with full speed.

Old stats by Noobiecakes and morningstar: http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,14312.msg294710#msg294710

Image time! I got this idea since I just rushed Rainbow again. The first two are really old pics.

Spoiler for Hidden:

This is your only chance of beating Hermes. He gets very few towers and spends the on growing his Spectres.

Spoiler for Hidden:

Yeah, that's how you do it!

Spoiler for Hidden:

Spoiler for Hidden:

Just today, as my luck turned for the evening.

The usual victims like DG and Destiny were killed about 5 times each during this day of farming, and you can find my epic survival against Gemini in that thread (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,8305.msg380421#msg380421). x)

[trisk22]

Interesting change on an RoL/Hope deck, but it seems like you don't have enough pillars.

[ddevans96]

I kinda like this more than the standard build who killed my score.

Is this any better for score, and why archangels over dragons?

[Wat?]

I've been using this deck for a while, I can usually get enough Aether Pillars. o:

Archangels can heal and cost less to summon, I guess.

[lava golem]

I kinda like this more than the standard build who killed my score.

Is this any better for score, and why archangels over dragons?

Archangels are 6 for 7|7
Light Dragons are 13  for 13|13

it's quicker to fractal angels because they cost half, so it's good against ferox and poison rushes
I use almost the same thing with a nymph and a dragon, no SoGs and 4 hopes...

[ddevans96]

I kinda like this more than the standard build who killed my score.

Is this any better for score, and why archangels over dragons?

Archangels are 6 for 7|7
Light Dragons are 13  for 13|13

it's quicker to fractal angels because they cost half, so it's good against ferox and poison rushes
I use almost the same thing with a nymph and a dragon, no SoGs and 4 hopes...

That makes sense. I really have no preference myself, just wanted to know the reasoning behind anyone elses

[genraenera]

One thing you should change on your deck, make half the towers into pendulums.  Seism becomes a lot easier after that.  Right now the RoL-Hope I use is this:

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5lk 5lk 5lk 6rn 6rn 6rn 6rn 7jp 7jp 7jp 7jp 7jp 7jp 7jq 7jq 808 808 808 808 80e 80e 80i 80i 80i 80i 80i 81q 81q 81q 81q
I've never tried archangels to be honest, I'll upgrade two of them now and test it out.  I've always had the idea that 7 damage is simply too low, but I guess thats just being asinine.

Other than the lack of pendulums, great deck, and best of luck making it to the archives

[lava golem]

Woops, I meants Light dragons are 13 for 12|12 

[kobisjeruk]

the best creature to fractal is Light Nymph (best cost:damage ratio in excluding hptono/RoL, ability to negate lobo effect) but seeing as it is a rare, its either archangel or dragon. but if you happen to have twin nymphs, swap that mofos ASAP

[lava golem]

I have only 1 light nymph but I swapped it out for an angel.

This is my version of RoL/Hope:

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5lk 5lk 5lk 7jp 7jp 7jp 7jp 7jp 7jp 7ju 7kc 808 808 808 808 808 808 80e 80e 80e 80i 80i 80i 80i 80i 81q 81q 81q 81q 81q
Hoping for another light nymph

[Higurashi]

The main problems I see are they struggle more against Miracle, Ferox etc who have mass healing, and a full field of these is worth less than Dragons.

The only time Miracle is hard is when she rushes like crazy, and that's a problem no matter the deck. Once you set the stall up, it's a 100% win with both versions. AI is still too dumb with Miracle. Ferox I win a lot more against with Archangels. With Dragons you have basically no chance to rush him.

One thing you should change on your deck, make half the towers into pendulums.  Seism becomes a lot easier after that.

Yeah, I would if I still used it. As it is, this deck has a win rate of a bit over 80% against Seism, so I personally have no reason to do it. Of course, Dream Catcher also has two Quicksands, so it never hurts.

the best creature to fractal is Light Nymph (best cost:damage ratio in excluding hptono/RoL, ability to negate lobo effect)

Aye, they're good for their damage-to-cost ratio just like Angels, and for their skill. The latter mostly comes to use when your RoL's get Lobo'd. However, the AI will lobo your Nymphs first. If you use Dragons, however, you can become almost unbeatable late-game with Light Nymphs. Then again, I'd rather go for speed as mentioned. I'd rather say I prefer something than say it's "best" or "better" since you use them all differently.

[DesolateSoul14]

Very good idea replacing Drags with AA's. I can't tell you how many poor dragons I've lost to poisoning, lightning, etc.