Good that this argument didn't develop into a war...
Well, the
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pends in the OP deck is unjustifiable, though. Unless you throw in another
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card or a SoSe (which gives you at least 1
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card).
If you really decide to choose the
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pends and
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mark path, do consider a balance between pillars and pends. Sometimes SoSes will give low cost
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cards.
Still
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pends and
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mark looks much better to me. Earlier SN=earlier start, which provides benefits no matter you're trying to rush or stall.