I think this card having icons is a mistake, faustian bargain is by most accounts a very strong card, like obscenely strong, it makes its way into almost every deck I make even if team mates don't want curses the idea of gaining 5 resources from me is too tempting.

That said the idea that when you are fully set up and you can afford to not play this card and keep the curses at bay you don't even have to consider this a dead card, will and intellect tests are endlessly being made so you will just commit this in the late game, I feel like that's a mistake, can you just say no to the bargain and go on with your life?

Like any true evil bargain it should be there....tempting you, begging you to play it "its only two curses...come on, you can handle that can't you.... and you need the money, what if you draw something expensive and need it out fast?"

Like all cards that channel dark forces, faustian bargain proves there is a reason the good guys are always on the back foot, evil just get the best toys.

I really like this card. I've tried it in Wini through TCU this week -- it's been great.

2 -2 tokens are not really very much to someone who plans to overcommit anyway, and sating her thirst for resources is really nice. It's an extra Cache (but better!) and given her signature weakness you could even try and sag a test tactically if the opportunity comes along on a WP treachery etc.

The fact it comes with WP and Int icons is even better, though at 0 cost I can't imagine not playing this except in a pinch.

I am excited to try this card in a Dark Horse deck. It is another event that can get you up from 0 to a lot at the start of the turn, to then be able to play some important assets or dump money into a Fire Axe or the new Mariner's Compass.

I used to love Faustian Bargain. Don't get me wrong, it is a phenomenal card and I would argue the best burst resource gen in the game at level 0(Unscrupulous Loan is probably the best burst resource gen post level-0).

But that's the issue. It's TOO good. Rogues don't give a damn about adding 2 s to the bag. 9/10 out of the time when they want to pass a test they are aiming to overcommit for Lucky Cigarette Case, Quick Thinking, Lockpicks, "Watch this!", Gregory Gry, etc. It's never going to have any real downside except maybe failing a test. And even then, the s will come up later after you've set-up. The rate at which you get resources is so above the curve that it's absolutely insane.

I really don't enjoy playing with it anymore as it just feels too good to include in decks when there are plenty of other burst resource gen options out there that are still good but feels fair to play with. I won't complain if someone else at the table will run it, but as far as I'm concerned I'm not including it in my decks anymore for the sake of deck variety. Even in decks like big money || "Skids" O'Toole with Underworld Support. I just can't do it.

That being said, I don't think this card should be tabooed. Maybe a chain for +1xp but even then, the card is stuck as is. I don't think you can meaningfully taboo this in a way that curbs it while still keeping it's original purpose intact.