Shotgun Finn for the Win Upgraded (Hard, 2-player)

The original starting investigator of this version is “Finn for the Win”. For more thoughts on how it is constructed, why, and how it is played, please visit the link below.

https://arkhamdb.com/decklist/view/56439/finn-for-the-win-hard-2-player-1.0

This character was created simply because the general view of Sawed-Off Shotgun was that it was hard to motivate using in a deck as it was harder to get a high skill value for the check. So it was created with a fun strategy in mind to get Sawed-Off Shotgun placed on Quickdraw Holster for a fast powerful shot when you are ready to go for serious damage. However, in a 2-player game you must build for a more versatile strategy and not be a one-trick pony, hence a number of other cards are included to promote Finn’s usefulness in many areas.

To get high enough fight value, he uses Sharpshooter+Fox Mask and Moxie or preferably Moxie. Even without sharpshooter in play, he can use The Red Clock for +3 and Unexpected Courage for flexibility in boosting agility or fight (or anything else). Take a shot when you have timed a high skill check. In short, he will be able to fire with a skill value of between 9 to 14 or even more with the shotgun, and he has Sure Gamble as a boss killer card (get another one if you can). And even without the shotgun, any gun on his holster will be able to fire once per round for free. Getting just one such successful blast off can save several turns of fighting and win a scenario or at minimum secure more experience for a final scenario.

With Delilah O'Rourke and a good economy, he will be a good fighter even without the shotgun and quickdraw combo. Delilah allows him to handle aloof enemies effectively and will be able to damage enemies engaged with other investigators. Sharpshooter allows his other guns to be much more effective and two other guns than the shot gun out with the quickdraw holster is great for action economy and combat effectiveness - do not underestimate that.

Shotgun Finn is also a very respectable clue gatherer.

Moxie also adds extra damage and horror protection in both soak and with willpower boost for treachery, so even the level one version is worth having as his endgame economy can be quite good.

If short on experience, you can use Moxie and Pilfer instead of the upgraded versions. You can also skip Haste and add Nimble, Hatchet Man or Quick Thinking, for example.

Other good options:

Momentum for evading or using lockpicks with high skill value and then trying to rid of a treachery or using the shotgun. It’s a cheap man’s version of Sure Gamble as well (with some planning), and could replace that card earlier in the upgrades if the scenarios aren’t going well.

Black Market to replace Thorough Inquiry.

Lola Santiago to replace Delilah O'Rourke for more clue getting power instead. This makes Finn a more unreliable fighter but you might enjoy that version as something that suits your play style or as a better compliment in your duo.

And finally, a very good option if you want to increase your blast chance is to buy another Sure Gamble. It is such a good card for other situations also, so you can hardly go wrong with it.

See also Shotgun Finn’s cousin, Speedy Finn for the Win Upgraded for another version.