Greetings everyone!

So i'm planning on picking up this game after playing Lotr and Sw LCG, and I was wondering how many core sets do I need in order to make decks?

Is the distribution like Lotr (some 3x,2x,1x, so you end up buying 3 core and have lots of extra) or like SW (pretty much 1x everything, which means 2 core would give you everything you need with almost no extra)

Also, i've only checked the rules super fast, and haven't seen the info (its probably there but i figured id ask anyways), how many of every individual card are we allowed in a single deck? 

Thanks in advance for you help!

I'll probably have a couple more questions when i start playing :p

You may put 3 copies of a card into your Deck. 

There are 10-15 cards that only have one copy in the Core Set. Most of these cards are unique and you may have only one copy of those in play at a time. 

I think that 2 Core Sets are a good investment, to get a second or third copy of every card. 

Need: 1 core set

Want: 2 core sets

Gravy: 3 core sets

You can make reasonable decks with only one core set, but adding a second is a noticeable bump.  A third core set is nice is you have the money, but it's more for being able to construct multiple decks at once than it is for single-deck construction.

1 Core Set is 'needed.'

telkryn said:

a) If you want to test out the game, or want a good "off-the-shelf" game with limited deckbuilding, buy 1 Core Set.

b) If you want the tools to build 1-2 strong corp decks, and a 1-2 strong runner decks, buy 2 Core Sets (and consider picking up the data packs as they come out)

c) If you want to build 2-3 strong corp decks and 2-3 strong runner decks at once and/or if you're absolutely fanatical about having x3 copies of every card, the buy 3 Core Sets (and consider picking up the data packs as they come out)

From what I can tell, the inclusion of a second core set improves customizability (as is common with many FFG LCGs), but it's not critical to building good decks, especially if you plan on purchasing data packs.

The same can't be said for the Star Wars LCG.  With the objective set deckbuilding system, creating even decent sets requires a second core set as there's only one copy of each objective set in the box.

Bottom line: more core sets (indeed, more cards generally) means more options and more customization.

A single core set is sufficient to make two decks (1 runner, 1 corp) and definitely fine for casual play. You can do some competitive, but you will probably be at at least a bit of a disadvantage.

Two core sets will be sufficient to make two decks (2 runner, 2 corp) and is solid for competitive play. Not perfect, but good.

Three core sets will be sufficient to make three decks (you get the picture) and provides minimal benefit, primarily getting you third copies of several cards (Toolbox, Aesop's Pawnshop, Ice Carver, Grimoire, Desperado, Data Dealer, SanSan City Grid, Akitaro Watanabe, Corporate Troubleshooter, Security Subcontract). Bolded cards are cards that I consider at least possibly worth having three copies of. Bold/Underline cards are ones I consider excellent to have 3rd copies of.