Elijah Burke
by Ryan “The GOAT” O’Donnell
Revolution Format

BACKLASH (12)

Pre-match (6)

Hardcore Hell x2
Man of 1000 Moves
Ring Psychology: Arm x2
The New Breed

Strategy Notes:
I’m packing 2 copies of Hardcore Hell in case my opponent plays Judgment Day against me. In a standard situation I will play both copies of Ring Psychology: Arm, Man of 1000 Moves, Hardcore Hell, and The New Breed.

Mid-match (6)

Before this Gets Out of Hand x2
Talk is Cheap x2
It’s All Led to This x2

Strategy Notes:
Ideally I’d like to stop my opponent from going on strings of Means and Antics. If my opponent does allow me to play Talk is Cheap, with my selected maneuvers, I suspect I’ll still be behind on Fortitude by the time I meet the requirements for It’s All Led to This.

ARSENAL (60)

Superstar-specifics (1)

The Elijah Express

Strategy Notes:
Unless I’m facing a Batista or Sabu deck, I don’t suspect I’ll have less cards in my hand than my opponent when I play this card. Nonetheless, its still a good Trademark and worth packing.

Antics (0)

Strategy Notes:
I decided against packing any Antics in my Arsenal to make more room for Maneuvers and Reversals.

Antic-Reversal Hybrids (0)

Strategy Notes:
I didn’t find any Antic-Reversal Hybrid cards that fit the theme of my deck.

Maneuvers (17)

Arm Wrench x3
A New Breed Unleashed
Bow & Arrow x3
Hand Smash x3
Split Finger Lock x3
Super Hold x3
The Elijah Experience

Strategy Notes:
Aside from A New Breed Unleashed and The Elijah Experience, all these maneuvers have target “arm.”
The general idea is to use Hardcore Hell to hit as many Core Holds as possible with target “arm” each with increasing damage due to Ring Psychology: Arm.
Super Hold mimics the effects of Ring Psychology: Arm as well, so when I play that card, it will do +5 Damage for every target “arm” in my Ring!

Maneuver-Antic Hybrids (3)

Lock-up x3

Strategy Notes:
This maneuver helps my overall target strategy, but also serves a nice purpose as an Antic, since most of my maneuvers have target “arm,” I can take a non-F:0 Core from my Ringside to utilize Hardcore Hell.

Maneuver-Reversal Hybrids (15)

Arm Bar
Belly to Belly Suplex
Chop x3
Double Leg Takedown x3
Only One Solution: Revolution x3
Punch
Wrist Lock x3

Strategy Notes:
As a nice added bonus, Wrist Lock, Arm Bar, and Only One Solution: Revolution all have target “arm” as well, adding to the damage bonus on my maneuvers.

Reversals (24)

Here's a Lesson Plan
Inertia
I Won't Be Beat Tonight x2
Masochist at Heart x2
Never Think Twice
Not What We Came to See x3
Off Your Mark x2
Outmaneuver
Overexposure x3
Try to Get Away x2
Welcome to My World x2
Why Don't You Kiss My A%$? X3
You Telegraphed It

Strategy Notes:
Utilizing Elijah’s ability, I’ll never be stuck with Requirement: Overturned Reversals in my hand. I also will never be stuck with them in my Ringside, which means that I can get away with packing less than I normally would.
Also, since Elijah is an Extremist, I can ignore the Requirement on Overexposure, allowing me to play it from my hand, which is a really nice boost.

Final Strategy / Other Notes:
One of the most difficult things about playing a deck like this one is keeping behind on Fortitude while still playing a maneuver every turn to avoid the Aggression Rule. Hardcore Hell can really help this deck steamroll its opponents, as cards like Split Finger Lock with a printed Damage of 1 can do as much as 49 Damage to my opponent. Though, even if you do get ahead on Fortitude, your opponent can only reverse your Core Holds for so long until he runs out of Reversals.