Traditional wisdom says that females take fewer risks than males. As usual, Vs. System throws tradition out the window.

There are two very popular female characters that get really risky in this game. One is brand new and looks to be a major force in the post–Web of Spider-Man metagame. The other has already won major money on the $10K circuit. One is a late drop that can bring big beats; the other is cheap and controlling. One is dark, hot, and sexy; the other has a clownish red afro and bright yellow spandex. Have you guessed the girls I’m thinking of? Of course. Our two risky women are none other than Mattie Franklin ◊ Spider-Woman and Shimmer.

Shimmer is not an inherently safe character. Any strategy that relies heavily upon a 2 cost, 2 ATK, 2 DEF character is fragile by nature. Shimmer decks look to recruit large swarms of small characters, risking total devastation from Flame Trap or Firestar. The Shimmer strategy also depends on Dr. Light to stun opposing characters and revive the fallen swarm. For this to happen, all characters must be Fearsome Five. Any strategy that hinges on team-up cards won’t be safe for long, as Have a Blast, Foiled, and Batman, World’s Greatest Detective become prevalent in the metagame.

This doesn’t mean that risky players cannot be successful with Shimmer. Ben Kreis actually took her to first place in the Sydney $10K. He was rewarded with $2,500 for his risk. Here is his deck:
 
4 Shimmer
19 GCPD Officer
4 Alfred Pennyworth
3 Barbara Gordon ◊ Oracle
3 Harvey Bullock
1 Commissioner Gordon
4 Dr. Light
1 Psimon
4 Bat-Signal
4 Fizzle
2 Marvel Team-Up
4 World’s Finest
4 Press the Attack
2 The Underworld Star
2 Clocktower


You can see here that Ben greatly minimized his risks by letting Shimmer lead a swarm of Gotham Knights. How does that make Shimmer safer? Let us count the ways. Fizzle extinguishes Flame Trap. Alfred Pennyworth searches for Fizzle and the key team-up cards. Bat-Signal gives major searching power. GCPD Officer