Parallel is a captivating card game with diverse decks, each offering a unique playstyle. The Earthen deck is renowned for its emphasis on board control and the strategic use of Defender units. This Parallel Earthen guide will provide a deep dive into the Earthen deck, highlighting its strategies, key cards, and gameplay intricacies.

Before you begin, if this is your first endeavor with Parallel, we recommend checking out our starter guide for tips and things you need to know before jumping into your first game. This will help you get familiar with some of the more unique mechanics the game has to offer and brings to the card genre.  

Key Features of the Earthen Deck

The Earthen Deck boasts several key features that define its unique gameplay style. Central to its strategy is the Defender Mechanic, which leverages units with the Defender trait to block opponent attacks effectively. At the helm of this strategy is Nehemiah, Defender of Earth, the deck's Paragon, whose passive ability bestows the Defender trait on a friendly unit after the first unit with Defender is destroyed each turn, reinforcing the deck's defensive prowess.

Key Cards and Their Roles

In terms of board control, the Earthen Deck's primary objective is to establish and maintain dominance by deploying robust minions. Key cards play pivotal roles in this strategy. Steward of the Garden, a potent one-drop card, not only provides an extra energy each turn but also facilitates energy ramping, allowing for the earlier deployment of more formidable units. Malachite Shield and Aurora Fungi serve as upgrades for the Steward, bolstering its stats and granting it the coveted Defender trait.

The Battle-Hardened Warrior emerges as a robust mid-game unit, outclassing other rookie deck units with superior stats. Black Market Fixer adds a tactical edge to the deck, eliminating units with a cost of two or less upon entering the battlefield, potentially yielding advantageous two-for-one trades. T Interceptor offers valuable utility by dealing three damage to any unit, although its 3-3 stats render it vulnerable to retaliation.

Cleanse the Earth becomes a strategic asset, bouncing opponent units back to their hand, particularly effective against units with upgrades, as the upgrades are rendered useless upon bouncing. For late-game dominance, the Chem Craze Bruiser and Shea Max come into play, offering the potential to close out matches decisively, with Shea Max's cost diminishing as you heal, adding a dynamic element to the deck's late-game capabilities.

Gameplay Strategy

1. Early Game: Establish board control with cards like Steward of the Garden and use upgrades to enhance its effectiveness.
2. Mid Game: Utilize Battle-Hardened Warrior and Black Market Fixer to maintain board presence and trade efficiently.
3. Late Game: Deploy Chem Craze Bruiser or Shea Max to finish off your opponent.
4. Energy Management: Unlike other card games, you don't passively gain mana in Parallel. You must bank cards for energy. Plan your turns and decide which cards to bank for future energy.
5. Health Management: Sometimes, it's beneficial to take some damage early on to reduce the cost of cards like Shea Max.

The Earthen deck in Parallel offers a strategic playstyle focused on board control and the Defender mechanic. By understanding the deck's key cards and strategies, players can effectively dictate the flow of the game and outplay their opponents. Whether you're a seasoned card game enthusiast or a newcomer to Parallel, the Earthen deck provides a challenging yet rewarding gameplay experience.

If you don't like this deck, you can take a look at our latest guide for Marcolian, which is one of the best decks in the Parallel game right now. Other decks that can be geared more towards your playing style include the Shroud and Kathari decks, with the former offering control-oriented while the latter emphasizes clones and board control. By using the correct plan and knowing how to use the deck effectively, you can gather lots of wins and keep moving up the ladder without stopping.

Don't forget to read our Parallel guide on how to make the most $PRIME while playing the game by using all the resources that are available to you. Make sure to use everything you have to the fullest extent.