Hello readers, adding some of my experience here for forum community. This setup works fine on 1400-1600 rating, don't know it's cap because of i swap decks often and some of them have lower cap then this one. Basic idea is to combine Cushioning Armor and any armor (of course Reliable Mail is best). Fot the proper maths you need to have armor card from the right side of Cushioning Armor card in the hand, so it will cound dmg=5-2 (armor). This way maximum dmg you get is usually 3 per hit, exept penetrating and armorbreaking hits. This makes use of Elven Maneuvers much higher together with overall higher survivability. Because of i dont have 3rd The Softener i'm using 3rd fighter a little bit as a tank with Ewix's Evolving Ensemble and Blocking Mace. This way allmost allways i have at least anyone with Parry to go in front or to VP. For sure it is a variant to have all 3 fighters same as 1st and 2nd ones. Space Ranger Era Level 22 Elf Warrior Nova Axe Rageblood Dagger Double-edged Sword The Softener Parrying Buckler Crusty Helm Heavy Hide Boots Cautious Mobility Novice Impaling Spoiler 1 x Reliable Mail 1 x Obliterating Chop 3 x Cushioning Armor 1 x Weakened Armor 2 x Purging Strike 2 x Elven Maneuvers 2 x Impaling Stab 1 x Healing Dash 1 x Raging Strike 3 x Dancing Cut 1 x Backbiting Strike 1 x Violent Spin 1 x Thick Hide Armor 1 x Hardy Mail 1 x Obvious Maneuver 2 x Impaler 1 x Scouting Run 2 x Laser Thrust 3 x Vicious Thrust 1 x Penetrating Cut 1 x Blind Rage 1 x Potent Stab 3 x Parry Forest Guardian Aoou Level 20 Elf Warrior Nova Axe Rageblood Dagger Double-edged Sword The Softener Parrying Buckler Crusty Helm Heavy Hide Boots Cautious Mobility Novice Impaling Spoiler 1 x Reliable Mail 1 x Obliterating Chop 3 x Cushioning Armor 1 x Weakened Armor 2 x Purging Strike 2 x Elven Maneuvers 2 x Impaling Stab 1 x Healing Dash 1 x Raging Strike 3 x Dancing Cut 1 x Backbiting Strike 1 x Violent Spin 1 x Thick Hide Armor 1 x Hardy Mail 1 x Obvious Maneuver 2 x Impaler 1 x Scouting Run 2 x Laser Thrust 3 x Vicious Thrust 1 x Penetrating Cut 1 x Blind Rage 1 x Potent Stab 3 x Parry Winter Champion Iva Level 22 Elf Warrior Slice And Dice Blocking Mace Double-edged Sword Ewix's Evolving Ensemble Parrying Buckler Helmet Of Thorns Heavy Hide Boots Cautious Mobility Novice Impaling Spoiler 1 x Adaptable 2 x Impaler 1 x Mighty Bludgeon 1 x Thick Hide Armor 1 x Unnerving Strike 1 x Laser Thrust 1 x Mimetic Crown 1 x Vicious Thrust 1 x Penetrating Cut 1 x Unreliable Block 1 x Potent Stab 1 x Scouting Run 1 x Reliable Mail 2 x Impaling Stab 1 x Healing Dash 1 x Weakened Armor 1 x Backbiting Strike 1 x Powerful Bludgeon 1 x Strong Bash 1 x Laser Strike 1 x Strong Bludgeon 1 x War Cry 1 x Ouch! 1 x Spiked Mail 2 x Elven Maneuvers 1 x Laser Cutdown 2 x Dancing Cut 5 x Parry In my experience War Cry is usually useless, so it might be fine to swap Helmet Of Thorns for Crusty Helm on 3rd fighter. PS: also i have to point that this setup have half of items similar to Magic Elves' Supernova Squadron, check out his theme http://forums.cardhunter.com/threads/supernova-squadron-1600.8534/
Really looking foward to when cautious (elven) maneuvers got its nerf and we all can set sails to new shores.