Pestilence Row

Winning the shootout might prove to be the tricky part :)

Needs more shootout actions?

Looks pretty competent in shootouts, the only issue I can see is making sure "Aces" is a stud. It will be a constant cat and mouse game with the opponent, but it looks like it certainly has potential.

If there's a good replacement for him I'd be happy. I could replace him AND jake with Milt Clemons?

I think you need jake for the influence. 2 is waaay too low, especially considering you go home booted after the job, so you are extra vulnerable to even a small swing of control.

You could do just Aces for Milt. Makaio and Milt are a match made in heaven, so you wouldn't have to lose an extra GR a turn in upkeep. That also means bounty isn't being piled up on Maria, so there's a bit of a trade off there. Den decks need to be strong from turn 1, so it's probably an idea worth experimenting with.

3 influence is too low, I mean.

Also, having mainly resolutions and spell shootout actions means I can generally keep my hand pretty full until the end of the shootout.

Yep, not saying it can't work, it'll just take a lot of thought and caution each turn. Maria won't be able to join on the job, unless you have no hexes in your hand to play... just stuff like that.

Alternatively I could try a list with Fred Aims as a starter. Hmm decisions, decisions.

I could go with Benny McGill instead of Maria, and drop the soul blasts for more diamonds and/or clubs?

I think Maria is much better. You're basically sacrificing an influence to get a +1 huckster rating, which I don't think is worth it.

I like the soul blasts, but that's without having played/tested it. Seems like it would be good though to make them commit more guys to opposing your job.