Breaking Symmetry
Symmetry is a term as old as TCG theory. Basically, a card is considered symmetrical when it affects both players equally. The best example of symmetrical cards in Legends of Norrath is quests. Almost all quests have the same effect for both players. Most cards that are symmetrical are generally frowned upon because you never want to include cards in your deck that your opponents can use as well as you can. If you do play symmetrical cards, one of the keys to being successful with them is breaking that symmetry. Since every deck has to have quests in it, and almost all quests are symmetrical, let's take a look at how to break that symmetry.
Quests have different levels of symmetry. There are some that are almost purely symmetrical. Note to Neclo is a good example. Any card that gives a certain effect to the player who completes it has pure symmetry in that sense. Since the only requirement to get the effect is to complete the quest both players have equal opportunity.
Some quests, especially Level 2 ones, give players an effect whenever they apply a certain level ability at that quest. While these are technically purely symmetrical, they favor a deck that has more level 1 quests. That's the first point at which we start to see the breaking of symmetry. A deck that knows it will be playing several level 1 abilities can make better use of these quests than a deck that doesn't.
For example, many Shadow Priest decks run 8-14 level 1 abilities like Cannibalize. If you know you're going to be running a lot of level 1 quests, you can break the quest symmetry by playing quests that take advantage of the fact that you have all those abilities.
You can take it one step further and go from quests your opponent isn't likely to use to quests you're opponent won't be able to use at all. Let's take a quick look at what I consider to be one of the most powerful quest lines available (keep in mind, just because it's one of the most powerful quest lines doesn't necessarily make it one of the best decks).
There is a solid Scout questing deck that very often runs the following quest line, Job of the White Rose, Recovering Ivan's Remains, Slaying the Moon Beasts, and Queen's Daggers. The beauty of this quest line is that the Scout deck only runs a few allies, mostly as speed bumps. It has no intention of ever winning a raid from either quest. That means that even though these quests are symmetrical, their anti-unit effects will have no effect on the Scout deck.
There is also synergy along the quest line in the transition from White Rose to Ivan's Remains. When you play Job of the White Rose, your opponent will play his units at the other quest to avoid the exerting of his units. You can then complete his level 2 quest and replace it with your own, Ivan's, with all of their units already at it and ripe for the picking. Synergies like this are often overlooked by new players who consider their quests as an afterthought.
Don't make the mistake of overlooking your quests when building your deck. If you don't put any effort into it, the symmetrical value of quests can actually end up making your quests work for your opponent, but with a little effort you will be breaking that symmetry and using your quests and his to beat him.
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