Zoey? Down the Dog & Duster, having a barroom brawl (0XP)

Just what goes on in the back room of the Dog & Duster?

To celebrate the reopening of pubs in the UK, after a long pull on her stash of communion wine, Zoey thought it might be fun to leave behind her trusty (0XP Tabooed) Machete, head over to the boozer and go all Marchioness of Queensbury.

It's good to get that post-lockdown tension out, no?

IT'S A KNOCKOUT

As you'd expect with a boxing-focused deck, Zoey's golden gloves are her main weapon, supported by the fight-themed events that Nathaniel Cho's investigator starter deck brought to the game. A few other obvious old-school events such as Dodge, Second Wind, and Taunt seemed thematically appropriate, too.

Relentless supports Physical Training's resource-driven pay to bump, and -- if you can find it -- Zoey's Cross's pay-to-punish damage effect. With so many damage-boosting options available, once Relentless is down feel free to pile on the extra damage for resource generation.

The Dog & Duster is a spit-and-sawdust rather than pine-and-dine establishment, so Zoey is coming with a few tricks up her sleeve -- or, rather, digitally ornamented.

HOLD ME DOG, COUNT YER FINGERS

With Bandolier in play, Zoey can get a fun combo going with Knuckleduster and Guard Dog. Whenever Zoey misses, Knuckleduster's retaliate requirement is triggered, with the damage being placed on Guard Dog for +1 damage

THE BLEEDIN' DOG'S GOT A CUTMAN

Zoey's far too self-sufficient to need a cutman herself, so she'll use Flesh Ward to patch herself up between rounds. Inspiring Presence? That's the canine's cutman, mate.

THERE'S A RACING POST ON THE BAR

This is very much a multiplayer build as there's no provision in here at all for clue acquisition beyond a single copy of Drawn to the Flame in case Zoey picks up any racing tips from Pete & Bas.

ROCKY ROAD: UPGRADES

The pugilist suite's upgrade pathway is a straightforward one, with Boxing Gloves (3), Bandolier (2), Physical Training (2) and (4), “Get Over Here!” (2), “I’ve Had Worse…” (2) and (4), Counterpunch (2), One-Two Punch (5), and Vicious Blow (2) all being solid choices.

Ding ding! Round one...