Why the Hall, Not? (#4)

Tonight's nominations come from my buddy, and ultimate Borg fanboy, Alexander Schmitz. If you listen closely you can hear him wanking furiously to the new 1E Borg set. 2E Design is taking a step backwards in their process (long live Phase 2), meanwhile the Europeans over in 1E Design are taking ecstasy and making Q of Borg*.
(*writes check for $1)

Card: Shankar, Maquis Soldier
Last Year's Vote: 62.9% 
2020 Prediction: 80%

Shankar fell one single vote short last year and BenHosp decided to punish all his guests at Manasster 2: More Man, More Ass last Spring. A nice combo with Mirror Quark and it's 4 or 5 Shankars a game. He got me in round 1, and I recall a few rounds later the look of murder on Maggie's face. People spend cash money on flights only to get NPE'd by the host! Later Ben bought a giant tray of general tso's chinaman so all was forgiven. I don't get too confident with HoF voting, but I think enough people have been scumbagged to get Shankar over the threshold this year. Besides events where you lose your opening hand in the first two rounds (Yes, this has happened.  I played Neil Timmons and Steve Nelson at TCM1 rounds 1 & 2 and got Shankar'd turn 1 both games. Won both games timed... then proceeded to lose the next 4 rounds), let me just point out that Mr. Shankar has had two separate careers. He had a run in the early days of 2E. Sure, Maquis wasn't the monster it was today, but he got played.  Quatal Prime, with all it's DMZ love, gave Shankar a rebirth. It's time to see an Indian Maquis deck that somewhat honorable.

 Card: Holding Cell
Last Year's Vote: First year eligible
2020 Prediction: 62%

Problem with the 10 year rule of HoF is it's 2020 and I'm constantly reminded of the shitshow that was 2010 Worlds in Germany. It's telling that the least broken thing around that weekend was a non-unique Holding Cell. Let's focus on the NOW though. After the errata it was still a heavily played event. 4 cost to get rid of whoever the hell you want AND prevent two interrupts (or sometimes 3 by naming "your mom" if they didn't have anyone good) is a mighty good deal. 10 years, almost in 600 listed decklists, that sounds like a first-ballot hall of famer to me.

Card: Vault of Tomorrow
Last Year's Vote: 51.4%
2020 Prediction: 55%

I was shocked when I saw this dilemma is listen in DOUBLE the decks as Holding Cell. I just don't see many people other than me use it, but apparently I'm playing in the wrong places (or maybe people are beating me so easily now they don't even need to use it). So obviously, with so many decks played and barely over 51% of the vote, this is a crutch card people don't want to give up. Ironically the dilemma I get most often with Vault is Timescape, which is another card people aren't willing to vote Yes on. I'm not optimistic that Vault will meet the threshold in 2020. I would like to see a zero cost version that allows you to download a dilemma that cost 1 or less. There are too many cheesy 2-cost dilemmas that Vault can grab (Well-Prepared Defense, Brave Words), and it takes deckbuilding out of the game. Drawdecks have too much download, dilemma piles shouldn't really be doing it.