In case it wasn't obvious, this card has great synergy with Backpack (especially Backpack (2). You can play the Backpack as the first or second asset installed by Ever Vigilant, resolve the Backpack's install reaction (searching the top of your deck for up to 3 more items), and install one or two of the items from the Backpack at a discount with the remaining Ever Vigilant install(s).

Generally, it's most optimal to install items from the Backpack rather than your hand (especially duplicates), to preserve cards that you can commit and free up your body-slot as quickly as possible.

I really like this card, although it really isn't for every deck.

This card plays well in decks that run about 1/3rd of their deck as asset cards and plays best with a mix of semi-permanent cards (like the machete) next to cards that are designed to get used (lantern/beat cop/knife).

It also alleviates the classic problem of the core set talents, in that it almost entirely negates the tempo hit for playing them out.

Its also good in investigators with draw (Mark).

It has synergy with Laboratory Assistant (play it first, draw two cards. Then play a few other cards).

Late game this card can be pitched to an investigate or parley test.

Really, my only problem with this card is that Guardian builds right now do not have all that many assets that are "expendable". Most guardian builds are expensive and use minimal actions to set up a weapon, an ally and maybe some other asset to help. In this classic build, you are pressed for time for anything else. Ever Vigilant gets you additional gear when you have those spare turns with an action but no idea what to play.

Watch this space. This card will certainly become more useful as guardians (and other classes) continue to gain new assets.

Pretty mediocre card in the average deck, but certain decks will launch the power of this behemoth into the stratosphere.

The average spends a few actions playing assets, and a good number on taking resources, Ever Vigilant saves you 2 actions and 3 resources when you hit 3 cards, economy cards are varying degrees of good, but this cards is very literally just a conditional Ace in the Hole, a 6 xp finisher for 1 xp!

The trick is finding the assets to play, it's not unusual to have 30-50% of your deck made up of assets, but drawing some of those, 3 of those, as well as a copy of Ever Vigilant, that can be a tricky challenge indeed.

Insert for the combo goodness:

• Stick to the Plan and put Ever Vigilant on it, layer on the niceties with an Emergency Cache(2) too. Rocket out 3 assets from your opening hand and take the scenario by storm. Yeah, this combo is broken good and a good start to any growing deck.
• Mr. "Rook". If you have copies of Ever Vigilant swirling in the deck, as might be the case for Roland Banks and Joe Diamond, use Mr. "Rook" to assemble 3 assets to hit or to pull out Ever Vigilant when it's useful. These action starved detectives will thank you for it.

That's it, these are the main combos, and they are VERY, VERY good.

You get bonus points if you:

• Hit Bauta to gain enough resources to afford the next item.
• Play Lightning Gun, Bandolier and Enchanted Blade in one go, you go Eldritch knight!
• Play 2 Beat Cops and an Agency Backup in one go. Talk about calling the SWAT team.

Note that if you're playing Lola this does not allow you to play non-guardian cards while you are guardian. You can play this card, and it can even target non-guardian assets, but since it makes you play them it doesn't work. This is different from Sleight of Hand.