Rise of the Shogun Previews: Regions and Ronins
August 30, 2006
Sadly, we are now down to the «last, but not least» category of Rise of the Shogun previews. I’ d like to take a moment to say that this has been a great ride for the past couple of weeks, previewing what is widely regarded to be a solid expansion set for the Lotus environment. With only three Unaligned Personalities and two Regions left to discuss, let’ s see what they have to offer.
Ninube Chisai
3F/4C
- HR, 6G, 0PH
Unaligned Ninja ¥ Duelist
Reaction: After a duel ends that Chisai was in: Put the bottom card of your Fate deck into your hand.
«The Ninube have been driven from Otosan Uchi, but they have not been destroyed. Not yet.»- Asahina Sekawa
Toku Butaka
3F/4C
2HR, 6G, 3PH
Monkey Clan Samurai ¥ Magistrate ¥ Hero
Open: Copy a boldface trait on a target Personality in any discard pile.
Reaction: After an action targets Butaka, give him a -1C Exhaustion token: Negate the effects of the action.
The alliance of Minor Clans grows stronger each day, with the Oriole and Bat joining their ranks. Together, they wield considerable resources.
I find Butaka to be an interesting card, as I might be able to slot him into a Unicorn deck as well as a Lion Hall of Ancestors deck. With HOA, it’s easy to see Butaka being immediately useful, since he’s essentially a 3F/4C Tactician for 6G (or two Holdings, however you prefer to rationalize his cost). 3F plus the Tactician ability is a pretty good deal. And while you might not gain the 3PH when paying in full, at least he has a high PH for your Fate deck to exploit. Lastly, his Exhaustion tokens are GREAT for cancelling those pestky Battle actions once he wages war for you.
The other use I see - while a bit more abstract - is trying to implement him into a Unicorn deck. Again, he has high PH, so that’ s good. You can give him the Cavalry trait as long as someone is in your discard pile (which should be easy since he doesn’ t have to be «Honorably Dead», just discarded), and he has the Magistrate trait. Is the Exhaustion token ability worth going out of clan? Maybe. I’ m going to explore it to see what it’ s worth. Overall though, Butaka will likely find a good home in several decks - even if it’ s only for a copy or two.
Consider him a «buy.»
Usagi Genchi
3F/3C
- HR, 4G, 2PH
Hare Clan Yojimbo ¥ Samurai ¥ Oni-Slayer
Battle: Bow Genchi: Destroy a target Oni card opposing Genchi.
«They say the only thing more horrifying than his scars is what remained of the oni that gave them to him.» - Fuzake Sekkou
Believe it or not, I’ m not crazy about Genchi. Why? Because his ability is too specific. He is so off the «meta» chart that I would never be able to justify removing another Personality in my Dynasty deck to make room for him. Oni no Akuma? Sure he’ ll be a problem. HotDamn! getting strongher with ROTS? Most certainly. But to include Genchi for 10% of the opposing field? Hmn, not for me.
Consider him a «pass.»
Assembly Grounds
Singular
Reaction: After assigning or moving a Personality, bow this card and pay 3 Gold: Attach an Infantry Follower to the Personality for 7 less Gold.
«When the Emperor makes his decree against the Lost, we strike.» - Hida Kisada
Ho-lee-cow. Let me get this straight: I assign; I pay 3G; then I gain 4G more out of it for a Follower? Sign me up. Yes, it’ s too bad it’ s Singular. This kind of card makes me hate the Singular trait all the more. I hope in the next environment we can be rid of both the Singular trait AND Regions of Rokugan - if just to have Uniques and non-Uniques again. This could have been a perfect card to build a deck around entirely - but instead it falls just short due to the design-crutch that is «Singular.»
All things considered, this is a «buy» for 6-8 clans.
Bamboo Thickets
Singular
All Personalities at a battlefield in this Province have the
Duelist trait and the ability, «
Battle: Bow this card: Challenge an opposing target Personality to an unrefusable duel.»
The Unicorn discovered, to their disgust, that fighting the Nezumi in the forest is impossible.
Yeah ! it’ s kinda cool. I’ m sure defensive decks will love this. But will they make room for it? You tell me. I wish it was «this Province and adjacent Provinces» just to give it more oomph - but that might make it overpowered.
Consider this a «maybe.»
