I keep seeing people that seem unaware of the Clan Mechanics summary below the fold on the Product Page here, but in summary, it's below:

Quote

Crab: As rugged, stoic, and tenacious defenders of the Empire, the Crab are at their best when they are defending against attacks and reacting to an opponent’s aggression, weathering your opponent’s best attacks, and retaliating when your foe is most vulnerable. As builders who excel at living off the land, holdings are important to the Crab to protect their provinces and power their characters.

Crane: The Crane are known throughout the Emerald Empire as a political powerhouse, with wise and honorable courtiers guiding the clan and protecting themselves from external threats. In the game, you must leverage this political might to devastate your opponents during conflicts, keeping your characters honored to increase their skill and controlling the board by pushing your opponent’s characters away.

Dragon: The Dragon are a mysterious and individualistic clan. The use of attachments is one of this clan’s greatest strengths, and it’s wise to invest in a few powerful characters with plans to give them multiple attachments. The concept of balance is also important to this clan, and they are well suited for both military and political conflicts. You must take advantage of this flexibility and strike wherever you opponent leaves an opening.

Lion: The Lion are a proud, aggressive, and violent clan that leverages its strong military skill to win conflicts. Lion decks frequently aim to swarm the play area with characters, strengthening their presence through numbers. However, Lion characters with political skill are harder to come by, so it’s important to have some extra fate to keep your few courtiers and politicians in play.

Phoenix: The Phoenix are the masters of magic in Rokugan, but they are also staunch pacifists with little interest in warfare. Wise players will use the clan’s shugenja to trigger powerful effects against your opponent from the safety of your home area. The clan’s mastery of the elemental rings will also help to deny your opponent the effects they aim to use against you while ensuring you can use the rings you need to win. This clan’s distaste for violence can also be used as a calming influence upon your opponent, making overt aggression and military conflicts much less effective against you.

Scorpion: While playing the Scorpion Clan, you’ll want to make high honor bids in order to draw extra cards and surprise your opponents with potent tricks and traps. Yet you must always maintain your deepest loyalty, lest you lose all honor and the game. Dishonor is also a powerful tool when turned against your foes to keep their skill low and their hopes of beating you in conflict even lower.

Unicorn: The Unicorn are an aggressive, practical, and nomadic clan that has mastered the arts of mobility and warfare. You must use the clan’s powerful cavalry characters to outmaneuver your opponent during conflicts, brining your characters into and out of conflict to keep your opponent on edge. The Unicorn are strongest when they are first to act, and much more comfortable attacking than defending, so be sure to play aggressively and get to your opponent before they get to you.

I found this quite useful as I'm new to the L5R universe and am still debating which clan I want to be my main clan. Hope it's useful to others who may not have noticed it.

1 minute ago, slowreflex said:

Unicorn: The Unicorn are an aggressive, practical, and nomadic clan that has mastered the arts of mobility and warfare. You must use the clan’s powerful cavalry characters to outmaneuver your opponent during conflicts, brining your characters into and out of conflict to keep your opponent on edge. The Unicorn are strongest when they are first to act, and much more comfortable attacking than defending, so be sure to play aggressively and get to your opponent before they get to you.

My Unicorn.

Also your clan should be Unicorn. Obviously.

Abuse the LCG system and play them all. For fun, to discover things by experience. Getting some out-of-card info/story can be great too as it makes your experience more fun. I started with Yoritomo's Alliance because there was nothing else to buy when I tried. I liked them, mind you, but it was not really what I was looking for. After that, I was playing Unicorn and Phoenix at the same period trying to decide between the two. I loved both of them but RPG lore and Otaku Kamoko brought me to the Unicorn. I would still play for fun some other stuff but most of the time was Unicorn.

I love/hate that Crane is still stay at home honor

Well, my brain isn't always logical on these things. I'm just as likely to pick a clan based on liking it's art style as it's play style.

3 minutes ago, slowreflex said:

Well, my brain isn't always logical on these things. I'm just as likely to pick a clan based on liking it's art style as it's play style.

It doesn't hurt that scorpion are red, for me

I'd read the product article several times but still somehow missed this bit of info...thanks OP!

It sounds like thematically FFG is on the right track

Crab: Defend and counterattack, holdings matter (fortifications were important in CCG for Crab). Prieviewed crab cannot be moved or bowed while defending which was very much a theme for Crab in the CCG.

Crane: Courtier contol was very much a thing for Crane in the past. Although not mentioned in that blurb, duelists will likely be their main way of helping the military side of things, which was always a Crane theme.

Dragon: Balanced, big dueling units. Likely have to be careful on how you invest fate and play lots of stuff to make sure your big units remain in the game.

Lion: Swarming military. Pretty much going back to what the Lion have always done. No real mention about tactician which was one of their things, but I wouldn't be surprised if they showed up at some point.

Phoenix: This is the only one that concerns me. Thematically it sounds right but being able to "use powerful magic from the safety of your home" worries me a little bit that there could be a non-interactive control style deck. Seeing as how the designers specifically said they are avoiding this, I take it to mean tha the Samurai will be the ones in the battle but will be able to be supported by Shugenja not in the battle, which is very much a Phoenix thing and cool.

Scorpion: Dishonorable political powerhouses. Will use card advantage to swing combat to their advantage, and in some cases push to dishonor their opponent's out of the game. Has always been the main theme for the Scorpion.

Unicorn: Tricksy military, attack were there is the least opposition. Quite accurate for this clan. I think the rules of the LCG will curb some of the distaste many people had for Unicorn's ability to completely avoid opposed combat for the early part of the game and then just leverage their superior economy to end the game on their terms.

Other than there not being all of the same clans/factions that the CCG had, I can't really see there to be any complaints about the clan themes as portrayed by FFG. They did a good job so far. I've been a Shadowlands player since the beginning of the game and I don't mind at all that they are not a playable faction. It reminds me of how I started, corrupting each clan from within. Hopefully that will still be an option.

I guess the Dragon description confirms a lack of Enlightenment victory condition. Oh well. It all looks pretty good.
Very interested to play Crane and Scorpion...

51 minutes ago, BayushiCroy said:

I love/hate that Crane is still stay at home honor

I don't think there is such a thing anymore.

It doesn't seem like there is an open/limited phase. And adding will still gain you honor, depending on what ring you pick, battle actions etc...

50 minutes ago, BayushiCroy said:

I love/hate that Crane is still stay at home honor

Where are you getting that from? I believe it was stated in Team Covenant's interview with the designers that the reason for adding political conflicts to the game was to push interactivity. Nothing in the Crane description suggests they will be doing absentee control a la the CCG.

2 minutes ago, Jedi samurai said:

I don't think there is such a thing anymore.

It doesn't seem like there is an open/limited phase. And adding will still gain you honor, depending on what ring you pick, battle actions etc...

1 minute ago, Builder2 said:

Where are you getting that from? I believe it was stated in Team Covenant's interview with the designers that the reason for adding political conflicts to the game was to push interactivity. Nothing in the Crane description suggests they will be doing absentee control a la the CCG.

I'm being fecitious with it saying "honor their characters and push attackers away"

20 minutes ago, Ishi Tonu said:

It sounds like thematically FFG is on the right track

Crab: Defend and counterattack, holdings matter (fortifications were important in CCG for Crab). Prieviewed crab cannot be moved or bowed while defending which was very much a theme for Crab in the CCG.

Crane: Courtier contol was very much a thing for Crane in the past. Although not mentioned in that blurb, duelists will likely be their main way of helping the military side of things, which was always a Crane theme.

Dragon: Balanced, big dueling units. Likely have to be careful on how you invest fate and play lots of stuff to make sure your big units remain in the game.

Lion: Swarming military. Pretty much going back to what the Lion have always done. No real mention about tactician which was one of their things, but I wouldn't be surprised if they showed up at some point.

Phoenix: This is the only one that concerns me. Thematically it sounds right but being able to "use powerful magic from the safety of your home" worries me a little bit that there could be a non-interactive control style deck. Seeing as how the designers specifically said they are avoiding this, I take it to mean tha the Samurai will be the ones in the battle but will be able to be supported by Shugenja not in the battle, which is very much a Phoenix thing and cool.

Scorpion: Dishonorable political powerhouses. Will use card advantage to swing combat to their advantage, and in some cases push to dishonor their opponent's out of the game. Has always been the main theme for the Scorpion.

Unicorn: Tricksy military, attack were there is the least opposition. Quite accurate for this clan. I think the rules of the LCG will curb some of the distaste many people had for Unicorn's ability to completely avoid opposed combat for the early part of the game and then just leverage their superior economy to end the game on their terms.

Other than there not being all of the same clans/factions that the CCG had, I can't really see there to be any complaints about the clan themes as portrayed by FFG. They did a good job so far. I'm Shadowlands played since the beginning of the game and I don't mind at all that they are not a playable faction. It reminds me of how I started, corrupting each clan from within. Hopefully that will still be an option.

Crane: Depends how previlent dueling is. Daidojo samurai could very well be their main military force. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Harrier's as Conflict deck personalities.

Dragon: again we'll have to see big dueling is in the game, or if it something only Dragon/Crane do.

Lion: while we don't know for sure, it does appear that things like tactician will exist to give access to come conflict cards.

Scorpion: And Ninja's in the conflict deck

I'll add that the Crane seem to have a subtheme based around their current situation: dire. As such, it seems that there's a desperation situation with several of its cards, particularly its samurai and military minded folks. We have Noble Sacrifice which will likely stop or blunt an opponent during a conflict. We also have the Brash Samurai, who can spend an action while participating alone in a conflict to be honored (glory 2). There seems to be some archer in the showcase page and even a very interesting courtier with 0 glory!

It wouldn't surprise me if the Scorpion end up being the most control deck clan in the game at the start if they continued to get cards like Blackmail. Phoenix may be behind them but more focused on manipulating conflicts rather than personalities.

5 hours ago, Ishi Tonu said:

Unicorn: Tricksy military, attack were there is the least opposition. Quite accurate for this clan. I think the rules of the LCG will curb some of the distaste many people had for Unicorn's ability to completely avoid opposed combat for the early part of the game and then just leverage their superior economy to end the game on their terms.

I think you're right, and boy am I thankful. I wonder how many non-Unicorn players realize how sucky it was for us to be built around that handicap for such a long time, and to be judged so harshly for it.

5 hours ago, Kubernes said:

I'll add that the Crane seem to have a subtheme based around their current situation: dire. As such, it seems that there's a desperation situation with several of its cards, particularly its samurai and military minded folks. We have Noble Sacrifice which will likely stop or blunt an opponent during a conflict. We also have the Brash Samurai, who can spend an action while participating alone in a conflict to be honored (glory 2). There seems to be some archer in the showcase page and even a very interesting courtier with 0 glory!

It wouldn't surprise me if the Scorpion end up being the most control deck clan in the game at the start if they continued to get cards like Blackmail. Phoenix may be behind them but more focused on manipulating conflicts rather than personalities.

For some reason, that always seemed to be the vibe I got off the Crane. Be Prepared to Dig 2 Graves was a card much utilised by them in the past.

Also, the 0 Glory character was deciphered as Enlightened Monk by someone on BGG. That makes complete sense of being a Monk.

11 hours ago, Ishi Tonu said:

It sounds like thematically FFG is on the right track

Phoenix: This is the only one that concerns me. Thematically it sounds right but being able to "use powerful magic from the safety of your home" worries me a little bit that there could be a non-interactive control style deck. Seeing as how the designers specifically said they are avoiding this, I take it to mean tha the Samurai will be the ones in the battle but will be able to be supported by Shugenja not in the battle, which is very much a Phoenix thing and cool.

This is the whole reason I``` v loved Phoenix... hopefully it is an interactive control style deck though.

11 minutes ago, Isawa Tasatu said:

This is the whole reason I``` v loved Phoenix... hopefully it is an interactive control style deck though.

Also, hopefully spells and magic will actually provide powerful effects appropriate to their costs. In L5R1 I always felt spells were either too good or not good enough, without much varience in between.

I do find it curious we haven't seen magic yet in the previews, or any Phoenix personalities yet for that matter. I'm looking forward to see that preview article.

6 minutes ago, Suzume Tomonori said:

Also, hopefully spells and magic will actually provide powerful effects appropriate to their costs. In L5R1 I always felt spells were either too good or not good enough, without much varience in between.

I do find it curious we haven't seen magic yet in the previews, or any Phoenix personalities yet for that matter. I'm looking forward to see that preview article.

I wondered if it may have something to do with the tainty element suggested.... agree regarding spells, always felt very hit and miss. 1 decent spell always changed Phoenix from meh to overpowered sometimes, particularly for casual players.

2 hours ago, Isawa Tasatu said:

I wondered if it may have something to do with the tainty element suggested.... agree regarding spells, always felt very hit and miss. 1 decent spell always changed Phoenix from meh to overpowered sometimes, particularly for casual players.

I hope it doesn't have to do with the taint. I mean, I am all on favor of taint and corruption being in the game both as a story element and a game-play element. But I want there to be space for pure players, and some sort of benefit to pure Phoenix outside of being able to act annoyingly smug about being pure (while tanking the Swiss rounds.)

7 minutes ago, Suzume Tomonori said:

I hope it doesn't have to do with the taint. I mean, I am all on favor of taint and corruption being in the game both as a story element and a game-play element. But I want there to be space for pure players, and some sort of benefit to pure Phoenix outside of being able to act annoyingly smug about being pure (while tanking the Swiss rounds.)

I think cards will definitely be viable for us non-tainty players... but flavour text etc may start giving away story line and thus may be hiding some cards until the big reveal.

I suddenly realized while thinking about future releases and the expansion of the clans' playstyles that Yasuki dishonor (should we see the theme) won't have much at all to do with economics now that Fate is the currency.

4 minutes ago, Susumu Jackson said:

I suddenly realized while thinking about future releases and the expansion of the clans' playstyles that Yasuki dishonor (should we see the theme) won't have much at all to do with economics now that Fate is the currency.

So, now people will pay with their lives?

14 hours ago, Jedi samurai said:

It doesn't seem like there is an open/limited phase.

My impression is that conflict cards/abilities which say "Action: During conflict, ..." imply another non-conflict action window.

46 minutes ago, Kakita Shijin said:

My impression is that conflict cards/abilities which say "Action: During conflict, ..." imply another non-conflict action window.

I haven't played any of the competitive LCGs, but in the co-op ones, there are numerous windows during which actions may be taken. If an action is limited to a certain phase, it would say something like, "Conflict Action: ..." or "Action: During your X phase..." If an action doesn't specify when it can be played, it can be played at any time actions are allowed.

Can someone who has played some of the competitive LCGs confirm whether they tend to be the same way?

EDIT: From looking over the spoiled cards again, I'm only seeing Action, Reaction, and Forced Reaction; with the specific timing of the action being mentioned as part of the action, as applicable.