Knowing the cards in the core set simply isn't enough. The competitive environment is where roles actually matter, and there's no telling just how each of those matchups are going to shake out. Theorycrafting is fine - but making a bold statement that is intended to be taken objectively about such a huge unknown is undesirable, to put it lightly.

I don't think role cards unbalance the game: they're part of it.

We will have to wait until we see all of the set before we can make any definitive judgements but we can probably assume that extra influence is a counter balance to twin ring type provinces. Crab with two high strength Earth provinces 'might' be good; but how good is it against say a Scorpion deck with 3 extra influence?

Eh, I disagree, mostly that I don't think shu2jack is being that bold besides stating some reasoned thought on the clans and roles. This is just theory crafting, if you disagree with the points made I'm sure we can have a discussion, but all we really need are the cards and the rules to theory craft the role effectiveness with the clans at the moment.

I think the Keeper roles are all fine. All the rings usually do get utilized during a particular match and the extra influence is always a good thing.

Seeker is the harder one. The Seeker character card is great because it gives you more tutor ability and that will make your deck more consistent. The province bonus is less universally useful since the province options per clan are very limited in the core only environment and we don't know how often we'll get more provinces.

20 hours ago, Shu2jack said:

Crab Clan

Best Role - Seeker of Earth

Why it will turn the meta in the Crab's favor: With two Earth provinces, the Crab can now pick both Entrenched Position and Defend the Wall - pairing it with Pilgrimage. These high defense value locations, combined with the Crab's defensive theme and holdings will make it overly difficult to break them.

Why it won't matter: Defend the Wall is not the only province with 4 strength. There are other neutral provinces that are that tough, it can be expected that all Clans can break multiple 4-strength provinces. Everyone has access to Pilgrimage, and it is just a point of strength more. With cards like "Charge" and "Banzai", provinces will fall. Entrenched Position is a strong card militarily, but the Crab are vulnerable politically. The clan's reliance on Kisada could be their undoing, especially if he can be "Out Witted" at critical moments in the game. No role card will address this weakness.

Wouldn't Keeper of Earth be better for Crab? Crab are a defensive-minded clan. Putting your Earth province on your Stronghold, and repeatedly defending it successfully, should net you a good amount of Fate, don't you think? Plus the extra Influence would allow more wiggle room for additional cards, be they extra defense cards to keep your Keeper going strong, or more Political support to help round out the deck.

Anyone have the crazy idea to pick a Clan role that has nothing do with gameplay and everything to do with being story-appropriate?

2 minutes ago, theninthguardian said:

Anyone have the crazy idea to pick a Clan role that has nothing do with gameplay and everything to do with being story-appropriate?

Seeker of Water for Dragon. Being up in the mountains, they must get awfully thirsty.

6 minutes ago, twinstarbmc said:

Seeker of Water for Dragon. Being up in the mountains, they must get awfully thirsty.

You mean they aren't satisfied with the dew and the frost that clings to the face of the rocky crags they so love? And here I thought these were serious monks, not Friar Tuck...

5 minutes ago, Zesu Shadaban said:

You mean they aren't satisfied with the dew and the frost that clings to the face of the rocky crags they so love? And here I thought these were serious monks, not Friar Tuck...

They are as satisfied as the Phoenix are with their thirst for knowledge, or the Lion's for conquest.

3 minutes ago, twinstarbmc said:

They are as satisfied as the Phoenix are with their thirst for knowledge, or the Lion's for conquest.

...or the Unicorn for curves? In their swords, that is.

1 minute ago, Zesu Shadaban said:

...or the Unicorn for curves? In their swords, that is.

Yeah, if you're looking for curves, the Unicorn seem to be the place to go????

2 minutes ago, Kuni Katsuyoshi said:

Yeah, if you're looking for curves, the Unicorn seem to be the place to go????

Iuchi Daiyu at least seems to know what you mean, amiright?

2 minutes ago, Zesu Shadaban said:

Iuchi Daiyu at least seems to know what you mean, amiright?

He's obviously a super-genius of some sort

*Rampant Envy *??

all bow before Altansarnai!

Just now, RandomJC said:

all bow before Altansarnai!

She'll have to get a nickname first ?

Just now, Kuni Katsuyoshi said:

She'll have to get a nickname first ?

I shan't disrespect my clan champion in all her glory with such nicknames as Alt-tab.

Just now, RandomJC said:

I shan't disrespect my clan champion in all her glory with such nicknames as Alt-tab.

I've got a few.

You might not like them though ??

Just now, Kuni Katsuyoshi said:

I've got a few.

You might not like them though ??

<.< Kisada no pants.

1 minute ago, RandomJC said:

<.< Kisada no pants.

Alta.... Albertsons....Altamont....

whatever

Two words

Man Hands...like a creature from Greek mythology ?

2 minutes ago, Kuni Katsuyoshi said:

Alta.... Albertsons....Altamont....

whatever

Two words

Man Hands...like a creature from Greek mythology ?

Pft.

Hida "Nail my kid to a flag" Kisada.

Hida "I will fight the taint till I staple it to my body" Kisada.

Hida "I can only read one syllable words" Kisada.

Hida "I'm terrible at nicknames" Kisada.

Just now, RandomJC said:

Pft.

Hida "Nail my kid to a flag" Kisada.

Hida "I will fight the taint till I staple it to my body" Kisada.

Hida "I can only read one syllable words" Kisada.

Hida "I'm terrible at nicknames" Kisada.

Touché

at least they didn't have to gender swap the Great Bear ? to make him interesting

ZING!!

2 minutes ago, Kuni Katsuyoshi said:

Touché

at least they didn't have to gender swap the Great Bear ? to make him interesting

ZING!!

I was not aware I was the crane clan.

My champion was erased from history and replaced, not a carbon copy with an Y chromosome replaced by a X.

Can we just leave Shinjo Albatross alone already?

1 minute ago, SHARKOSAURUS said:

Can we just leave Shinjo Albatross alone already?

Shinjo Alderman??(or whatever)

not likely??

Just now, Kuni Katsuyoshi said:

Shinjo Alderman??(or whatever)

not likely??

I thought you said Shinjo Alderaan at first and really don't want a champion to get blown up!*


*Barring Phoenix ordained magic/the return of the Last Wish.