6 hours ago, sndwurks said:

It had better be a good Attachment if it costs you both an honor AND a Fate on a Character. That already puts it as worse than Shinjo Saddle for prohibitive cost.

as it was described to me:

Invocation of Ash (Unicorn Attachment)

1 Fate cost

+2Mil / +2 Pol

Spell. Fire. Meishodo.

Action: Lose 1 honor. Choose a character you control - move this attachment to that character. Then, remove 1 fate from that character.

That seems pretty strong. Being able to pass it around with Giver of Gifts means you can probably use it on one character, pay an honor to move it to a second character with no fate on it, then use Giver of Gifts to move it to a third character with fate on it to keep around next turn too. This seems a lot more universally applicable than the Shinjo Saddle, and I've been looking for ways to increase a character's relevance in both military and political conflicts. I'd at least like to give it a try, and would probably think about splashing it in my phoenix deck as well.

2 hours ago, Kaito Kikaze said:

as it was described to me:

Invocation of Ash (Unicorn Attachment)

1 Fate cost

+2Mil / +2 Pol

Spell. Fire. Meishodo.

Action: Lose 1 honor. Choose a character you control - move this attachment to that character. Then, remove 1 fate from that character.

Hrm. Yeah, no, I think Dragon and Crab are going to LOVE that Attachment, but not so much the Unicorn.

56 minutes ago, sndwurks said:

Hrm. Yeah, no, I think Dragon and Crab are going to LOVE that Attachment, but not so much the Unicorn.

Yeah what else is new

Imperial Advisor, here , says that Brad Andres went to play to the Kotei with his Unicorn deck... with some cards from the elemental cycle. So maybe we’ll have some more spoilers later today? Somebody attending that can sneak peek?

10 hours ago, Ishi Tonu said:

We know we are getting at least one stronghold in the elemental cycle. The top three factions to get a stronghold, IMO would be Mantis, Naga, or Shadowlands. My expectation is that FFG will release Naga and Shadowlands together in some sort of deluxe set at a later date. That would leave Mantis to get the stronghold to come out in the elemental cycle, but, I don't think that is enough to get them completely off the ground, so I presume they will get some sort of deluxe box of their own at a later date as well. This way FFG can make whatever stronghold they print somewhat stronger to try and carry the faction it represents since it can be subject to a rotation at a later date when the set rotates, and the real stronghold that gets evergreen printing will be more in line with the rest of the strongholds.

Or who knows..........maybe FFG throws us a giant curveball and makes some sort of imperial stronghold that starts the game with the favor and since they haven't been a part of worlds from last year, they can only used the "support off" roles in tournament play.

In the game trade magazine article linked above it says under elements unbound:

Quote

Finally, a new stronghold for one of the seven Great Clans introduces new deckbuilding strategies that are sure to shake up the game.

Assuming the writer of the article knows what they're talking about, this means that the new stronghold is for one of the existing factions, given that they stated that one of the design goals for the cycle was to fix the problems with the ponies, I'd wager it's a unicorn stronghold (although, and this may be wish fulfillment on my part here, given that this is the elemental cycle and that fire chickens aside we dragon have the strongest connection to the elements via our monks, it could also be a new dragon monk stronghold, but I doubt it due to pony weakness and dragon strength).

Also, I'm gonna call it now, the dragon monk technique mentioned is mantra of air, although I will admit that getting pumps to mil skill is weird for the air ring, but since that's the air aligned pack that's the only mantra that we can reasonably assume to be in it. Of course it could also just not be a mantra, but given that it talks about applying to monks specifically and that it gives options for other conflicts (which fits with both of the mantras thus far drawing a card) I think that it's safe to assume mantra.

So the interesting thing is, the 1st pack is the one that on the FFG site states it includes a stronghold. So if both sources are accurate, that would suggest we're getting 2 new strongholds in this cycle, rather than one.

Dragon monk technique I think is not going to be a mantra, as those are kiho. Compared to High Kick for example, which has technique as an actual printed trait. Other trait examples include Smoke and Mirrors, Duelist Training, and The Mountain Does Not Fall.

Some new Unicorn cards can be seen, though not clearly.

That’s a new holding, “Shiotome Encampment”, that has an action, and we can see the Invocation of Ash attachment, but nothing more.

Edit: It seems that the Shiotome Encampment ready a Cavalry character as an action, but you need a MIL ring in your claimed ring pool to use it. I’d say it’s very good.

So, apart from those two, rumors say:

Stronghold: if you win a MIL conflict with more participating characters, bow SH, discard a cavalry character, you can declare another MIL conflict this turn.

Shahai: 4 cost Water Shugenja 2/4/1. Covert. Meishodo attachments cost 1 less on Shahai and neutral characters.

Force of the River: 1 fate attachment. Attach to Shugenja you control. Action: During a conflict, put each facedown card in your provinces in the conflict as 1 MIL/- POL 0 glory characters with Cavalry and Spirit traits. Discard them at the en of the conflict. (Very powerful with Shono, synergizes well with rumored SH)

Invocation of Ash: we already know this one

Shiotome Encampment: the same

Unleash the Djinn: 0 Fate event. Meishodo. Fire. Fire role only. During a conflict lose 3 honor - Set the MIL and POL values of each participating character to 3. (Don’t know if actual skill or printed skill, can change quite a bit)

All these rumors were before Brad Andres put his picture on Twitter, and then two of the rumored cards are known to be true. That gives some credibility to the other rumored cards, but as always, take it with a grain (better a handful) of salt.

But at least is fun to have something to discuss about.

That stronghold would enable a pure military all out aggro deck that I think would shake up the meta in interesting ways.

32 minutes ago, Tabris2k said:

So, apart from those two, rumors say:

Stronghold: if you win a MIL conflict with more participating characters, bow SH, discard a cavalry character, you can declare another MIL conflict this turn.

Shahai: 4 cost Water Shugenja 2/4/1. Meishodo attachments cost 1 less on Shahai and neutral characters.

Force of the River: 1 fate attachment. Attach to Shugenja you control. Action: During a conflict, put each facedown card in your provinces in the conflict as 1 MIL/- POL 0 glory characters with Cavalry and Spirit traits. Discard them at the en of the conflict. (Very powerful with Shono, synergizes well with rumored SH)

Invocation of Ash: we already know this one

Shiotome Encampment: the same

Unleash the Djinn: 0 Fate event. Meishodo. Fire. Fire role only. During a conflict lose 3 honor - Set the MIL and POL values of each participating character to 3.

All these rumors were before Brad Andres put his picture on Twitter, and then two of the rumored cards are known to be true. That gives some credibility to the other rumored cards, but as always, take it with a grain (better a handful) of salt.

But at least is fun to have something to discuss about.

These things would make Unicorn a serious threat and people would suddenly be happy there was a lot of event counters in the game.

Sadly I could see many other clans making better use of some of these cards, but at least the Cav Reserve recycler looks like it's going to be a real thing now.

Charge Altansarnai into a battle with some other small guys, kill something, use new stronghold and sac her, then bring her back with Cav Reserves in second military battle and kill something else.....

I'm really liking how these cards would looks in my existing Unicrab and Unichicken decks.

Glad to see that Unicorn looks like they will be getting some love......even if it is just before I make my inevitable switch to Shadowlands. Lol

Just now, Ishi Tonu said:

These things would make Unicorn a serious threat and people would suddenly be happy there was a lot of event counters in the game.

Sadly I could see many other clans making better use of some of these cards, but at least the Cav Reserve recycler looks like it's going to be a real thing now.

Charge Altansarnai into a battle with some other small guys, kill something, use new stronghold and sac her, then bring her back with Cav Reserves in second military battle and kill something else.....

I'm really liking how these cards would looks in my existing Unicrab and Unichicken decks.

If all these are true, seems like the new theme with Unicorn will be numerical superiority. Which will be pretty easy given the actual Voltron tactics. I’d say Unicorn can rise to Tier 1 with cards like these (again, if the rumors are true)

Now that these details have been leaked, they will all be nerfed to only work once each during games on every second blue moon.

Whoops, I forgot to add that apparently Shahai has covert. Pretty important point there.

This could mean: Attack with Shahai and Nergüi. Use Nergüi to send Shahai home. Now you can use covert in two conflicts per turn.

Ok, apparently Brad is playing another game. Pleople is confirming the rumored cards. Also:

Apparently they took their job of “let’s fix Unicorn” to the heart.

14 minutes ago, Tabris2k said:

Whoops, I forgot to add that apparently Shahai has covert. Pretty important point there.

This could mean: Attack with Shahai and Nergüi. Use Nergüi to send Shahai home. Now you can use covert in two conflicts per turn.

I was about to say she seems somewhat unimpressive as first rumored. Covert makes it a little better.....and Shugenja trait for easier cloud the mind use.......which is where I think this next phase of the game is where we'll be leaning, so I'd still expect the same 4 clans to be at or near top as they have the attachment control to remove CtM.

I generally like the quality of the art, but what is that image in Invocation of Ash supposed to be, other than that person vaguely gesturing at a bridge? I see a shadowy/smokey bit in the top corner, but nothing that illustrates what the card actually represents.

6 minutes ago, Swordbreaker said:

I generally like the quality of the art, but what is that image in Invocation of Ash supposed to be, other than that person vaguely gesturing at a bridge? I see a shadowy/smokey bit in the top corner, but nothing that illustrates what the card actually represents.

It’s a Shugenja burning a bridge with the power of Meishodo. Or turning it to ashes.

Something like “meishodo gives you power” (+2/+2), but using it is dishonorable (-1 Honor) and can shorten your life(-1 fate)? Also, given that meishodo are actual objects I think that’s why they can be passed around, unlike normal spells.

8 minutes ago, Tabris2k said:

It’s a Shugenja burning a bridge with the power of Meishodo. Or turning it to ashes.

Something like “meishodo gives you power” (+2/+2), but using it is dishonorable (-1 Honor) and can shorten your life(-1 fate)? Also, given that meishodo are actual objects I think that’s why they can be passed around, unlike normal spells.

It's just not very clear with the photograph. I'm sure when I can see the card in hand it would make more sense.

I absolutely love sneaky shinjo

19 minutes ago, Tabris2k said:

It’s a Shugenja burning a bridge with the power of Meishodo. Or turning it to ashes.

Something like “meishodo gives you power”

Like "red bull gives you wings"

It's just clever marketing, nothing to worry about.......

Master of Swift Waters x3

I also like how Sneaky Shinjo synergizes with Shinjo Scout to incentivise passing early in the dynasty phase.

It looks like deckbuilding for the Unicorn will finally be more fun than challenge.....and who knows maybe they'll win some games too.

Sneaky Shinjo and other low-cost characters are also great fodder for Master of Swift Waters bait-and-switch attacks/defences.