I only get the chance to play in a small circle of players, so I'm really curious about other people's thoughts on many cards. What are some of your favorite cards that you originally underestimated, or that it seems like other people don't like as much?

I was very surprised when I started playing Asako Maezawa, originally expecting him not to do very much, but he regularly pulls out 6 political for just 3 fate, without taking much setup or work. I often use him as my early-turn attacker, because if they don't defend, he's gonna break a province, even if they manage to dishonor him.

One that I see a lot of people bashing is Path of Man (win by 5 or more, get 2 fate). I understand the problem with it (it rewards for doing something it doesn't help you with) and getting stuck with them in your hand can be frustrating and even game-halting, but they're also incredibly efficient if you can find a way to outmaneuver your opponent. They've let me have some great comeback turns, and also helped seal games where I've had strong starts. Having an economy card that Shrine Maiden picks up as well is pretty handy. The more spells/kiho you can shove in there, the more cards you'll have in your hand.

So I guess I'm mostly curious what everyone's favorite pet card is, and why?

Shinjo Tatsuo

I've been on this guy's bandwagon for quite some time. Prior to Master of the Swift Waves, Tatsuo was one of the few ways to get characters with relevant abilities into multiple battles. The problem was that Unicorn hasn't had enough people with relevant abilities, until about now. I had used him prior to the full release of the elemental cycle in a Unicorn/Phoenix deck to make multiple Air attacks with Seeker of Knowledge, and I was really impressed by what Tatsuo did for me then. Now there is so much more out there and I can only imagine how much more effective Tatsuo will become as better cards come out.

I love being able to cheat static effects into multiple battles, like Ageless Crone, or Utaku Tetsuko. While MotSW is still the better overall, card, I feel like many people overlook the importance of redundancy of effects. When having certain abilities, or extra numbers, in a conflict matters, Tatsuo always finds a place in my deck.

On 2/18/2019 at 6:40 PM, Ishi Tonu said:

I love being able to cheat static effects into multiple battles, like Ageless Crone, or Utaku Tetsuko. While MotSW is still the better overall, card, I feel like many people overlook the importance of redundancy of effects. When having certain abilities, or extra numbers, in a conflict matters, Tatsuo always finds a place in my deck.

I've come back to Unicorn after a hiatus trying a Phoenix/Dragon monk deck (which was fun), and now I'm tinkering seriously with a mobility-oriented strategy. Working on my deck, I've remembered this post of yours, and I gotta tell you, I'd love to play Tatsuo, but I cannot find a place for him. At the 4-cost slot, I use Shinjo Shono and Utaku Kamoko and both are non-negotiable to me. I really struggle with the idea of adding him or not... I can't let go of the idea, but I can't make it work... heh

I played four matches yesterday at a tourney at my local game store, and I had a lot of fun trying out my deck (I did better than I expected too), but I've been unlucky in one of my games where everything I had to generate mobility never became available with the exception of one Moto Juro (who I absolutely love to use with the new Outskirts Sentry). None of my Favored Grounds, Shinjo Outrider, Favored Mounts... ugh...

That kinda sucked. This makes me think about Tatsuo again, but the more I think of it, the more I believe I might try.......... Dispatch. Yeah, you read that right. I know everyone laughed at this card (as did I) when it got spoiled, but the more I think of it, the more it seems interesting because as a conflict card, it's way more reliable than a Dynasty card effect. And Imperial Advisor's take on this card is actually pretty nuanced. What do you think @Ishi Tonu ?

I mean, to my mind, if for 1 fate if I can move a bowed Utako Tetsuko to a conflict when I am attacking, when she has a spyglass to use a second time, and when I outnumber my opponent to help with triggering HMT, the cost does not seem out of proportion.

I always find there is more wiggle room in my dynasty deck than there is my conflict deck.

My current deck is built around keeping Toturi and Tetsuko in battle so extra room for Tatsuo isn't very difficult for me.

It all kind of depends on the approach you want to take. I'm not a huge fan of Dispatch, but, that doesn't mean it's not good in a different deck. In a deck were I was looking to get multiple triggers from moving then it could be a useful card.....mine isn't quite that. I have to devote my conflict deck to holding the favor and making sure Toturi is ready to do his thing, while looking for an opportunity to exploit Cav Reserves or pouncing on opportunities to triple break

On 2/19/2019 at 8:40 AM, Ishi Tonu said:

Shinjo Tatsuo

Great now, in my deck, with press of battle and other cards. It let me use so many card effects (even when the cards are bowed). Now it is one of my go to card.

Is it only my place where I play, or did you also notice that many players forget that bowed character can still use their ability?

On 3/18/2019 at 5:00 AM, Ascarel said:

Dispatch.

I had good and bad experience with it. I try anyway to run two of them, because I need a deck where I ride wild everywhere. So it can be useful. Still, if I have other "not expensive" card, I will use them, so Dispatch still in my hands. But I had a couple of time where I needed to move characters (especially out of conflict), and Dispatch was my choice.

I don't know about other people, but I find Jewel of the Khamasin very useful. Many people dislike it because you lose honor, but Unicorns have other cards for take it back. 2 fate cost, but with Shahai it can be free to neutral characters.

Another one very useful for my strategy, is Shinjo Altansarnai. Taking away one character from the fields (any character) it is great for me.

At local shops and during some casual games on Jigoku I see a plenty of people overlooking bowed characters with abilities.

Missing that Kaito still contributes her skill to your army even if everyone in the conflict is bowed is another one I see people miss a lot.

In more competitive games it generally isn't missed as much.

At local shops and during some casual games on Jigoku I see a plenty of people overlooking bowed characters with abilities.

Missing that Kaito still contributes her skill to your army even if everyone in the conflict is bowed is another one I see people miss a lot.

In more competitive games it generally isn't missed as much.

Although at the kotei I went to last year every single one of my opponents misplayed against Kaito......

To be fair my deck was complete jank and probably not that many people play against Kaito all that often. I'm tempted to try an updated version of last year's deck again, but, I think I'm going for something a little more competitive this time around.

7 hours ago, Ishi Tonu said:

At local shops and during some casual games on Jigoku I see a plenty of people overlooking bowed characters with abilities.

8 hours ago, Victarion13 said:

Is it only my place where I play, or did you also notice that many players forget that bowed character can still use their ability?

Speaking of which. At the local event I mentioned, people told me after a game that I had overlooked the fact that bowed characters still count their skills in a duel . It took a while to wrap my head around this one. I had never, never, ever realized this.

I had a well-equipped Tetsuko in conflict, but she was bowed, and I had a Challenge on the Fields in my hands, but I didn't use it and in the context of this fight I should have had, because then I would have won.

On 3/22/2019 at 10:38 PM, Ascarel said:

Speaking of which. At the local event I mentioned, people told me after a game that I had overlooked the fact that bowed characters still count their skills in a duel . It took a while to wrap my head around this one. I had never, never, ever realized this.

I did too... I did too ><!

On 3/24/2019 at 11:29 AM, Victarion13 said:

I did too... I did too ><!

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

Where is that rules nugget hidden?

12 hours ago, Bakura83 said:

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

Where is that rules nugget hidden?

I don't think it is written word for word anywhere. It's implicit because the Learn to Play rules state that to resolve a conflict , you only count skills of your ready characters. In the dueling rules, there is no such caveat. Or in the Rules Reference, at the Bow, Bowed entry it does say "During conflicts, bowed characters do not contribute their skill." but this should not be taken to include duels, which are separate, having their own framework, etc. Anyway that's my understanding, I'll be happy to be told where else this kind of interaction can be ascertained.