https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2019/6/26/shojus-duty/
And the hot takes!
Storyline-wise - Yeah, sorry, no. I do not see Shoju taking the throne as an outcome of "Daisetsu's Regent". I see this flavor-text and the sequence of this as being a result of both Sotorii and Daisetsu thought to be dead (with Shoju possibly knowing the truth of Sotorii being alive) (no, seriously, Daisetsu has to die or turn evil) (or one, then the other), and Shoju taking power because someone HAS to, and all the other choices (Toturi, Yoshi) are gone. And he knows he has to be the villain to be unseated. Hence, duty.
But now, the cards!
Bayushi Shoju - Henceforth referred to as Shoju2, this card is a solid staple for the Scorpion draw-bomb dishonor strategy. He accelerates the game in a good way, and denies Censure. Which is actually pretty awesome, considering. I like it. Good card.
Student of Esoterica - Ahem, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS CARD DOES. But it's a 1/1 for 2 Fate with some text about spells, so this is obviously a bad card. Obviously.
Chrysanthemum Steward - 2 Fate for a 1 Mil / 2 Pol Imperial Courtier is not something even an Imperial focused Scorpion deck wants. The ability is counter to a strategy of making your opponent's deck run out of cards, and what is your best case scenario here? You are both at 1 bids, you have out Shoju2, and you make them redraw that Censure they can use... and then they draw two more? Yeah, I am just not seeing how this card is useful. Someone enlighten me?
Castigate - Set up for the kill. Keep in mind that once this card is on a body, it stays on, so while it is somewhat gated on when you can play it, it paints a big bullseye on the back of whomever has it. Never underestimate the power of kill.
Gallant Quartermaster - As we expand the Crab actions to feed the machine (In Defense of Rokugan, Way of the Crab, Steadfast Witchhunter), I expect to see this card step up in use. It is a slightly less versatile Kaiu Envoy, but I expect it to see some play regardless. Definitely a card to watch.
Yasuki Hatsu - Well, then. A slightly gated, slightly more expensive, slightly more powerful Agasha Swordsmith in Crab? This will unlock certain strategies, and makes me glad that Spyglass is on the RL now.
Root Out Heresy - I like this card. It's a strong Crab offensive card. It eats a card out of your opponent's hand, and lowers Province Strength. Using this on the Defense is an... interesting idea. Makes Upholding Authority a better province for the Crab to run.
Edited by sndwurks