Shiba Emiri

One aspect that has shown up but was generally ignored was the interesting, but slightly more costly, Shugenja-interactive Samurai. What do I mean by that? I mean those Samurai who have abilities which key off the presence of or bowing of a Shugenja. One example of this is Shiba Kiku, who gained Cavalry if you bowed a Shugenja as a cost. Another is Shiba Emiri, the latest in this line. Emiri is a 3F, 3C Samurai with 2 PH. She costs 7 gold, and you need 3 honor to bring her into play.

Shiba Emiri gains +1F if opposing a card in battle whose controller is using Tsudao, or the Left Hand, as their Wind. This is less likely when you are facing a Military deck, as they are more likely to use the Right Hand, but is very possible when facing an Honour runner. This is not a primary ability, but an extra little something.

Emiri's ability is that, once per battle, you can bow one of your Shugenja in any Army to move Emiri into that battle [if necessary] AND give Emiri a force bonus equal to the Shugenja's force. This is such a great ability. It has only one drawback, that you must have a Shugenja that is unbowed at the current battle. It has more positives than you see at first.

To begin with, it allows you to move Emiri into the current battle, which means you do not have to assign her right away. But even better, assign her, then start moving her around. You can only use her ability once per battle, but that just means you can use her equal to the number of provinces with Shugenja assigned. As an even nastier thought, you could Retribution, assign a Shugenja to attack, then move Emiri in as well. For even more combo fun, have either the Emiri or the Shugenja with the Isawa House Guard attached. Then, you have both of the personalities attached. For that matter, any time you are using Emiri, consider attaching the House Guard to her.

The next point to consider is that you can do this even if Emiri is assigned to the same battle as the Shugenja. What is the point of that? Well, first, remember the House Guard again. An extra force bonus is always nice. Next, especially with the new Clan Champion, one thing to consider is Encircled Terrain. This terrain allows you to assign lots of personalities which you know will be bowed by battles end. You can bow Shugenjas for force with both Mirabu E2 and Emiri. Just something to think about.

Don't forget, all force bonuses are unitl end of turn, unless they say otherwise, so Emiri LOVES to get multiple uses of her ability. Also, I have already seen at least deck type that used Emiri as it's first card. One aspect of that deck was the Elemental Dragons. They not only move Emiri in, they give her +7 force! If using the Earth Dragon, use its ability first, then bring in Emiri. Plus 12 is always good.

One thing to remember, especially if you have at least 4 Shugenja, is that you can choose to assign Emiri to any of the provinces, or leave her at home. As a defender, it means you also have the ability to make the attacker think a little harder. I have seen some defenders who choose their battle of choice first, and others who go through all of the others first. Emiri makes them suffer is if they choose the second option. Instead of just a once boosted Emiri, now they face a multi-boosted one.

Another option to consider is attacking. Assign Shugenja to attack multiple provinces. Use movement tech to congregate them after defense is assigned, or send home any facing too much opposition. Use the Shugenja to summon Emiri to those provinces with less defense. Or, attack with a Shugenja at one province, and Emiri at another. Will they defend both, or just Emiri, or just the Shugenja? It gives you options, while messing with their heads.

If looking for a Samurai to use, especially with the new Glory Morning Castle, consider Emiri. She is an interesting Samurai, worth looking at a second time.