Naokazu & Shiwasu

At 1F and 4C, he has respectable stats, and his 5HR, 7GC, 2PH are reasonable as well. His ability, however, is what sets him apart. As a limited action, once per turn, reveal the top card of your fate deck. If it is a spell, attach it to Naokazu and bow him. You do not have to pay any gold to attach it, and it hastens your search through your fate deck.

Naturally, his ability becomes more useful the more spells in you fate deck. If the card is not a spell, you do not get it free, and your opponent has also seen what your top fate card is. For a more in-depth look at Asako Oyo, see Zen's Card of the Week #19. While dated, it is still valid for ideas.

The other thing about Naokazu is that he is slightly different from Oyo in cost. While Oyo cost 10 gold, Naokazu only costs 7. Also, Oyo always bows for the action. Naokazu only bows if the card is a spell. If it is not a spell, You still have your 4C shugenja. This generally means that Naokazu will see some use in Open, while Oyo will get relegated to the binder, unless being used as a proxy for Naokazu.

So, what is the second personality, and how does it synergize so well with Naokazu? It is the newest Phoenix clan Scribe, Asako Shiwasu. Shiwasu is a 2F, 3C shugenja, with a 6HR, and 8GC, and with 2PH as well. She does cost 1 less gold if Sezaru, the new Voice, is your Wind. What makes her so good, since she has no innate ability? She has a kick-butt trait, instead. Once per turn, she may bow to cast a spell attached to any other shugenja you control. How good is that? First, in Diamond, there are many interesting battle spells available, and she gives you extra castings of them. Earthquake, Emergence of the Masters, with a lot of Shugenja in play, Fire and Air, Fire From Within, Kuro's Fire [ouch!]. Also, not in Battle, there is Doom of the Fu Leng, Sympathetic Energies and Ryoshun's Last Gift. Lots of nasty and deadly possibilities there. Another thing to keep in mind is that there is no limit on where the spell is. It can be in another battle, at home, wherever. She definitely allows you to have a more even defence.

Out of Diamond, there are even more nasty possibilities. Off the top of my head, I can't help wincing at the prospect of 3 or 4 castings of Wasting Disease a TURN! Don't forget, the -1C Corruption tokens happen to the holder of the spell when they straighten. She is not holding the spell when she straightens, so it doesn't affect her. Forget the slow kill, this could take out clan Champions in one turn.

So, how do these two good personalities work together to be even better? Well, when Naokazu does get a spell, he is bowed and can't cast it that turn. With Shiwasu, it CAN be cast immediately. Diamond says a bowed personality may not cast a spell. It does not say a spell ON a bowed personality may not be cast.This is especially nice if it is something like Walking the Way, where you just got the spell for free, and can get the card you want immediately, not having to wait that [perhaps] critical turn. Also, if Naokazu does get a good spell, he is not left as bait for any PKill your opponent has, while carrying a potentially useful spell. Now, the spell is immediately useful. A definite plus.

I hope this is useful for those of you out there looking for interesting personalities for inclusion in your Phoenix deck. While MGC is the current hot stronghold for Phoenix in Diamond, this presents some possiblities if you want to try something out of Kyuden Agasha, my personal favourite stronghold ever.