|
The Sensei's have returned, with one for each clan, and a couple extra
for good luck. The one which is now available for the Phoenix clan is
interesting, to say the least. Or possibly, to say the most.
It appears, at least to me, to be created solely for Kyuden Agasha
decks. It has three notes, two abilities, and a trait which is a
restriction. The restriction is that after you reach 10 honour, you may
only gain honour during Battles and duels. This is immensely limiting.
Thus, this sensei will not likely be used for honour running Phoenix
decks, unless they are trying for Battle or Duel Honour of some sort.
The first ability this Sensei has is a battle action. You can bow one
of your opposed Samurai in the current battle to search your fate deck
for a spell, show it to everyone, then put it in your hand. Kind of odd.
You bow a Samurai to get a spell which is only useful for Shugenja.
Problems: The Samurai is opposed, so you are losing the Samurai's force,
plus whatever force he has from cards attached to him. Second problem,
you are getting a spell, which may only be attached during the limited
phase, during a battle. Moving on, however.
Also as a Battle ability, you may bow a spell in the current battle to
give one opposed Samurai in the current battle +1F for each spell at that
battle. A distinctly odd ability. Obviously, the more spells at the
current battle, the better the bonus. However, the more spells there,
the more dangerous, as that means there must be Shugenja there for the
spells to attach to. And Shugenja and battles are not great mixes,
though that is not as completely true as it used to be.
In Morning Glory Castle and City of Rememberance, this Sensei will
likely get looked, barely thought about, and forgotten. In Kyuden
Agasha, however, it bears a second look. First, after you've gotten a
spell into your hand, you can now attach it, and it costs 2 less gold.
Then, once it is attached, it can be cast, and then, the spell bowed for
the Sensei ability. Somewhat Comborific, but something to consider.
Even more than that, though, is the fact it is person intensive. This is
a mid to late game Sensei.
One other thing I barely touched upon above, and will now cover more
closely, is that the spell may be cast, then bowed for this ability. The
spell is cast by a shugenja bowing, but the spell is not usually bowed by
that casting, though it is sometimes destroyed. This gives you something
to do with that otherwise useless spell. Also, there is nothing on the
Sensei about the ability being limited to once per turn. You can bow
every spell you have at the battle to gain force. For that matter, you
can keep bowing Samurai to get spells, though that seems wastelful.
Something to keep in mind, though.
This Sensei is pretty specific, but seems designed to make people think
of new decks. Check it out, and let me know what you think!
Isawa Letomo
Phoenix clan Librarian-Shugenja
|