Isawa Toshiji

 
 
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This article will be covering our only Diamond Legal Courtier, Isawa Toshiji. This courtier is also a shugenja, and is the soul of Isawa Mitori. Both versions are 2F, 4C, and 3PH. Both versions are 8 honour requirement. However, Toshiji is only 6 gold, where Mitori cost 8 gold. Both have the same Innate ability. Mitori, however, was not a courtier.

Toshiji is swftly becoming a fixed card for Phoenix decks, for good reason. First, his gold cost of 6 is very cheap, and his honour requirement is 8, which is not at all that high for any decent Phoenix honour or semi-honour running deck. In fact, unless you go with corruption, there is little likelihood of not reaching 8 fairly early with Phoenix. This makes him almost another boxable personality.

So, wh use him over Yoriko, who is also 8 HR and 6 GC? First, he has more personal honour, 3 to her 2. Second, he has more chi, at 4 to her 3. Although Yoriko does have more force, 3 to Toshiji's 2, that is usually not a Phoenix deck's focus. Third, His Innate ability tends to be more useful that Yoriko's. Yoriko can destroy a spell she just cast to straighten. Toshiji has the ability to discard a spell or kiho from your hand and bow to force all other player's with units at that battle to discard a spell or kiho, or bow one of their personalities at that battle.

How is it useful to bow AND discard to force one of your opponents to do only one of those? Well, first, it is possible to not bow due to City of Remembrance's trait. This is one of the nice parts of that stronghold. Second, you can often tell which the various clan's are going to do. Lion, Mantis, Shadowlands, Crab, Crane, Ratling, and some Unicorn and and Scorpion decks will have to bow someone, as they rarely use kihos. Other Phoenix, Dragon, some Scorpion and Horiuchi Shinden players might be able to discard a spell or kiho, though they may choose not to. Still, this ability can be used to good effect.

Another thing to remember is that Toshiji IS a courtier. This allows access to the various courtier actions. This can be very useful when using honour running decks. Toshiji's 4 Chi plus 3 personal honour make him one of the most effective users of Mastermind. There are several others available, like Dismissed.

If you haven't already tried this useful personality out, do so. You might find it useful. Good Luck!

Samoshii adds: If you haven't already tried this useful personality out, you might want to get your head examined *grin*.

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