For this article, I will cover the small item, Eye of the Emperor [hereafter eote]. This item may be being used elsewhere, but I haven't seen any decks locally or on the net [not that I check all, most, or even many] that use it.

It is a +1/+1 item, for 2 gold, with a focus of 3. It has two abilities, both focused on magistrates, which I will cover in due time.

In Diamond, it is not tremendously good, being about average to a little low in it's stats. In Lotus, however, it will come more into it's own. Lotus is flattening out chi values, and there are fewer ways to raise said value. This is not the only one, it is not the only one this cheap, but it may be the best one so far. The others that raise chi are either more expensive, or have additional costs [lose honour, dishonour the personality]. This one is just a small simple little boost.

Another small point is that it is neither unique, nor an armor or weapon. You can stack this with other items, or with itself. Not a fast way to boost chi, but one worth thinking about. And the focus is high enough that duel decks might consider it.

The first ability on it is a reaction. If attached to a magistrate, remove the eote from the game to cancel any action targeting the magistrate. This can be used when they target you're magistrate, or when they force you to target him! This ability is useless when eote is not attached to aa magistrate, but what can you expect for only 2 gold? And it may only be one shot, but it is a very powerful shot. Especially in lotus, when cancel will be what negate currently is. It may be on the board, in plain sight, but many people even ignore that! Not always, and you can't count on it, but I've seen it often enough to know it happens at all levels.

The second ability is more available, since it can be used by any personality, not just magistrates. However, they do use it better. As a limited action, destroy the eote, or bow it if attached to a magistrate, to look at a face down card. This is one of the incresingly fewer ways to do this. With both the Obsidian Mirror and the Golden Mirror available, it could be a nice trick. Better for Scorpion, but useable by anyone. Sometimes, knowing what is going to happen can win games.

How often have you attacked the wrong province, and they brought out just the card they needed the next turn? This can help with that. Or, you can even look at your own face down cards, though there are not usually many of those during your own Action Phase.

As an additional note, neither ability affects the bowed or unbowed orientation of the personality or unit. This is nice, and looking to become more common with Lotus, to make items and spells more useful.

Not a huge, game breaking card, but one I see a lot of potential in for the future.

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