Two weeks ago we released our newest set Under the Empress’ Eyes. That set was released as a form of open testing, we expected a quicker revision cycle for it. We also expected big changes in the meta, as the set was accompanied by the rotation of the Elemental Cycle, an old FFG cycle that contained many foundational cards for common strategies through the whole life of the game. Now that we had a bit of time to explore and analyze the new meta, it is also time for a new Restricted List to rebalance the environment.
Revised cards
Yasuki Yoshi and Kakita Mio become the first characters to receive the new keyword Tutored! Tutored is always accompanied by a card name or description. When a character with Tutored enters play, their controller searches their conflict discard pile, then their conflict deck, then their hand for an attachment matching the description of their Tutored keyword, then puts that attachment into play attached to the character with Tutored. Other examples of how this keyword might get used in the future: “Tutored — a Technique”, “Tutored — a unique Weapon”.
Shineko’s ability to attract attention in the battlefield is expanded, now she attracts any Action ability, not only events.
Steadfast Orator now can also react to effects triggered by the Lion player herself. This small change invites using the Steadfast Orator into combos initiated by the Lion player.
The Inquisitor’s Grove establishes their rules of conduct. The stronghold now requires the Phoenix player to have at least 9 honor to get access to its powerful ability. With a starting honor of 12, this makes it risky for Phoenix to open the game by bidding 5 for cards, as if their opponent bids 1 the stronghold is deactivated! By having an honor requirement, the deck building patterns with this stronghold change: it becomes risky to use cards that cost honor like Assassination, Isawa Tsuke, and many maho effects. It also influences play patterns during actual play, as the stronghold is vulnerable to unopposed conflicts, and must consider their bid strategies carefully when the game moves into mid and late game.
A Swallow’s Return receives a small nerf, now it only inspects the top 3 cards instead of top 4.
Lastly, Devotion in Action receives a complete new text, as the first version led to many complicated rules considerations involving order of game procedures, especially for effects with multiple targets, referential targets, etc. It was a rules nightmare. We took a step back and brought a different implementation to the concept of the card.
The New Restricted List
Neutral
- Contested Countryside
- Those Who Serve (was free)
- Oni Tyrant (was banned)
Crab
- Levy 2 (was free)
- Butcher of the Fallen (was free)
- Smuggling Deal (was free)
Crane
- Kakita Toshimoko
- Preeminent Decree
- Tsuma
Dragon
- Adorned Temple
- Foothills Keep
- Revered Bonsho(was free)
Lion
- Ardent Omoidasu
- Matsu Sakura
- Feeding an Army (was free)
Phoenix
- Guardian Dojo
- Isawa Tsuke 2 (was free)
- Kami of Ancient Wisdom (was free)
Scorpion
- Bayushi Kachiko
- Dispatch to Nowhere
- Display of Loyalty (was free)
Unicorn
- Field of Rolling Thunder
- Shinjo Yasamura (was free)
- Ride at Dawn (was free)
New banned cards
- Recalled Defenses
- Secluded Shrine
- Reserve Tents
New free cards
- Kami Unleashed
- Waning Hostilities
- Togashi Mitsu 2
- Fan of Command
- Isawa Tadaka 2
- Lay of the Land
We believe that these changes will rattle the meta quite a bit. What do you think of the changes? Let us know!
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