Crab Clanpack Review Featuring the London Legion (Non-Crab Cards)
To save on space, and to avoid you all having to read a wall of text, I have split the review into three sections handily accessible through the following links;
Crab Dynasty Deck
Crab Conflict Deck
Non-Crab Cards
A note on the ratings themselves; All of the cards are rated on a scale from 1-5 where a 1 is a card that is either too specific, or has an effect that is so comparatively weak to existing cards that it will almost never see play to 5 which is as close as an auto-include in a deck as you can get.
Isawa Eju
Aytan Hilmi (JeremiahBlitz)
Eju scares me. And he should scare you too. Any clan that runs holdings can look forward to them disappearing almost at will. Being a conflict Shugenja, and having both courtesy and sincerity further boosts this cards power and with no restriction on whose dynasty cards he can get rid of, at a pinch he can be used to fuel chargebird by discarding 3 more cards from your own province row. (4)
Luke Richards (Ikoma Eto)
Contests the already heavy 4-cost slot and has less than average stats. Courtesy and Sincerity help but I doubt he will see much play other than a 1x or 2x tech card. Mill Phoenix will have a field day with this card. (2)
Finbarr (Steelfur)
Well, that's one way to neutrer a Crab. They spend turns getting the wall ready and you just make bits of it disappear. 3 times per round. Yikes. The only good news for Crab players is that well, if they attack on Air, into your wall province, just don't let them win. (4)
Jake (Nostred)
lol, unlucky lootbox.dec... Fortunately, it's an expensive card for them to invest in so you might be alright. (4)
Alex Botts (Bayushi Shimiji)
The last of the Elemental Masters! Very cool. Also he is strong, just kills holding heavy decks and works well against most other decks as well, and hes a conflict character that can't be splashed. Oh I didnt even see that hes got Courtesy and Sincerity as well, very good. Hes strong. (4)
Average Rating: 3.6
Daidoji Netsu
Aytan Hilmi (JeremiahBlitz)
A cheap 2/1 that turns off the likes of Assasinate, all sacrifice effects and I Can Swim leaving open Disguise as the only way for characters to leave the board during the conflict phase. Netsu seems more to counter Crab's sacrifice deck as there aren't many other clans who's characters leave play at that time. Conveniently Netsu also keeps around anything that has been Forebeared into play by similar effects so that might be its one downside. look out for fury of the damned coming to crane decks near you! (3.5)
Finbarr (Steelfur)
Fully supporting this card for enabling the crane bushi fury of the damned deck that doesn't have to sacrifice characters. Seriously though it messes with a lot of strategies and causes a lot of interesting interactions. My only complaint is that it is yet another embargo effect for Crane, who seem to be constantly given "Your opponent cannot do X" effects, which feel bad to play against when they reach critical mass. (4)
Jake (Nostred)
Assasinate it if you are Scorpion then Bridge whatever you actually want to kill. Bit more annoying for every other clan though... (4)
Alex Botts (Bayushi Shimiji)
I hate crane. Honestly crane have so many 'nope' effects its getting insane. Can't play events, can't target characters, can't trigger reactions, can't get pass toshimoko. ...but none of you care about a scorpion player's complaints (4)
Average Rating: 3.9
Agasha Hiyori
Aytan Hilmi (JeremiahBlitz)
More Dragon attachment control with the oddly specific effect that she can only be used after a phase begins so most of the time your opponent will get to use their attachment without impediment for at least a turn. Given that Dragon will never get rid of Let Go, and Miya Mystics do the same job but better as they flat out discard the attachment, Agasha Hyori isn't likely to see anything aside from the inside of the card binder. (1)
Luke Richards (Ikoma Eto)
A card with sub-par stats and an ability that's restricted to a certain phase. For a clan that already has access to more reliable attachment hate, it just doesn't seem worth running when it only blanks the attachment for a single turn. If it was a 3/3, then I think it wouldn't be binder fodder for certain decks. (1)
Finbarr (Steelfur)
This card gets bonus points for being a unique Agasha that is actually a shugenja. The ability on face value is pretty meh compared to Dragon's existing attachment control. However, there are niche uses. Blanking the cloud on your tranquil philosopher and triggering greater understanding in the honour deck is pretty helpful. However, looking at this card, with its sub-par stats, time-restricted ability (requires the phase change), and meh form of attachment control, you really have to wonder what about this ability demanded that it required so much of a cost. Not only does it need to be at a specific time, it also requires a fate to be spend to a ring, and for that you get a temporary effect, and below-par stats for a 3-cost. Everything about this card mirrors what we have seen in the Dragon pack, a lack of coherent design or payoff for themes, sub-par powerlevels and stats, and a clan that is suffering continual disappointment (1)
Jake (Nostred)
Just play Let Go (2)
Alex Botts (Bayushi Shimiji)
Does dragon need more attachment hate? And frankly with how many requirements she has this might as well have been a lion card. Neat to see the agasha get more love (2)
Average Rating: 1.4
Matsu Agetoki
Aytan Hilmi (JeremiahBlitz)
A 3 coster with decent stats and an almost negligible downside on his effect makes Agetoki one of the better out of clan cards in the set. Being able to move conflicts to other provinces isn't something that is readily available at the moment and with the addition of the now very desirable commander keyword, I can see Agetoki being used to good effect. Also follows the trend of Cavalry characters without horses in the artwork +1 point. (3)
Luke Richards (Ikoma Eto)
That smile. That damned smile. Good stats for a 3-cost unique, commander keyword (which synergises with Tactical Ingenuity, Prepare for War etc) and a ability which can counter Talisman of the Sun. Will see play. (4)
Finbarr (Steelfur)
Smiley Moustache'd Madmen. Decent ability and good stats for a 3 cost. +10 happiness points (4)
Jake (Nostred)
That's the smile of a man who just found out where he misplaced his Tanto. (4)
Alex Botts (Bayushi Shimiji)
Voted best smile 1123 IC Agetoki is a lion Chasing the Sun with the standard lion card hoops to jump through, and traits that work really well with lion pack cards and his stats are decent. Yea ok cool. (3)
Average Rating: 3.6
Yogo Asami
Aytan Hilmi (JeremiahBlitz)
One of the better cards in the Clanpack belongs to a scorpion (how i wish we had the same trend for crab - Yasuki Fuzake i'm looking at you!). She is effectively a 2/3 for 2 cost given her effect and that's before you factor in Kachiko's immunity to everything once they are both on the board together. I expect this to be used regardless as with her bow effect she can safely scout provinces such as Upholding Authority and honoured she can break any commonly used province in the game. (4)
Luke Richards (Ikoma Eto)
Kachiko currently doesn't see play so I don't think Asami will see much either. Yes, she can safely poke into provinces that trigger upon breaking but she just reminds me of a more versatile Sinister Soshi. Will Kachiko see more play because of Asami? I doubt it. (2)
Finbarr (Steelfur)
Protects Kachiko, yes. Great ability that can neuter characters in conflict and turn on Aramoro. Also allows you to assign her to a conflict, use her ability and still cast for shames and more. This character is genuinely good and Scorpion are sleeping on her. Except Jakub, he told me he thinks she is amazing. (4)
Jake (Nostred)
A 2 cost effective 2/3 with a self bow to dodge province break effects, a relevant trait, an ability that boosts Aramoro and a static text that makes Kachiko unbelievably good. It should be a 3x in most scorpion decks in my opinion, but my fellow pincer pals seem to hate it, needless to say I run 3 and Kachiko. (5)
Alex Botts (Bayushi Shimiji)
Ok so first off i dont play Kachiko. I know, I know shes strong, but honestly read the fictions and then maybe you'll understand why i dislike her. so all im reading here is Asami's cost, action, stats and trait. Asami is just plain awesome and useful. Poison kill deck is a go (5)
Average Rating: 4
Shinjo Yasamura
Aytan Hilmi (JeremiahBlitz)
The best card in the Crab Clanpack goes to Unicorn. Yasamura is 2 cost so can be searched with Shinjo Gunso, has covert, and stops the coverted character from defending in your second and potentially third conflicts. 10/10, bring 3 always. (5)
Luke Richards (Ikoma Eto)
A 2-cost Tengu Sensei... Cheap covert is obviously strong but give it Tengu's ability but for the defence? Auto include in the HMT deck and very likely every other deck. You will need a good reason not to run him. (5)
Finbarr (Steelfur)
Something really needs to be done at a design level to stop the best card in a clan pack from ever being a neutral/card for another clan. As we have seen in a more extreme way in the Dragon pack, nothing hurts worse than flipping through your own clan pack and realising the strongest bomb isn't yours. Or even splashable in this case. (5)
Jake (Nostred)
What an absolutely rediculous card this is. Covert for the rest of the round... In Unicorn... A clan that wants to attack multiple times and break each time... (5)
Alex Botts (Bayushi Shimiji)
The good little wife. Wow. Yasamura is really really good. Best card in the pack by far. Huh, i thought this was the crab pack? (5)
Average Rating: 5
Moto Eviscerator
Aytan Hilmi (JeremiahBlitz)
The only real place I would see this in use is in Unicorn as another cheap cavalry character with a nice movement effect for 1 honour. They have several other 1-2 cost cavalry in-clan however so despite it's decent stats I dont think that it will see play. (2)
Luke Richards (Ikoma Eto)
The zero political is disapointing. There are few cards that trigger off movement effects but it's not worth the 1 honour or the deck slot running this. (1)
Finbarr (Steelfur)
Ehh. If I wanted this character in the conflict, I would have sent him there in the first place. (1)
Jake (Nostred)
Needs more stats (1)
Alex Botts (Bayushi Shimiji)
Oooh Dark Moto. Neat. Very cool art. ....and that's about it. (1)
Average Rating: 1.2
Slovenly Scavenger
Aytan Hilmi (JeremiahBlitz)
The second of the goblin shadowlands cards to be released, this time with an effect that has a very specific use. Decking out isnt really a major issue in this game with Miya Satoshi gone as the downsides can be mitigated with good honour management but with the increasing amount of recursion it might have some use in slowing down the opponent, or simply to prematurely recycle a discard back into the deck to have an opportunity to redraw already used cards. Either way I think that the applications might be too limited at the moment for this to see widespread use. Then again, I'm running 2 copies at the moment so... (3)
Luke Richards (Ikoma Eto)
Do you want to see your opponent cry? Do you want to shuffle back all the spells of a Kyuden Isawa deck or the conflict discard of a Dishonour deck who's been desperately searching for their BHC? Now you can! All for the low, low price of winning a conflict! This is a great card. The only downside? It's not a conflict card and you will either see it too early or way too late to matter (but of course, that would be broken). (4)
Finbarr (Steelfur)
Amazing card, that helps as a meta choice against Phoenix/Lion/Crab/Scorpion. Can both save you from mill whilst also removing the main strategies of several key clans in the meta. We saw this being very effective vs Phoenix at the farewell event at worlds. It will continue to obliterate Kyuden Isawa, if they let you win a conflict that is... (5)
Jake (Nostred)
This is such a broken Scorpion card it's unreal... Scorpion get all the fun to... What's that? It's neutral? Nah, it's Scorpion, they just printed it in black and white. Recycle all your good things is really good if you draw as many of your things as possible every round, there's also a wild combo with An Ocean in A Drop from the Dragon clan pack so just wait for Scorpion to BHC you 6 times in one turn, it's gunna be fun... (6)
Alex Botts (Bayushi Shimiji)
Decent against certain builds of certain clans, but i think in general not worth the slot. (2)
Average Rating: 4
Kansen Haunt
Aytan Hilmi (JeremiahBlitz)
Probably wins the award for biggest downside in using a holding. It allows other clans to use our Defend the Wall effect but without the restriction of having to be the attacked province. Personally I don't think that the effect isn't worth the -2 province strength and losing 2 honour to activate given that it helps advance two of the other win conditions for your opponent (easier provinces to break and bringing you closer to dishonour). You could however, use this in conjunction with Defend the Wall, Seventh Tower and a Guardian Kami to proc 4 ring resolutions from one defence but it is far too much of an investment to consider outside of casual play. (1.5)
Luke Richards (Ikoma Eto)
Interesting card! I love the flavour but sadly -2 province strength AND 2 honour is too much to ask for as a cost. If it had only been either one of them and I think it would have seen play in a minority of decks.(1)
Finbarr (Steelfur)
Love the hillarious reactions this has with display of power. Love nothing else about this card. (1)
Jake (Nostred)
I tried to make this jank work in the side event at the world championships, it didn't, I lost a lot of provinces because of it... (1)
Alex Botts (Bayushi Shimiji)
Hmm I dont think so Odd thought, if this shows up on Flooded Waste, attackers bow but you dont defend will it still break because, well, zero is equal to zero but it wouldn't be an unopposed conflict would it? cause they dont have a point of strength? also, no one would win the ring cause it would be a zero vs zero tie.. right? but none of that matters. (1)
Average Rating: 1.1
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