When we set out to create A Line in the Sand, we decided it was time to bring in some more mechanical keywords. It has been six months since we introduced our last two, and with their popularity and the help they have brought to L5R’s learning curve, we knew it was time for some more. So for A Line in the Sand, we have two brand new keywords: Courage and Resilient. Courage is the start of a new idea, where we assign mechanical benefits to the seven Bushido Virtues. You will see this trend continue over the coming months and years. We begin with Courage, which is a mechanic given to Fate cards. Courage allows you to discard a Courage card, as an Interrupt, to give a Fear effect +2 or -2 strength. Courage can help you fight off Fear that may creep into your heart, but Courage can also be very intimidating. This new keyword changes the landscape of L5R and how battles play out, as you can never be sure if the Fear you are striking into someone’s heart will find its mark, or come up short. Resilient is the other new keyword, and it tackles a problem at L5R’s core; the winner-take-all aspect to battles. When we were looking at resolving the inherent problems in L5R’s mechanics, the one problem we could not find a good solution was this “everyone dies” aspect of the game, which often determines the game. Now, there are some things to be done about it, such as cards that remove your own units from battle, minimizing your losses. Another solution is presented in the Resilient keyword. A Resilient card, once per game per card, will survive battle resolution without being destroyed. Combining this mechanic along with the ability to remove a unit or two from the battle can change the prospect of losing a battle from a game loss into one where you can mount a comeback and still be in it. To go along with the above two new keywords, we are also starting a new concept with keywords. Beginning with A Line in the Sand and moving forward, we will be focusing on Holding keywords, and building Holding schemes with each set. While there will be Holdings without those keywords in each set, there will be a focus on a keyword or two, and they will get a larger representation than normal. These will not be keywords with rulebook mechanics, but rather keywords that interact with each other and have special focuses. So, for example, in A Line in the Sand, we are focusing on Geisha Houses and Markets/Ports. In reverse order, Markets and Ports are grouped together into one keyword, as they work hand in hand. The basic theme of Markets and Ports is economic advantage. This is not to say they produce more gold than other Holding schemes, but instead use their economy to their advantage. Sometimes, as seen above, they will produce some extra gold, but they will tend to be for very specific actions, and generally not for Equipping or Recruiting. The second keyword is Geisha House. Geisha Houses are a fantastic way to gather information on the plans of your enemies, and this is what you will find you can do with the Geisha House Holding scheme. Several of the Holdings will be focused on gathering information from your opponent, allowing you to do with that information what you will. So that is what we are doing new in A Line of the Sand in regards to keywords, but before we go, we should talk about the new Sensei. Each Clan is going to get their second clan only Sensei in A Line in the Sand. This will be in conjunction with the standard multi-clan Sensei they get every set. These multi-clan Sensei will be Uncommon as normal, but the clan only Sensei will be in the Premium slot. The reason for this is simple necessity. In each expansion, there are 50 Uncommon slots. We simply cannot dedicate over 20% of these slots (once you count in the multi-clan Sensei) to the Sensei. So the nine clan Sensei will be in the Premium slot. Now remember, when drafting, you simply take the Premium card in your pack for free, you do not draft it and you do not play with it in your deck. We are really excited for A Line in the Sand, and the above are just a few of the reasons why. As the preview season continues, we are certain your excitement will continue to grow as well. Enjoy!
Posted on: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 08:54:32 +0000
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