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Lesson 1

Now one of our new recruits me approached me with his dilemma . For the benefit of others I will share excerpts with you....

Kuni Macleod wrote: " I need to know which is better Crab oni or Crab hero? And what is the best configuration of each . . . . .
I'm having trouble in making a good configuration of an honorable crab deck...
I've been trying the Oni crab deck for months and i just quit in frustration...
Which do you think is the better deck? Do you have any ideas as to what are the components of each? I really have a hard time against the Scorpion, Phoenix and Lion decks. . . . .
who has the best honorable crab deck out there? Can you send me a copy of it . . . . .
are corruptedr iron mines considered iron mines for the ability of blacksmiths? Can someone tell what is the best honorable Crab deck configuration . . . . ."

Well Kuni Macleod, Its good to know that a warrior such as you strives to know his best options for the army he chooses to fight in, neh? Well enough of this ominous military dude voice.... let's go down to business shall we?

First up, when you say configuration I am assuming you mean items and supporting action cards for the character. Ofcourse both Yakamos have their pros and cons. Regardless which Yakamo you use, the rule is to configure your deck to complement his strength.

Below are a few facts that may help you.

On the individual personalities.

Yakamo the Oni:
4F 4C 7g. 5 gold for a 5/5 personality and NO honor loss, now that's a bargain.The loner that thrives on distant relations.The Oni is best with a lot of other crab personalities, the more crab personalities youve got the bigger he becomes, he can't join in any army but there are "ways" to sneak him in there. Also the Oni with 10 or more crab personalities hanging around him means you've got one bad-ass dueller, sure he can't focus but if your Oni is 18F 18C you practically don't need to.

Yakamo the Oni (exp): 5F 5C 9g
I think he's a let down actually, he's not a loner anymore but he prefers the company of other beasties and will only get a +1F/+1C for those Crab Personalities with the Shadowlands trait. For the average Evil Crab Deck you give him Shadowlanders for company and decree Oaths of fealties every so often so he gains the bonus. Word of advice don't overlay him with the inexperienced one, its just not worth it.

Key action cards:
Way of Deception - pull the old switcheroo.
Traversible Terrain - better than the Cavalry Trait in most instances.
Anc. Sword of the Crab - Whoa! The big guy just got bigger!
Sneak Attack+Crushing attack - <= if this doesnt work....
Ambush+Sneak Attack+Crushing attack - <= try this hehehehehehe!

Yakamo the Hero: (Normal Yakamo)
3F 3C 8g, average FC to g ratio, nice ability, I like the look on my opponents face when this guy eats his ancestral thingies.

Yakamo the Hero (exp): (Strong Yakamo)
5F 5C 11g, Another example of great F/C to gold ratio. He's 11F 9C with the Hantei Sword and Jade Hand and he gets bigger when opposed by any shadowlands card to a duel. I still don't agree that you have to use the Imperial Favor to bring out the Hantei Sword for this Yakamo, but since rules are rules... (^!$%#@$!#).... Great ability, he can take on Any Shadowlands personality in a one on one battle and win! Provided, of course, he gets first move.

Yakamo the Hero (exp2): (Bust Yakamo)
6F 5C 14g, He'll join any battle that would give him Shadowlands meat, even if he's bowed he'll rise up to face their challenge, Imperial Favor not withstanding! And of course he's now TACTICIAN!

Key action cards (for normal Yak):
Elite Heavy Inf. + Ambush + Sneak Attack - use against Ancetral Item weilding foe.

Key action cards (for exp &exp2) :
Strength of Purity + Frenzy - assuming he's in an "Honorable Crab Deck" its easy to re-honor him.
Anc. Sword of the Crab + Jade Hand + Hantei Sword + Daisho Technique + Blood Sword or Master Smith Token - Umm... You get the idea....
Ambush + Sneak Attack+ Bow to destroy shadowlands.. - I just love ambush +sneak.... what can I say, it works!
Stale Wind + any Shugenja - hehehehehe.

Next on Kuni Macleod's list is the decks.

I'm gonna post sample crab decks soon so keep in touch, for now I'd advise you with a few "must have cards" for each deck.

For the Hero Deck:

DYNASTY Hida Yakamo the Hero(Exp.) Hida Unari Hida War College Hiruma Yoshi

FATE Strength of Purity Test of Honor Followers Galore! Items Galore!

For the Oni Deck:

DYNASTY Hida Yakamo the Oni Hida Amoro Severed from the Emperor Kuni Wastelands

FATE Frenzy Evil Portents For the Empire Way of Deception

On a personal note: I favor the Crab Oni Deck! Properly configured, can match if not better an LSD! Yes it is possible I've been able to do it myself.

"...first turn Matsu Gohei meet first turn Oni no Akuma..."

The Scorpion high province strength is a bummer, its possible to get 2nd turn 12+ force army with this deck.

''...Go get em Amoro!..."
The Phoenix... as long as you are fast enough to handle an LSD, you're gonna eat them shugenjas right out of their stinking libraries!

"...using 'For the Empire' my 12F 12 C Crab Oni duels your 2F 2C Tsuke..."

". . .who has the best honorable crab deck out there? Can you send me a copy of it . . ."
I don't know who has the best honorable Crab deck but like I said a while back I'll post my decks here as soon as I can.

And lastly the question about the Corrupted Iron Mines. NO, they aren't considered "regular" Iron Mines, they don't add to the gold production of the Blacksmiths but actually negate the bonus given by Iron Mines to the Blacksmiths, ie, Honorable Crab has 3 Iron Mines and 1 Blacksmiths in play, Evil Crab has 1 Iron Mine and 3 Corrupted Iron Mines in play, a total of 4 IMs versus 3 CIMs. The total gold the Blacksmiths would produce would be 3 (2 for itself, 1 for the Iron Mine that has not been canceled out by the CIMs), and yes the Blacksmiths can be zeroed.

That's all for now, more tips to come soon!

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