Enlightenment I - Earth & Water
Dark Path of the Shadow Strategy Article - iguesi@aol.com

With the assistance of the Kaede Sensei, enlightentment is no longer a distant path from our door step. In fact, our clan enjoys the services of one the most versatile personalities for getting the Ring of Water and Earth into play. Before I introduce this secret weapon, let us review the two rings in question.

The Ring of Earth and the Ring of Water

To get the Ring of Earth into play, the requirements are rather simple. "Play after an attack against one of your provinces in which the attacking army had a force higher than the Province strength, but the Province was not destroyed." Water on the other hand, requires a bit more effort. "Play after a battle in which you replaced a terrain card with your own and destroyed an opposing army or Province."

Ninube Ogoku Equals The Ring of Earth

Ahhh... Ninube Ogoku... What does she do? Well for 5 gold, this 2F/2C Ninja "can join any army, including an army attacking your Provinces, regardless of whether you have been invited in that battle."

Now I ask a simple question, when playing the Dark Path of the Shadow, how much force is required to take province? The charming Ogoku has 2 force. More than enough to meet the requirements for getting the Ring of Earth into play.

But wait! What if we are playing a non-militant opponent, who may never attack us? Do not despair, Toturi will intervene on our behalf. Will of the Emperor states "Ninja Reaction: Immediately before the beginning of a player's action phase, lose 2 honor. That player must declare an attack this turn and assign at least one unit to attack, if able." I have used this tactic before, but my opponent managed to bow all of units during the limited phase, giving him no units for the attack phase. However, he must still declare an attack! Therefore, Ogoku can answer the call. She assigns, the Stonghold may send her home and out comes the Ring of Earth.

The alternative is to add the Hammer of Earth to Ogoku and then declare an attack against your opponent. With the Hammer, we have to have more force the opponent's Province Strength, then Ogoku can assign in the defending army and once again, we get the Ring of Earth into play.

Just Add Water

While we are getting the Ring of Earth into play with Ogoku, why can't we just finish the job and go for the Ring of Water in the same step. It may not always work this way, but the combo can be a natural with Ogoku playing the martyr. Whether we are on the attack or defense, if Ogoku happens to die in the resolution of our battle we are 25% of the way to completing the requirements for getting the Ring of Water into play. We must also play a terrain (unless our opponent, decides to help us), destroy a terrain, and then play another terrain.

Playing the Terrain

Playing a terrain, should be straight forward. Almost any terrain will do. Might as well choose terrains that could be beneficial in other situations. Entrapping Terrain, Silent War, Deadly Ground, Night Battle plus some others all have merit.

Destroying the Terrain

Since this deck must have shugenja in order to get the Ring of Air into play, we might as well give them multiple uses. My number one choice for completing the last two steps for Water is the spell Mystical Terrain (not JadeEx). It destroys a terrain and becomes the next terrain all in one step. It's reusable and can even be used to replace another Mystical Terrain.

If you were to play Deadly Ground, the new HB Shugenja Soshi Jujun could be used to destroy it, thereby giving us a dynasty card with at least duel purposes. The Go Master, along with Superior Tactics and Diversionary Tactics can also be used to destroy terrains. With of these options you would still need a terrain however, to complete the final step.

Skipping a Step or Two

Like Mystical Terrain, there is an item, that will allow us to skip a step towards getting the Ring. The Drum of Water, a non-unique six gold item that as a "Reaction: If this Personality is in an army that destroys an opposing army when you have put a terrain in play for the battle, then you may put the Ring of Water into play from your hand." It also has the added benefit of "Battle Elemental: Destroy the Drum to move this Personality into any of the defender's Provinces."

Feeling Enlightened?

In my opinion, Ninube Ogoku (along with some supporting combos) is a solid answer for getting two out of the Five Rings into play. Although we will need to reach outside of our family to achieve the other rings, I believe Enlightenment is definitely within our grasp.

Returning to the darkness of the shadows...