Uncertainty
Dark Path of the Shadow Strategy Article - iguesi@aol.com

I have a new pet action card. It is Uncertainty from Ambition's Debt. Stand alone, it is a solid card. Reducing an opposing personality's force and chi as an Open action should never be overlooked. However, this card is certainally not a stand alone card. Simply put, it makes so many of my other cards work so much better, it's hard to leave it out of any Dark Path deck.

The Card

Uncertainty
Open: Target a personality in play. The personality's chi cannot drop under 1 this turn. The personality has -2F/-2C until the turn ends.

Save the Province

Looking at the obvious Uncertainty is solid defensive card. Dropping an opponent's chi by 1 or 2 can often be enough to deter an attack or send an army home that has dropped below 10 chi.

The -2 Force, should not be overlooked either. Combined with Poison Dartgun or even Asako Hosigeru this should be enough to take most average personalities to their grave.

Dueling Ninjas

Matsu Hiroru's 1 chi is not much, although he does focus first. However, drop an Uncertainity and that may level the playing field. Note, however, a Poisoned Weapon played after the duel would not kill the personality. The dueling Mystic can also benefit from Uncertainity. Perhaps you've spied your opponents hand and note they have Purity of Spirit (a 4 Focus Kiho). Although your opponent might win the duel if they focus the 4F Kiho, Uncertainity may insure the victory, regardless of their focus.

Personality Possesion/Destruction/Lockdown

Oooo... this is my favorite! Is Naka Kuro just out of reach of your Kolat Assassin? Uncertainty says, "Kuro can die". Tsuruchi Exp... must have Tsuruchi Exp! Uncertainty, Face of the Nameless and a bowing 3 chi Ninja and he's yours (don't forget the honor requirement of FotN). Having trouble with that 5 chi person? Uncertainty, Kolat Master, now your opponent is having trouble with the 5 chi person.

Let's us not forget the other half of the equation -- Force. Folks like, Oni no Akuma, Hitomi and Hida Yakomo look pretty buff sporting their 6 force. Ninja Kidnapper plus Uncertainity can even wrap up these big brutes and tie 'em to the ground until their owner's cough up another 10 gold.

Protection?

Are your ready to drop the portents bomb, but you want to spare one of your Ninja Spys from destruction? Uncertainty answers the call.

This card is very versatile and has become an almost automatic addition to my Dark Path decks.

Returning to the darkness of the shadows...