Shao Lotus Reprise

Deck

Shao Lotus Reprise

Prerelease

I replay my little searchers with Fumiko while Lotus clears room for the next attack.

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• Hydromancy Gate
• 1Hayabusa Itto4
• 1Off-Duty Shinobi4
• 1Rei4
• 1The Wandering Angler4
• 2Benzai the Merchant4
• 2Mirage Frog4
• 2Serene Fist, Misaki4
• 2Tenshin4
• 3Fumiko4
• 3Lotus of the Mizuryuu3
• 3Stalking Assassin2
• 4Mizuryuu's Torrent3
• 4Phantom Shinobi4
• 5Mizuki2

Game plan

1. Early turns

   I start with Hayabusa Itto, Rei or Off-Duty Shinobi. Itto can find Mirage Frog or Fumiko; The Wandering Angler looks for Lotus or Torrent. I build a board before spending turns on tricks.

2. Middle turns

   I attack with a small entity before returning it with Fumiko. Replaying Benzai the Merchant draws a card, while replaying Itto or Angler gives another search. Lotus and Torrent clear blockers so Misaki can keep attacking.

3. Closing

   I finish with Phantom Shinobi's Charge and Tenshin's leader damage. I save 1 IKZ for Shao's once-per-turn Response when reducing an opposing attack by 1 could protect an entity.

Mulligan

I keep Itto, Rei and Mirage Frog with a spare card to discard. I send back hands full of Fumiko and removal with no cheap body to start.

Key cards

• 

  I return a friendly Garden entity, then play an entity costing 2 or less from hand. I want another useful On Play.

• 

  Benzai the Merchant draws on play. I can replay him after his attack to turn Fumiko into another card.

• 

  Angler checks my top 5 for a Mizuryuu card. This list has three Lotus and three Torrent to find.

• 

  Lotus bottom-decks opposing Garden entities with a combined cost of 3 or less. I count costs, not health.

• 

  Phantom attacks immediately and cannot be damaged or destroyed by card effects. I still check for Defenders before committing it.

Tips

• I play Fumiko into the Garden for her On Play. Portaling her skips that effect, and replayed small entities still have cooldown.
• Torrent takes up to two entities with a combined cost of 5 or less. Neither it nor Lotus answers a single 6-cost threat.
• Misaki still takes combat damage. Large Taunt bodies and steady healing can stall me, so I protect my early attacks.