Shao Shadowtide Reset
PrereleaseI start with cheap attackers, move blockers out of the way, and keep a late Garden reset ready.
Shao Shadowtide Reset
I pressure their leader early, chat. Twenty 1-cost entities start the board; four Stalking Assassins and four Phantom Shinobi keep attacks coming. Sōryū gives me a late reset when small attacks stop being enough.
Deck
Game plan
Early turns
I lead with several cheap entities. Itto looks for Mirage Frog or a later Sōryū; Angler searches for Lotus or Torrent to move small Defenders out of the way.
Middle turns
I remove blockers before attacking. Drowncalling Siren displaces an opposing Garden entity with base cost 3 or less when she enters, even through the Gate. I check what their fuller Alley might do next turn.
Closing
Phantom brings immediate pressure; Tenshin adds attack and a leader ping. Against a large Garden, I weigh Sōryū's hand discard against the reset. It returns my attackers too, so I need a rebuild.
Mulligan
I keep Itto, Rei and Mirage Frog with another cheap entity. I send back Sōryū and hands with no early attackers.
Key cards
The Calm Assassin gives me 2 attack for 1 IKZ. Its single health means I avoid throwing it into an easy trade.
Stalking Assassin only attacks leaders. I clear Taunt and Defender problems first; its text does not ignore them.
Siren moves a small blocker to the Alley, but then they may play an entity costing up to 5 into their Alley too.
Torrent bottom-decks up to two opposing Garden entities with a combined cost of 5 or less. I save it for blockers that matter.
My 8-cost reset leaves a 7/7 body. I play it from hand; portaling skips its On Play.
Tips
- Angler has five hits here: three Lotus and two Torrent. A search can still miss, so I do not plan around a guaranteed spell.
- Displace buys time instead of removing the card forever. I try to turn that opening into attacks before their Gate brings a threat back.
- This list has no Foamback Crab or Pulled Under. I cannot sit behind blockers forever, and the two expensive Sōryū can clog a fast opening.
