Shao Whirlpool
I built this Water deck around displace because pushing their guys back to the Alley is so annoying. Once they are stuck back there, their Gate can only bring them back one a turn, while Frog Rider and Ripplebound Adept fill my hand. Huge W.
Deck
Game plan
Early turns
I play Sentinel of Passage, Usui while their Alley is empty to shove a 1-cost guy out of the way. Mirage Frog bounces a 2-cost entity right back to their hand.
Middle turns
Once two of their guys are stuck in the Alley, Gathering Tide, Rowan costs only 2. I portal Ripplebound Adept through Hydromancy Gate to draw a card and untap 1 IKZ.
Closing
Drowncalling Siren and Tidal Wave shove every 3-cost or cheaper entity out of their Garden. Then Frog Rider hits their leader and draws me a card every turn.
Mulligan
I keep Hayabusa Itto or Benzai the Merchant with Sentinel of Passage, Usui or Mirage Frog. Throw back hands with no 1- or 2-cost plays.
Key cards
Play it while their Alley is empty to displace a 1-cost entity. On turn 1 or 2 that is usually their whole board.
Displaces an entity with base cost 3 or less whenever she enters the Garden, portaled too. They can drop a 5-cost or cheaper entity into their Alley after, where it still has to wait.
Displaces every entity costing 3 or less in their Garden at once. Wait for them to play out their cheap guys, then wash them all back.
Once a turn, when it damages a leader, I draw 1. Clear their Defenders first so it actually connects.
Costs 1 less once they have 2 or more entities in their Alley, which my displace cards set up fast.
Tips
- Usui checks if their Alley is empty when you play it. Don't be an NPC and fill their Alley with Siren first.
- Ripplebound Adept only draws when portaled, so always put it in the Alley.
- Shao's Response cuts an attacker's attack by 1 for 1 IKZ. I leave 1 IKZ open on their turn whenever I can.
