The Utaku Plains Military Switch

This is the latest version of the deck I've been running all arc. Changes for the new set are in parenthesis. Any feedback (if constructive) is appreciated.
Stronghold: Utaku Plains
Dynasty: 40
1x Shinjo's Guidance
1x Void Dragon's Guidance
1x Wisdom Gained
1x Military Alliance

3x Stables
3x Clan Estates
2x The Blessed Herd
2x Secluded Village
1x Barley Farm
1x Counting House
1x Traveling Peddler

3x Utaku Kohana
1x Utaku Kohana Exp
3x Utaku Hana
3x Utaku Yumiko
3x Shinjo Yamauchi (becoming Utaku Jin-Lao)
3x Utaku Toshie
1x Utaku Kioko (becoming Utaku Fujiko Exp)
3x Utaku Kana
1x Utaku Yu-Pan exp 2
1x Moto Jin-Sahn Exp
1x Moto Chen exp 3

Fate: 41
3x Reckless Confrontation
3x Desperate Rush
3x Low Stance
2x My Life is Yours
2x Proper Deference
3x Riding in Harmony
3x The Wind Never Stops
3x Wall of Honor (Likely coming out for Downhill Assault)
3x Cavalry Tactics
1x The Thriving Light
3x Determined Force
2x Scouting Far Afield
2x Will
2x Civility
3x Utaku Elite Guard

Ring of Void
Ring of Water
Ring of Earth (Might become 3rd Civility)

I find I am not the best guy to use for BM decks but I have been finding great success in mine with Ide Kin and Endless Rain from EaW. I find that the over all force reduction with Downhill, Box, Desperate, Yumiko is enough to pull everyone within range and that really makes people play actions sooner than they would have liked. Also I find cost of pride is so good for BMs since everyone is a target on the board (esp when you are attacking).

I haven't seen Endless Rain. Would you mind letting me know what it does. It isn't on any of the search engines.

Endless Rain

Battle: Choose your performing personality or follower, and you may bow it: Ranged 2 attack. If you bowed a card to pay this actions cost, put this card into your hand instead of discarding it after this actions resolution.

FV 2

Low stance is a very bad card for BM as you never get benefits of the force reduction.

You can still get smashed by Kami unleashed, lose your province because of the Hida's Guidance...

If you need to set somebody's force to 0, you can try "A False Accusation", especially when you'll play Utaku Jin-Lao or if you want to play "The Wind Never Stops"

Low Stance Pros:
Can't be undone by JEV
Keeps me from being hit with Final Duty
4 Focus Value allows a chance in duels, as well a nice focus effect
High Focus value allows Chen to solo up to a 9 province strength

Cons
Hida's Guidance (Though I usually am not depending on Low Stance for the Final Battle.)
Other Force related cards can still be used


A False Accusation Pros:
Instant 0 force synergizes well with new mechanics for BMs
Has a kill action for those who dishonor themselves (which I never landed)

Cons
Two Focus is death in duels and isn't much for tacticians
Can't be used if I control a dishonored person
Often can't hit who I want to with it. The nastier people outside of Shadowlands are 3 PH (some 2s in Crab) and tend to hang out with lower PH people.



A False Accusation is strictly worse than Twice Cutting Spirit, as Twice Cutting Spirit will be a bigger swing 70% of the time in UP and has a 3 focus value.

I am very surprised that you talk about having a chance in duels. Even with all 4 focus value, it is sometimes risky to let the crane use his focus effects (against the Dragon 1Chi that focus 2 cards, it's impossible to win).

I understand that this does not fear JEV, but I disagree that this card is worse than Twice cutting spirit.

The goal is not the same, because I consider that the BM that will receive a force bonus will be sent home, bowed... If you need to save your province (or to use the cards I mentioned: Jin-Lao and the wind never stops), A false accusation is better.

It was just an advice, you are not obliged to play 3 cards of it.

The BM deck fears kensais with big weapons. Maybe Rout would be a nice choice.

Chen is often dueled. Focusing Low Stance and another 4 often catches those off guard who try to win off Weight the Cost. Proper deference makes me much less afraid of honor. If I can hit one within the first few turns, I make the opponent run out of steam.

I had very little success with A False Accusation at the beginning of the arc. It pretty much only helped out vs big Crab who know how to beat it now. It came out as soon as I had enough cards to flush out the deck. The deck plays aggressive and often is on the attack, and TCS would see action first as combined with Riding to take out the opposing unit, it can allow a sole survivor to pop provinces.

I don't have much experience facing off against Kensai, but don't tend to have much problem with other big unit decks. Bow out the guy with the weapon and the problem goes away for the most part. I've found it a better strategy to take out the opposition as opposed to sending them home. If they have to spend gold on personalities they have a hard time throwing attachments out.

I also wasn't trying to attack your suggestion, merely offering my point of view and reasons for not running Accusation.