This isn’t so much a review because I’m still only only learning the game. More a look at what the models are like and who can use them.
Lets start with the Kiyozumi Family
Hinadori Seems cool. The model is awesome. Useless attacks but decent Healing. And counts as Ronin for 3 Factions.
Sadaka’s model is pretty cool for an old lady? the Naginata is sweet. Psychic Drain looks awesome and Shroud seems pretty useful, but it takes a complex action. She’s Ito and Savage Wave (wait, what?)
Kicho has a pretty sweet model. She can gain Camo and assassin but it’s not cheap. Weirdly she’s souless. Which I guess explains the 16 rice cost. She’s Descension and KZK.
Haiboku has a pretty decent Bow, tactician, bodyguard and only costs 10 rice. He seems pretty good. The model is ok. He’s silvermoon and Minimoto.
Kenmeina can gain extra activation counters which is always handy, and it’s free but can be prevented. And they’re cheap. the model is fine. She’s jung pirates and Silvermoon.
So Assassin, Flanker, Melee, Ranged and Healer. Solid. And their theme card seems really good for getting an initial VP lead.
And now the Hozumi Family (and Friends)
Kogi is decent in melee and has a bow. Ancestral Armour is cute but risky. I love “Thus, with a Kiss I die”, it’s super thematic. I like him and the model is nice. Temple and Descension.
Daihanji is a pretty solid samurai, but his model looks more like a priest. 13 cost is fine. Ryu and Minimoto.
Maha doesn’t seem to fit with her Family. Her kit is cool, but does she have a way to get more ghosts? Seems like they will go pretty quickly. Obey is nice. The model is great. Cult and Void.
Taiyo is a peasant. I’m not being mean, it says so on the card. He can remove reload or add supplies which is nice. Equipment cards cost 1 less which is amazing, but the rest of his card is bad. Only costs 11. Model is ok for what he is. Temple and Shiho.
Ryokeen is an awesome wolf/Fox thing – the model is great. Super fast but aloof, but has decent attacks. And only 13 rice. Descension, Temple, Cult (booo) and Savage Wave. My Fave I think.
So 3 melee models, one who is also ranged and one who is quick, a support model, and a weirdo! Not quite as straight forward as Kiyozumi but the theme is really good.
Let’s take a better Look at the factions they can be Ronin for;
| Character |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Hinadori | X | X | X | |||||||||
| Sadaka | X | X | ||||||||||
| Kicho | X | X | ||||||||||
| Haiboku | X | X | ||||||||||
| Kenmeina | X | X | ||||||||||
| Kogi | X | X | ||||||||||
| Daihanji | X | X | ||||||||||
| Maha | X | X | ||||||||||
| Taiyo | X | X | ||||||||||
| Ryokeen | X | X | X | X |
Not exactly even with 4 factions only getting 1, and temple getting 4! But at least everyone gets something and most factions get at least 2. I think this is more about giving new players extra models when they buy a faction starter than giving existing players new toys, which is sort of the point of a 2 player starter, isn’t it!?
So most of the models seem good. I’m looking forward to getting the set and playing them against each other. But I’m not sure how much play they will get in their aligned factions, partly because I don’t know the factions well, but also because If I go Ito main, I can only use one model, and only one is void. Luckily 4 of the models can go with Temple, so that’s good.
So some really nice models, some of whom have cool abilities and they can play as their families or be used as Ronin. All in all I’m pretty happy to be getting the starter.
that70sgame 