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5/21/10 J-685 Piercing Chidori
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Today's card was supposed to be our final exclusive for the set, but as you probably know already, it's been spoiled along with the other two supers that were not previewed this set.

Between the three unshown supers, this one is the weakest in my opinion since you can't choose the effect. Both effects are pretty good for only two Fire chakra but it lacks consistency since you're opponent can use it to their advantage; if they are winning the battle, they'll give you three cards and vice-versa. The only time this is really good is when you're winning a regular Victory and this card can cause an OV. Either way, you win since you obliterate a team or draw three cards.

For better or worse, this card's name is not Chidori. It's bad in the fact that it has no Freedori or Kakashi (Boyhood) shenanigans, but good in the fact that it doesn't take up your Chidori slot, which is reserved for last set's Chidori.

This card is decent and playable, but a little too inconsistent for competitive play.

Limited: 1.5/5 Possible to play if you pull this and a Sasuke (Childhood).
Constructed: 2.5/5 Better stuff to run over this.
Block: 3/5 Less good stuff to run over this.

Piercing Chidori

Today's card is one that made me go "0.0" when I read the effect. This new Super-Rare Jutsu allows you to make your opponent select one effect. You can either make one Ninja Battling either Kakashi or Sasuke lose 5 combat, support and Mental Power, or you just draw three cards. For two Fire this is good, and putting your opponent between a rock and a hard place is even better. The "piercing" thing really does apply here. LOL

Ratings:

Limited: 1/5 (Super Rare with name requirement)
Constructed: 3/5
Block: 4/5
Art: You can't tell it's an Emo.../5

J-685

Piercing Chidori

Unfortunately, thanks to the boards and people getting packs early, this card was already spoiled. But that won’t stop us from reviewing it!

First off, this is a multi-function jutsu. However, because your opponent chooses, it severely dampens this card’s effectiveness. This jutsu may be multi-functional, but it doesn’t stand up to mission based draw power strictly because your opponent chooses the effect. It’s name isn’t just “Chidori” so BTL Sasuke can’t play it for free in unlimited, and Kakashi can’t grab it back in block.

So let’s look at the scenarios where this card would be used:

1)    Your opponent and you are tied in Team power. You use Piercing Chidori, and of course, they let you draw 3 cards to avoid the OV. Not too bad I suppose. I hope you drew a jutsu in there…

2)    You attack with a big team, they chump block. You use piercing Chidori and they take the -5 to all option. Nothing happens since they were chump blocking anyway.

3)    Your opponent is bigger than you. You use Piercing Chidori to try to drop their team power. They pick the “Draw 3” option so you can still lose the battle. Best pray for a jutsu.

This is my main gripe with this card. Multi-functional, but too situational. Probably wasn’t deserving of the SR status, nor the Fire|Fire cost. Fire|Colorless and a rare rarity would have been acceptable. Well, I hope it looks good in Black and Gold. I don’t see myself using this card anytime soon. I’ll want one for the art though.

Limited: 2/5

Constructed: 1.5/5

Art: oooh….sparkly.