Beastly Mage

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N-989 Kakuzu (Soul Form) [Threads of Multiple Power]
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Today's card is sadly our last exclusive preview for Set 18, however, we saved the best for last. I hope you've been enjoying these previews as much as I've had reviewing them. Now without further ado, here is our Super Rare preview, Kakuzu (Soul Form).
 
Kakuzu (Soul Form) is one of the cards this set that uses the new "Sacrifice" mechanic. Sacrifice is used to put-in-play ninjas. You remove from game the listed cards on the sacrifice to play the ninja, similar to paying things like paying hand cost. So far Kakuzu has the steepest cost for sacrifice yet -- Kakuzu and two other ninja (the other Sacrifice ninjas need just one ninja or a certain version of themselves). With such a steep price, he has to be good....
 
Stat-wise, Kakuzu has an incredible 8/4 healthy and injured stats, making him the single strongest ninja in the game so far. He has pretty mediocre characteristics (other than Mastery), but now has the interesting "Soul" characteristic, so he can use "Searing Migraine". He still has "Stitch" combat attribute, which still does nothing. Finally, he now has a Fire symbol, which is irrelevant except maybe for a possible Combination jutsu for him and the souls later on. Now on to his effect.
 
Kakuzu's effect prevents your opponent from drawing any cards the turn after his team wins any victory... well sorta. Each time your opponent would draw cards, the get sent to their chakra area instead which can give them a massive chakra pool, but it also severely hurts their hand. This effect is devastating against any deck except no hand water, but then again, even no hand decks might want a card or two in their hand. His effect can cause your opponent to leave him unblocked since they might need to desperately draw during the next turn. Additionally, this effect is valid, so it compliments his great injured stats.
 
Because this card is a reinforcement, it might see play since it does not hurt to run it in a deck with Kakuzu. Unfortunately, it has entrance cost 8, so getting him in play is hard. Personally, I like this card even if it is slow. Having this guy out with 4 Souls of Kakuzu and Sasuke (State 2) out will pretty much seal the game for you, other than the fact that this combo is ridiculously slow. It's hard to say whether this card is good or not. He probably won't be played in most matches due to the current speed of the format, but it does not hurt to run him either, unless you absolutely don't want to run Kakuzu. If you run Kakuzu in your deck, you might as well throw this guy in your reinforcement deck. The Sacrifice is high, but you can just off two useless ninjas. Additionally, Kakuzu [MH] isn't too useful after he's got the 4 Souls out (other than chakra destruction), so this guy can make him more relevant.
 
Pros:
-Godly stats
-Valid hand control effect
-Mastery
-Reinforcement
 
Cons:
-Turn 8
-Sacrifice requires two other ninjas
-Gives your opponent high amounts of chakra (although Water shouldn't have too much trouble getting rid of it.)
 
Limited: N/A Currently unplayable, unless there is a Kakuzu in this set.
Unlimited: 4.5/5 I know his cons are high, but getting him out late game will quickly change the tide of the battle. 
Block: 4.5/5