Vanguard 当先:
At the beginning of his turn, Liao Hua has an additional action phase.
Aspiration 伏枥:
Single-Use Ability: When Liao Hua is on the brink of death, he can choose to flip his character card and return with X units of health, where X is the number of countries still represented in the game.
The extra action phase that Liao Hua gains through "Vanguard" occurs before his judgement and drawing phases.
If Liao Hua is targeted by a "Capture," his extra action phase still happens before the judgment card is flipped.
Liao Hua can attack during each of his action phases. Therefore, the rule should be described as 'one attack per action phase,' not 'one attack per turn.'
If Liao Hua plays a Lightning card during his extra action phase granted by "Vanguard," he must flip a judgment card during his judgment phase.
When Liao Hua is on the brink of death, everyone must be given the opportunity to play a Peach. Liao Hua must decide to activate "Aspiration" during this sequence, meaning he cannot wait to see if other players have Peaches.
When "Aspiration" is activated, the value of X is determined by the number of countries still represented at the time of activation, not the original number at the start of the game.
When "Aspiration" is activated, Liao Hua's health returns to X, not X minus any damage dealt just before activation.
"Vanguard" gives Liao Hua a partial defense against Capture if he has Attack and Peach cards to use in the initial action phase.
Liao Hua can potentially deal significant damage in a turn with his 'one-two punch' strategy. By attacking twice, he can force opponents to use their Escape cards early, making his second attack more likely to succeed.
Liao Hua is often underestimated by opponents due to his relatively weak abilities, allowing him to survive for longer periods.
While "Vanguard" gives Liao Hua an extra action phase, its effectiveness is limited if Liao Hua does not have any cards to use during this phase. This frequently leaves him vulnerable.
Although "Aspiration" can bring Liao Hua back from the brink of death, he returns with a flipped character card. If Liao Hua has few or no cards, his survival is often short-lived.
Compared to other characters with similar abilities, Liao Hua's impact on the game is minor. His multi-attack ability pales in comparison to characters like Zhang Fei and Taishi Ci, and his survivability is inferior to defensive characters like Zhou Tai or Hua Tuo.
Flipping Abilities:
Cao Pi’s "Exile" can flip Liao Hua’s character card back up after "Aspiration" has been activated, allowing him to return to battle more quickly.
Card Providers:
These characters help Liao Hua acquire cards, enhancing his ability to execute the 'one-two punch' strategy.
Health Reduction:
Ma Dai’s "Sneak Attack" can reduce Liao Hua’s maximum health, making his "Aspiration" less effective when his maximum health is lower than X.
Liao Hua can potentially win as King due to his longevity, but he heavily relies on strong loyalists to handle the fighting. Without them, he is easily overwhelmed by rebels.
As a loyalist, Liao Hua is a weak choice due to his limited offensive options and his longevity being of little use when he is not the main target.
Liao Hua is also a poor rebel pick. While he may be the last rebel standing if the team is losing, he offers little in terms of damage and assistance to his teammates.
Liao Hua is not a strong spy either. His longevity allows him to survive for extended periods, but he struggles to influence the outcome if one side gains an advantage.
Liao Hua is considered a weak and unremarkable character in Sanguosha. His ability to attack twice per turn with "Vanguard" is outclassed by other characters like Zhang Fei, Taishi Ci, and Cao Zhang, who execute similar strategies more effectively. Similarly, his survivability with "Aspiration" is inferior to characters like Zhou Tai or Hua Tuo, who possess more reliable defensive abilities. Most players would rather focus on more impactful characters. However, if Liao Hua is used, players should try to build toward his 'one-two punch' strategy, although this tactic is often predictable and easy to counter.
Liao Hua was a notable figure in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, recognized for his endurance and loyalty to Shu. Historically, Liao Hua began as a follower of the Yellow Turban rebels, but after their defeat, he joined the forces of Guan Yu. When Guan Yu was captured and executed by Sun Quan's forces, Liao Hua managed to escape and later joined Liu Bei, becoming a steadfast servant of Shu.
Throughout his career, Liao Hua was known for his resilience, often surviving difficult situations where others perished. In the novel, he repeatedly escapes death, which aligns with his Sanguosha ability "Aspiration." Despite his long life, Liao Hua never achieved the fame of his more celebrated peers, but his dedication to Shu was unwavering. He served Zhuge Liang faithfully during the Northern Expeditions and continued to support Shu after Zhuge Liang's death, eventually rising to high military ranks. His character is emblematic of perseverance, outlasting many of his contemporaries and being one of the few who witnessed the full rise and fall of Shu.
In Sanguosha, Liao Hua's "Vanguard" ability reflects his battle experience and tactical acumen, giving him an extra action phase. His "Aspiration" ability, which allows him to return from the brink of death, mirrors his historical and novelized ability to survive where others failed, highlighting his enduring nature across both history and fiction.