• The hand size comparison for "Collect Firewood" occurs only at the end of the other player's turn. Both Lady Xiahou and the other player must have equal hand sizes for the ability to trigger.

• The card draw for "Collect Firewood" is optional, but for both parties. Both characters can draw or neither will draw.

• When discarding Attacks to draw with "Bird Song", this is done in the same way that Chains can be discarded to draw.

• Lady Xiahou can only discard any type of Attack card to activate "Bird Song". She can discard a Fire Attack or Lightning Attack and draw a card immediately after each discard.

• The two uses of "Bird Song" do not have to be consecutive but must occur within the same turn to allow a male to draw.

• The bonus effect of choosing a male character to draw two cards is optional. Lady Xiahou does not need to pick anyone. She also does not pick when she discards a second Attack. She chooses at the end of the phase. 

• Lady Xiahou's abilities revolve around card balance and manipulation, allowing her to maintain strong hand control while assisting allies.

• "Collect Firewood" strengthens alliances by granting shared card draws, while "Bird Song" enables her to empower male characters on her team.

• "Bird Song" ensures that even excess Attack cards can be converted into a draw advantage, maintaining adaptability in gameplay.

• Relying on discarding Attack cards can limit her offensive potential.

• The bonus effect of "Bird Song" is specific to male characters, potentially reducing utility in certain team compositions.

• Both abilities rely on situational triggers, such as equal hand sizes or the availability of Attack cards, which may not always align with the game state.

• Balanced Allies:
  Characters who maintain consistent hand sizes, such as Liu Bei or Guo Jia, can easily enable "Collect Firewood," ensuring both players benefit from additional cards.

• Male Assault Characters:
  Male characters that always need more cards like Zhang Fei or Taishi Ci pair well with "Bird Song," as they can use the extra cards effectively to maintain pressure or support the team.

• Discard Synergy:
  Teammates with abilities triggered by discards, such as Cao Zhi, can benefit indirectly as Lady Xiahou cycles through cards during her turn.

King

• • Lady Xiahou's abilities don't offer much direct protection or threat control, making her a weaker King pick.

Loyalist

• • As a Loyalist, she can empower male teammates and provide consistent card advantage, supporting both offense and defense.

Rebel

• • Her utility shines here by keeping her hand full and assisting key male Rebels, enabling prolonged pressure against the King.

Spy

• • Her ability to assist multiple players makes her a deceptive and adaptable Spy, but she loses part of her ability without a teammate.

Lady Xiahou excels in teamwork and card advantage, offering unique support to male teammates through "Bird Song" and cooperative card draws with "Collect Firewood." However, her reliance on situational triggers and male allies makes her less effective in certain scenarios. Players should aim to maintain equilibrium in hand sizes and utilize Attack cards wisely to maximize her utility.

Lady Xiahou, was a member of the esteemed Xiahou clan, a family deeply tied to the Cao Wei state during the Three Kingdoms period. She was the niece of Xiahou Yuan, a prominent general under Cao Cao, and later became the wife of Zhang Fei, one of Liu Bei's most trusted generals. Despite the political rivalry between Wei and Shu, her life bridged the two states through her familial connections and marriage.

Lady Xiahou was captured by Zhang Fei while gathering firewood in Qiao County. Recognizing her noble lineage, Zhang Fei married her. Their union bore a daughter, who eventually became the Empress of Shu Han, further cementing Lady Xiahou’s role in the intertwining histories of Wei and Shu. Her story includes moments of compassion and loyalty; after the death of her uncle Xiahou Yuan at the Battle of Hanzhong, she requested a dignified burial for his remains.

Her in-game abilities, "Collect Firewood" and "Bird Song," reflect both the literal and symbolic aspects of her life. "Collect Firewood" ties directly to the anecdote of her being captured while collecting firewood, emphasizing balance and harmony, qualities seen in her ability to bring people together despite political divides. "Bird Song," with its focus on fostering support for male characters, mirrors her role in enabling Zhang Fei's lineage to ascend to prominence and her indirect contributions to the Shu court through familial connections. Lady Xiahou’s abilities celebrate her historical significance as a bridge between opposing factions and a figure of unity within her family and state.