Bare the Chest 裸衣
During Xu Chu's drawing phase, he can choose to draw one fewer card. During his action phase, all damage that he causes by using Attacks or Duels is increased by one.
The extra damage from Xu Chu's "Bare the Chest" stacks with other damage bonuses. For example, if he successfully attacks with Wine after using "Bare the Chest," the attack will deal three units of damage.
Fun fact: If Xu Chu uses "Bare the Chest," equips the Ancient Scimitar, and uses a Fire Attack with Wine on a character with no hand cards wearing Wood Armor, he will cause five units of damage, the highest possible in a single instance by any official character.
If Xu Chu is affected by Starvation, he cannot activate "Bare the Chest." If affected by Capture, he can activate it, but doing so would be ineffective, as Xu Chu can only target others with an Attack or Duel during the action phase.
"Bare the Chest" does not change how opponents respond to Xu Chu's attacks and Duels. Opponents still use one attack per round in a Duel and one Escape to avoid damage from an attack.
Xu Chu does not receive extra damage when losing a Duel while "Bare the Chest" is active. He would take one unit of damage, while his opponent would take two units if they lose.
"Bare the Chest" does not modify damage caused outside of Xu Chu's turn. For example, if someone challenges him to a Duel during their turn after Xu Chu used "Bare the Chest," they will not take extra damage from losing to him.
Xu Chu can deal a large amount of damage in a short time with "Bare the Chest." Dealing two units of damage per attack is especially dangerous for characters with a maximum of three units of health, putting them at serious risk.
His ability gives him leverage against characters with damage-activated abilities that trigger on a "per-instant" basis. For instance, if Xu Chu damages Sima Yi after using his power, Sima Yi can only take one card, even though he lost two units of health.
The effects of "Bare the Chest" last for Xu Chu's entire turn. This means that if Xu Chu equips the Crossbow, each of his attacks will inflict two units of damage, amplifying his offensive potential even further.
Using Xu Chu's "Bare the Chest" without having any Attacks or Duels in hand is highly risky. If the card he draws is not one of these, he will have wasted his ability and missed the chance to draw a useful card.
Due to this risk, Xu Chu is not able to reliably use his power every turn. On turns when he doesn't activate "Bare the Chest," he lacks any inherent advantage over other characters in terms of abilities.
Effectively using "Bare the Chest" requires precise timing. Xu Chu needs an attack or Duel ready, and his target must be low on cards or lacking the means to defend against his attacks. Without this setup, his power is difficult to fully capitalize on.
Essential Support Characters:
Characters who are crucial for keeping Xu Chu well-stocked with the necessary cards to maximize his potential with "Bare the Chest" and ensure he remains a formidable force in battle. Notable characters include Liu Bei, Guo Jia, and Xun Yu.
Card Strippers:
Characters who can remove enemy hand cards, which can either aid Xu Chu by exposing enemies or hinder him if they are his opponents. Notable characters include Zhang Liao and Gan Ning.
Counter Specialists:
Characters who excel at neutralizing Xu Chu's attacks by using special abilities to avoid or diminish damage. Notable characters include Zhen Ji, whose "Overturned Country" and "River Goddess" provide substantial defensive capabilities and can potentially render Xu Chu’s attacks ineffective.
Xu Chu is not suitable for the role of King. Kings require defensive abilities to withstand attacks. Xu Chu's "Bare the Chest" reduces his hand size and makes him more susceptible to rebel assaults.
Xu Chu can be an effective loyalist, especially when the rebels have limited Escape cards. His ability to deal substantial damage makes him a strong ally in this role, particularly if Liu Bei is the King. Liu Bei can provide Xu Chu with Attacks, Duels, and weapons to enhance his use of "Bare the Chest."
Xu Chu can be a powerful rebel if he can ensure that the King cannot use an Escape to counter his attack. He poses a significant threat to the King, but fighting loyalists should not be ignored, as the King typically has more health.
Xu Chu is not an ideal choice for the role of Spy due to his aggressive playstyle and the need for high-impact actions. He is better suited for roles where he can exert immediate damage rather than long-term strategic play.
We generally avoid discouraging players from using specific characters, but Xu Chu may not always be the best choice for every role. As mentioned, he relies heavily on a supportive team to keep him supplied with Attacks and Duels to maximize the effectiveness of "Bare the Chest." Without this support, playing Xu Chu can become frustrating. Always ensure you have at least one Attack card before activating "Bare the Chest" to avoid wasted opportunities. Additionally, be aware that opponents often save their Escapes specifically for Xu Chu's turn. It’s not uncommon for enemies to appear to have no Escapes after your teammates’ attacks, only to suddenly produce one during your turn.
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Xu Chu's legendary strength and bravery are vividly illustrated in his duel with Ma Chao. When Ma Chao, perplexed by Cao Cao's suddenly fortified camp, challenges him, Xu Chu steps forward with a fearsome display, leading Ma Chao to retreat in awe. Their subsequent duel is a grueling test of endurance, with Xu Chu fighting with unmatched tenacity, even stripping off his armor to continue the battle. This duel highlights Xu Chu's remarkable prowess and unyielding spirit, qualities reflected in his card's ability, "Bare the Chest," which allows him to deal substantial damage and intimidate his foes, just as he did in the historical account.