Impasse 绝境
During his drawing phase, Zhao Yun draws X extra cards, where X is the difference between his current and maximum health.
Additionally, Zhao Yun's hand limit is increased by two.
Soul of the Dragon 龙魂
Zhao Yun can use X cards of the same suit, where X is equal to the number of health units he has remaining, for the following effects:
Hearts: Peach
Diamonds: Fire Attack
Clubs: Escape
Spades: Negate
X is always at least one.
"Impasse" is not optional. Zhao Yun must draw extra cards during his drawing phase based on his current health deficit, and he cannot discard fewer cards than required at the end of his turn.
"Soul of the Dragon" is optional. Zhao Yun may choose to use his cards as they are printed or convert them to the effects granted by "Soul of the Dragon."
"Soul of the Dragon" has a minimum value of one for X. Even if Zhao Yun is on the brink of death (with zero health units), he must have at least one heart-suited card to use as a Peach.
Equipped cards can also be used with "Soul of the Dragon," adding more versatility to Zhao Yun's toolkit.
"Soul of the Dragon" becomes exceptionally powerful when Zhao Yun has only one unit of health remaining. He can convert any card into Peaches, Fire Attacks, Escapes, or Negates, keeping himself alive and capable of defense and offense.
Zhao Yun excels with equipment, as his equipped cards can be used with "Soul of the Dragon," maximizing his ability to adapt in combat.
"Impasse" mitigates his low health by giving him extra card draw, helping him stockpile cards for defense or combos.
Zhao Yun is resilient, especially with low health, because his ability to create Peaches keeps him in the game.
At full health, Zhao Yun's abilities are significantly less powerful. "Impasse" doesn't provide a drawing bonus, and "Soul of the Dragon" requires more cards to activate, making it less efficient.
Zhao Yun's maximum health is still only two units, leaving him vulnerable to direct damage that bypasses defenses like Attacks, Escapes, or Negates.
Card destruction effects and direct damage abilities can cripple Zhao Yun, as he relies on a steady supply of cards to fuel "Soul of the Dragon."
Card Suppliers:
Liu Bei, Guo Jia, and Xu Shu can give Zhao Yun additional cards, allowing him to activate "Soul of the Dragon" more frequently and keep him alive longer.
Card Destroyers:
Zhang Liao, Zhang He, and Gan Ning can remove cards from Zhao Yun's hand, limiting his ability to use "Soul of the Dragon" and leaving him vulnerable.
Direct Damage Characters:
Xun Yu, Dian Wei, and Zhang Jiao can deal damage that bypasses traditional defenses like Attacks or Negates, putting Zhao Yun in danger, especially when he lacks heart-suited cards to recover health.
Xiao Qiao's "Fantasy":
Xiao Qiao’s ability to pass damage to Zhao Yun is dangerous because his low maximum health means he won't draw many extra cards. This can make Zhao Yun easier to defeat in drawn-out battles.
Zhao Yun is a decent but not ideal choice for the king role. His extra health provides more room for "Impasse" to trigger, but "Soul of the Dragon" is primarily designed for self-preservation. Aggressive rebels may overwhelm him quickly, especially if they destroy his cards.
Zhao Yun is a strong loyalist. His ability to produce Peaches helps the king survive, and "Soul of the Dragon" makes him harder to kill. However, his abilities are focused on personal survival rather than active offense or support.
Zhao Yun shines as a rebel. "Soul of the Dragon" allows him to sustain himself against the king’s attacks, and he has a higher chance of producing Attacks to fight against the king and loyalists.
Zhao Yun is excellent as a spy. His ability to stay alive through "Soul of the Dragon" makes him a durable presence, while his flexibility allows him to adjust his strategy based on which side is currently winning.
Zhao Yun may appear weak with his low health, but he is deceptively resilient, especially when on the brink of death. When Zhao Yun has only one health unit remaining, each card in his hand can be used for two purposes, giving him the flexibility to stay alive and continue fighting. Players should aim to manage Zhao Yun’s health carefully, taking advantage of "Impasse" to draw extra cards while using "Soul of the Dragon" to maintain survivability. Ending a turn with one unit of health is often optimal, as it maximizes card draw and keeps Zhao Yun dangerous, but balancing between surviving and keeping "Soul of the Dragon" active is key to mastering his playstyle.
Zhao Yun, one of the most famous generals of the Shu Kingdom, earned his legendary reputation during the chaotic years of the late Han Dynasty. His most famous exploit occurred during the Battle of Changban when he bravely charged into Cao Cao’s forces to rescue Liu Bei’s infant son, Liu Shan. Zhao Yun single-handedly fought off numerous enemies, carrying Liu Shan to safety while displaying unmatched courage and skill on the battlefield. This act earned him Liu Bei’s deep admiration and the respect of his peers.
Zhao Yun’s ability to recover from seemingly impossible situations is mirrored in his "Impasse" and "Soul of the Dragon" abilities. In the game, just as Zhao Yun persevered against overwhelming odds to protect Liu Bei's family, he can turn his weakened state into a source of strength, drawing extra cards and using his cards creatively to heal, defend, or strike back. His flexible abilities reflect his tactical brilliance and ability to adapt to any situation, while his low health represents his high-risk, high-reward style of play. "Soul of the Dragon" reflects his tenacity, allowing him to convert his remaining cards into powerful resources that can turn the tide of battle, much like how Zhao Yun's heroics at Changban helped safeguard the future of the Shu Kingdom.