Designing Dragons
Hello, Bushido fans. You may have noticed that the recent Ryu profile Mizuko & Shōgo‑Ryu received an unprecedented errata update before the model was widely available. If you thought, “That’s unusual, why did they do that?” I’d like to share some insight from a design perspective. My hope is that this gives players a clearer view of how this came about, and why we believe it’s ultimately a positive step, though not one we plan to repeat any time soon.
Ambition Meets Complexity
The original design for Mizuko & Shōgo‑Ryu was ambitious. We wanted to create three profiles in one, giving players the flexibility to use the pair separately or together during a game. On top of that, we needed them to synergise with one of the game’s most complex factions, one that leans heavily on stat boosts, extra activations, and buffing auras. And finally, this Dragon needed to work not only with existing Dragons, but with those still to come.
The Dev team embraced the challenge. They tackled the technical hurdles of splitting and combining models through thematic Ki Feats, updated core rules to support the design, and even made space-saving adjustments like incorporating Dual Attack into the list of Specials. Tatsuo’s RC reduction in last year’s errata was also part of preparing the ground for future plans.
Testing, Then Retesting
The model was thoroughly tested at the time. We knew Dual Attack would need monitoring, it’s a powerful damage tool, but overall interactions felt well understood and reasonable. However, the complexity of releasing new waves of models brought fresh challenges closer to launch. Our brilliant Alpha Play Testers quickly spotted interactions that hadn’t been part of the original testing environment and flagged them for deeper review.
One thing that may not be obvious is that while Passing the Night was released to retail earlier, from a design standpoint it came after Mizuko & Shōgo‑Ryu. By then, the pair’s cards were already produced. Passing the Night may look to the casual eye like a straightforward samurai brawler list, but in reality it’s a web of intricate interactions that combine beautifully with the wider Prefecture of Ryu faction. That complexity opened up strategies that hadn’t been tested with the original profile.
Our playtesters worked incredibly hard to run through each highlighted interaction using revised versions of the duo. Over time, we made targeted changes to limit the more extreme combinations, especially important for tournament environments, where a single overtuned profile can dominate.
The Final Adjustments
After weeks of updates, long discussions, and careful consideration, we reached agreement on a revised card that we feel is more balanced and healthier for the game.
Some losses were unfortunate but necessary:
- Dual Attack on ranged attacks proved too easy to exploit.
- Destroying terrain and setting models on fire created combinations that weren’t good for the game.
- OPT limits on communal Ki Feats helped rein in stacking potential.
Despite these refinements, the model still fulfils its core brief: it works across its profiles, it synergises with other Dragons, and yes, more than one at a time.
A Community‑Led Revision
It’s important to emphasise that this revision was very much community‑driven. The enthusiasm, scrutiny, and hard work from testers and players alike shaped the final outcome. Since this model was first developed, our playtesting process has evolved significantly, another story for another time, but we now have a more robust, connected, and collaborative approach thanks to the amazing volunteers involved.
Happy gaming!