Kerasu

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Background

Some rely on stealth, others guile or speed, however few on raw power such as Kerasu.
Kerasu is an unstoppable machine focused on the annihilation of his enemies, cutting down foes as a farmer scythes wheat to get to his target.
He is a master with the bladed claws his favors as his weapons of choice. The speed and accuracy on his blows slicing veins and arteries in a blur of frenetic carnage.

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Model type(s):

• Bleeding Moon
• Ninja

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Melee Weapons(s):

Weapon	Melee Strenght	Traits	Special Abilities
Shoku	+0	Bleed (1/1)	Sidestep Defence (0), Combo Attack (0)

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Trait(s):

Armour (1), Assassin, Camouflage (2"), Feint (1), Lightfooted

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Ki Feat(s):

• Rampage
• Vital Strike

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Unique Effect(s):

At the start of this model's activation choose 1 of the following:

• This model gains Melee Boost 2 until the end of the activation.
• This model gains Fear (6) and Terror until the end of the activation.

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Other +

Tactics

Kerasu reads a lot like Rin, but in reality is a poorer option. He has some positive elements going for him but unless you want to take 3 models with melee 4 in your list it is hard to justify not spending 2 or 3 rice more for Rin or Katsumi. Generally this would only happen if you prefer to use 5 models and are struggling to fit in a strong combat model with your other choices but feel the 4 Melee Skill and Combo Attack is necessary.

Main points to note for Kerasu:

• Despite the above drawback, Kerasu is actually quite a powerful model if you can get a surprise attack off. Unfortunately, he is much more a glass cannon than Rin and Katsumi and can be easily dropped by strong combatants or multiple models as he lacks the defensive abilities or threats.
• On offence (and only on offence unfortunately), he can gain Fear (6) and Terror – ideal for dealing with 1 Ki generating models or engaging other Fear causers. He also has the option to boost Melee for 2 Ki, so when facing a Fearless model or a high Ki generator you still have a positive option, especially as Feint gives the option to re-roll an opponent’s highest defence die. * Combined with Combo Attack and Bleed (1/1) he has the option to churn through opponents health, but again it’s best to land a Surprise attack where you can, and Kerasu’s lack of mobility options means this will rely on other models setting him up.
• On a more positive note, 4 Melee Skill means you can usually get a stable defence going or have the threat of throwing something in offence so most people won’t go all in on him in case he is able to survive and get some revenge. The Rampage Ki feat also gives him extra utility turn 2, then either turn 3 or 4 and turn 5 or 6 in which if you know he will be engaged by multiple models the Indomitable until the end phase is very helpful for keeping the risk of reprisal alive for opponents. Additionally, being Agile for the first activation means he can walk off to engage a weaker or surprise-able model, potentially get a Frightened off and use Feint to take advantage. Most people won’t want to put too many models near Kerasu for exactly this point.
• Be aware, Kerasu can be manipulated by strong casters relatively easily and he can be a problem if controlled, so if that seems likely just keep away.
• As previously mentioned he has no defensive traits and can be taken down by ranged attacks and status affecting abilities relatively easily.
• The Vital Strike Ki Feat is very niche, if you play against a lot of Tough models it may be worthwhile but unfortunately Sharp (2) doesn’t become Tough (-2) for a model, which would actually make this a very good Ki feat and worth the 2 Ki cost but as most models are only Tough (1) anyway it seems like a bit of a waste of important Ki that should probably be used to improve an attack or escape from a current situation.

Best gear to give him:

• Poisoned Weapons - basically this doubles his end phase damage on models that aren’t immune to status effecting damage over time effects. It may be a little redundant if things are going well but a scratch can become something nasty with claws that cause infected bleeds!
• Hotais Coin - to protect your investment from bad defence rolls, however I would expect this to already be on another model.
• Vial of Raijins Breath - because an Agile murderer with 6” movement is better than one with 4” movement when targeting someone that thought they were safe. But again, this will probably be on your speedster or flanker to guarantee they get to the appropriate idol in a single action.

Where he is most useful:

• Arguably wherever he can get a Surprise attack off against something he can probably kill in a single action or by the end of the turn. Kerasu does not have a lot of utility beyond being a competent hammer for someone’s anvil but you need to keep someone nearby to look out for him, he definitely needs support to ensure he isn’t removed early.
• Being able to spend a turn with Agile and Indomitable (1) means he is passable at zonal control and would work well with a cheaper defensive model to follow up and finish off the target.
• He is never likely to be your VIM with other better more survivable options available so he is good as a major threat for opponents VIMs and should be thrown at suspected VIM models.
• Due to Kerasu’s main focus being on taking out models it is unlikely you’ll be using him for praying or interacting with scenario objectives so use his Rampage Ki Feat to escape being tied down and go after an opponent’s model that is trying to pray or interact with an objective.

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