(Kassai of the Golden Sand | Art by Alexander Mokhov)

Welcome back to CnC! Through this series, we’ll break down just what each hero brings to the table, from abilities, to playable cards and equipment, and interactions with other heroes. Looking at Blitz, CC, and UPF, we’ll see which heroes are winners, playable, fun, or need more support. And today we’re looking at Kassai.

Flesh and Blood‘s second female Warrior got some much needed attention in Heavy Hitters. Kassai ceased to be a Cintari Sellsword and became just Kassai, with an adult version that many fans have been waiting for. With a different mechanic to the original queen of coin, she’s still all about the money that will ultimately help her cause (more about her story here). A few majestics here, some new weapons and armor there, along with brand new tokens to play with – Kassai finally got the true Warrior treatment. So she’s playable, and even amazing to play now, right? Let’s take a look.

Note: for the purpose of this article, I will not be talking about Kassai, Cintari Sellsword.

What Does Kassai Do?

Young Kassai has four intellect and 20 life, while adult Kassai (Kassai of the Golden Sand) has 40 life. She’s a Warrior hero, which means she can play generic and Warrior cards. Her passive effect makes you swing your weapons for free if you’ve drawn a card this turn. Her once-per-turn action lets you banish cards from your graveyard (two red and two yellow cards) in order to make Gold. You gain a Gold token the next time your weapon attack hits a hero this turn.

Weapons and Equipment for Kassai

Even though Sellsword is no longer her name, the Cintari Saber will always be in her arsenal. Two Sabers are still a good choice for her, as a one-cost, two-power attack that gains an extra one attack if it’s defended by an attack action card. Their downside is that the only way to give them go again is by outside means (attack reactions, actions that give go again, and so on). Her new toy is Hot Streak, which is basically the same thing as the Saber, with the main difference being what happens when it’s defended by an attack action card. Unlike the Saber that becomes stronger, the Streak gains go again.

Kassai also got an equipment upgrade in Heavy Hitters. The new Warrior chest is called Grains of Bloodspill, and it’s a real beauty. It has two temper and for the low price of one resource, which you can activate when your weapon hits, you can set up your next turn with a Vigor token. An oldie but still good choice for a chest if you don’t have this legendary is another legendary you might have in your other decks. Of course, I’m taking about Fyendal’s Spring Tunic. This will be more of a situational piece, mostly for Classic Constructed, but more on that later.

Your head piece will be one fit for a Warrior queen. Two crowns are at your disposal, and they’re both good – Crown of Providence and Crown of Dominion. You’ll be choosing these based on which direction you want to pilot Kassai. Want more block and a free sink? Crown of Providence. Want to be a true queen and have more money than the Emperor? Crown of Dominion. Your arms will be either Braveforge Bracers or Ironsong Versus, and your leg piece Valiant Dynamo. These are pretty standard, and by far the best you can choose for Kassai.

If these are too pricey for you, Kassai got a specialization head piece in Heavy Hitters with a pretty good attack reaction: Hood of the Red Sand. For one resource, you can do a similar effect to Kassai’s: banish a red and yellow card from your graveyard and if your attack hits and draw a card, thus activating her passive. Refraction Bolters are a good choice for any Warrior legs, and Ironrot or Ironhide chest and arms can fill those blank equipment slots.

Core Cards for Kassai

Kassai is all about those swords, making sure they hit, and thus making a pretty penny. The best way to do that is to set up your attacks with action cards. You want to hit with both weapons, so making sure the first has go again is crucial. A few cards do this well: Hit and Run and Spoils of War both do the trick. Another type of action cards you’ll want are ones that make you rich or use your money. While cracking your Copper and Gold the way they are is an okay solution, it’s not the best one. Cards like Cash In or Blood on Her Hands are much better ways to spend your money. But what about getting money? That’s where Outland Skirmish comes in, and you’ll want them in rainbow. A legendary action that triggers Kassai’s passive is Gorganian Tome, which might pleasantly surprise you if your opponent plays one before you.

Attack reactions that give go again and buff your attacks so they hit are going to be your best friends. Blade Runner and In the Swing are familiar oldies that do just this, but a new addition is Blade Flurry. The more of these you have, the better, but if you’re feeling confident in your resource management in the rest of the deck, feel free to skip the blues. As far as attack actions go, if you want to play any, Nourishing Emptiness is the best choice. Remember how Kassai can banish cards? That way, every Nourishing you play can be the first ones you’ve played.

Let’s take a look at the formats she can be played in and see if he’s playable, fun, a winner, or needs more support.

Blitz

Her new Blitz deck is pretty nice, and the two weapons can be pretty dangerous. You can’t dish out lethal damage in the first round unless you get pretty lucky, but being able to threaten damage with two good cards in hand is a plus. Also, seeing as most of your cards block three, and your equipment also blocks, you shouldn’t have a problem protecting yourself early game. That being said, threatening with at least one attack if you have the chance to do so is always better than passing your turn.

CC

More health = more time = preparing your attack. Arsenaling attack reactions instead of playing them in a weak hand can be your ticket to success. Spend your money carefully. Sometimes it’s better to crack your Gold by pitching a card (or a few) you don’t need rather than waiting to use it somehow. The advantage that you have here is the ability to use Kassai’s ability multiple times through the game, depending on the number of cards you dish out per turn. Gaining money will literally get you an army, and it’s easier done in CC than other formats. A card I haven’t mentioned yet is Raise an Army, also a new card from Heavy Hitters. So get that Gold, get those soldiers, and pound away. With one red and one blue in hand (provided your sword has go again), you can take away huge chunks of your opponent’s health, one swing at a time.

UPF

Ready or not, a royal Kassai will come and take the throne. At least, that’s the general idea. Generating oodles of cash is a must in Ultimate Pit Fight, as you’ll need it not only for attacks, but for your endgame setup as well. Keep your Cash In’s close and keep a pile of Gold at hand, but try to be passive about the game; let the other players fight amongst themselves. Only when the others start looking at you as a threat, crack your Gold and dish out as much damage as you can, taking them one by one. Your Cintari Sellsword soldiers will be especially useful here, as it’s always difficult blocking multiple attacks in UPF, when damage could strike from left or right.

Overall Score: Winner / Fun to Play

Kassai is the most fun she’s ever been in Flesh and Blood right at this stage. With multiple attacks, a clear focus on what she wants, and minions to help her in her mission, she’s very powerful. While she could go for more support, under the right circumstances in a well crafted deck, she’s definitely a winner.

Valera

Valera tried Magic in highschool then forgot about it. Some years later, she fell in love with broken FaB heroes (like Data Doll MKII) and tribal commander MTG decks. A shapeshifter, collector, traveller, writer... Who needs free time?