All factions
Big in Japan
KAIJU
Medium-High
Play with fewer minions than normal, but gain power through your play-on-base actions, destroy other players' cards, manipulate bases and summon a giant freaking titan.
Description
In the Big in Japan set, the Kaiju faction unleashes colossal creatures to wreak havoc on the battlefield. This faction's strategy revolves around playing actions on bases to emerge victorious. With a complexity rating of Medium-High, the Kaiju demand a thoughtful approach. They are joined in this set by three other unique factions: Itty Critters, Magical Girls, and Mega Troopers.
Cards Overview
The Kaiju faction boasts a unique card composition, featuring just 3 minions and 17 actions, a significant departure from the typical 10 minions and 10 actions. Notably, they also have a titan in their ranks. With a total base power of 9, or an average of 3 per minion, their minions are relatively low in power compared to the standard 30 total power and 3 average power. However, the Kaiju's strength lies in their actions, many of which are power actions that directly contribute to the total power without relying on minions. When including these actions, the Kaiju's total power jumps to 34, with an average power of 2.83.
Their action lineup consists of 9 play-on-base actions, including The Folly of Men, Oh, No!, three instances of Radioactive Breath, two Stomps, Tail Smash, and Wade Through the Buildings. Additionally, they have 8 standard actions, one of which affects one or more minions, including two Kaiju Alliances, two Kaiju Conflicts, two Pick Up A Bus, There Goes Tokyo, and They Say He’s Got to Go. Notably, none of their actions directly increase a minion's power, and there are no play-on-minion actions in their arsenal.
2x Kaiju Alliance - Reduce the breakpoint of all bases by 4 until the end of the turn.
2x Kaiju Conflict - Play two extra actions.
1x Oh, No! - power 2 - Play on a base. Play or move Gorgodzolla to here. Ongoing: You gain +2 power here.
2x Pick Up a Bus - Choose an action in your discard pile that can be played on a base and place it into your hand.
3x Radioactive Breath - power 3 - Play on a base. Destroy any number of minions here of power 2 or less. Ongoing: You gain +3 power here.
2x Stomp - power 2 - Play on a base. Reduce its breakpoint by 3 until the end of the turn. Ongoing: You gain +2 power here.
1x Tail Smash - power 4 - Play on a base. Destroy a minion you don’t control here of power 3 or less. Ongoing: You gain +4 power here.
1x The Folly of Men - power 2 - Play on a base. Ongoing: Your minions and other actions on this base cannot be destroyed by other players' cards. You gain +2 power here.
1x There Goes Tokyo - If Gorgodzolla is in play, destroy its base. Move Gorgodzolla to another base and replace the destroyed base normally.
1x They Say He’s Got to Go - Move a titan to another base.
1x Wade Through the Buildings - power 4 - Play on a base. Destroy all other players’ actions on this base. Ongoing: You gain +4 power here.
Actions
2x Kaiju Alliance - Reduce the breakpoint of all bases by 4 until the end of the turn.
2x Kaiju Conflict - Play two extra actions.
1x Oh, No! - power 2 - Play on a base. Play or move Gorgodzolla to here. Ongoing: You gain +2 power here.
2x Pick Up a Bus - Choose an action in your discard pile that can be played on a base and place it into your hand.
3x Radioactive Breath - power 3 - Play on a base. Destroy any number of minions here of power 2 or less. Ongoing: You gain +3 power here.
2x Stomp - power 2 - Play on a base. Reduce its breakpoint by 3 until the end of the turn. Ongoing: You gain +2 power here.
1x Tail Smash - power 4 - Play on a base. Destroy a minion you don’t control here of power 3 or less. Ongoing: You gain +4 power here.
1x The Folly of Men - power 2 - Play on a base. Ongoing: Your minions and other actions on this base cannot be destroyed by other players' cards. You gain +2 power here.
1x There Goes Tokyo - If Gorgodzolla is in play, destroy its base. Move Gorgodzolla to another base and replace the destroyed base normally.
1x They Say He’s Got to Go - Move a titan to another base.
1x Wade Through the Buildings - power 4 - Play on a base. Destroy all other players’ actions on this base. Ongoing: You gain +4 power here.
Characters
1x Kaijookey - power 4 - Ongoing: This minion has +1 power for each of your actions played on this base.
1x Tiny Priestesses - power 3 - Play or move Gorgodzolla to here.
1x Johnny - power 2 - You may return one of your actions on a base to your hand and play it here as an extra action.
Strategy
Kaiju teams up perfectly with factions that trigger effects when cards are played on bases or those that grant additional action plays.
Synergies
Kaiju pairs exceptionally well with factions that excel at playing actions on bases or generating additional actions. Factions that fit this bill can amplify the Kaiju's formidable abilities, leading to devastating combinations.
Steampunks, in particular, form a powerhouse partnership with Kaiju, offering unparalleled control over play-on-base actions, as well as enhanced power, mobility, and protection. It's worth noting that the action Change in Venue can be replayed on the base it originated from, a tactic that, while typically less useful for Steampunks, can still be leveraged to great effect.
Wizards also make a strong match, as they can increase the overall number of actions played, allowing Kaiju to maximize their impact. Meanwhile, Mythic Greeks can reap additional benefits from playing actions, thanks to their Argonauts being treated as play-on-base actions.
Tricksters bring a unique set of skills to the table, providing an abundance of play-on-base actions while also enabling invasions and opponent control on bases. Lastly, combining Kaiju with Dragons results in a doubly destructive force, capable of laying waste to bases with ease.
Tips
Unleash destruction with the Kaiju faction, but be prepared to play the long game. The imbalance between minions and actions, combined with Gorgodzolla's specific play requirements and power counter accumulation, means that Kaiju's strength builds gradually. Focus on dismantling your opponents' defenses by demolishing their minions and actions, and use defensive strategies to bide your time until you're ready to strike.
The Johnny card is a valuable asset, offering flexibility and cunning. Use it to replay an action on a different base or repeat an action on the same base, opening up opportunities for creative combinations. For example, deploy Radioactive Breath on multiple bases, unleash Stomp twice on a single base, or unleash a devastating Tail Smash, all made possible by Johnny's versatility.
Mechanics
Play with fewer minions than normal, but gain power through your play-on-base actions, destroy other players' cards, manipulate bases and summon a giant freaking titan.