From: [playxmyxgamex@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 11:59 AM

Subject: Article #1: Longshot- The Forgotten Freedom Fighter

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In today's article I will be discussing the card
Longshot, Rebel Freedom Fighter
Recruit Cost: 1
Atk: 2
Def: 1
Affiliation: X-Men
Activate -->Name two different cards. Reveal the top four cards of your deck. If both of the named cards are revealed, put all copies of the named cards into your hand. Put all remaining cards on the bottom of your deck in any order.

     I've been checking out different sites with different deck ideas and it surprised me how much of Longshot i DIDN'T see.  This guy can be very versatile in any stage of the game, no matter what turn it is.  For example, in the first turn he becomes a solild 2/1 attacker and can take out most, if any, turn 1 characters recruited.  The majority of the time a turn 1 and turn 2 character will have no more than 2 DEF.  Longshot's 1 DEF may make him vulnerable but early on in turns 1-2 there are no major hitters that will breakthrough for more than 3 endurance points if Longshot is in your front row.  Ah! I only spoke about his ATK/DEF i haven't even made it to his ability yet.
     In the late game (turns 4-9), i find that most players are looking for that trump card or game breaking combo only to find themselves looking for another option.  With Longshot's ability your able to name two cards and draw the top four cards of your deck.  If you find any copies of the two cards you mentioned, then you get to keep those in your hand and the rest is put at the bottom of your deck any way you like it.  The real drawback is that you have to have both cards revealed.  Although, a good player would have multiple copies of their deck's game-breaking card and usually there are at least 2 cards in any players deck that would be considered game-breaking.  Also, in the later stages of the game, if you haven't drawn the card you need then the chances of you drawing it the next turn become higher.  Longshot's drawback can also be looked at positively.  It can thin your deck out and allow for the better cards to show up on your next draw.  If were to give Longshot a rating, i would give him a 3 out of 5.  Why?  His ATK is excellent in the first 2 turns and provides for some great early endurance loss to the opponent especially if you provide him with the equipment cards Dual Sidearms, Borrowed Blade, or Advanced Hardware.  His effect can act as both a deck thinning mechanism or a way to grab those two cards you absolutely need to win.  On the darker side of things, Longshot's low DEF can prove to cause you a fair amount of endurance loss in the mid-game (turns 3-5).  His effect can throw away a potential game winner if the other card does not show up.  Overall, a very worthy card in decks that run 4 copies of cards.  Longshot is best served during the first two turns for his ATK power and the last couple turns to end the game with his ability to draw cards out of the deck.  I personally use Longshot in my X-Men/Brotherhood deck to draw out The New Brotherhood and Sabertooth, Feral Rage at the same time during turns 4-6.  To conclude, I believe Longshot should see a lot of tournament play.  I also want to rant about why he doesn't have range?  The guy's name is LONG SHOT, oh well i guess his little knives didn't travel as far as we thought!


Marvin Aquino
::Mr. MARVELous::