Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong 张昭 & 张紘 Managers of Heaven and Earth 经天纬地 Direct Instruction 直谏 As many times as they would like during their turn, Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong can place a piece of equipment from their hand in the equipment area of another character. They cannot replace a piece of equipment. For each piece of equipment that they place in another character's equipment area, Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong draw one card. Stubborn 固执 At the end of another character's discard phase, Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong can return one of the cards that they discarded into their hand. Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong can then place all other discarded cards in their hand. |
Clarification:
- When using "Direct Instruction," the recipient of the equipment card cannot decline to equip the card. Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong forcibly equip the card.
- Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong cannot take equipment in their equipment area and give it to other characters for "Direct Instruction." The power stipulates that the equipment must be in their hand.
- If another player only discards one card at the end of their turn, Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong's "Stubborn" would allow them to keep the card if they choose to activate this ability, but Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong would not be able to take possession of any cards.
- If Cao Zhi is in play, his "Fallen Bloom" takes priority over "Stubborn." In other words, in another character's discard phase, Cao Zhi immediately takes possession of the club-suited cards, then "Stubborn" can be activated with the remaining non-club cards. The reasoning for this can be found in the language of the two abilities. "Fallen Bloom" takes place immediately when club-suited cards are discarded, whereas "Stubborn" takes place at the end of the discard phase.
Strengths | Weaknesses |
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Notable Combinations:
- Zhen Ji/Yuan Shu/Zhou Yu/Demigod Cao Cao/Huang Yue Ying - These characters have abilities that increase their drawing power. As a result, "Stubborn" will be more useful to Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong when they activate it during these characters' discard phases. In particular, Yuan Shu is Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong's best ally, as he has a power that mandates a certain number of cards being discarded in his discard phase. His presence is useful to Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong, even if he is on the opposite team.
- Sun Shang Xiang/Ling Tong - These characters have abilities that activate when cards leave their equipment area. Although Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong cannot force these characters to discard these cards, he can give them equipment that can be used to activate these powers at a later time via "Direct Instruction."
- New Ling Tong - New Ling Tong is a wonderful ally to Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong. The new "Whirlwind" can be activated during New Ling Tong's discard phase. Because "Stubborn" allows Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong to take all cards discarded in a discard phase, they can also keep the two cards from other characters that New Ling Tong decides to discard via "Whirlwind." New Ling Tong can choose to discard an enemy's equipment, which can then be placed in Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong's hand for the use of "Direct Instruction," which is particularly useful for New Ling Tong.
- Cao Zhi - Cao Zhi's "Fallen Bloom" competes with "Stubborn" and overrules it in the case of discarded club-suited cards. As a result, Cao Zhi's presence can make "Stubborn" weaker when performed on other characters. However, if Cao Zhi gains a lot of club-suited cards via this power, it is unlikely that he will be able to use all of them during his turn, so "Stubborn" can be used to take most of these club-suited cards. If Zhang Zhao and Cao Zhi are on the same team, they can use their powers to 'pass' clubs to each other during their discard phases (Cao Zhi takes all discarded clubs from Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong via "Fallen Bloom" then discards them in his discard phase during which Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong can use "Stubborn" to take them back, propagating the cycle).
- Da Qiao - Da Qaio's "Country Scene" is useful because it allows her to more easily Capture Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong's enemies. This will force them to skip their action phase. Because of this, Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong can obtain more cards from "Stubborn." However, Da Qiao has leverage over Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong because she can easily Capture them and force them to discard their extra cards gained from "Stubborn" after their skipped action phase.
- Xu Huang - Xu Huang's "Blockade" allows him to more easily use the card Starvation. While this may not cause as much of a problem if Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong are targeted with this card and they have already gained other cards from "Stubborn," but his presence may prevent Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong from using this ability if his teammates are targeted with this card and do not draw cards to discard in their discard phase.
- Wu Guo Tai - Wu Guo Tai's "Exposure" can undermine Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong's "Direct Instruction" if they take the cards he equipped with this ability and give them to one of their enemies.
King | Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong can be a good king choice if the loyalists pick characters like New Ling Tong or Yuan Shu that can give Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong many cards via "Stubborn." Otherwise, Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong can be a risky king choice due to their low health and lack of defensive abilities (other than "Stubborn"). |
Loyalist | Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong are a good loyalist pick. They can allow the king to keep an extra card and take the rest via "Stubborn" and they can keep him well fortified with "Direct Instruction." |
Rebel | Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong are a good rebel pick. They can give the rebels weapons via "Direct Instruction" to help them to reach the king. Also, they will have many opportunities to use "Stubborn" to help their allies and themselves. |
Spy | Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong are a poor spy choice. Their abilities are best suited for team situations and they are also very fragile. Additionally, they may have a very difficult time taking down the king in a one-on-one situation unless the king is already very weak, assuming they can even make it to that point without a team. |
Final Remarks:
Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong can be thought of as a utility character. In most situations, they are not at the head of the assault, but they have a very useful role in keeping the team strong. Consider carefully when using "Direct Instruction" whether or not you need the equipment more than the ally. Other characters may be more sturdy than Zhang Zhao & Zhang Hong. Also, never forget that you have "Stubborn" at your disposal. If someone is Captured and must discard many cards, it is possible that you may get the right cards to finish the game on your turn, especially if they have to discard many tool cards or if you have the Crossbow and they have many Attacks.
Alternate Appearances:
