Some Battlefields are used much more than others. Some will have broader usage due to their great claim action. Some are used just because their claim action doesn’t hurt you if your opponent claims it. Then there are some Battlefields that aren’t used at all in the current meta scene. This is one of those Battlefields. Here we will attempt to understand why.
Artwork
I can see both a good and bad side to the artwork of this card. Sure, it shows the entrance to the Jedi Temple, but it isn’t what I would have chosen given the title. An exterior shot of the entire Jedi Temple would be more appropriate for the artwork given the card title: Jedi Temple – Coruscant (AW170). I would have also considered a shot of the Jedi Consul as well, but because that has already been taken, I ruled it out. The artwork itself isn’t bad, and, in a way it shows the duality of the card, both a light side and dark side to it given the extensive use of shadows and sunlight. This idea goes with the card claim, good if you claim it, bad if your opponent does. Even the Jedi shown is standing in the shadows and can’t be identified. But, it’s nothing to write home about.
Claim
The problem with this Battlefield is the Claim itself – “Look at an opponent’s hand and discard up to 2 events of your choice from it”. Very similar to Probe (AW72), in that you get to discard 2 events, the difference here is that you get to look at the entire hand instead of picking two at random. The issue here is that it can be used against you just as often as you use it against an opponent. In a game where you have 30 cards maximum, losing two because of a Battlefield Claim can hurt, especially playing against a mill strategy deck. It can also be very hit or miss, depending on the deck your opponent plays. There are several decks out there that don’t rely on events as heavily as others (Darth Vader (AW10) / Tusken Raider (AW22), I’m looking at you here!).
But, even if you are unable to discard 2 events from your opponents hand, just being able to see what they have can give an advantage. What do I mean? Say your opponent has 4 resources saved when you use the Claim ability. You get to see a few of the card(s) they might be playing next turn (that expensive AT-ST (AW5)), or something similar. Finally, because the Battlefield is claimed late in a turn, your opponent might not even have any Events in their hand to begin with.
Deck Options
There really aren’t too many decks out there that will find this an attractive Battlefield option. Sure, it does lend itself to mill style decks. Both Admiral Ackbar (AW27) and Darth Vader decks that make extensive usage of their mill abilities, not to mention the various upgrades and supports that have Discard sides on their die face can benefit from this Battlefield. The upcoming Jyn Erso (SR44) with her 1 Discard and 2 Discard sides could also see this as a potential Battlefield. When mill decks become more popular (if they ever really do), sure it can see more use. But, again, because this battlefield has the potential to hurt you as much as help you, it won’t ever see widespread use.
Honestly, if you want to guarantee discards every time you claim the Battlefield, Command Center – Lothal (AW165) would be a better option. That Battlefield guarantees that you discard the top two cards in your opponent’s deck. You don’t get to see what is in their hand, but the 2 guaranteed discards make up for that.
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