Most popular: Zhao Yun (SP2012)?!?!?!

Click on the image above to see the summary of the latest results.

Now this is a surprise!! The Revamped Zhao Yun (SP 2012) is currently in the lead with the most number of votes!

Want to be part of this poll? Join in the poll by clicking here.

As it stands right now (23rd May 8:15am Singapore time), tentative vote leaders are...

1st -- Zhao Yun (SP 2012) [38 votes]


2nd -- Xiao Qiao [34 votes]


3rd -- Younger Zhuge Liang [32 votes]


4th -- Jia Xu [31 votes]


5th & 6th tied -- Guo Jia and Jiang Wei [30 votes]


Poll will be open till Sunday (27th May), so log in your opinions while the window is still available.

(Note: This poll is "just for fun" and is in no way scientific... So don't think too much into it ok?)

Have fun!!

SGS Characters Poll: Who are your favorite characters?

Following on the comments that have sprouted recently, I have decided to do a little poll of our own.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFNnSVRLcFJOb285Qmt4Y210ckN3OVE6MQ

Do help to select your favorite characters in the poll and let's see what the English speaking community thinks are their favorites. There is no limit to how many you can select.

The characters have been arranged in Chronological order, so you will find characters from Hills and OKF2012 right at the bottom.

Remember to choose according to which character you like to use in the game, whether or not other players think he sucks, or whether or not that person is a bump historically.

Have fun!!!

Wáng Yì 王异

Translated Description:
"The Elated Damsel 快意的巾帼 (kuài yì dè jīn guò)"

Who is she?
The more I studied up on this new female character, the more confused  I became. The confusion stems from the disparity between Wang Yi in literature/history, and Wang Yi as described in this card. The last adjective I would use to describe her is "Elated"! She attempted suicide twice, covered her body in mud and sh*t for a year, then eventually roused herself up to be a fearsome fighter and steely, ruthless loyalty. Put it this way: how could you call someone "happy and blissful" when this person rather let her sons die in the hands of the enemy than talk peace?

I seriously don't get it. If someone out there knows more about this than I do, please do share!

Wang Yi was the wife of an official called Zhao Ang 赵昂. Her husband is so insignificant that he does not have his own Wiki write-up. Yes, the curry is all Wang Yi, whose life story can be summed up as Princess Diana-turned-Whitney Houston (during her drug episode)-turned-Joan of Arc. While her husband was away, a revolt happened and both her sons died while attempting to quell the rebellion. In the face of certain death, she chose suicide, then decided not to so as to bring up her daughter. She covered herself up in mud and crap so as to stay chaste (and not get savaged by the enemy). When the rebellion ended, Wang Yi and daughter journeyed to meet her husband, but halfway decided to complete her suicide since her daughter was now safe. However she was rescued... then years later became quite the fighter! How did that happen? Read on the find out.

Character ability 1: Death over Desecration 贞烈 (zhēn liè)
Before your judgement card takes effect, you can display the top card of the deck and use it as a substitute.

Character ability 2: Hatch a Plan 秘计 (mì jì)

If you are injured before the beginning (or ending) phase of your turn, you can flip a judgement card. If the judgement card is black-suited, you can view X cards from the top of the deck (X being units of health lost), then give these cards to a player. 

Ability's relation to story:

"Death over Desecration" referred to Wang Yi's action to protect her daughter's and her own chastity. During her husband's leave, some rebellous troops sieged the city and killed her sons, she intended to commit suicide, but he did not so so because no one would protect her daughter after her death. Instead, she covered herself in clothes soaked in sewage of feces. When her husband returned, she intended to commit suicide because it was a responsibility to commit suicide to protect her chastity for her husband in dangerous situations, and she merely delayed this process to protect her daughter.

"Hatch a Plan" referred to Wang Yi's ability to plot when falsely serving her enemies.

Trivia:
For what ever reason, Wang Yi's failed suicides turned her resolve and loyalty to her country as hard as heat-treated steel. She once rode into battle beside her husband, using the bow and arrow as her weapon. She also gave the troops her jewellery, which did wonders for morale. Even after Ma Chao 马超 captured the heir to Zhao Ang (I suspect the heir is not her son, but son of another wife), she bluntly told her husband not to succumb to blackmail, but fight to the death and let the heir die. Die the heir did, but it just shows how merciless and cold Wang Yi became in her fight for her their sovereignty.

Comments by Authors:
I am disappointed by both her illustration and her abilities. The illustration was too sexy, not suiting the fact that she forfeited her beauty to protect her daughter. Her abilities just did not fit the mechanisms. "Death over Desecration" did not show how Wang Yi protected herself. Instead, it showed that she did not surrender to fate. This is a judgment tinkering ability, which makes it complicated when multiple judgement tinkerers are present. Imagine what would happen if Sima Yi, Zhang Jiao and Wang Yi were present... Also, "Hatch a Plan" did not have any relationship to her plots!

I noticed that "Death over Desecration" has been amended since first translation. Now the ability applies only to her own judgement cards, which would make more sense now since she was protecting herself in the story. However "Hatch a Plan" is an enigma to me. I didn't find much reference to her hatching any plans, or what those plans were. It seemed more like she was the trumpet-blower, rallying everyone to fight for their cause. And I still cannot understand why her description is "快意的巾帼"!! Can someone please enlighten us??

How to obtain this character?
Wang Yi is available in the 2012 release of OverKnight Fame, otherwise known as OKF2012 (一将成名2012). Click here to purchase now!

Clearance Sale for SGS Bundle items

Yup, that's right. Sino-games is clearing stock for our Bundle items.

50% off all Bundled items* from now till 1st June (or whilst stocks last). We only have less than 10 Final packs and Ultimate packs left. They wouldn't last long.

But only if you key in this promo code in the checkout page. You know the drill.

Promo Code
ZG81GRJ00YLE

Don't miss out! Click here to check out our Bundled items page now!

* Postage fees for overseas customers not included within discount.

Cáo Zhāng 曹彰

Translated Description:
"The Yellow Bearded Son 黄须儿 (huáng xū ér)"

Who is he:
We all have funny nicknames given by our parents, which is their way of personalizing that bond between child and parents. Thus to have Cao Zhang's father, Cao Cao 曹操, endearingly nickname him "my yellow bearded son" was a sign of his father's fondness. In his youth, Cao Zhang was said to have wrestled with live beasts using his bare hands. His ferocity and his courage would make him an excellent general.

But did Cao Cao want Cao Zhang to be a general? No. Instead, Cao Cao wanted Cao Zhang to be a doctor! Cao Zhang gave his father the 3rd century equivalent of the finger, and pursued military warfare against his father's wishes. In later years he would again disobey his father's orders, but for prudent reasons that turn out to be right.

A brave and accomplished warrior with tactical smarts, surely Cao Zhang should have succeeded Cao Cao as ruler of Wei... but why didn't he? Read on to find out!

Character ability: Versatile Fighter 将驰
During the drawing phase, you can choose 1 of 2 options.

1. Draw 1 extra card. If you do so, you cannot use or play any ATTACK 杀 cards until your turn is over.

2. Draw 1 card less. If you do so, any ATTACK cards used during your action phase has unlimited range. You can also use 1 more ATTACK card in that turn. Effects last till your turn is over.

Ability's relation to story:
This ability was meant to show off the military talent of Cao Zhang. According to the character designer, he wanted to depict a general riding and fighting in the Northern regions of China, thus giving the name of this ability.

In addition, I believe 将驰 was a pun on 张弛 "Versatile Fighter", referring to the versatile warrior and the meaning of skillfulness. According to the designer, he must be versatile enough to defeat the normadic tribe known for their high mobility and hit-and-run tactics. When it was not the time to attack, Cao Zhang prepared himself for the coming battle (draw one more cards without attack). When he found chances, he struck his enemies with full strength without hesitation (no drawing cards for more aggressive actions). Being the northern defense line that support Cao Cao's southern campaigns, he could draw more cards to trigger Cao Cao's Ruler ability "Royal Escort 护驾".

Trivia:
You probably know by now that Cao Cao was succeeded by Cao Pi 曹丕 instead of Cao Zhang. There are a few versions of what happened following the ascension of Cao Pi, but all seemed to agree on 2 things:

1. Cao Zhang was away during his father's death. He was on his way back to see Cao Cao but never made it back in time.

2. Cao Pi was paranoid and insecure about Cao Zhang challenging his succession.

History recounts that Cao Pi sent Cao Zhang away to lord over a region of Wei, far from the capital to be a threat. Cao Zhang died soon after due to an illness. However another version of history says that Cao Pi deviously poisoned Cao Zhang over a game of chess. Which is the truth, we may never know. As for ROTK, the author made Cao Zhang's return to the capital seem like a military campaign, bringing with him thousands of troops. However Cao Zhang had no intention to strike Cao Pi, but instead came and left as a mourner, and nothing more.

Personal opinion, I think Cao Zhang would have made a better ruler than Cao Pi, but that's not to say that Cao Pi wasn't successful in his own way.

How to obtain this character:
Cao Zhang is available in the 2012 release of OverKnight Fame, otherwise known as OKF2012 (一将成名2012). Click here to purchase now!

Xún Yoū 荀攸

Translated Description:
"Master Strategist of Cao Wei 曹魏的谋主 (cáo wèi dè moú shì)"

Who is he:
In a time where heroes and talents sprouted like cow grass after a blaze, there were simply too many important people for all of them to have gained as much attention as they deserve. Xun You was one of these lesser known greats. Many of the big achievements behind Cao Cao 曹操's early conquests had Xun You's influence. He was on of Cao Cao's most brilliant and effective advisors, playing a key role in the eradication of Lu Bu 吕布 and Yuan Shao 袁绍. It also happens the Xun You is the nephew of another brilliant advisor to Cao Cao, Xun Yu 荀彧.

Xun You was a quiet and low-profile figure, but his strategies were wickedly effective! For this reason, Cao Cao very much trusted Xun You. Alas, his low-profile prevented stories and fables, and ultimately he never got the popular hype he rightly deserve in history. But perhaps, that was just how he would have preferred it.

Character ability 1: Contrivance 奇策 (qí cè)
In the action phase, you can use all your on-hand cards (minimum of one) as any one non-time-delay tool card. Limited to once per turn.

Character ability 2: Playing Dumb 智愚 (zhì yú)
Every instance after you receive damage, you can draw a card, then display all your on-hand cards. If all your on-hand cards are of the same colour, the source of your damage must discard one on-hand card.

Ability's relation to story:
"Contrivance" originated from Xun You's ability to plot numerous stratagems. He was responsible for the flooding that defeated Lu Bu, as well as the victory over the Yaun Shao and his sons (some were contributed by Guo Jia 郭嘉). It was said that he plotted twelve contrived schemes for Cao Cao in his life, but no one knew what those schemes were. Only his close friend, Zhong Yao 钟繇, knew the exact details of each scheme, but Zhong Yao died before ever publicizing them. The game mechanism allowed Xun You to use his on-hand cards as one of the twelve tool cards (corresponding to the 12 contrived schemes). As the loyal supporter of Cao Cao (unlike his uncle, Xun Yu, who was loyal to the Han dynasty), he could convert his on-hand cards as AOE to give all his on-hand cards to Cao Cao, symbolising his presentation of schemes to Cao Cao.

"Playing Dumb" referred to Xun You's personality. Xun You liked to pretend to be a mediocre adviser, and revealed his wisdom only when it was needed. Cao Cao said "公達外愚內智，外怯內勇，外弱內強 Gongda (the style name of Xun You) feigned ignorance to hide his wisdom, feigned cowardice to hide his courage, feigned weakness to hide his strength". In Xun You's early life, he and his friend plotted the assassination of Dong Zhuo 董卓, but they failed and were arrested. His friend commited suicide for fear of tortures, while Xun You stayed calm and lived casually in prison. When Dong Zhuo observed this, he spared his life.

How to obtain this character:
Xun You is available in the 2012 release of OverKnight Fame, otherwise known as OKF2012 (一将成名2012). Click here to purchase now!

Zhang Fei 张飞 (*SP005)

Translated Description:
“Spear-Ready, Horse-Mounted 横矛立马 (héng máo lì mǎ)”

Who is he:
If you don't know Zhang Fei, you must be completely new to ROTK (in which case, you can read about him here). The hairy one gets a makeover, but thankfully his facial hair is just as overwhelming. I would have thought Zhang Fei is one of the last to need a revamp. His old character was simple, brutal, and very flexible. I think the new complicated mechanics are to Zhang Fei what variable acceleration technology is to a food blender: unnecessary.

Still, i'm sure some out there would appreciate the more complex nature of the newer characters, and hopefully this new update would appeal to you.

Why is he an SP character?
There is only one reason I can think of that warrants an SP version of him. His ability was too simple (ie: had too few words), and was too clear-cut. Ambiguity is vogue now, and if don't have to re-read the ability description at least thrice, it's clearly out of fashion.

Character ability 1: "Indignation 嫉恶 (jí è)" [Enforced ability]
When you use red-suited ATTACK 杀 cards, the damage caused is +1.

Character ability 2: "Battle Cry 大喝 (dà hè)"
During your action phase, you can pick a player to points duel. If you win, all DODGE 闪 cards of that player that are not hearts-suit become ineffective till the end of the turn. You can pass the points duel card of that player to any player whose health is not more than yours. If you lose, you must display your hand of cards and select one card to discard. Limited to once per turn.

Ability's relation to story:
The words “嫉恶” originates from the phrase 嫉恶如仇 (abhor evil as a deadly foe). It refers to Zhang Fei’s personality. When Zhang Fei saw wrongdoings, he would get enraged easily. There have been numerous instances where Zhang Fei lost his cool and did some pretty impulsive things, whipping an official and even fighting Guan Yu 关羽 just to name two.

“Battlecry” referred to Zhang Fei’s contribution in the Battle of Changban. This section has been written extensively in the original Zhang Fei post as well as in DISMANTLE 过河拆桥.

Incidentally, 大喝 (Battlecry) and 咆哮 (Barrage) have similar meanings in chinese. In the game, “Battlecry” is more likely referring to the whole action of Zhang Fei in the Battle of Changban. If Zhang Fei wins, Zhang Fei literally stunned his enemy. His ATTACK is less likely to be dodged, and he can take this chance to protect his comrade (by giving a card to him). If Zhang Fei loses, he is at a disadvantage, so his enemies can see through his intention (reveal on-hand cards) and one card needs to be ‘dismantled’ by Zhang Fei himself.

How to obtain this character:
Purchase the 15th issue of Zhuo You Zhi magazine (April 2012) to get this limited character card as a free gift! (Coming soon to Sino-Games.com)