Hiya guys, as reviewed in the previous article, Comeback Campaign 2012 was pretty much a big success for Sora wo Kakeru Shoujo. This week I will be touching on not only the CLANNAD Comeback Campaign cards and it’s effects on the CLANNAD set.

Can you name who said each quote?

I will also be doing a quick review of CLANNAD Volume 1, Volume 2, and recently reprinted Volume 3. Stay tuned.

And we started climbing. Scaling up this long, long road.

CLANNAD is an anime produced by Kyoto Animation released in 2007 and a continuation of it in 2008. Widely popular, it has made it’s ways into Weiß Schwarz.

This is some old stuff man… so old that not even I have a sealed box of it…

Released in early 2009, Volume 1 was one of the pioneer Extra Booster sets, closely behind DC/DCII and LBEX extra packs. Shortly after, Volume 2 was released in mid year 2009. Both extra boosters were strange and rather eccentric, having weird and exotic effects. Nothing much could be done to mash up a good deck, similar to Sora wo Kakeru Shoujo. However, Volume 3 changed that.

Doubt many people have that binder too. It’s near impossible to find new boxes of Vol2, but I have one right there =D

In a rather sudden move, Bushiroad announced and created CLANNAD Volume 3, which effectively gelled CLANNAD as a set and made a complete deck possible. More accurately, it brought about stability in the set and provided essential cards for the set to self contain.

However, CLANNAD was never meant to be overpowering. It still remained a fun set, with abundance in Soul and relatively high Power output, yet no sustainability over long periods in games.

Do you like this school?

CLANNAD Volume 1 was released in early 2009 with 27 card variants. Interestingly, building a CLANNAD deck with volume 1 required all 4 colours to be present for it to work. For example, the deck would likely rely on yellow and blue for level 0, red for level 0 supports, level 1 reds, level 2 blues and red counters, and finally green for level3. The complexity of  building and using the deck with stability in mind is almost impossible.

However, many notable cards are indeed present in CLANNAD Volume 1 and they are used widely in almost all builds of CLANNAD decks.

Oh my sweet sweet Nagisa…

Firstly, CLANNAD isn’t exactly spoiled with choices for it’s level 0 characters, thus Meddlesome Person Nagisa ( 世話焼き　渚)　is probably one of the most important stage presence building cards in the set. Being able to reach 3500 without much effort on offence is pretty important, especially when coupled with Ushio support from Volume 3, easily bring this card to 4500 power.

Once a staple in speed decks of the days of Kogawa de Asobou, this card is still one of the best lv0 cards ever.

Ichinose Kotomi (一ノ瀬　ことみ) is also one of the most important cards used in CLANNAD decks. Being a 1000 Power, it probably doesn’t serve much purpose except for it’s very powerful effect. The ability to draw 1 card and discard 1 card allows the player to not only accelerate his deck, but also to change his hand easily by discarding away dead hand. There is almost no drawback to this ability as it allows the player to only get a better hand, and rarely a more inferior hand. The worst that could happen is to have the same hand by discarding away what the player just drew.

Not to mention Kotomi will allow the player to discard a character card that can be retrieved with Bond later. The player can also easily dispose a Climax card from his hand before deck refresh with this card. With 2k1s Climax from Volume 3, this card can easily do a switch with any other utility card, scoring a kill after fully utilizing it’s ability. With the traits Music and Book, this card is suitable for almost all standard decks out there as well.

Oh wow I forgot to take a photograph of this…

Volume 1 also contains the series’ ONLY level 2 Counter card, as shown above. 妹思い　杏 also allows a small boost to Ryou character cards if she is on the Stage.

Other notable cards include:

• 岡崎 朋也 – Useful for switch around characters and avoiding death by standing in the Back stage. Swaps out with 1 of the Character cards from any border and puts them in Stand mode.
• 春原 陽平 – Funky dude and personal hero. Also for Tomoyo’s deck due to it’s ability to give any character card 《Sports》 trait. Also able to be put to Waiting Room and give Tomoyo a big Power boost, especially during level 3 for dual purposes.
• 伝説のヒトデ使い風子 – Tomoyo deck purposes, and general Encore utility for cards without Encore abilities.
• スポーツ万能 智代 – The only level 3 Tomoyo, with heal. Anti 《Sports》 trait ability as it will put them to Clock by paying 5 Costs. Also where Sunohara becomes useful to by using his ability.
• 名誉図書委員ことみ – One of the better level 2 and above supports for the deck. Great traits and secondary ability to compliment.
• 幻想世界の少女 – One of the best alarm abilities ever for early set-up as it decreases handsize decrement and definitely allows you to search out any Character card you want without much problems.

Please… would you attend my sister’s wedding?

As Volume 1 was a rather fun set, Volume 2 tried to keep up with the momentum. Again, releasing several interesting cards, volume 2 actually provided some cards that reinforced the previous set. Released in mid-year 2009, CLANNAD Volume 2 contained 18 variant cards.

Simply adorable, that teddy bear suit =D Anyone noticed the 3 different prints so far?

Chairman of Student Council Tomoyo (生徒会長　智代)　is an adorable card (art). With an ability that can easily allow 《Drama》 trait character cards immense beatdown, this card would serve as a great stock and Power booster for CLANNAD drama decks… except for the fact that there were really few 《Drama》 trait character cards back when Volume 1 was released. Volume 3 changed all that however, thus increasing the playability of this card a few folds.

One very scary level 3…

Class Representative Kyou (委員長　杏)　is also an extremely important card. With a dual ability of dealing 1 out of battle damage on playing her from the hand (with 1 cost), this card can easily deal damage, or cancel away an important hit during crucial times.

The second ability also makes this card a force to reckon with. A 16 000 bull smashing down her encyclopedia on the opponent character card is no joke. Not to mention a free retrieve of any Tomoya card…

Awesome art.

恋のトライアングル　is also an extremely important card. This is the only card with Gate ability in CLANNAD, enabling stable retrieval of key and important cards during the course of the game.

There are definitely more useful cards as listed below:

• 坂上 智代 – The only lv0 3000 green Character card in CLANNAD XDDD, with new art by Itaru Hinoue <3
• 伊吹 風子 – Useful support when playing a multi-coloured CLANNAD deck.
• 藤林 杏 – Situational but useful attacker/support.
• 占い好きな椋 – Essential support for Kyou/Anzu decks.

The day before yesterday I saw a rabbit, and yesterday a deer, and today, you

Volume 3 is pretty much the turning point for CLANNAD set as a whole. Released suddenly in mid-year of 2010, CLANNAD Volume 3 provided the much needed meta power updates as well as new combos for enthusiastic players. CLANNAD Volume 3 contained 27 variant cards and all cards from vol1 & 2 reprinted (1 per extra booster pack).

The cards in Volume 3 now form the backbone of almost all variant types of CLANNAD decks. With the inclusion of all 3 extra boosters, CLANNAD now has 72 variant cards (excluding PR cards)  to build decks from. Of the many cards available, the below cards are pretty notable.

Beautiful sign by Mai Nakahara.

Asking to Go For a Date Tomoya (デートに誘う朋也) and Dango Lover Nagisa ( だんご大好き渚) pretty much forms the best combo in the deck. With Tomoya to Bond Nagisa into hand, there will likely be no lack of hand cards at any point of time. When used as Cost to discard for Encore – Discard a Character card, だんご大好き渚 can easily maintain field and yet keep up with handsize maintenance easily. Not to mention that Tomoya can also function as a support card to boost Power to character cards during your own turn.

Mother and Daughter, both so cute D=

To make the circle of life complete, Daughter of Nagisa Ushio (渚の娘　汐 ) serves as an important support character card. With a level support and optional Change to だんご大好き渚, Ushio is imperative to the sustainability of the deck in many ways.

Bloomers!

Possibly being one of the best self destruct cards in the game, “Elder Sister” Kyou (“お姉ちゃん”杏)　allows the player to self destruct into a Cost 0 character card when he has 4 or more Stock. Not exactly difficult, but could get rid of some really pesky character cards without much problems.

Other cards that are useful are listed below:

• 光坂高校の生徒 渚 – Alternate level 0 to use for Drama decks.
• 病弱な少女 渚 – Level 1 conditional Change to 渚の娘　汐, then to possibly だんご大好き渚
• 朋也の恋人 渚 – Level 2 character with conditional Encore – discard a Character card ability. Pretty useful.
• 岡崎 汐 – Shana has this same exact ability in RR. This, is a Common.
• 仲良し親子 渚＆早苗 – One of the most important deck cycling card components in this deck. With デートに誘う朋也 and 岡崎 汐, this card can  easily reach up to 7500-8500 Power, with Encore.
• 出会いと別れ – 2k1s Climax card for CLANNAD. The only one.
• 相楽 美佐枝 – Useful to keep cards alive, especially the level 2s and above (生徒会長　智代 perhaps)
• 汐の担任 杏 – Pretty much needed to maintain handsize for a pure Kyou deck
• 渚＆杏＆椋 – Another very useful beatdown card. Easily 10500++ if the deck is built correctly.
• 宮沢 有紀寧 – 1500 Power counter… and much more useful after Comeback Campaign…

Family, doesn’t refer to only your real family. Friends are family too.

So out come 5 new promo cards under the Comeback Campaign. These 5 cards all hold different properties that were once lacking in CLANNAD, and they oh, make the set so much stronger.

I should really stop using sleeves when I take photos…

As all five cards serve different purposes, I would be giving them a review and analysis one on one, starting with Kotomi & Nagisa & Fuuko~

Yes, good things begin from now…

CL/WE07-74 ことみ＆渚＆風子/ Kotomi & Nagisa & Fuuko

Text:
【Continuous】 When this card is on the Stage, this card gains 《Drama》 and 《Dango》 traits.
【Continuous】 ASSIST During your opponent’s turn, all cards in front of this card gains Power +500.
【Activate】 BRAINSTORM ［① Put this card to 【Rest】 mode］ From the top of your deck, put 4 cards to your Waiting Room in order. For each Climax card put to your Waiting Room this way, draw 1 card.

The first ever Brainstorm card in CLANNAD! A very welcomed ability as it reduces the reliance on Ichinose Kotomi, and has a good secondary effect to boost Character cards’ power during your opponent’s turn.

It’s 1st ability also allows for Kyou & Tomoyo (杏&智代) to actually see some play. This is because it eliminates 3 out of 4 traits required for the ability to occur, making it much easier then before to activate.

Should have been, Tomoya’s ex-classmate...

CL/WE07-75 朋也のクラスメート　杏/ Tomoya’s Classmate Kyou

Text:
【Auto】 When this card is put to the Stage from hand, reveal the top card of your deck. If it is a Climax card, put the top card of your Stock to your Waiting Room. (Return the revealed card to it’s original position)

A pretty awesome card due to a few factors. The lack of Level 0 Beaters makes this card pretty important in a CLANNAD deck.  It’s red as well, with 《Twins》 and 《Class Representative》 traits, pretty good okay for Standard decks, or generally a Kyou/Anzu deck.

The interesting thing about this card is it’s name contains Tomoya, thus it is possible to give this card Encore with Kotomi & Tomoyo (ことみ&智代). It also allows it to side attack without depleting Soul. It can also be retrieved by Kyou lv3′s Climax combo as well. Very flexible.

Really wished there was a Tomoyo After~ anime as well...

CL/WE07-76 まじめな女の子　智代/ Earnest Girl Tomoyo

Text:
【Auto】 CHANGE ［② Put 1 card from your hand to your Waiting room, put this card to your Memory］ At the start of your Climax phase, you may pay the cost to activate this ability. Should you do so, choose 1 「Student Council President Tomoyo (生徒会長 智代)」 from your Waiting Room and put it to this card’s Border.
【Activate】［Put this card to 【Rest】 mode］ Choose 1 character card, during this turn it gains the trait 《Sports》.

Slightly on the average side, this card is used to Change out Student Council President Tomoyo (生徒会長 智代) earlier (reviewed earlier). It’s primary use is however to give character cards 《Sports》 trait as well, enabling Omnipotent in Sports Tomoyo (スポーツ万能 智代)  to fully adapt it’s capabilities to kick characters to Clock.

Other then that, not much other practical usage.

なかよしだんご　手をつなぎ　大きなまるい輪になるよ
町をつくり　だんご星の上　みんなで笑いあうよ

CL/WE07-77 “部員募集中！”渚/ “Now Recruiting Club Members!” Nagisa

Text:
【Continuous】 During your turn, this card gains Power +1000.
【Continuous】 Cards opposing this character gains Soul +1.

A pretty interesting card. With a good boost from Asking to Go For a Date Tomoya (デートに誘う朋也), this card can easily hit 8000-9000 without Climax. Real good for cheap beatdown, also with Student Council President Tomoyo (生徒会長 智代) Climax combo, this can easily hit 12 000 without much problem, while paying 0 Cost in all.

However the Soul boost does pose a slight threat, since you are susceptible to higher Soul damage. However that in turn increases your Cancel probabilities as well.

The farewell under the hill

CL/WE07-78 仲良し夫婦　渚&朋也/ Close Couple Nagisa & Tomoya

Text:
【Auto】 When this card is put on the Stage from hand, you may put the top card of your Clock to your Waiting Room.
【Auto】 ［①　Put 1 card from your hand to your Waiting Room］ When this card attacks and another Character card with the name inclusive of 「Ushio (汐)」 is on your Stage, you may pay the cost to activate this ability. Should you do so, all other Character cards on your Stage gains Power +1500 and Soul +1 during this turn.

Nothing says Happy Family like this card does. The requirement to have an Ushio card on the field immediately makes any Character cards with Ushio in name slightly more important. Luckily, most Ushio cards are support cards, so it’s not really much of a problem.

And also there’s Heal too for yellow. Finally.

The second ability has another added advantage. Worried you can’t kill the opponent with power? You may pay the cost to boost it. Want to Side attack a level 3? No problems. Strategically add soul to allow accurate Soul damage by the right attacking pattern? Yep. Not enough Soul to win the game, and desperate to defeat the opponent? You can try an all out with this ability.

Oh did I mention heal? Oh yes I sure did.

 It exists you know, a love that goes on forever.

Indeed, in a story like CLANNAD, you can only wish for a happy ending. Sometimes It won’t come, sometimes you need to detour around it, but eventually, CLANNAD is a set all about love. Accepting changes, and conquering pain for the sake of family and friends, everyone and everything. Sometimes, at the foot of the mountain, at the very last moment, a miracle might happen, so never give up hope.

I hope this short write-up gives everyone a clearer picture of the CLANNAD set. I’m sorry, but I’ve been busy writing articles for SGCafe and working my ass off for my Japan trip at the end of the month. I’ll try to update more often, Really! XD