Ino-Shika-Cho (Naruto Card Game): The First Combo Bandai Showed Us

The first card Bandai published with full rules text for the Naruto Card Game is a combo piece. Ino Yamanaka (N-011) reads: if you have Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi on the field, all three gain Rush and +5 power/+1 damage for the turn. That is the classic Ino-Shika-Cho formation turned into a game mechanic, and the Gen Con demo decks revealed the other two thirds of it. This line assembles the trio using only printed text: Shikamaru invites himself in on your opponent's turn by interrupting their attack, Choji crashes in with Expansion Jutsu and doubles Shikamaru's power on the way, the Summon Card brings Ino down, and she fires the formation the moment she lands because Rush lets everyone swing immediately. Seven damage against a 15 Life Leader, two Chakra spent, one main phase. Texts are transcribed from the sample and demo prints, so anything Bandai changes at release gets corrected here.

Cards · 4

Turns · 3

Chakra spent0

◎Get all three of Team 10 on the field

Their turn: Shikamaru interrupts the attack2 events in this turn

Turn 1 of 3

Opponent

Your opponent declares an attack.

✎ Any attack works, this is the window the support wants

✦Card effect[Support]

Shikamaru Nara

SupportDuring Your Opponent's Attack

Shadow Possession Jutsu (Chakra 1): Summon this card and interrupt that attack. Their attack fizzles and Shikamaru (DMG 1, POW 6, HP 4) is already on your field when your turn starts.

▲ Chakra spent +1✎ Goal = One of three down, and it cost them an attack

Turn 1 / 3