Decoding Purify in Gwent: A Comprehensive Guide
In the intricate world of Gwent: The Witcher Card Game, understanding the nuances of status effects and how to manipulate them is crucial for victory. One of the most versatile tools in your arsenal is the Purify ability. Simply put, Purify removes all active statuses from a unit. This means that any detrimental or beneficial effects applied to a card, such as Poison, Bleeding, Lock, Boost, or Armor, are instantly wiped clean. Think of it as a magical reset button for a unit’s status. Let’s delve deeper into the mechanics of Purify and answer some frequently asked questions.
Understanding the Power of Purify
Purify’s strength lies in its ability to counter a wide range of strategies. It can shut down engine-based decks relying on persistent boosts, nullify control decks that depend on weakening your units, and even deny points from cards like Slander. However, it is vital to remember that Purify does not affect the unit’s base strength or any inherent abilities it possesses. It only addresses the statuses currently affecting the unit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Purify
1. Can Purify remove Immunity?
This is a tricky one. Targetable Purify can’t be used on a unit with immunity. You can’t target an immune card, so you can’t Purify it directly. If the immunity is broken, the unit then becomes targetable, and Purify can be used.
2. What statuses are commonly removed by Purify?
Purify can remove a vast array of statuses, including, but not limited to: Lock, Poison, Bleeding, Vitality, Armor, Defender, Doomed, Boost, and Damage. Basically, anything applied to a unit besides its base strength and passive abilities is fair game for Purify.
3. How does Purify interact with Lock?
Lock is one of the primary targets for Purify. Lock disables a unit’s ability. Purifying a locked unit immediately restores its ability, allowing it to function as intended. This is a common and effective counter to cards that aim to shut down your key engines.
4. Can Purify be used on my own units?
Yes, absolutely! Purify is not limited to enemy units. It can be used on your own cards to remove detrimental statuses like Poison or Bleeding, or even to reset boosted units to their base strength if you need to trigger certain abilities.
5. Does Purify remove Veil?
No, Purify does not remove Veil. Veil prevents a unit from gaining statuses, but it doesn’t remove existing ones. Therefore, Purifying a veiled unit won’t have any effect.
6. How does Purify interact with Armor?
Purify removes Armor. This is a direct and effective way to strip a unit of its armor points, making it more vulnerable to damage.
7. What is the difference between Purify and Reset?
While both Purify and Reset involve manipulating a unit’s stats, they function differently. Purify removes statuses only. Reset, on the other hand, sets the unit back to its base strength. Reset also removes statuses, but its primary function is to revert strength changes, effectively undoing any boosts or damage dealt.
8. Are there cards that prevent Purify from working?
While there aren’t cards that directly prevent Purify, cards with Veil status are indirectly immune to statuses, meaning that it doesn’t remove already applied statuses like Locked. Because of this, Purify can’t apply statuses to them.
9. Which factions have access to Purify cards?
Several factions have access to Purify cards, but Northern Realms and Nilfgaard are particularly known for their strong Purify options. It’s crucial to check the specific cards available within each faction to determine the best Purify tools for your deck.
10. Does Purify remove round-end effects?
Purify removes round-end effects before the round ends, preventing any negative consequences from taking effect.
11. Can Purify target artifacts or locations?
Purify can only target units. Artifacts and locations are not affected by Purify. You’ll need other tools, like artifact removal or location removal cards, to deal with those.
12. How can I use Purify effectively in my deck?
The key to effective Purify usage is anticipation. Analyze your opponent’s deck and identify the statuses they are likely to apply. Then, include Purify cards that can counter those strategies. Also, consider Purify as a defensive option for protecting your own key units from detrimental effects.
13. Does Purify remove Resilience?
No, Purify does not remove Resilience. Resilience allows a unit to remain on the board after a round ends. Purify only affects statuses, and Resilience is considered an ability, not a status.
14. How does Inspired affect Purify?
Inspired means that if a unit is boosted (has green strength) when it does its action, it will use the stronger Inspired effect instead of its base effect. Purify affects both the Boost and Inspired in one go, essentially negating any positive (or negative) strength buffs the Inspired ability provides.
15. Where can I learn more about Gwent strategy and card mechanics?
There are numerous resources available online, including the official Gwent website, dedicated Gwent communities, and video tutorials. Exploring these resources will help you deepen your understanding of the game and improve your strategic decision-making. Consider also exploring the valuable resources on Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, which explores the educational aspects of gaming.
By understanding the intricacies of Purify and its interactions with other mechanics in Gwent, you can significantly enhance your gameplay and increase your chances of victory. Remember to adapt your strategy based on your opponent’s deck and use Purify wisely to disrupt their plans and protect your own units. Good luck on the battlefield!