Boto

Boto 6[credit]

Ice: Barrier - AP
Strength: 4
Influence: 2

Threat 4 → This ice gets +2 strength. (This ability is active if any player has 4 or more agenda points.)

[subroutine] Do 2 net damage.

[subroutine] You may trash 1 card from HQ to end the run.

[subroutine] You may trash 1 card from HQ to end the run.

They live forever in the rivers of the Net.
Illustrated by Júlio Rocha
Decklists with this card

Rebellion Without Rehearsal (rwr)

#109 • English
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  • Updated 2024-05-27

    If the Runner uses Banner during an encounter with Boto, can the Corp trash cards from HQ with the second and third subroutine?

    Yes, the Corp can still trash cards from HQ, but this will not end the run.

Reviews

This is the second best ice that Jinteki got after Tatu-Bola (which give credits and get rids of trojans). The closest comparison for this ice is Bran 1.0. Both have 3 subs, and while Bran 1.0 start at 6. strenght, it can be clicked through, while Boto cannot be clicked but get its strength to 6 at threat 4 (late in the game).

This ice will stop many runs and it taxing to the runner to facecheck, with its initial 2 net damages. And outside of a boosted Cleaver, it will cost 3 credits to break, which is fairly taxing for the runner (just like Bran 1.0).

Now, after all those comparison to Bran 1.0 and considering both are the same price (2 influences and 6 credits), would it be splashed out of faction? If you are HB and want a strong barrier, then you could have Boto on top of Bran 1.0 in your deck (a fairly expensive proposition), but this compete with having Tatu-Bola for the same influence (and probably more benefits). If you are Weyland, you alread have good barrier in faction (Pharos is a good example). What is left is NBN, which have okay barriers but could benefit to have a strong barrier ice. If your NBN deck is all about damage, you would probably be better served with something like Anemone, for the same influence at half the credits price. If your NBN deck is a type of glacier, then Bran 1.0 will get you better results. All this to say that Boto will rarely be used out of faction.

With all that, Boto remain a great ice for Jinteki for most deck that want to stop a run.

The name, art and quote all join together in a coherent narrative, all of which are well done. Good design.

(Rebellion Without Rehearsal era)
4224

I'm surprised there's no review for Boto, so I'll leave one. Because Boto is excellent. 6 str, 2 ETRs and a third mean subroutine? Sounds like Brân 1.0 to me!

Of course, Boto here requires Threat 4, which means it's not quite there from the get go. Getting there isn't too too difficult; Regenesis on a 3 pointer is one score, two of Nisei MK IIs and/or Sisyphus Protocols ade fine since they're also amazing agendas to score. But if the Runner is stealing agendas, it could take a while, and it has some minor anti-synergy with Punitive Counterstrike decks that want to run only 3 pointers (but I feel like those decks are often on Regenesis anyways).

On the other hand, it can't be clicked through, so the face check 2 damage is quite mean, and it keeps that resilience to Boomerang. Trashing from hand is a non-issue for the most part; Jinteki has cards like Mindscaping and Charlotte Caçador to refuel quickly, and it can even get pesky spare agendas out of the game to be scooped with a Spin Doctor or Longevity Serum back into R&D. It also turns on cards like Jinteki: Restoring Humanity or Cohort Guidance Program.

And the break numbers? Propeller eats 2 counters before the Threat text and 3 after, so due to this card (and Bran 1.0 splashes) Shapers have to be very careful with where they spend their power counters. Those Tatu-Bolas or Border Controls suddenly are way more taxing. Cleaver breaks for 3/4 before the K2CP Turbine rig of doom comes down... oh wait it's lategame and the Threat text is active, too bad (granted, Leech or Ice Carver can save 2+ credits). Manually breaking with Curupira is an expensive 6-8 credits, but be careful where you put other barriers as Boto is a prime target for the power counter skip. Just be careful around Arruaceiras Crew Devil Charm decks. Crocodiles do not like gangsters coming in and blowing them up.

Tl;dr, if you have something to protect, there are few ICE in the game more efficient than Boto. Play it in any Jinteki deck with a score out plan. You can't go wrong.

(Rebellion Without Rehearsal era)