Now that Film Critic has been banned (since mid 2020), Ben Musashi is a bit better. But unless it is behind an heavily protected server, the runner should just trash Ben Musashi and come back. Behind an heavily protected server, Ben Musashi act like a trap, either the runner take the agenda and pay an additional 2 cards, or the runner does not take the agenda and does not pay 2 cards.
So, it cost the runner a one card more than Prisec, one less tag than Prisec and is only useful if it is protecting an agenda. Meaning, if you must choose between Prisec and Ben Musashi, Prisec is the obvious choice. Unless you want an additional suite of protective upgrade, and do not want to spend influence on Ash, then you should give Ben Musashi a look.
Ben Musashi is more certain than Marcus Batty, and does not care for a trace like Ash. But to protect agendas (or anything else), you might want to look at Embolus or Bio Vault before turning to Ben.
Ben Musashi fit well in Jinteki. But it is much more specialized. In grinder deck, it is excellent, because you can pair it with agenda that does not ambush. Pushing the grinding effect further, since the opportunity cost only would be only 2 cards for the runner, the runner most likely will pay for it. And at 2 influence, it is easy to splash it outside of Jinteki.
Not a great protective upgrade, but it has a place for certain strategy. But only after taking Prisec.
On a side note, Musashi is a mythical japanese swordman. A quote or flavor text would have been nice here, to go along with beautiful picture.
Earth's Scion ## Project Overview: Musashi ### An Ancient Warrior Revived For Tomorrow's Wars Jinteki Biotech is prepared to once again set the standard in human simulant design The Musashi line of clones represents the ultimate soldiers and promises a future in which natural human beings need never take part in war again. Just a Jinteki has time and again produced clones to fill a niche and erase the need for humans to risk their safety in dangerous occupations, the Musashi line will make war as we know it a thing of the past. Like all Jinteki products, perfection is the goal of the Musashi line. To achieve this, Jinteki genegineers have partnered with the Musashi shrine to base the genome off the DNA of famed swordsman and warrior Miyamoto Musashi. Jinteki psychologist and neural conditioning experts have enhanced the great samurai's natural gifts, creating the perfect soldier. Musashi clones will be physically superior to natural human soldiers and completely loyal. The Musashi will fight according to a modern interpretation of the code of Bushido, returning honor to the battlefield. Alongside enhanced physical attributes, each Musashi clone will possess a keen tactical mind and extensive knowledge of military history and strategy. Even when cut off from the chain of command, a Musashi will adapt to the situation to ensure the completion of all mission objectives.
— CouncilForgive me, that is a formatting nightmare.
— Council
Actually there is a lore insert in the Red Sands cycle that gives us a little information about this clone line.
— Council