I also agree that we are probably seeing the effect of the monthly pack release format on the tournaments.  This was a big thing in Netrunner and Conquest especially from my experience.  These cycles are designed as a whole and then broken up into packs after the fact.  I know I've heard that several times in the past from the developers in interviews.  So some of these cards might make more sense as we get closer to completing the cycle.  It was a strength of the dump everything at once 6 in 6 format that you never were stuck in this in between meta.  Though the actual implementation of 6 in 6 was annoying since those 6 weeks were a tornado of uncertainty.  Honestly I kinda want them to just go with all "Children" style big boxes for release from now on after this cycle and the clan packs finish.  If they could keep those big boxes on a schedule and you had like three of four months for the dust to settle before the next big box got dumped I think that would be a more healthy system for a competitive LCG.  If they could keep engagement up on their site with weekly or bi-weekly fictions and regular high profile tournaments in the interim (so there's always a sense that FFG is "touching" L5R), then I think we would have a more ideal system for the format.

While I also believe that the concept of role locking is good and provides a way to "soft cycle" the game without printing a bunch of new cards, the execution to this point has only served to create friction within the playerbase.
I believe that many of the people who "support" role locking would not pick to have it if it were a choice, rather they see the validity in the benefits it could bring to the design space and are arguing for the merit of the idea instead of what has actually come about because of role locking.
Maybe I'm projecting a bit because I am one of these people.  At this point I think unlocking the roles is better for the overall health of the game.  Even though I really like the concept of role locking, its become more of a problem than was intended so I would like to see the roles unlocked.
I think they should unlock all the roles......and now for my crazy idea to keep role selection In the game somehow.....
In addition to unlocking the elemental roles, they should "roll back" (see what I did there) the role selection to world's only.  Instead allow the top of each clan to choose a "support of" role as their prize.  This would be just a pure bonus selection that does not prevent any clan from playing other roles, even the other" support of" roles.  It would just be pure bonus.  Maybe to direct story and draw the chosen clan closer as an ally. It could also be used to further tensions between the clans. And/Or maybe do something crazy like allow players to include one dynasty card from the clan of the chosen "support of" clan in their deck (kind of like a reserve list reward) only when running that "support of role." FFG could limit it to characters or holdings or allow either to be picked. Just kind of spitballinon this idea here.
Short version:
Sign me up for team #freetheroles.  At this point in time I feel it's better for the game than role locking.

I've always considered the role picking as a way to soft cycle the card pool.  In a slowly evolving meta it can help keep the game from feeling stale, which is an issue other long lived LCGs have fallen into many times.  I think it was a mistake to add role locked cards behind a faction as well.  They probably all should have been neutrals to make them easier to use.  It makes players feel bad when their faction gets a card they can't use potentially ever if the role isn't picked.  Also they probably shouldn't be such bomb cards though I guess they wanted to make the roles something you built your deck around to encourage as much shake up as possible. 
In any event if all role locking is doing is inspiring negative discussion then it should probably go.  It's clearly not accomplishing it's intended goal.  Also it hardly acts as a soft cycle the way it's implemented today.  So my upside is not being realized.
I agree that story prizes always feel better than mechanical choices especially something like a role choice that is fleeting.  Your idea of having a card designed and letting the player pick what character it will be (sort of like what they did with the sword card or the Unicorn character) or as they've done before giving the player a chance to shine a spotlight on a character in the story (like the Kaezin choice) are both great examples of well thought out prizes.  They don't break the story and they give you something substantial to latch onto that can endure.

In my defense I saw the opportunity for a Portlandia  reference and could not help myself lol.

Episode 118: Put A Bird On It!
This week it is Shey, Dan and Fro talking Gencon, the meta and NOVA
If you like the cast be sure to give us a review on the podcast platform of your choice helps us spread the cast to those who might not otherwise see it!

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http://thejadethronepodcast.libsyn.com/episode-118-put-a-bird-on-it

Episode 115: Lets Talk About That LVO Survey
This week it is Shey joined by Special guests Trevor and Tsar talking about the endeavor to get a Grand Championship at the LVO.
If you like the cast be sure to give us a review on the podcast platform of your choice helps us spread the cast to those who might not otherwise see it!

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The Kakita / Mirumoto quote is one of the most famous ones from the old game and I'm glad it finally made it in.
As for the card it's on...……….I think it is worth noting that it can give you covert without taking up one of your 10 conflict character slots when splashing Dragon.  The question will be if I can find enough weapons to make it work.
Also...……..none of us care if you're up against the 2 hour mark.  Give us a Fro Roll Rant!!!!!!
Great job as always, gentlemen.

Ha!  Success.  Now I just have to rewatch all the episodes of Orville and see if that guy says "Howdy folks" 

Episode 103: Lose to Win or Face to Foot Style How'd You Like It
This week Shey, Aneil, and Dan talk previews and the merits of the new Lion lose to win style of play.
If you like the cast be sure to give us a review on the podcast platform of your choice helps us spread the cast to those who might not otherwise see it!

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When is the "Fro Ttop is/is not the guy from Orville" episode going to air?

Yeah, yeah, L5R stuff yadda yadda...........
Back on topic!
Is it just me or does Fro Ttop look like the pilot from Orville?

Episode 78: Mario is Missing!
This week we have Fro, Mathews, and Dibats on to pick up the slack as the ever present Shey is on vacation. How will this go? What will they talk about? Did Shey listen to and the episode before posting it? The answer is on that last one. So enjoy this wild and crazy ride with me lol. 
If you like the cast be sure to give us a review on the podcast platform of your choice helps us spread the cast to those who might not otherwise see it!
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http://thejadethronepodcast.libsyn.com/episode-78-mario-is-missing

Episode 89: The Interview 
This week we have a special episode Shey, Fro and Aneil sit down with the one and only Tyler Parrott for a discussion of the game and in typical Jade Throne fashion wander off on tangets.  
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Episode 72: Take it or Sleeve it
This week we have Shey and Aneil talking about the big news of the day.....card sleeves...... We also talk about the L5R World Cup so there is that.

Link to the Province League Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1243112422/the-province-league-a-tournament-series-for-l5r
If you like the cast be sure to give us a review on the podcast platform of your choice helps us spread the cast to those who might not otherwise see it!
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Hey, good work at Worlds! It’s nice to have some commentators that know what they’re talking about.

Episode 78: Mario is Missing!
This week we have Fro, Mathews, and Dibats on to pick up the slack as the ever present Shey is on vacation. How will this go? What will they talk about? Did Shey listen to and the episode before posting it? The answer is on that last one. So enjoy this wild and crazy ride with me lol. 
If you like the cast be sure to give us a review on the podcast platform of your choice helps us spread the cast to those who might not otherwise see it!
Also be sure to join us on social media:
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Email: thejadethronepodcast@gmai.com
http://thejadethronepodcast.libsyn.com/episode-78-mario-is-missing

Episode 78: Mario is Missing!
This week we have Fro, Mathews, and Dibats on to pick up the slack as the ever present Shey is on vacation. How will this go? What will they talk about? Did Shey listen to and the episode before posting it? The answer is on that last one. So enjoy this wild and crazy ride with me lol. 
If you like the cast be sure to give us a review on the podcast platform of your choice helps us spread the cast to those who might not otherwise see it!
Also be sure to join us on social media:
Facebook: The Jade Throne Podcast
Twitter: @thejadethrone
Email: thejadethronepodcast@gmai.com
http://thejadethronepodcast.libsyn.com/episode-78-mario-is-missing

We should now be on sound cloud!

Thought I would make a single post and put the link to the new episodes into this rather than making a new topic for each episode. 
So here we go starting with:

The Jade Throne Podcast Episode 4: Conflict! and the Quest For More Content
Running low on caffeine Shey and Ryan cover the news out of the latest preview article, card previews, and listener question on their quest to get an episodes worth of content from a slow week of L5R news!
http://thejadethronepodcast.libsyn.com/episode-4-conflict-and-the-quest-for-more-content

Episode 68: The One Where We Won Gencon
This week we have Shey, Fro, Aneil, and special guest Travis on to talk about Aneil and Travis's journey to the top cut of gencon. We also talk about the new roles each clan got and all in all stay on topic which is weird for us.
Also if you like the cast be sure to give us a review on the podcast platform of your choice helps us spread the cast to those who might not otherwise see it!
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http://thejadethronepodcast.libsyn.com/episode-68-the-one-where-we-won-gencon

Ya sorry about the audio desync on this last episode was able to go back in and find out what went wrong. Audacity likes to play tricks on me when I am editing on a time crunch. Should be all sorted out and hopefully wont happen again. 

Episode 64: Live from Houston!
This week we have the whole crew here to give our hot takes on the event at the start of day two of the Houston Kotei. 
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Episode 59: Spoiler Season Begins!
This week we have Shey, Fro and Aneil to talk post restricted list Kotei results, Unicorn spoilers!, Breath of the Kami spoilers!, and Shey jumps through hoops to justify playing the Mantis clan character in the pack!
 
Also be sure to join us on social media:
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http://thejadethronepodcast.libsyn.com/episode-59-spoiler-season-begins

Thank! Glad you liked that article!

Thank! Glad you liked that article!