Ashigaru

Definition and Purpose
Literally, light-foot. The ashigaru were common foot-soldiers of the Rokuganese armies- caught somewhere between the bushi and eta caste, these men were peasants conscripted into service in times of war and sent to the battle front to die. Armed with little more than padding that served as an excuse for armour and a yari (spear), these men merely charged at each other in large numbers and served as an interesting backdrop for duelling samurai.

Ashigaru archers and spearmen, however, occasionally prove to be deadly when given sufficient direction and purpose by a compotent leader. After all, arrows in sufficient numbers may maim or even kill the most highly trained, armed and armoured bushi before it gets close enough to even wound anybody. Even then, however, most samurai look upon the ashigaru as mere tools: as Tsuruchi Nobumoto says, "What we do is art. What peasants do is merely adequate."

Cards
Since their first release, ashigaru cards have mostly been followers and traditionally draw you an extra card during your End Phase after entering play. Such cards typically have low force, are low-costed and are usually played only when a follower-themed deck requires cheap and efficient followers- pretty much like their Japanese counterparts in reality.

The only two Ashigaru followers that do not draw you a card during your End Phase after entering play are Ashigaru (Jade Edition) and Lost Ashigaru (Gold Edition).