"Clone Status" as a concept

[Chronomaster]

Now you just need to cover all the Escape Jutsu questions and you're clear until next set!

(Man, this whole out-of-order post thing is annoying)

[VermilionOne]

A lot of people have had rule questions regarding "Clone Status" and most of them stem from a basic misunderstanding of the meaning of "Clone Status". Generally, people are assuming that it means the ninja is a clone. That is not the case. "Clone Status" simply means that the ninja has clones.

Obviously, the next question is: but the clones fight, so why doesn't the player get to put down another copy to do the fighting? The answer is simple, the extra boost that come from the clones is inheirit in the card that grants clone status. Take Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, it gives clone status to the user, and it gives a boost of +2/+0 for every chakra spend playing the card. Like in the show, if Naruto expends a huge amount of chakra making clones, the raw number of clones may be enough to beat the opponent into submission. In this case, each +2/+0 represents the addition power Naruto's clones bring to the table. If you look at other Jutsu that give "Clone Status" they all have some effect or stat boost which represents what the clones are actually doing.

There is, though, one card that does not give a stat boost but does grant "Clone Status": Battle of Clones. It initially seem that this card refutes the idea that any boost from the clones is included on the card. Battle of Clones gives nothing but "Clone Status". The reasoning is simple, just like the episode the card is based on, the clones aren't fighting alongside the user. This card gives permanent "Clone Status" and just like in the show, this is a preparatory move for a later, clone based attack. You can now Harem Jutsu at any time and your opponent can't tell when it's coming because, unlike Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, the "Clone Status" is permanent.

I hope this helps clear up any confusion regarding the meaning of clone status.