submission: Swift and Brutal Introduction

Ashur wrote:

What is the compelling game need for this card?

Apparently to "fix" first strike. There was some discussion about moving first strike from the rulebook to cards previously. The problem with the proposed card idea is the damage is not from the strike, so it's a different mechanism than first strike and the damage can't be prevented in the same way. Also, first strike has a niche as an equipment hoser (see Fast Hands, Shattering Blow, Canine Horde, and the description of first strike in the rule book, which specifically mentions its interaction with equipment). If we are removing first strike from the rulebook and producing cards like this in its place, we would be abandoning the equipment hosing effect of first strike. Is this really a good thing?