In response to a comment - "I can only hope that all of the card abilities are well balanced" - posted on Board Game Geek about Fantasy Flight Games "Battle for Rokugan" board game:
Player and card abilities do not need to be balanced to make a good game. If the game allows alliances, players can work together to offset player advantages. Imbalance creates game play with more surprises and depth as players work for and against one another to gain advantages towards the win. - Bill Eberle