If the goal of the Survivor is to survive, this is one of the best allies ever released. Over an average 10-round game, Aleksey can heal nine times, and then take four hits for you in the final push. Without things like Solemn Vow in chapter 2, he's not going to be able to soak damage for the party... But some campaigns just pile on the punishment, and Aleksey can keep you alive. Ally is a competitive spot, and with access to chapter one, survivors may have other favorites. (For example Ashcan Pete and Madam Labranche, with the power to toss cards and the ability to draw them.) But if your goal is not to die this is a great investment, the earlier the better.

Since Dexter is the core Mystic, this card should be seen in his context: it's amazing. 12 damage (four indirect, meaning you can kill aloof enemies, enemies on allies, reveal hidden cards in Scarlet Keys...), and because you're Mr. Drake, you can play a fast switchblade and put it back in your hand. If you can solve the economy problems (the new investigator packs give you green money and purple discounts), Dexter is the party monster handler. Easy as that.

Any card with an "if" is situational. This one is doubly situational: gor maximum effect, you need to draw a token, and one that passes a check, on a location with two clues. For Augur you have to pay three XP, a card and two dollars. There are campaigns where there are non-discardable Terrors and Hexes, but in those cases, a Ward of protection (2) works automatically for less money, less XP, and a horror. Augur's almost entirely a downgrade from read the signs(2) which, if you can manipulate tokens, you can you use all game long.

This could be an interesting card for Trish (OG). She can keep enemies around to trigger her ability more safely and should then have no problem clearing locations and resealing tokens on Misdirection.

I'm quite curious about the following interaction with this card: Your investigator is engaged with an enemy and decides to investigate. You then cancel the attack of opportunity with Misdirection and move to a connecting location (the enemy comes with as it's engaged). You have now paid the cost of initiating the Investigate action. Which location do you investigate? The one you started at or the one you move to with Misdirection?

Card is pretty over costed but if your playing Trish in core 2026 and have a limited card pool its not awful. If your a legacy player this card is good in Ursula, and generally pretty good in TFA campaign.