I think people are misunderstanding the differences between a kernel and a flashcart firmware. The firmware is just the flashcart boot ROM, without it you can't boot flashcarts in general, the flashcart kernel is the software that runs on the flashcart so you can play your various games, homebrew, media, etc. Running a flashcart kernel like Wood R4 wouldn't brick this flashcart, in fact I actually run the Wood v1.62 kernel on mine and it's just fine (I got the kernel some place else), NEVER have I experienced any bricking with it. If the flashcart was a clone however and using the corrupted boot ROM then yes there would be some issues, but mine is legitimate.