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Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game (2017) Board Game

ByMichail

Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game is a living card game (LCG) based on the popular Legend of the Five Rings (L5R) universe. Originally created by Alderac Entertainment Group in 1995, the game has had multiple incarnations over the years. In 2015, Fantasy Flight Games acquired the rights to the L5R universe and released the new LCG version in 2017.

Game Components of Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game

  • Stronghold Cards: 7 cards representing the clans’ strongholds.
  • Dynasty Cards: 117 cards used to fill provinces with characters and holdings.
  • Conflict Cards: 98 cards for tactics, maneuvers, and tricks in conflicts.
  • Province Cards: 17 cards that players control and defend.
  • Tokens: Fate tokens, honor tokens, ring tokens, and status tokens.
  • Honor Dials: 2 dials for tracking honor bids.
  • Imperial Favor Card**, **Role Cards**, and **Reference Cards**.

    How To Setup Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game

    To set up the game, each player starts by placing their stronghold card on the left-most province, followed by four other province cards face-down. These provinces are populated by cards from the Dynasty deck. Each player also prepares their conflict deck. The game uses honor dials, fate tokens, and other tokens to track various game states. Players collect fate during the Dynasty phase, which is used to play cards from their provinces.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Dynasty Phase: Collect fate and play cards from provinces.
  • Honor Bid: Players bid on how many cards to draw from their conflict deck, with higher bids reducing honor.
  • Conflict Phase: Declare military and political conflicts against opponent’s provinces.
    – Each conflict involves attackers, defenders, and the use of cards from the conflict hand.
    – Conflicts are resolved based on the strengths of attackers and defenders.
    – Successful conflicts can break provinces and earn ring benefits (earth, air, water, fire, void).

  • Game Objective: Break three opponent provinces to attack the stronghold province, or achieve 25 honor, or reduce the opponent’s honor to 0.

    Player Experience

    **Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game** offers a deep and strategic experience, combining elements of honor, strategy, and deck-building. Players must balance honor bids with the need for cards, manage their provinces, and engage in intricate conflicts. The game’s dynamic, with its multiple paths to victory, requires careful planning and adaptability. Each game session, lasting around 45-90 minutes, is a unique challenge that tests players’ strategic skills and understanding of the game’s complex mechanics.

    Pros

  • Deep Strategy: Combines honor management, deck-building, and conflict resolution.
  • Multiple Paths to Victory: Win through breaking provinces, achieving high honor, or reducing opponent’s honor.
  • Dynamic Gameplay: Each game is unique due to honor bids and conflict resolutions.
  • Rich Setting: Set in the vibrant world of Rokugan with a strong focus on honor and Bushidō.
  • Living Card Game Model: Fixed distribution of cards in expansions, eliminating randomness.

    Cons

  • Complex Rules: Requires multiple games to fully understand the mechanics.
  • Expensive: Need to buy multiple core sets for a full legal deck.
  • Limited to Two Players: Not designed for multiplayer, limiting its appeal for some players.

    Personal Thoughts on Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game

    This game is perfect for fans of strategic card games and those who enjoy deep, immersive gameplay. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate the intricate world of Rokugan and the tenets of Bushidō. However, it may not be the best choice for those looking for a quick, casual game or for players who prefer multiplayer experiences. With its rich setting and complex mechanics, **Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game** offers a rewarding experience for dedicated players willing to invest time and strategy into their games.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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