Legend of the Five Rings Learn to Play Set Honor and Treachery
Legend of the 5 Rings, commonly known as L5R, is set in the world of Rokugan. an Oriental based world taking from various cultures throughout that part of the world. You are the Lord of a clan battling other clans for supremacy. There is a few major clans to choose from in this game: Lion, Crane, Scorpion, Spider, Dragon, Crab, Phoenix, Mantis, and Unicorn. Each hold their own approach to the game in terms of winning and play style.
Unlike most TCGs, L5R is mostly about the actions you take to set up, rather than how many turns it takes to eliminate your opponent. The win conditions are Honor, Dishonor, Military, and Enlightenment. Gaining Honor to win is when a player gains 40 Family honor and wins an honorable victory over their opponent(s), Dishonor is when an opponent reaches -20 Family honor, Military wins are when you eliminate all your opponent's provinces, and Enlightenment is the hardest win in the game as you must assemble the 5 Rings.
I really like L5R. I love the setting, I love the Lore, but mostly I like how the game isn't about tossing out 3 cards and winning on turn 3. This game requires a lot of strategy and knowing when to use the maneuvers available to trump your opponent. I would like to participate in more L5R, games but the community is kinda small seeing how must card game players are still into Magic the Gathering. There is nothing wrong with that, but I do find L5R to be more appealing.
I will be running teaching the system to Matt by running him through a few games hoping he learns and likes the game as well, Wish him luck.
Just a notice for the locals here in Grand Rapids area, We Hate Bards will shortly begin hosting L5R games at the studio, and GrandLAN Gaming Center currently hosts L5R on Thursdays.
