Whats the best way to get into this game for a beginner? Not looking to play in tournaments, just be exposed to the different clans through playable starter decks, with preferably up to date rules. What edition/sets should I be looking for?

The last expansion for Lotus edition has already come out. In several months, the Samurai edition should be out. If I were you, I would just wait until then because the company will reset the game. Supposidly, Samurai ed is supposed to be more newbie friendly then previous ed (with the exception of Imperial ed). They are to get rid of the more complicated rules and clean up the existing rules.

The best way to get into the game is to find people who are experienced in playing the game. Some FLGS have bountyhunters; players such as myself who demo the game as well as run local tournaments. I only say this because the rules can be intimidating. Another option is to buy the 2 player starter box which leads you through several rounds of play to help you get the feel of the game.

I second the idea of waiting a couple until next month when Samurai edition comes out, as it is a new base set that is good for beginners and will have starter decks of all the factions. Make sure to check out L5R website, and take the clan test to see which one you should belong to! http://www.l5r.com/quiz

With that said, if you want to play right away, the last two expansion sets, Khan's Defiance and Truest Test are both legal for the new Samuria environment arriving in July. You could pick up a couple of clan starters from either of these sets have a little fun without getting to detailed in the rules. Hmm, I don't think the clan starters have rules though, you would need to get them online or have someone teach you.

I haven't played L5R in about four years, but I remember Crab as being the easiest clan to learn the game with. They usually win through military victory because they have big, beefy samurai. Unicorn works well for beginners too for the same reason. Avoid Phoenix, Monk, and Dragon since they require more finesse to play well. Again, I haven't played in four years, so it is entirely possible that my information is obsolete, but that's the way it used to be.

You're info is pretty good, except monk don't have starters anymore.

Samurai edition rules are online at l5r.com

While you're there, check out the awesome 'race for the throne' game.

Lion is probably the easiest to get into as they are the BEST military, straight up. Unicorn is also good, but a little trickier to play. Their guys aren't as big as the Lion but they're cavalry.




Yes, my avatar is the Dragon Clan Mon.

Never was interested in playing the monks. I only bough the starters because it included all the rings.

I don't usually recommend a clan based on complexity though. I usually ask what their play style is if they have played other CCGs before. If their truly newbies, I then go through the flavor of each clan to see if any will catch their fancy.

Right now, I have 2 Crabs, 2 Dragons, a Unicorn, Mantis, Lion, and a Phoenix clan in my group. Since one of my players chose Crab, my backup is the Rat clan but unfortunately they will be absorbed into the Spider clan. One of the player who registered as a Dragon also chose an alternate clan, the Scorpion clan so that the newer player can play the Dragon clan. He and I only use our registered clan in oficial tournaments such as story tournaments and the Kotei tournaments.

Last time I heard, the mantis was in the lead for the race of the throne.

Ugh, that's wrong on so many levels. Clearly the Crane should be the ones leadings the race for the throne.

The Crane?! Will words alone keep the Shadowlands at bay? Will it keep the peace between clans? Clearly, only a show of strength will do the job. Who better than a Crab to sit on the throne.

I agree that a Mantis on the throne is just...wrong!

Actually, I think the Crab is the easiest to pick up. The Crab's tactic is simply, gain enough numbers to smash through the enemy. The Lion requires more thinking. Their strength is forcing other clans to fight on their terms and this is shown by cards that manipulate the field of battle. The Unicorn is pretty strong in the early game for they can potentially smash 2 or 3 province quickly but they loose a lot of steam mid to late in the game.

Many new players seem to gravitate towards the Dragon since they are the most versatile. They are competative in battle, honor, and even enlightment victory. Even I was originally drawn to the Dragon but the last deck my store had was a Crab so I picked that up. later, I found how lucky I was because it was Imperial ed. and I found it difficult to find other Imperial ed decks.

I always forget about the crab because no one really played them locally.

I think lion are so easy as they've got all those tacticians, so every card is potentially good in a battle for them.


Our first tourney here last weekend went well. We had 6 participants, 2 bounties, and have a ladder system incorporating challenges and dishonor that has got a great buzz going.

Bah. The Scorpion are the real backbone of the empire. They hold the empire together while the other clan behave like petulant children. Their strength is in subtlety.

That and we're pretty good at getting banished, so we've got that going for us.

Yes. Why don't you do that now....

We can't banish him because he is learning me the ways of L5R! Besides if you REALLY want to annoy cold_fuzion - ask him why I'm going with "purple ponies" (Unicorns)