News on Legend of the Five Rings

By: Dozer

Legend of the Five Ringss was sold by AEG to Fantasy Flight Games in the fall of 2015. Last year at Gen Con, since I missed the Fantasy Flight seminar I approached the staff at the booth and asked about the future for one of my favorite fantasy RPG settings.

I got the following information:

1. The first Legend of the Five Rings product will be a card game - they would not outright confirm that it would be a Living Card Game like their other card games but the hinting was given pretty hard. Even more so since the LCG model is doing very well for Fantasy Flight Games and is a flagship series of products in multiple settings.

2. Information on the role-playing game would be given next year at Gen Con 50. They were testing a build but it was early and they couldn't go into any details. They were specific about releasing an RPG was key for the team but the focus was the LCG. They could not confirm a reboot to the setting. They would not go into any details about the roll-and-keep dice system, and if it was going to be used in the next iteration of the RPG.

3. Fantasy Flight Games was excited to get their hands on the intellectual property and the staff wished they could go into more detail.

Well the wait is over.

They finally have shown us what will be released at Gen Con 50. The box art looks brilliant. Legend of the Five Rings was always known for it's unique and gorgeous Japanese inspired fantasy art. Fantasy Flight Games has not let that tradition drop. The box art showcases a Courtier from the Crane Clan, a Shugenja casting a spell held in one hand from the Scorpion Clan, and a Lion Bushi in a combat stance. The art on the side has a classical Phoenix Shugenja casting a Fire spell.

Right away the art made me want to open up my RPG books and pour over the years of lore that AEG crafted. I would not be upset if the world was reset but I would hope Fantasy Flight Games took the setting story arcs and tried something new with the plot lines. From the Clan War, to the Hiruma retaking their keep, to the war of Souls, the Lying Darkness, the creation of the Spider Clan and the rise of the Mantis from Minor Clan to Major Clan.

The box is describe as a full set for two players to craft their decks and play as one of the Major Clans. They list each of the original seven Major Clans. Lion known for their military and proud heritage. The Phoenix masters of mystic arts and the best bodyguards in the land. Scorpion masked, devious, quick and deadly. The Crane elegant in all things from art, music, conversation, and the art of the duel. The nomadic Unicorn who's horseman are legends. The ever mysterious Dragon living in their mountain monasteries, Last but not least the Crab those who live to fight on the Kaiu wall the physical barrier between the Empire and the Shadowlands.

No Mantis or Spider but I expect the next Major Clan will be the Mantis. I also hope they do a full run of Minor Clans to showcase the archers of the Wasp, the ghost hunting Falcon, and the mystic diplomats of the Dragonfly.

There is a lot in this setting and Fantasy Flight Games has to be careful about unpacking their take on the game at a steady pace that will not flood the audience with history but also keep us wanting more. They have a good history about doing just that and that gives me confidence to see what's next.

Mechanic wise we have very little information. We do know that each player will have two decks, one will be actions, followers, and reactions while the other will be filled with heroes and holdings. Both are used to break their opponent's stronghold and protect their own. Conflict will be more than just military but also political and there are repercussions for taking an aggressive stance with some sort honor system.

The box will contain a collection of tokens and player supplies. My only gripe that is actually in the advert is the same issue I have with the Netrunner main box. Lack of full playsets, 3 copies of the card. There will be a few cards in the box that only have two or even one copy of the card. Forcing players to buy more boxsets in order to gain playsets of those cards. I hope Fantasy Flight Games, offers a small product that would complete the playsets that are short shortly after the main box gets released.

I knew this was going to be picked up at Gen Con. This news gives me the confidence to keep hoping that this new direction and team working Legend of the Five Rings will due it justice. Making something just as brilliant as the products that I've enjoyed since the 2000s.

- Cheers

Dozer