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As a sort of casual observer looking into this hobby, what are some folks' opinion on this game? I know absolutely nothing about it, I've gotten some old cards from a friend of mine, and I'm curious what its all about and if it might be worth getting into. I'm already a casual M:tG player and a Warhammer 40,000 player, on top of playing Pathfinder, so I'm just curious if adding another hobby on top of all this would really be worth it. Thanks in advance.
As a sort of casual observer looking into this hobby, what are some folks' opinion on this game? I know absolutely nothing about it, I've gotten some old cards from a friend of mine, and I'm curious what its all about and if it might be worth getting into. I'm already a casual M:tG player and a Warhammer 40,000 player, on top of playing Pathfinder, so I'm just curious if adding another hobby on top of all this would really be worth it. Thanks in advance.
I'm a fan of the L5R world.
It's a player driven, story game. The tournaments affect directly how the game's design team creates the next sets/blocks. In my opinion it is the most challenging card game I've played, due to the varying ways to win, the individual clans providing diff play styles, and the combos within each clan.
I'd check their website and see if there are any stores near you that run events. Talk to the locals and see if it's a good fit for you.
If you join with the Scorpion welcome to the family.
I love L5R, from the setting to the RPG. I also played the card game, starting at around Pearl Edition (with a generous amount of Scorpion Clan Coup). Overall it is a fun game.
My only concerns are the following:
1. Complexity: As far as CCGs go, it is the most complex I have played. To get good at the game, you really need to understand all 80+ cards you have in your decks (plus your stronghold), how they work, what synergies they have, etc. You also must have a solid grasp of your strategy to victory. Little bumps in your plan can really make a tough go of things, but that is how war usually goes. It isn't impossible to learn, but it does take time.
2. Collectability: L5R goes through cycles equivalent to periods of time. This means cards from previous sets, on average, have a minimal shelf life (particularly personalities). If you are a casual player in a casual environment, this will mean nothing. On the other hand, if you are a competitive tournament player, this means that your cards will turn into coasters about every 2-3 years. This gets frustrating after a while.
The other collectability issue is that there are nearly a dozen of factions out there. Thus not every booster will have cards you are looking for. For the casual player, again perhaps not a big issue (especially if you have friends to trade with). For a tournament player, this means you either need to purchase booster boxes or purchase singles to get key cards.
Issue #2 is not solely limited to L5R, but it is more noticeable with the tournament card cycles of L5R (as compared to Magic, which has tournament formats that allow older cards). Issue #2 turned me off to CCGs in general. Issue #1 turned me off from even casual play. My area is full of veterans who have lots of experience and know the game well. This fact made even casual play frustrating.
That all being said, I did love the L5R CCG for a while. I would recommend staying casual about the game, as getting competitive will put a hurt on your hobby budget.
"But little frog, I can swim."
I used to play up until the point were every one I was playing a super specalized tournament deck and I would lose in 6 to ten rounds.
The most fun playing was when 3 friends and I played all at once and had to have a minimum 160 card deck. that way we could enjoy playing rather than just focusing on winning.
I do hope the Spider go Great Clan, if only to rub sand in the eyes of the old guard. And you thought the 3.xe/4e wars were bad...
The Edition Wars folks are amateurs when compared to L5R folks. They get into heated arguments about everything concerning L5R. If you want to witness this first-hand, mention any of the following.
1. The Spider is not a Great Clan.
2. The Mantis is not a Great Clan.
3. The Living Shadow storyline was the greatest ever.
4. The War of the Spirits was the greatest story arc ever.
5. Zombie Bayushi Shoju was awesome.
6. Clan X are a bunch of Y.
X=Lion, Y=cowards
X=Crab, Y=neanderthals
X=Crane, Y=fems/ninja-wannabes
X=Scorpion, Y=ninja
X=Phoenix, Y=mahotsukai (Bloodspeakers)
X=Dragon, Y=traitors
X=Unicorn, Y=gaijin/Kolat
7. Kaneka was never acknowledged as an heir by Toturi.
8. Banish the Scorpion Clan (again).
9. The Kolat...
10. Clan [insert your choice] is too powerful.
11. I hope they bring back Iuchiban (again).
I am a bit rusty on my hot-button topics in L5R, but these are enough to get you started.
I do hope the Spider go Great Clan, if only to rub sand in the eyes of the old guard. And you thought the 3.xe/4e wars were bad...The Edition Wars folks are amateurs when compared to L5R folks. They get into heated arguments about everything concerning L5R. If you want to witness this first-hand, mention any of the following.
1. The Spider is not a Great Clan.
2. The Mantis is not a Great Clan.
3. The Living Shadow storyline was the greatest ever.
4. The War of the Spirits was the greatest story arc ever.
5. Zombie Bayushi Shoju was awesome.
6. Clan X are a bunch of Y.
X=Lion, Y=cowards
X=Crab, Y=neanderthals
X=Crane, Y=fems/ninja-wannabes
X=Scorpion, Y=ninja
X=Phoenix, Y=mahotsukai (Bloodspeakers)
X=Dragon, Y=traitors
X=Unicorn, Y=gaijin/Kolat
7. Kaneka was never acknowledged as an heir by Toturi.
8. Banish the Scorpion Clan (again).
9. The Kolat...
10. Clan [insert your choice] is too powerful.
11. I hope they bring back Iuchiban (again).I am a bit rusty on my hot-button topics in L5R, but these are enough to get you started.
This had me doubled over with laughter for some time. Thanks. And yes, I do love the Kolat, gaijin, and basically everything that the old guard hates, so I try not to post over there too often. If there is one thing I dont' understand, it is the near-obsession(read: obsession) some people have with turning Rokugan into little more than a sleepaway camp Color War. Things from outside of the empire are necessary to keep new ideas coming in and a people from becoming so inbred that the Crane shugenja end up doing nothing more than casting the same spell over and over again over tea and rice and their bushi can only draw their swords with their left hand while moving in a circle....But I digress. The Story Team has things well in hand, it seems. Still, don't get me started on the uses of gaijin pepper and the Daidoji...
I am an acquaintance with a member of the story team, though I haven't seen her regularly since we stopped our L5R RPG campaign. I should ask her for a synopsis.
Clan: Oh people pick clans, alright, to the point where for some it becomes a neo-lifestyle. People tend to have strong clan loyalties, even when their clan stinks in the current CCG cycle. Be aware of this when you choose.
As for me, I like them all for one reason or another. I have a soft spot for Scorpion, being the anti-heroes of the Empire. I like the Hare for their history and because I just like rabbits (and it is my Chinese astrological sign). I like the Dragon for tons of reasons. I liked the nezumi because ratlings are cool. I liked Toturi's Army for the ronin and the fallen hero theme.
But if you handed me a deck of any clan, I'd be happy to play it. All clans, even with their flaws, plan an important part of Rokugan's destiny.
I am an acquaintance with a member of the story team, though I haven't seen her regularly since we stopped our L5R RPG campaign. I should ask her for a synopsis.
Clan: Oh people pick clans, alright, to the point where for some it becomes a neo-lifestyle. People tend to have strong clan loyalties, even when their clan stinks in the current CCG cycle. Be aware of this when you choose.
As for me, I like them all for one reason or another. I have a soft spot for Scorpion, being the anti-heroes of the Empire. I like the Hare for their history and because I just like rabbits (and it is my Chinese astrological sign). I like the Dragon for tons of reasons. I liked the nezumi because ratlings are cool. I liked Toturi's Army for the ronin and the fallen hero theme.
But if you handed me a deck of any clan, I'd be happy to play it. All clans, even with their flaws, plan an important part of Rokugan's destiny.
That's actually a very insightful answer. I really appreciate it. I'll definitely have to give this some thought though. A synopsis of each clan would be good, methinks. While I'm more of a martial/military person myself, I like being capable in all possible areas.
That's actually a very insightful answer. I really appreciate it. I'll definitely have to give this some thought though. A synopsis of each clan would be good, methinks. While I'm more of a martial/military person myself, I like being capable in all possible areas.I am an acquaintance with a member of the story team, though I haven't seen her regularly since we stopped our L5R RPG campaign. I should ask her for a synopsis.
Clan: Oh people pick clans, alright, to the point where for some it becomes a neo-lifestyle. People tend to have strong clan loyalties, even when their clan stinks in the current CCG cycle. Be aware of this when you choose.
As for me, I like them all for one reason or another. I have a soft spot for Scorpion, being the anti-heroes of the Empire. I like the Hare for their history and because I just like rabbits (and it is my Chinese astrological sign). I like the Dragon for tons of reasons. I liked the nezumi because ratlings are cool. I liked Toturi's Army for the ronin and the fallen hero theme.
But if you handed me a deck of any clan, I'd be happy to play it. All clans, even with their flaws, plan an important part of Rokugan's destiny.
Also, consider the Ronin. They have their own storyline thingy going on right now, and they have a lot of the freedom(if not resources) the Great Clans lack. I also wish that Minor Clans would get some love, but I actually understand where the CCG base is coming from in not wanting them to be a playable faction, so I don't see that happening.
I love all of the clans for on reason or the other in the fiction...
In the actual CCG I play Scorpion for reporting purposes but can/will use any concept/style just to play.
I like playing other deck styles, and have thought about switching in the reporting, but there's something about the Scorpion that appeals to me.
I play either Unicorn, calvary rocks, or Mantis because sometimes money can buy you love.This questionaire that I took on the main website. They said Lion Clan or Crab Clan would be a good fit.
They're good if you want a standard fight/brawl, I like being more flexible.
I haven't played in a while, are the Naga still around?
I haven't played in a while, are the Naga still around?
They are no longer their own faction, the numbers have become severly limited. The few that are produced are unaligned. They're mostly either back asleep or dead. Apart of the story was that they realized they woke up too soon.
Mantis now have ways to attack your gold cost lol. They are truly working that money is the key to all mechanic.
Unicorn are still solid, but the deck this Kotei to beat is Little Lion. Lots of low gold cost lion swarming over you with tactial pumps and counter cards. They nerfed the Spider's Goblin Swarm deck badly.
As a sort of casual observer looking into this hobby, what are some folks' opinion on this game? I know absolutely nothing about it, I've gotten some old cards from a friend of mine, and I'm curious what its all about and if it might be worth getting into. I'm already a casual M:tG player and a Warhammer 40,000 player, on top of playing Pathfinder, so I'm just curious if adding another hobby on top of all this would really be worth it. Thanks in advance.
I'm a BIG fan of the RPG. The card game I have little to no experience in playing.