I was lucky... I had a friend who already knew my likes/dislikes recommend me the Scorpion Clan.

Personally, I'd go with reading the short descriptions about each clan and pick 2-3 you like... and then learn some more about just those 2-3. That way you can choose the one that really goes with your personality and preferences.

But I love hearing stories of how you chose -- or were chosen by -- your clans.

i got introduced to the game playing unicorn and scorpion. i asked my friend to get me a dragon deck (because of card draw <wins any games>). end of the day he got me the last deck available which was an obsidian edition crane deck.

never looked back. so i guess the clan chose me as well.

The first starter I bought was Lion, but once I learned there was a ninja faction I switched to Dark Path of Shadow - even though it was a beast for new players to play. When the Scorpion clan came back in force with Honor Bound I switched to them full time because there was crossover with the Scorpion Ninja, and never looked back.

The story where Bayushi Aramoro wins back the Scorpion lands is still one of my all time favorites, well, and Kwanchai fighting Fushin.

Try out a few games. Find a play style you like. Play that clan.

Well, I'll have to wait 2 years to follow your advice. But I think it's good advice.

I've been browsing through some cards an think I'll have to pass on Scorpion after all. I'm comfortable with assassination for the glory of the empire, but the geisha theme doesn't sit well with me. I'm beoming more open to Lion, but Phoenix is starting to look interesting as well. I'll just have to wait and see.

But I love hearing stories of how you chose -- or were chosen by -- your clans.

What type of archtype do you like in Samurai fiction?

Each Clan is roughly based on a different type of romanticized, and further divided by a family that specializes in one of their themes. A lot of it is what you personally consider to be "cool" For instance, I love anime and was instantly drawn to the Crane Clan's Kakita family for their resemblance of the classic Bishonen archetype.

And not to oversell my own faction, but if you like the idea of doing underhanded things for the glory of the Empire, I would suggest the Daidoji family of the Crane and the military force of the clan. They rely heavily on scout tactics and sabotage as a delaying tactic for the Courtiers to work out a peaceful compromise. They never attack the innocent, but if war is declared they will go after enemy samurai any way they can.

And if you want to go further down the rabbit hole....look up the Harriers.

When I first started playing I chose Crane due to having dueling that was 20 years ago, but when Yoritomo's Alliance came I was a HUGE fan of the underdog and fell right in line with the Mantis and have never looked back. It also helped that I had won an event to help push them to Great Clan status to lol. I love that not matter what the problem or pitfall came Mantis rose above and showed it will never be defeated.

Another good way to pick a clan is to look that the Virtue associated with each clan.

I play unicorn for multiple reasons, however they are the most compassionate, (meaning treating people beneath your status like actual people, instead of cutting peasants in half to test new swords like the lion do.) However, they arguably have the most powerful military in Rokugan. So if you value duty over all things, give the crab a look. If strength is your fancy, look a spider (Tetsuo is a god damned bad ass). That's basically all the advice I can give you.

http://l5r.wikia.com/wiki/Legend_of_the_Five_Rings_Wiki

I am Crane.

I chose this Clan because what it stood for was closest to my own values - playing by the rules and using them to advance oneself, being seen as honorable, cultured and elegant, recognizing the power of words over force.

Though I see splashes of myself in some of the other clans (the Phoenix's dedication to knowledge, the Unicorn's compassion for the peasantry), the Crane offered the closest alignment to the way that I saw myself, and thus I identified with it the most.

I would say the clan picks you.

I'll second that.

I was attracted to the L5R RPG 1 edition long ago and had been GM-ing Rokugan for more than a decade. Since i was literally enchanched by the story, I decided to plunge into the CCG as well. It was during Samurai edition.

So the story itself has been a decisive factor. I've always liked tragic heroes and I believe the Scorpion clan has always been an incarnation of the tragedy (i mean the literary genre now).

That's why I have been a Scorpion

Awesome hair? ... if yes, play Crane.

I am Crane.

I chose this Clan because what it stood for was closest to my own values - playing by the rules and using them to advance oneself, being seen as honorable, cultured and elegant, recognizing the power of words over force.

Though I see splashes of myself in some of the other clans (the Phoenix's dedication to knowledge, the Unicorn's compassion for the peasantry), the Crane offered the closest alignment to the way that I saw myself, and thus I identified with it the most.

Hey, Pheelyp! It seems that the migration from old forums had started!

There are two types of players:

Those who play Crane

and those who wish to play them (but they sometimes don't know about it)

My friedn that had intorduced me to the game let me play with several of his decks. Once I was familier with the play style of a few of them we hashed out my playstyle and what would be a good fit. At that time I had played as a Lion, Dragon, and Scorpion. I had seen a Crane deck in action as well as a Unicorn but none of them really grabbed me. I tend to play cautios and then strike wiht overwhelming force, so it was that I picked up a Crab deck. It just felt right and I never looked back. HIDA!!!

Over time with the RPG I looked at the other clans and really got into the Scorpion more but I largely stick to the Crab. I would suggest if possible to dable into a few different clans find out which one plays in a way you like and that you can get into the story of the personalities.

Try out a few games. Find a play style you like. Play that clan.

Well, I'll have to wait 2 years to follow your advice. But I think it's good advice.

I've been browsing through some cards an think I'll have to pass on Scorpion after all. I'm comfortable with assassination for the glory of the empire, but the geisha theme doesn't sit well with me. I'm beoming more open to Lion, but Phoenix is starting to look interesting as well. I'll just have to wait and see.

But I love hearing stories of how you chose -- or were chosen by -- your clans.

You wouldn't necessarily need to have a geisha theme in your deck, other than the staple Geisha House holding (that's only 3 cards). The great thing about each clan is that there's multiple builds and themes. My typical scorpion deck was either Ninjas or couriers and both of them played very differently.

There was once this clan,

who was treated badly by all

Revenge was their way

You don't choose the Crane life, the Crane life chooses you.

What type of archtype do you like in Samurai fiction?

I'm a bit of a fantasy nerd, so I have to admit l like a healthy dose of magic. I'm glad the Lion clan has their own Shugenja. (Do all clans have Shugenja?) Of course, they may not be introduced in the new game for quite some time, but I think this will probably be the clan I try out first.

I still think the Scorpions are fascinating and would make worthy allies. I'll definitely learn their ways as well, but when I want to get back at someone, I won't do it in the shadows. I'd rather confront them head-on and make a scene about it so everyone knows I am in the right.

So it turns out you can't escape your destiny. After being told so many times by so many personality quizzes that I am a Lion, I've finally chosen to embrace it ... for now.

I'm a bit of a fantasy nerd, so I have to admit l like a healthy dose of magic. I'm glad the Lion clan has their own Shugenja. (Do all clans have Shugenja?) Of course, they may not be introduced in the new game for quite some time, but I think this will probably be the clan I try out first.

Preeeetty much? I'm a little rusty on my L5R lore, but all clans have (have had?) some kind of shugenja. Lion definitely do.

Yes, all Clans have shugenja of some variety- in several Clans, however, the shugenja fulfil a very specialised role. Really the only Clan that has 'generic' shugenja are the Phoenix, who have shugenja of each of the Elements, and they use shugenja for all kinds of things, including combat.

The Kitsu, while awesome, are definitively not generic shugenja. Although they do use prayers to the Elemntal kami like everyone else, they also have distinct abilities, derived from their descent from the (nonhuman) Kitsu: pretty much all Kitsu have a heightened sensitivity to the other Spirit Realms, and their primary role in the Lion Clan is to remember, honour, and seek advice from the Clan's ancestral heroes. The Sodan-Senzo in particular possess the unique abilities to communicate directly with the deceased (not strictly unique, in that there are other ways of doing it, but it is particularly characteristic of the Kitsu and the Sodan-Senzo), and to go spirit-walking in the other Realms.

Another fascinating aspect of the Kitsu is their refusal to use their 'magic' for warfare- the Lion consider the kami too sacred to be used for inflicting harm (a persistent cause of conflict with the Phoenix, who rely quite heavily on combat shugenja- look up Matsu Yuniri's story for a notable instance of this conflict), although the Kitsu do accompany Lion armies in a supporting role. Mechanically, there's no reason you can't use Kitsu shugenja for combat like any other shugenja in either the CCG or the RPG, but it's an interesting part of the setting, especially given the general militarism of the Lion as a whole.

All Clans, and all Families, have their own unique traditions and practices, beyond the general Clan characteristics, and it's the depth of the setting (as well the strength of the community) that makes and keeps L5R awesome. Welcome to the Pride.

Another good way to pick a clan is to look that the Virtue associated with each clan.

I play unicorn for multiple reasons, however they are the most compassionate, (meaning treating people beneath your status like actual people, instead of cutting peasants in half to test new swords like the lion do.) However, they arguably have the most powerful military in Rokugan. So if you value duty over all things, give the crab a look. If strength is your fancy, look a spider (Tetsuo is a god damned bad ass). That's basically all the advice I can give you.

http://l5r.wikia.com/wiki/Legend_of_the_Five_Rings_Wiki

Thanks for the link. I think I tentatively found my clan. In reading more, I think the Lion clan's ways resonate with me. I believe in strict adherence to protocol. I believe each person should do his or her part for the greater good. I believe in following tradition and being honorable. But should someone cross my line, I believe in swift retribution with an unmatched ferocity.

Personally, I'm not really much of a fighter. I'm small and book-ish looking. Fortunately, there is room for me among the Ikoma or the Kitsu families.

What type of archtype do you like in Samurai fiction?

I still think the Scorpions are fascinating and would make worthy allies. I'll definitely learn their ways as well, but when I want to get back at someone, I won't do it in the shadows. I'd rather confront them head-on and make a scene about it so everyone knows I am in the right.

I'd like to extend an invitation to train at the Dojo of Bitter Lies when it reopens. We believe in meeting our enemies face to face, head on, and overcoming impossible odds - all to show our unshakable loyalty to the Scorpion Clan. You'll have to check your sanity at the door, but if you want to run through the fire and not get burned, we're the school for you! Especially if you want to be the one who lit the fire.

I'll pretty much echo what everyone else said, you'll naturally gravitate to the clan that suits you. The great part of L5R is that each clan typifies one of the virtues of Bushido, for both good and ill.

I personally am a fan of the Scorpion, not because they are sneaky and underhanded. You can actually play a rather honorable Scorpion (within reason). Rather, I identify with them because they are the epitome of loyalty. They are not underhanded because they want to be (though they might enjoy it just a little), but rather they are willing to do what the Empire needs done when no one else is willing to do it. Despite the fact that everyone will hate them for it, but privately be grateful with the results. Of course sometimes you truly have to ask if the ends justified the means, which is always an interesting conflict to explore. However, the Scorpion will still be ready to do it all because loyalty to the Empire and the Clan (usually in that order) is all that matters to them.

Of course, you ARE allowed to like multiple clans. We just might think you are a wierdo

I'll pretty much echo what everyone else said, you'll naturally gravitate to the clan that suits you. The great part of L5R is that each clan typifies one of the virtues of Bushido, for both good and ill.

I've seen this mentioned a few times, but haven't found the corresponding virtues and clans explicitly stated anywhere. The closest I've come is this website: http://caligomundi.net/index.php?title=L5R:_The_Tenets_of_Bushido

It doesn't actually list a 1-1 correspondence of the Bushido virtues and the starting 7 clans, which I kind of expected it would. If I were so bold as to presume to place a virtue with each clan, here is how I would do it.

Jin [仁] (benevolence) - Phoenix

Yuu [勇] (courage) - Crab

Rei [礼] (courtesy) - Crane

Chuu [忠] (loyalty) - Scorpion

Gi [義] (justice) - Lion

Meiyo [名誉] (honor) - Dragon

Makoto [真] (sincerity) - Unicorn

What do you all think of that? Is that about right, or would you change some of them. I know it can be confusing because people represent these virtues differently in both Japanese and English. For example, the link above uses the virtue of Honesty and Sincerity, but the word 'makoto' could be interpreted as either honesty or sincerity, so there are ambiguities.

Ever since I learned of these virtues from Yoroiden Samurai Troopers (Ronin Warriors in English), I've always been partial to the virtue of Gi, which is justice or righteousness. Which clan do you think fits that virtue the best?

So...wayyyyyyyy back in the day, before dinosaurs roamed the Earth and the first everythings were crawling out of the ocean to try this land-dwelling thing, I played a faction called Toturi's Army . Basically, they were a bunch of Ronin, thieves, drunks, and mercenaries that followed this fallen Lion Samurai named Toturi who, turns out, saved the Empire from Fu Leng (think the worst parts of Horus Lupercal meets Darth Vader...then make him immortal. And a God), founded his own Clan, and became Emperor. My favorite character in that faction was this drunken Samurai named Ginawa who had a chip on his shoulder, was out for vengeance, and carried a bloodsword . After the 2000 Gold Edition reboot, Toturi's Army was no more, so I had to make a decision. Luckily, Ginawa was still around, had refounded the Akodo family within the Lion (the brainy, tactical-minded ones), and got a new version . I had to follow my favorite character, and the Lion, particularly the Akodo, appealed to me greatly.

Tl;dr: There are lots of reasons to choose one clan over another. Choose the one you resonate with most, or don't choose at all. Plenty of people play lots of different clans depending on how they feel or what's good

I actually disagree with the view that there's a 1:1 correspondence between Clans and Virtues, for a variety of reasons, inluding the ambiguities and double-meanings you mention. Conveniently for L5R, however, each Virtue also has a little write-up in Leadership , which can be found here: http://l5r.wikia.com/wiki/Bushido

Additionally, there was a point in the CCG in which each Clan had a special "The XXX of the YYY", matching Virtues to Clans- but they had to include the Spider and Mantis, so it wasn't a 1:1 correspondence, and accordingly Strength was added (for the Spider), while Chugo was split between Duty (for the Crab) and Loyalty (for the Scorpion), even though they represent the same tenet. So while it may be of interest, it's not perfect.

To address your question more directly- the Lion are unquestionably the most heavily committed to adhering to Bushido. However, their focus on a rigid definition of HONOUR! sometimes blinds them to what might actually be the more 'just' or 'righteous' cause (look up Matsu Tsuko and the Lion Clan's internal divisions around the time of the Second Day of Thunder for a good example). The Phoenix and Crane are to varying degrees more relaxed about Akodo-Kami's definitions of Bushido, without being total scumbags or throwing the code out the window entirely, and can therefore make better decisions.

Alternatively, for a more humanistic take on ethical conduct in Rokugan, the Wasp Code may be of interest to you?

Yeah, the 1:1 Bushido Virtue:Clan ratio always felta bit forced.

Well, that, and Benevolence was not a Bushido Virtue in Rokugan, as such (they call it Compassion instead, which can be misleading, to say the least)

The quick and ugly matchups were:

Duty-Crab

Compassion- Unicorn

Loyalty- Scorpion

Sincerity- Dragon (Yes, really.)

Honesty- Phoenix (*sigh*)

Courtesy- Crane

Honor- Lion

Courage- Mantis

Strength- Spider (not actually presented as a Bushido Virtue, since the Spider are, you know, Bad Guys)

I will further add that while some Clans definitely embrace and embody a particular tenet of Bushido, others... really don't particularly stand out.

The Phoenix and Dragon both adhere to Bushido, but they're weird about it, for example. And the Mantis don't so much embody "Bushido" Courage as "brass-balled fearlessness."

Jin [仁] (benevolence) - Phoenix

Yuu [勇] (courage) - Crab

Rei [礼] (courtesy) - Crane

Chuu [忠] (loyalty) - Scorpion

Gi [義] (justice) - Lion

Meiyo [名誉] (honor) - Dragon

Makoto [真] (sincerity) - Unicorn

I don't think the list is that bad...

However Lion have to be honor. They are the most honorable clan in Rokugan after all.

Dragon could be justice. They invented the Kitsuki method after all.

It could be an interesting point to work from. Actually might be a good idea to design the CCG starter in that way.

Here is what would be a rating of the clans' overall Bushido's honor value.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ : Lion, Crane.

☆ ☆ ☆ : Phoenix, Unicorn.

☆ ☆ : Dragon, Crab.

☆ : Scorpion, Mantis.

Lion values mostly Honor, Duty and Courage.

Crane values mostly Courtesy, Honor and Benevolence.

Phoenix values mostly Benevolence and Justice.

Unicorn values mostly Sincerity, Courage and Benevolence.

Dragon values mostly Benevolence and Justice.

Crab values mostly Courage and Duty.

Scorpion values mostly Duty and Courtesy.

Mantis values mostly nothing.

Yes Phoenix and Dragon value the same things. It's what makes it so fun, they are so alike and yet so very different !