I remember when I first started playing Legend of the Five Rings at Grandslam Comics in Fort Worth, Texas. Four to twelve of us would sit down around a table, and play a massive multiplayer free for all. We would laugh, and poke fun at rival clans represented around the table. No one person ever consistantly won the game. In truth we never knew who would win. The interactive politics between players could be as deciding factor as your deck build. You could go too far with your joking "smack talk" and have the entire table turn on you. I once was too quiet, and all the other players turned on me. The game was engaging, and fun. Control, swarm, honor, military, even enlightenment decks were all viable, and no one type of deck was superior to another. There was no dominate deck build that could hold off three or more players if they chose that you were the threat to their fun. Most games were friendly, and played for fun. No one cared who won, we just had fun. The whole attitude was more about how you played than it was about winning. Those are some of my fondest memories if Legend of the Five Rings, when I played it just for fun.

Once I got away from that and started playing tournaments. The game became a one on one competition, and lost a lot of its fun factor. That is when it seemed more importance was placed on winning, and no one cared about how you played, they only cared if you won. I for one would like to see that wild zaniness of multiplayer shenanigans return to the game. Along with the comraderie of every player is important, not just the winner.

I remember when I first started playing Legend of the Five Rings at Grandslam Comics in Fort Worth, Texas. Four to twelve of us would sit down around a table, and play a massive multiplayer free for all. We would laugh, and poke fun at rival clans represented around the table. No one person ever consistantly won the game. In truth we never knew who would win. The interactive politics between players could be as deciding factor as your deck build. You could go too far with your joking "smack talk" and have the entire table turn on you. I once was too quiet, and all the other players turned on me. The game was engaging, and fun. Control, swarm, honor, military, even enlightenment decks were all viable, and no one type of deck was superior to another. There was no dominate deck build that could hold off three or more players if they chose that you were the threat to their fun. Most games were friendly, and played for fun. No one cared who won, we just had fun. The whole attitude was more about how you played than it was about winning. Those are some of my fondest memories if Legend of the Five Rings, when I played it just for fun.

Once I got away from that and started playing tournaments. The game became a one on one competition, and lost a lot of its fun factor. That is when it seemed more importance was placed on winning, and no one cared about how you played, they only cared if you won. I for one would like to see that wild zaniness of multiplayer shenanigans return to the game. Along with the comraderie of every player is important, not just the winner.

With nice people at the table every game might be excellent multiplayer experience, even Monopoly.

To be honest standard multiplayer in L5R sucked so much in a term of mechanic. Everyone could be crushed in a single attack from 3 enemies, honor/dishonor is so weak... That's why i loved multiplayer variant from War of Honor expansion. Idea of map from tiles and Path of Victory completely refreshed m-player for this game. Originally released in Celestial era but there's excellent modification for IvE+.

Also both Sieges are nice if you want to play 3 or more vs 1.

Thanks Kempy,

That version of multiplayer does look interesting, unfortunately I was in the middle of moving then job searching during Celestial. I did get a chance to play Siege though, and found it fun to play from both sides. I even constructed some old Clan War Era decks as alternative decks to play instead of the ones included with Siege:Clan War. I tried to keep them as close to the products decks as I could including Thunders, Togashi Yokuni, The Hooded Ronin and all. Using the old cards actually made it harder in some respects, because no one is immune to the corruption tokens. Then again made it easier in some regards because of the amount of anti-shadowlands from that era of Legend of the Five Rings.

I created this post after reading, "What is needed?" by Coyote Walks. His post spurred the walk down memory lane. I did not want to detract from his post though, so made this one and it is open for anyone to share memories or stories they remember about playing this game we love.

Is that guy on the far right called Poland? I recognize him from some Seattle drafts.

True about the competitive play.

Just here to spread the L5R love. Hope I am not detracting.

Is that guy on the far right called Poland? I recognize him from some Seattle drafts.

Yes. Michal (Michael) aka "Kurga". He's my hometown friend but now he lives in Seattle area for 2 years.

Anyway, this photo is from Szczyrk/Poland Kotei in 2012. More here: https://boardgamegeek.com/image/1278391/war-honor

Wow! Small world.

I might have to approach my crew about playing war of honor.

Wow! Small world.

I might have to approach my crew about playing war of honor.

If you want play from the box there's no problem. If you want use its mechanic with IvE+ decks/ruleset i recommend you update from 2014 that cleans lot of stuff. I could share it with You if You want.