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Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game – Bonds of Blood

Fantasy Flight Games · Board game · 2019
2 45–90 min
8.5 rating Ludopedia
8.0 rating BGG
Buy
8.5 rating Ludopedia
8.0 rating BGG
Buy Ask about Rules
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you love tight duels in Rokugan, Bonds of Blood adds fresh cards and the clever Disguised mechanic for deeper tactics.

Highlights
  • Innovative Disguised mechanic
  • Thematic new provinces
  • Well‑balanced duel cards
Keep in mind
  • Requires base game
  • Portuguese translation incomplete
  • Learning curve for L5R newcomers
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

Bonds of Blood transports you back to the legendary Rokugan as the second Dynasty Pack in the Inheritance cycle for Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game. The expansion adds 60 fresh cards—three copies of each of 20 different cards—designed to boost the decks you already own. Its headline mechanic is Disguised, letting iconic samurai stay hidden until the perfect moment to strike. Highlights include a prolific Phoenix Shugenja, new provinces for the Lion and Unicorn clans, and a lethal Poison card for the Scorpion. The Inheritance line emphasizes Bushi and Courtiers, expanding deck‑building, hand‑management, and asymmetric player abilities. Like all L5R Living Card Games, Bonds of Blood requires the base set and offers fixed‑quantity cards, making competitive deck construction straightforward. If you love the blend of military strategy, court intrigue, and Eastern aesthetics, this expansion opens fresh paths to honor and glory in 45‑90 minute duels.

Best player count

BGG community vote

Duel · 2 players
2 OK

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Card Game Collectible Components Expansion for Base-game

Families

Collectible: Living Card Game (Fantasy Flight Games) Players: Two-Player Only Games Setting: Legend of the Five Rings
Publisher Fantasy Flight Games
Designer Brad Andres, Erik Dahlman (I), Nate French
Artist Ruwen Liu

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How many players can play?
It is a two‑player only game.
What is the typical playtime?
Between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on deck complexity.
Do I need the base game to use this expansion?
Yes, Bonds of Blood requires the Legend of the Five Rings base set.
Is the expansion fully translated into Portuguese?
The translation is nearly complete but some terms are missing; using the English version is recommended for full clarity.
What new mechanics does it introduce?
The centerpiece is the Disguised mechanic, plus additional support for deck‑building, hand management, and asymmetric player abilities.
How many copies of each card are included?
Three copies of each of the 20 different cards, for a total of 60 cards.
Is it suitable for L5R beginners?
It can be tough for newcomers, as it assumes knowledge of the base rules and duel dynamics.
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