Onitama: Sensei's Path

Arcane Wonders, Maldito Games, Pegasus Spiele · Board game · 2017
2 · best 2 10–30 min Weight 1.8/5
8.5 rating Ludopedia
7.8 rating BGG
Buy
8.5 rating Ludopedia
7.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict

Essential for those who have mastered the base game and want new layers of strategy. The highlight is the total renewal of the tactical experience.

Highlights
  • Drastically increases variability
  • Includes rare promotional cards
  • Maintains the original simplicity
  • Very easy to integrate
Keep in mind
  • Requires the base game to play
  • Doesn't change core mechanics
RECOMMENDED
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About the game
You know that feeling when you've memorized every move in Onitama and want something new to surprise your opponent? That's exactly where Sensei's Path comes in. This expansion doesn't change the basic rules of the game—which are already brilliant in their simplicity—but it injects a generous dose of variability into the board. The pack brings 16 new movement cards, including some that were exclusive to Dice Tower's Kickstarter campaigns, now available for everyone.

In practice, you simply shuffle these new cards in with the original deck. This completely alters the dynamics of the matches, as the combinations of movements available to each player change. If you previously had a 'set' strategy to beat your friend, you'll now have to deal with new attack and defense patterns that can flip the game in the blink of an eye. It's as if the master (the Sensei) is teaching new combat techniques to his students.

The game remains that fast tactical duel, where the goal is to capture the opponent's piece or force them into your territory. Onitama's beauty has always been this balance between hand management (since you pass the used card to your opponent) and precise positioning on the grid. With Sensei's Path, this 'puzzle' becomes more complex and interesting, requiring you to adapt your game reading in real-time. If you already enjoy the modern and minimalist chess vibe of the base game, this expansion is the perfect upgrade to keep the experience fresh and challenging for much longer, without the annoyance of giant manuals or convoluted rules.
Expansion for
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Game details

Families

Continents: Asia Country: Japan Digital Implementations: Tabletopia Game: Onitama Players: Two-Player Only Games Series: Dice Tower Essentials
Publisher Arcane Wonders, Maldito Games, Pegasus Spiele, Studio Supernova
Designer Shimpei Sato
Artist Jun Kondo, Mariusz Szmerdt, Sayuri Romei
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the base game to play?
Yes! Sensei's Path is just an expansion with cards; you need the board and pieces from the original Onitama.
Do the rules change with the expansion?
No. The way you play is the same; you just have more movement card options to draw from.
How many cards are in the pack?
There are 16 new movement cards in total.
Does the game become harder?
The basic complexity remains the same, but the variability increases, requiring more tactical adaptation during the match.
Who do you recommend this expansion for?
For those who play Onitama frequently and feel that the matches are becoming repetitive.