# Onitama: Way of the Wind

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2018
- **BGG Rating**: 7.4
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2 (Best with: 2)
- **Duration**: 15-20 min
- **Weight**: 2.33 / 5
- **Designers**: John Rogers (II), Shimpei Sato
- **Artists**: Chiyo Nagahara Romei, Emerson Matsuuchi, Jun Kondo, Mariusz Szmerdt, Stephen Gibson
- **Publishers**: Arcane Wonders, Maldito Games, Pegasus Spiele
- **Categories**: Abstract Strategy, Ancient, Expansion for Base-game
- **Mechanics**: Grid Movement, Hand Management

## Verdict
Perfect for those who already love Onitama and want more tactical depth with a touch of chaos. The Wind Spirit changes the board dynamics.New layer of strategic interactionHigh-quality componentsUseful new movement cardsMaintains fast-paced gameplayRequires base game to playMight frustrate abstract puristsRECOMMENDED

## Description
You know that feeling when you've mastered Onitama's tactics and feel the need for a fresh challenge? That's exactly where 'Way of the Wind' comes in. This expansion doesn't change the core essence of the game, but it adds a delightful layer of unpredictability: the Wind Spirit. Imagine that, besides planning your moves and anticipating your opponent's next step, there's now a neutral force on the board that can mess up your plans or, perhaps, give you that unexpected push toward victory. The Wind Spirit acts as a neutral piece that interacts with the students, creating much more complex and interesting positioning dynamics.

In addition to the spirit miniature, the expansion includes eight new Wind Spirit cards, which define how this entity will influence the match, and two new move cards (Goat and Sheep), expanding the tactical possibilities for attack and defense. The result is a game that maintains the elegance of the original—easy to learn but hard to master—but with an extra seasoning of controlled chaos. If you enjoy abstract strategy games where every move counts and reading your opponent is fundamental, this expansion is the perfect upgrade. It transforms the board into a more living battlefield where nature also plays against (or in favor of) you. It's the ideal choice for those who want to refresh their Onitama experience without losing the simplicity and speed of the matches, which remain fast-paced and intense.

## How to Play
Goal of the Game
In Onitama: Way of the Wind, rival schools return to Onitama to prove which martial art is superior. This time, a Wind Spirit interferes in the confrontation, adding an unpredictable element to the game. The goal remains the same: capture the opponent's Master or occupy the opponent's Arch Temple with your Master to win.

Setup

    Set up the board as in the original Onitama game.
    Position the Wind Spirit miniature in the center space of the board.
    Choose 5 cards for the match: 2 Wind Spirit cards and 3 Movement cards (from the base game or expansions). You may select them or draw them randomly.
    Randomly distribute to each player: 1 Wind Spirit card and 1 Movement card. Place the last Movement card in the center of the table — the symbol on it determines who goes first.

Consult the manual for details regarding this section.

Gameplay Flow
The game follows the original rules of Onitama, with these changes:

    On your turn, play a card from your hand:
    If it is a Movement card, use it to move your Student or Master OR move the Wind Spirit (if the movement is valid on the card).
    If it is a Wind Spirit card, move two pawns: first your Student/Master (top part of the card) and then the Wind Spirit (bottom part). If a movement is impossible, ignore it.


Actions and How to Play
Moving the Wind Spirit

    The Wind Spirit follows the movements indicated on the card, like any other pawn.
    If it lands on a Student (ally or enemy), it swaps places with them (without capturing).
    It can never occupy the same space as a Master (ally or enemy).
    No pawn can move into the space occupied by the Wind Spirit (it blocks movements!).
    Moving the Spirit to the opponent's Arch Temple does not grant victory.


End of Game and Scoring
The game ends when a player:

    Captures the opponent's Master, or
    Moves their Master to the opponent's Arch Temple.

There is no scoring — victory is determined by these criteria.

Tips for Winning

    Use the Wind Spirit to block key positions and limit the opponent's movements.
    Swap places with the Spirit to reposition your Students advantageously or disrupt enemy strategy.
    In matches with more Wind Spirit cards, plan ahead, as the board will change rapidly.

## FAQ
### Do I need the base game to play?
Yes, this is an expansion. You must own the original Onitama to use these new components.

### Does the game become much more complex?
Not drastically. The learning curve remains low, but the strategic depth increases due to the neutral piece.

### How long does a game take with the expansion?
It remains very fast, usually between 15 to 20 minutes.

### What's inside the box?
You get 1 Wind Spirit miniature, 8 Wind Spirit cards, and 2 new move cards (Goat and Sheep).

### Who do you recommend this expansion for?
For Onitama players who feel matches are becoming repetitive and want new tactical variables.

## Price Comparison
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