# Rising Sun: Monster Pack ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2018 - **BGG Rating**: 8.1 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 3-5 (Best with: 4) - **Duration**: 90-120 min - **Weight**: 3.00 / 5 - **Designers**: Eric M. Lang - **Artists**: Adrian Smith - **Publishers**: ADC Blackfire Entertainment, CMON Global Limited, Delta Vision Publishing, Galápagos Jogos, Guillotine Games, Hobby World, Portal Games - **Categories**: Bluffing, Expansion for Base-game, Fantasy, Miniatures, Mythology, Negotiation, Wargame - **Mechanics**: Area Majority / Influence, Area Movement, Open Drafting, Set Collection, Simultaneous Action Selection, Take That, Variable Phase Order, Variable Player Powers ## Verdict If you love Rising Sun and crave extra mythic chaos, the Monster Pack brings powerful beasts and fresh tactics.Thematic new monstersHigh‑quality miniaturesSeamless base integrationRequires base gameIncreases complexityRECOMMENDED ## Description The Monster Pack for Rising Sun arrives as an epic boost for fans of the base game. It adds four new monsters – the Plague Oni, the Fire Dragon, Jinmenju, and Jorogumo – which clans can purchase during play. Each creature brings unique abilities that shift the game's flow, letting players wield supernatural forces to pressure rivals or secure strategic wins. The Plague Oni, for instance, spreads disease that reduces opponents' resource production, while the Fire Dragon can scorch entire areas, reshaping territorial control. Jinmenju, a living tree, offers bonuses to card collection, and Jorogumo, the silk spider, lets you temporarily capture enemy units. These monsters slot into Rising Sun's already intricate system of influence, negotiation, and combat, preserving the need for alliances and betrayals. Purchasing monsters costs the resources clans gather, making the choice between a monster or other strategic upgrades a tense decision point. Since the expansion doesn't change core rules, seasoned players will feel the impact right away but must still adapt tactics to handle the new threats. Perfect for groups that love diving deeper into the Japanese mythic theme and enjoy the mix of detailed miniatures with political maneuvering. The pack includes high‑quality painted miniatures, monster cards, and effect markers, all ready to drop into an existing campaign. In short, the Monster Pack adds more drama, more attack options, and plenty of new reasons to argue over who will claim the gods' throne. ## How to Play Game Objective The Monster Pack is an expansion that adds new elements to the base game. The overall objective of Rising Sun involves the struggle for influence and control in feudal Japan, but for specific details on how to win or the victory conditions, please refer to the manual for details on this section. Setup To integrate the new cards into your game, follow these steps: Prepare the Season cards normally at the start of each Season. Add 1 or 2 Extra Monster cards from the corresponding Season on top of the already prepared season cards. Note that these cards have a different back, featuring a dragon illustration, identifying them as Extra Monster cards. Game Flow The game flow follows the rules of the base game. Refer to the manual for details on this section. Actions and How to Play The Extra Monster cards function like regular Monster cards and can be acquired normally. Each monster possesses unique abilities that alter the dynamics of the Provinces where they are located: Jorōgumo When a Battle begins in your Province, you may take control of one opponent's Bushi or Shinto figure located in this Province. Until the end of the Battle, that figure counts as being part of your Clan for all effects (for example, if you win the Battle, the figure is not killed). Oni of Plagues This monster can make your Province unreachable for opponents. Any player who possesses more Honor than you cannot Move, by any means, their figures into the Province occupied by the Oni of Plagues. Jinmenju This monster functions similarly to a Stronghold. During a Recruit Mandate, it allows you to Summon an extra figure to the Province it occupies. However, each time you perform this action, you lose Honor. Fire Dragon This creature counts as 3 Force. Additionally, when a Battle begins in your Province, you must choose and kill 1 figure from each player present in this Province, including 1 of your own figures (remembering that the Fire Dragon itself is not affected, and Daimyo are immune to such special effects). End of Game and Scoring Refer to the manual for details on this section. Tips for Winning Use the Jinmenju to increase your number of figures during a Recruit Mandate, but be aware that this will cost you Honor. The Fire Dragon's 3 Force can be devastating in Battle, but remember that in Battle, you will also lose one of your own figures. ## FAQ ### How many players can use the Monster Pack? The expansion works for 3 to 5 players, just like the base game. ### How long does a game usually take with the pack? Expect 90 to 120 minutes, depending on how often monsters are purchased. ### Do I need Rising Sun to play? Yes, the Monster Pack is a supplement; the base game is required. ### What components are included? Four painted miniatures, four monster cards, effect markers, and integration instructions. ### Does the expansion change core rules? No, it adds options and effects while keeping the fundamental rules unchanged. ### Is it suitable for beginners? It's best to be familiar with Rising Sun first, as the added complexity can be challenging for newcomers. ### Can multiple monsters be used at once? Each clan can purchase and control only one monster at a time, but different clans can have different monsters simultaneously. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 21.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=7029313&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 25.49 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4887054&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 28.22 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6915647&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 28.86 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6723255&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 28.86 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1664691&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 30.29 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=2045100&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 30.65 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3438544&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 32.35 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1053928&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 34.78 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1412607&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 47.87 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4082315&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/23775/rising-sun-monster-pack?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com