Sakura Arms

BakaFire Party, Alderac Entertainment Group, Korea Boardgames · Board game · 2016
2 · best 2 30 min Weight 3.0/5
rating Ludopedia
7.5 rating BGG
Buy
rating Ludopedia
7.5 rating BGG
Our Verdict

For duelists who love deck-building games with quick decisions and stylish Japanese theme.

Highlights
  • Unique blend of drafting and dueling
  • Ultra-fast, intense matches
  • Strategic depth in few cards
  • Immersive anime flair
Keep in mind
  • Limited initial goddess variety
  • Requires homemade translation (English/Japanese)
FOR GENRE FANS
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About the game
Sakura Arms is a fast and elegant dueling game where you pick two Japanese goddesses ('megami') and craft a custom deck to exploit their unique powers and your opponent's weaknesses. Each match starts with a mini card draft: you see your rival's choices and select 10 out of 22 cards, creating unpredictable combos. The gameplay seems simple on the surface—move tokens to control distance, attacks, and defense—but each card has multiple uses, demanding quick decisions and sharp tactics. The 'Relative Movement' system skips the board: tokens track life, aura, and special energy in a dynamic space that shifts with every action. In under 20 minutes, you go from deck-building to duel climax, with twists thanks to interrupt cards. Perfect for fans of 1v1 fighting games with strategic depth and stylish anime flair.
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Rules videos

In English

BEST PLAYER COUNT
2 BEST
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Game details

Categories

Families

Category: Two-Player Fighting Games Country: Japan Digital Implementations: Tabletopia Game: Sakura Arms Misc: LongPack Games Players: Two-Player Only Games Series: Big in Japan (AEG) Theme: Anime / Manga
Publisher BakaFire Party, Alderac Entertainment Group, Korea Boardgames, Mysterious Island Games
Designer BakaFire
Artist TOKIAME
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a match take?
Around 20 minutes on average, including deck construction.
Does it need a board?
Nope! The game uses tokens in dynamic zones to track distance and resources.
Is it hard to learn?
Core rules are simple, but mastering card combos takes a few plays.
Is translation required?
Yes, cards are in English/Japanese, but fan translations are available.
Are there expansions?
Yes, later versions (like Sakura Arms 3) add more goddesses and balance tweaks.
Is it good for casual play?
Yes, thanks to its speed, but the depth appeals to competitive players too.