Shogun: Tenno's Court

If you've already mastered the art of war in feudal Japan with Shogun, it's time to take the struggle to where the real power lies: the Imperial Court. Tenno's Court is the first expansion to Dirk Henn's game, and it tweaks the board to add a very interesting political layer. Now, simply marching your armies and dealing with peasant revolts or famines isn't enough; you must win the favor of the Tenno (the Emperor).

The core hook here is diplomacy. You can convert your troops — either by taking them from the cube tower or from your provinces — into court officials. By sending them to the imperial court, you seek favors, gifts, and privileges that can tip the scales in your favor. But be careful with your greed: if you focus too much on flattering the Emperor and neglect your soldiers, you might easily lose control of your own army. It's that classic balance between the pen and the sword.

In addition to the main content, the box includes the Samurai mini-expansion. This is quite versatile, as it can be played alongside Tenno's Court or even on its own with the base game. The system is simple and rewarding: if you control provinces in at least four different regions at the start of a round, you reveal the next card in your bonus stack and choose the advantage that best suits your current needs. It's the perfect tool for those who enjoy expanding their territorial domain and being rewarded with progressive improvements. Ultimately, Tenno's Court transforms the experience, adding strategic depth and forcing players to think beyond the battlefield.