List of Legend of the Five Rings sets

This is a list of the card sets for the Legend of the Five Rings collectible card game ("L5R") published by AEG. L5R is marketed through base sets and expansion sets. Base sets are typically composed primarily of reprinted cards from prior sets with a smaller number of new cards. Expansion sets (which are smaller than base sets) are composed entirely of new cards. Cards are sold in 60-90 card semi-randomized starter decks and booster packs which have a smaller number (typically 11 or 15) of random cards. Starters feature a particular faction, including new fixed rarity cards and a Stronghold card for that faction. They also include cards from previous sets and are intended to be fully playable decks.

In addition to starters and boosters, there is also the occasional "learn to play" set containing two fixed decks and an expanded rulebook for new players and a fixed "direct to player" set unavailable except directly from AEG.

For the purpose of tournament format/legality and the storyline, L5R's sets are divided into "arcs". From the beginning of the game's second arc with Jade Edition, cards have featured a "bug" (a kanji approximation of the edition's name) in a lower corner of the card's text box showing that card's legality. The only cards legal at most official tournaments are those printed with the current bug (or earlier printings of those cards). These bugs are shown next to each arc's title.

Originally, sets were differentiated by the color of their borders. From Gold Edition on, cards have an expansion code, card number, and rarity symbol listed on their lower edge. The rarity symbols are circle for common, diamond for uncommon, star for rare, triangle for promo, hollow diamond for "premium" (bonus cards found in Emperor Edition and later boosters), and star within a circle for fixed cards.

Clan Wars

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Set Release date Featured Factions Size Border Notes
Pre-Imperial 8/1995 - 84 Red-Orange unbroken line Cards made available at GenCon prior to commercial release.
Imperial Edition 10/1995 Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Phoenix, Unicorn 309 Yellow-Red broken line First base set. Included "Ancestral Swords" for each clan.
Shadowlands 5/1996 Naga, Scorpion 155 Purple & Green swirls
Forbidden Knowledge 8/1996 - 150 Rust-colored swirls Introduced Region card type and Ritual spells.
Emerald Edition 8/1996 Same as Imperial Edition 312 Black marble Second base set. Included "Ancestral Armors" for each clan.
Battle of Beiden Pass 11/1996 Crab, Dragon 118 Black "Learn to Play" boxed set.
Anvil of Despair[1] 12/1996 Junzo's Horde, Toturi's Army 152 Blue swirls Introduced Ancestor card type.
Crimson & Jade 4/1997 Brotherhood, Yoritomo's Alliance 161 Green Introduced Kiho card type.
Obsidian Edition 8/1997[2] Same as Imperial Edition 312 Brown marble Third base set. Included "Ancestral Standards" for each clan. Introduced actual cards for Strongholds, instead of using back of deck box.
Time of the Void 9/1997 Crab, Phoenix 229 Brown with white cracks Included "story-backed" stronghold cards for the twelve factions at the uncommon rarity level.
Scorpion Clan Coup, Scroll 1 12/1997[3] Scorpion 53 Black with red cracks "Prequel" expansion, released in 3 monthly installments as part of the "Rolling Thunder" campaign. These did not have rares.
Scorpion Clan Coup, Scroll 2 1/1998[3] - 50 "
Scorpion Clan Coup, Scroll 3 2/1998[3] Lion 52 "
Promotional Cards Various - 28 Golden waves

Hidden Emperor - "Jade"

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With Jade Edition, L5R introduced the concept of "arc legality". Newly printed cards were now marked with a "Jade bug". This allowed tournament rules to limit the card base allowed to be used: either "Strict Jade" in which only cards with the bug were legal or "Extended Jade" in which all Actions, Followers, Items, Kihos, and Regions were legal but all other types were required to have the bug.

Set Release date Featured Factions Size Border Notes
Jade Edition 5/1998[4] Brotherhood, Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Naga, Phoenix, Scorpion, Shadowlands, Toturi's Army, Unicorn, Yoritomo's Alliance 330 Green waves Fourth base set. Included "Clan Charters" for each clan.
The Hidden Emperor, Episode 1 6/1998 Naga 52 Wood grain The Hidden Emperor expansion was released in small monthly episodes as part of the "Rolling Thunder" campaign. These had two levels of uncommon rather than true rares.
The Hidden Emperor, Episode 2 7/1998 Dragon 52 Wood grain
The Hidden Emperor, Episode 3 8/1998 Monk 52 Wood grain
The Hidden Emperor, Episode 4 9/1998 Unicorn 52 Wood grain
The Hidden Emperor, Episode 5 10/1998 Mantis 52 Wood grain
The Hidden Emperor, Episode 6 11/1998 Crane 52 Wood grain
The Hidden Emperor: The Dark Journey Home 2/1999 Ninja, Phoenix, Toturi's Army 154 Wood grain
Pearl Edition 5/1999[5] Same as Jade Edition 364 Purple ripples Fifth base set. First to feature revised card design. Included "Clan Weapons" for each clan.
Siege of Sleeping Mountain 5/1999 Brotherhood & Dragon, Naga & Toturi's Army 64 Red-Green ovals "Learn to Play" set including two pairs of decks.
Honor Bound 6/1999 Crab, Scorpion, Shadowlands 173 Red whorls Introduced Sensei card type. Included "Clan War Saga" foils reprinting older cards.
Ambition's Debt 11/1999 Lion, Naga, Shadowlands 180 Dark blue whorls Included "Clan War Saga" foils reprinting older cards.
Fire & Shadow 3/2000 Brotherhood, Dragon, Yoritomo's Alliance 186 Olive whorls Included "Clan War Saga" foils reprinting older cards.
Top Deck Booster 3/2000 - 20 Black Simplified cards included in demo booster for Top Deck Magazine.
Heroes of Rokugan 5/2000 - 27 Golden spheres First direct to player set. Packaged in cloth covered box and binder. These cards also had the Gold bug.
Soul of the Empire 6/2000 Crane, Toturi's Army, Unicorn 200 Dark green whorls Included token cards with red backs. Included "story-backed" stronghold cards for the thirteen legal factions at the uncommon rarity level.
Storms Over Matsu Palace 6/2000 Lion, Unicorn 55 Purple-red "Learn to Play" set.
Spirit Wars 11/2000 Lion, Phoenix, Spirit 197 Thick red diagonal lines Released as Spirit Wars but renamed due to copyright challenge. Some cards in this set also featured the Gold bug. First set to feature new card backs.
Promotional Cards Various - 51 Golden lines on black

Four Winds - "Gold"

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With the new Gold Edition, AEG reduced the number of factions in the game from 14 to 8 by removing the Brotherhood, Naga, Ninja, Spirit, Toturi's Army, and Yoritomo's Alliance factions. The Mantis and Ratling factions were then introduced in expansions later in the block, bringing the total to 10. All sets in this arc included random foil versions of rare cards.

Set Release date Featured Factions Size Code Notes
Gold Edition 6/2001 Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Phoenix, Scorpion, Shadowlands, Unicorn 541 GE Sixth base set. Introduced Wind card type. Included "Celestial Swords" for each clan.
A Perfect Cut 9/2001 Crab, Crane, Scorpion 155 APC
An Oni's Fury 12/2001 Dragon, Shadowlands, Unicorn 156 AOF Reprints in this set are not marked with an expansion code.
Dark Allies 4/2002 Lion, Mantis, Phoenix 161 DA Yoritomo's Alliance Officially Changed To Mantis Clan
The L5R Experience 6/2002 Crane, Scorpion 62 L5R EXP. Free "Learn to Play" set.
Broken Blades 8/2002 Crab, Scorpion, Unicorn 156 BB
1,000 Years of Darkness 9/2002 - 94 KYD Direct to player set. Included binder. Some cards also had Diamond bug.
The Fall of Otosan Uchi 12/2002 Crane, Dragon, Mantis 156 FOU Cards also had Diamond bug.
Heaven & Earth 4/2003 Lion, Phoenix, Shadowlands 157 H&E Cards also had Diamond bug.
Winds of Change 8/2003 Crab, Mantis, Ratling 155 WoC Cards also had Diamond bug.
Promotional Cards Various - 100 Various

Rain of Blood - "Diamond"

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Set Release date Featured Factions Size Code Notes
Diamond Edition 10/2003 Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Mantis, Phoenix, Ratling, Scorpion, Shadowlands, Unicorn 487 DE Seventh base set. Included "Celestial Swords" for each clan.
Training Grounds 11/2003 Lion, Shadowlands 95 TG "Learn to play" set.
Reign of Blood 12/2003 Dragon, Phoenix, Unicorn 157 RoB
The Hidden City 4/2004 Crab, Lion, Ratling 156 HC
Wrath of the Emperor 8/2004 Crane, Scorpion, Shadowlands 156 WotE
Dawn of the Empire 11/2004 - 108 DotE Direct to player set. Included binder. Most cards also had Lotus bug.
Web of Lies 12/2004 Mantis, Phoenix, Unicorn 156 WoL Cards also had Lotus bug.
Enemy of My Enemy 4/2005 Crab, Dragon, Ratling 156 EoME Cards also had Lotus bug.
Code of Bushido 8/2005 Crane, Lion, Scorpion 156 CoB Cards also had Lotus bug.
Promotional Cards Various - 126 Various

Age of Enlightenment - "Lotus"

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Set Release date Featured Factions Size Code Notes
Lotus Edition 10/2005 Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Mantis, Phoenix, Ratling, Scorpion, Shadowlands, Unicorn 500 LE Eighth base set. Included "Clan Swords" for each clan. All cards in the Crane starter deck were initially released separately in an all-foil deck to commemorate 2005 GenCon victory.
Path of Hope 1/2006 Crab, Crane, Shadowlands 156 PoH
Drums of War 5/2006 Dragon, Lion, Unicorn 156 DoW
Training Grounds 2 7/2006 Crane, Dragon 112 TG2 "Learn to Play" set.
Test of Enlightenment 7/2006 - 124 ToE Direct to player set.
Rise of the Shogun 9/2006 Mantis, Phoenix, Scorpion 156 RotS
Khan's Defiance 1/2007 Crab, Crane, Ratling 156 KD Cards also had Samurai bug.
Tomorrow 3/2007 Ratling 56 Tomorrow Cards also had Samurai bug, All foil set including the 2006 World Championship deck and 21 new cards.
The Truest Test 5/2007 Dragon, Spider, Unicorn 156 TTT Cards also had Samurai bug.
Promotional Cards Various - 92 Various

Race for the Throne - "Samurai"

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The Ratling faction was removed, and the Shadowlands faction became the Spider Clan, although not all Shadowlands cards transitioned. This brought the total faction count to 9, establishing the factions that have been in play since.

Set Release date Featured Factions Size Code Notes
Samurai Edition 7/2007 Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Mantis, Phoenix, Scorpion, Spider, Unicorn 412 Samurai Ninth base set. Included unique armors for each clan.
Stronger than Steel 10/2007 Lion, Mantis, Phoenix 157 STS
Test of the Emerald and Jade Championships 12/2007 - 52 E&JC Direct to player set.
Honor's Veil 2/2008 Crane, Dragon, Scorpion 156 HV
Words and Deeds 5/2008 Crab, Spider, Unicorn 166 W&D
Samurai Edition Banzai Same as Samurai Edition Tenth base set. Reprint of Samurai Edition with bonus rares from expansions. Cards had a 2008 copyright date instead of 2007; rares from other expansions included a star symbol but no set numbers.
The Heaven's Will 10/2008 Dragon, Lion, Mantis 166 THW
Glory of the Empire 1/2009 Crab, Crane, Phoenix 166 GotE Dual Bug (Samurai & Celestial). First to feature revised card design.
The Imperial Gift 1 1/2009 - 28 Imperial Gift I Free expansion, Dual Bug (Samural & Celestial)[6]
Death at Koten 4/2009 - 84 DaK Direct to player set, Dual Bug (Samurai & Celestial)
Promotional Cards Various - 257 Various

The Destroyer War - "Celestial"

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Set Release date Featured Factions Size Code Notes
Celestial Edition 6/2009 Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Mantis, Phoenix, Scorpion, Spider, Unicorn 395 Celestial Eleventh base set. Included heavenly weapons for each clan.
The Imperial Gift 2 8/2009 - 82 IG 2 Free expansion.[7] Packaged as two unaligned decks, with some cards reprinted from other Celestial-legal expansions, designed to be played against each other.
Path of the Destroyer 8/2009 Scorpion, Spider, Unicorn 166 PotD Introduces Celestial card type.
The Harbinger 1/2010 Dragon, Mantis, Phoenix 176 TH
Celestial Edition 15 3/2010 Same as Celestial Edition 154 CE 15 Twelfth base set. Reprint of Celestial Edition including bonus rares from earlier expansions, a non-legal "Flashback" reprint of an earlier card, and a "Celestial Mempo" for each clan.
The Plague War 5/2010 Crab, Crane, Lion 176 TPW
The Imperial Gift 3 8/2010 - 44 Imperial Gift 3 Free expansion [8]
Battle of Kyuden Tonbo 9/2010 Dragon, Lion 91 BoKT "Learn to Play" set
Empire at War 9/2010 Dragon, Scorpion, Unicorn 176 EaW
The Dead of Winter 1/2011 Crane, Mantis, Spider 164 TDoW
Before the Dawn 5/2011 Crab, Lion, Phoenix 156 BtD Dual Bug (Celestial & Emperor)
Forgotten Legacy 7/2011 - 90 FL Direct to player set, Dual Bug (Celestial & Emperor), 6 "Eternity" bug   cards
Second City 9/2011 Dragon, Mantis, Scorpion 156 SC Dual Bug (Celestial & Emperor)
Promotional Cards Various - 142 Various

Age of Conquest - "Emperor"

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Set Release date Featured Factions Size Code Notes
Emperor Edition 2/2012 Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Mantis, Phoenix, Scorpion, Spider, Unicorn 428 EE Thirteenth base set. Included new family House Guards and a Celestial for each clan.
Embers of War 5/2012 Lion, Spider, Unicorn 159 EoW
The Shadow's Embrace 7/2012 Crab, Crane, Phoenix 159 TSE Factory Set
Seeds of Decay 10/2012 Dragon, Mantis, Scorpion 159 SoD
Honor and Treachery 12/2012 Phoenix, Scorpion 84 HaT "Learn to Play" set
Emperor Edition: Gempukku 1/2013 Same as Emperor Edition 18 EE Gempukku Reprinted cards from BtD, SC, EE, EoW, SoD. Boosters contained rares only. Starter decks included an Experienced Personality for each clan, decided upon by a player vote from the Emperor Edition starters, as well as a card-draw Holding for each clan.
Torn Asunder 2/2013 - 156 TA The first expansion not to include featured clan starter decks since Forbidden Knowledge.
Coils of Madness 5/2013 - 147 CoM Dual Bug (Emperor & Ivory), switches to new Emperor bug. Factory set includes all cards (including Emperor-legal only) except nine Premium rarity Personalities. Booster packs include only Ivory-legal cards, including full-bleed art versions of non-Unique cards, and foil versions of Unique cards.
Gates of Chaos 9/2013 - 150 GoC Dual Bug (Emperor & Ivory). First expansion to include foil rares since The Heaven's Will.
Aftermath 12/2013 - 150 AM Dual Bug (Emperor & Ivory)
Promotional Cards Various - 264 Various

A Brother's Destiny - "Ivory"

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Set Release date Featured Factions Size Code Notes
A Matter of Honor 12/18/2013 Crab, Lion 55 AMoH "Learn to Play" set
Ivory Edition 03/24/2014 Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Mantis, Phoenix, Scorpion, Spider, Unicorn 372 Ivory Fourteenth base set. Reintroduced Sensei card type. Included experienced "Ancestral Armors" for each clan. Marks the switch from expansions using 11-card booster packs to 16-card booster packs, to foster L5R Draft tournament environment.
The Coming Storm 06/09/2014 - 185 TCS
A Line in the Sand 09/28/2014 - 156 ALitS
The New Order 12/01/2014 - 156 TNO
The Currency of War 01/05/2015 Crane, Mantis 57 TCW "Learn to Play" set
Twenty Festivals 03/27/2015 Same as Ivory Edition 372 20F Dual Bug (Ivory & Onyx). Fifteenth base set.
Thunderous Acclaim 07/21/2015 - 156 THA Dual Bug (Ivory & Onyx).
Evil Portents 11/09/2015 - 165 EP Dual Bug (Ivory & Onyx).
The Blackest Storm Digital 2018 - 168 TBS Dual Bug (Ivory & Onyx).

Onyx Edition

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Set Release date Featured Factions Size Code Notes
Hidden Forest War Digital 2023 Akasha, Spider 82 HFW "Learn to Play" set
Onyx Edition Digital 2023 Akasha, Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Phoenix, Scorpion, Spider, Unicorn 387 Onyx Sixteenth base set, Completed and released by "Onyx Lives!" Project by some of the original CCG Designers. Dual Bug (Onyx & Shattered Empire).
Rise of Jigoku Digital 2023 - 166 RoJ Completed and released by "Onyx Lives!" Project by some of the original CCG Designers. Dual Bug (Onyx & Shattered Empire).
Road to Ruin Digital 2023 - 157 RtR Completed and released by "Onyx Lives!" Project by some of the original CCG Designers. Dual Bug (Onyx & Shattered Empire).
Rise of Otosan Uchi Digital 2023 - 166 RoU Completed and released by "Onyx Lives!" Project by some of the original CCG Designers. Dual Bug (Onyx & Shattered Empire).

Shattered Empire

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Set Release date Featured Factions Size Code Notes
Gathering Storms Digital 3/2024 Mantis 53 GS Released by "Onyx Lives!" Project by some of the original CCG Designers.
Chaos Reigns 1 Digital 5/2024 - 54 CRI Released by "Onyx Lives!" Project by some of the original CCG Designers.
Gates of Tengoku Digital 9/2024 - 101 GoT Released by "Onyx Lives!" Project by some of the original CCG Designers.

Other

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Set Release date Featured Factions Size Code Notes
War of Honor 6/2011 Dragon, Lion, Phoenix, Scorpion 127 WoH Self-contained multiplayer L5R variant. Some cards in this game had the Celestial and/or Emperor bugs.
Siege: Heart of Darkness 9/2014 Dark Naga, Mantis, Phoenix, Scorpion 41 S:HoD Self-contained cooperative L5R variant, with multiple players opposing a challenge deck piloted by another player. The Dark Naga challenge deck includes new cards with no arc legality; the three pre-constructed decks include cards legal throughout the Ivory arc, from Coils of Madness through A Line in the Sand. Introduces Clock and Territory card types, which are only relevant to the Siege format.[9]
Siege: Clan War 9/2015 Yogo Junzo, Brotherhood of Shinsei, Toturi’s Army, Yoritomo’s Alliance 77 S:CW Another Siege variant. Yogo Junzo deck includes new cards with no arc legality; the three pre-constructed decks include cards legal throughout the 20F Arc, from Ivory Edition through Evil Portents, 9 new cards and one reprinted card, Productive Mine, with Onyx legality only. Also contains Clock and Territory card types, which are only relevant to the Siege format.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Franzmann, Jeff (June 1997). "In the arms of despair". The Duelist. No. 17. Wizards of the Coast. pp. 87–88.
  2. ^ Varney, Allen (August 1997). "Game news & updates". The Duelist. No. 18. Wizards of the Coast. p. 84.
  3. ^ a b c Faulkes, Zen (February 1998). "Scorpion Clan Coup". InQuest. No. 34. Wizard Entertainment. p. 30.
  4. ^ Swan, Rick (February 1998). "The Hidden Emperor". InQuest. No. 34. Wizard Entertainment. p. 36.
  5. ^ Fannon, Sean Patrick (May 1999). "Legend of the Five Rings: Pearl Edition". InQuest. No. 49. Wizard Entertainment. p. 34.
  6. ^ "The Imperial Gift - Legend of the Five Rings". Archived from the original on 2014-09-10. Retrieved 2014-09-09.
  7. ^ "Imperial Gift 2 - Legend of the Five Rings". Archived from the original on 2014-09-09. Retrieved 2014-09-09.
  8. ^ "Imperial Gift 3 - Legend of the Five Rings". Archived from the original on 2014-09-10. Retrieved 2014-09-09.
  9. ^ "Siege: Heart of Darkness - Legend of the Five Rings". Archived from the original on 2014-09-10. Retrieved 2014-09-09.
  10. ^ "Siege: Clan War - Legend of the Five Rings". Archived from the original on 2015-09-21. Retrieved 2015-11-04.