List of Legend of the Five Rings sets explained

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

SetRelease dateFeatured FactionsSizeBorderNotes
Pre-Imperial8/1995-84Red-Orange unbroken lineCards made available at GenCon prior to commercial release.
Imperial Edition10/1995Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Phoenix, Unicorn309Yellow-Red broken lineFirst base set. Included "Ancestral Swords" for each clan.
Shadowlands5/1996Naga, Scorpion155Purple & Green swirls
Forbidden Knowledge8/1996-150Rust-colored swirlsIntroduced Region card type and Ritual spells.
Emerald Edition8/1996Same as Imperial Edition312Black marbleSecond base set. Included "Ancestral Armors" for each clan.
Battle of Beiden Pass11/1996Crab, Dragon118Black"Learn to Play" boxed set.
Anvil of Despair[1] 12/1996Junzo's Horde, Toturi's Army152Blue swirlsIntroduced Ancestor card type.
Crimson & Jade4/1997Brotherhood, Yoritomo's Alliance161GreenIntroduced Kiho card type.
Obsidian Edition8/1997[2] Same as Imperial Edition312Brown marbleThird base set. Included "Ancestral Standards" for each clan. Introduced actual cards for Strongholds, instead of using back of deck box.
Time of the Void9/1997Crab, Phoenix229Brown with white cracksIncluded "story-backed" stronghold cards for the twelve factions at the uncommon rarity level.
Scorpion Clan Coup, Scroll 112/1997[3] Scorpion53Black 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 21/1998-50"
Scorpion Clan Coup, Scroll 32/1998Lion52"
Promotional CardsVarious-28Golden waves

Hidden Emperor - "Jade"

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.

SetRelease dateFeatured FactionsSizeBorderNotes
Jade Edition5/1998[4] Brotherhood, Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Naga, Phoenix, Scorpion, Shadowlands, Toturi's Army, Unicorn, Yoritomo's Alliance330Green wavesFourth base set. Included "Clan Charters" for each clan.
The Hidden Emperor, Episode 16/1998Naga52Wood grainThe 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 27/1998Dragon52Wood grain
The Hidden Emperor, Episode 38/1998Monk52Wood grain
The Hidden Emperor, Episode 49/1998Unicorn52Wood grain
The Hidden Emperor, Episode 510/1998Mantis52Wood grain
The Hidden Emperor, Episode 611/1998Crane52Wood grain
The Hidden Emperor: The Dark Journey Home2/1999Ninja, Phoenix, Toturi's Army154Wood grain
Pearl Edition5/1999[5] Same as Jade Edition364Purple ripplesFifth base set. First to feature revised card design. Included "Clan Weapons" for each clan.
Siege of Sleeping Mountain5/1999Brotherhood & Dragon, Naga & Toturi's Army64Red-Green ovals"Learn to Play" set including two pairs of decks.
Honor Bound6/1999Crab, Scorpion, Shadowlands173Red whorlsIntroduced Sensei card type. Included "Clan War Saga" foils reprinting older cards.
Ambition's Debt11/1999Lion, Naga, Shadowlands180Dark blue whorlsIncluded "Clan War Saga" foils reprinting older cards.
Fire & Shadow3/2000Brotherhood, Dragon, Yoritomo's Alliance186Olive whorlsIncluded "Clan War Saga" foils reprinting older cards.
Top Deck Booster3/2000-20BlackSimplified cards included in demo booster for Top Deck Magazine.
Heroes of Rokugan5/2000-27Golden spheresFirst direct to player set. Packaged in cloth covered box and binder. These cards also had the Gold bug.
Soul of the Empire6/2000Crane, Toturi's Army, Unicorn200Dark green whorlsIncluded token cards with red backs. Included "story-backed" stronghold cards for the thirteen legal factions at the uncommon rarity level.
Storms Over Matsu Palace6/2000Lion, Unicorn55Purple-red"Learn to Play" set.
Spirit Wars11/2000Lion, Phoenix, Spirit197Thick red diagonal linesReleased 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 CardsVarious-51Golden lines on black

Four Winds - "Gold"

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.

SetRelease dateFeatured FactionsSizeCodeNotes
Gold Edition6/2001Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Phoenix, Scorpion, Shadowlands, Unicorn541GESixth base set. Introduced Wind card type. Included "Celestial Swords" for each clan.
A Perfect Cut9/2001Crab, Crane, Scorpion155APC
An Oni's Fury12/2001Dragon, Shadowlands, Unicorn156AOFReprints in this set are not marked with an expansion code.
Dark Allies4/2002Lion, Mantis, Phoenix161DAYoritomo's Alliance Officially Changed To Mantis Clan
The L5R Experience6/2002Crane, Scorpion62L5R EXP.Free "Learn to Play" set.
Broken Blades8/2002Crab, Scorpion, Unicorn156BB
1,000 Years of Darkness9/2002-94KYDDirect to player set. Included binder. Some cards also had Diamond bug.
The Fall of Otosan Uchi12/2002Crane, Dragon, Mantis156FOUCards also had Diamond bug.
Heaven & Earth4/2003Lion, Phoenix, Shadowlands157H&ECards also had Diamond bug.
Winds of Change8/2003Crab, Mantis, Ratling155WoCCards also had Diamond bug.
Promotional CardsVarious-100Various

Rain of Blood - "Diamond"

SetRelease dateFeatured FactionsSizeCodeNotes
Diamond Edition10/2003Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Mantis, Phoenix, Ratling, Scorpion, Shadowlands, Unicorn487DESeventh base set. Included "Celestial Swords" for each clan.
Training Grounds11/2003Lion, Shadowlands95TG"Learn to play" set.
Reign of Blood12/2003Dragon, Phoenix, Unicorn157RoB
The Hidden City4/2004Crab, Lion, Ratling156HC
Wrath of the Emperor8/2004Crane, Scorpion, Shadowlands156WotE
Dawn of the Empire11/2004-108DotEDirect to player set. Included binder. Most cards also had Lotus bug.
Web of Lies12/2004Mantis, Phoenix, Unicorn156WoLCards also had Lotus bug.
Enemy of My Enemy4/2005Crab, Dragon, Ratling156EoMECards also had Lotus bug.
Code of Bushido8/2005Crane, Lion, Scorpion156CoBCards also had Lotus bug.
Promotional CardsVarious-126Various

Age of Enlightenment - "Lotus"

SetRelease dateFeatured FactionsSizeCodeNotes
Lotus Edition10/2005Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Mantis, Phoenix, Ratling, Scorpion, Shadowlands, Unicorn500LEEighth 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 Hope1/2006Crab, Crane, Shadowlands156PoH
Drums of War5/2006Dragon, Lion, Unicorn156DoW
Training Grounds 27/2006Crane, Dragon112TG2"Learn to Play" set.
Test of Enlightenment7/2006-124ToEDirect to player set.
Rise of the Shogun9/2006Mantis, Phoenix, Scorpion156RotS
Khan's Defiance1/2007Crab, Crane, Ratling156KDCards also had Samurai bug.
Tomorrow3/2007Ratling56TomorrowCards also had Samurai bug, All foil set including the 2006 World Championship deck and 21 new cards.
The Truest Test5/2007Dragon, Spider, Unicorn156TTTCards also had Samurai bug.
Promotional CardsVarious-92Various

Race for the Throne - "Samurai"

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.

SetRelease dateFeatured FactionsSizeCodeNotes
Samurai Edition7/2007Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Mantis, Phoenix, Scorpion, Spider, Unicorn412SamuraiNinth base set. Included unique armors for each clan.
Stronger than Steel10/2007Lion, Mantis, Phoenix157STS
Test of the Emerald and Jade Championships12/2007-52E&JCDirect to player set.
Honor's Veil2/2008Crane, Dragon, Scorpion156HV
Words and Deeds5/2008Crab, Spider, Unicorn166W&D
Samurai Edition BanzaiSame as Samurai EditionTenth 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 Will10/2008Dragon, Lion, Mantis166THW
Glory of the Empire1/2009Crab, Crane, Phoenix166GotEDual Bug (Samurai & Celestial). First to feature revised card design.
The Imperial Gift 11/2009-28Imperial Gift IFree expansion, Dual Bug (Samural & Celestial)[6]
Death at Koten4/2009-84DaKDirect to player set, Dual Bug (Samurai & Celestial)
Promotional CardsVarious-257Various

The Destroyer War - "Celestial"

SetRelease dateFeatured FactionsSizeCodeNotes
Celestial Edition6/2009Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Mantis, Phoenix, Scorpion, Spider, Unicorn395CelestialEleventh base set. Included heavenly weapons for each clan.
The Imperial Gift 28/2009-82IG 2Free 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 Destroyer8/2009Scorpion, Spider, Unicorn166PotDIntroduces Celestial card type.
The Harbinger1/2010Dragon, Mantis, Phoenix176TH
Celestial Edition 153/2010Same as Celestial Edition154CE 15Twelfth 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 War5/2010Crab, Crane, Lion176TPW
The Imperial Gift 38/2010-44Imperial Gift 3Free expansion [8]
Battle of Kyuden Tonbo9/2010Dragon, Lion91BoKT"Learn to Play" set
Empire at War9/2010Dragon, Scorpion, Unicorn176EaW
The Dead of Winter1/2011Crane, Mantis, Spider164TDoW
Before the Dawn5/2011Crab, Lion, Phoenix156BtDDual Bug (Celestial & Emperor)
Forgotten Legacy7/2011-90FLDirect to player set, Dual Bug (Celestial & Emperor), 6 "Eternity" bug cards
Second City9/2011Dragon, Mantis, Scorpion156SCDual Bug (Celestial & Emperor)
Promotional CardsVarious-142Various

Age of Conquest - "Emperor"

SetRelease dateFeatured FactionsSizeCodeNotes
Emperor Edition2/2012Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Mantis, Phoenix, Scorpion, Spider, Unicorn428EEThirteenth base set. Included new family House Guards and a Celestial for each clan.
Embers of War5/2012Lion, Spider, Unicorn159EoW
The Shadow's Embrace7/2012Crab, Crane, Phoenix159TSEFactory Set
Seeds of Decay10/2012Dragon, Mantis, Scorpion159SoD
Honor and Treachery12/2012Phoenix, Scorpion84HaT"Learn to Play" set
Emperor Edition: Gempukku1/2013Same as Emperor Edition18EE GempukkuReprinted 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 Asunder2/2013-156TAThe first expansion not to include featured clan starter decks since Forbidden Knowledge.
Coils of Madness 5/2013-147CoMDual 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 Chaos9/2013-150GoCDual Bug (Emperor & Ivory). First expansion to include foil rares since The Heaven's Will.
Aftermath12/2013-150AMDual Bug (Emperor & Ivory)
Promotional CardsVarious-264Various

A Brother's Destiny - "Ivory"

SetRelease dateFeatured FactionsSizeCodeNotes
A Matter of Honor12/18/2013Crab, Lion55AMoH"Learn to Play" set
Ivory Edition03/24/2014Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Mantis, Phoenix, Scorpion, Spider, Unicorn372IvoryFourteenth 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 Storm06/09/2014-185TCS
A Line in the Sand09/28/2014-156ALitS
The New Order12/01/2014-156TNO
The Currency of War01/05/2015Crane, Mantis57TCW"Learn to Play" set
Twenty Festivals03/27/2015Same as Ivory Edition37220FDual Bug (Ivory & Onyx). Fifteenth base set.
Thunderous Acclaim07/21/2015-156THADual Bug (Ivory & Onyx).
Evil Portents11/09/2015-165EPDual Bug (Ivory & Onyx).
The Blackest StormDigital 2018-168TBSDual Bug (Ivory & Onyx).

Onyx Edition

SetRelease dateFeatured FactionsSizeCodeNotes
Hidden Forest WarDigital 2023Akasha, Spider82HFW"Learn to Play" set
Onyx EditionDigital 2023Akasha, Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Phoenix, Scorpion, Spider, Unicorn 387OnyxSixteenth base set, Completed and released by "Onyx Lives!" Project by some of the original CCG Designers. Dual Bug (Onyx & Shattered Empire).
Rise of JigokuDigital 2023-166RoJCompleted and released by "Onyx Lives!" Project by some of the original CCG Designers. Dual Bug (Onyx & Shattered Empire).
Road to RuinDigital 2023-157RtRCompleted and released by "Onyx Lives!" Project by some of the original CCG Designers. Dual Bug (Onyx & Shattered Empire).
Rise of Otosan UchiDigital 2023-166RoUCompleted and released by "Onyx Lives!" Project by some of the original CCG Designers. Dual Bug (Onyx & Shattered Empire).

Shattered Empire

SetRelease dateFeatured FactionsSizeCodeNotes
Gathering StormsDigital 2024Mantis53GSReleased by "Onyx Lives!" Project by some of the original CCG Designers.
Chaos Reigns 1Digital 2024-54CRIReleased by "Onyx Lives!" Project by some of the original CCG Designers.

Other

SetRelease dateFeatured FactionsSizeCodeNotes
War of Honor6/2011Dragon, Lion, Phoenix, Scorpion127WoHSelf-contained multiplayer L5R variant. Some cards in this game had the Celestial and/or Emperor bugs.
Siege: Heart of Darkness9/2014Dark Naga, Mantis, Phoenix, Scorpion41S:HoDSelf-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 War9/2015Yogo Junzo, Brotherhood of Shinsei, Toturi’s Army, Yoritomo’s Alliance77S:CWAnother 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]

Notes and References

  1. In the arms of despair. Franzmann. Jeff. The Duelist. 17. Wizards of the Coast. 87-88. June 1997.
  2. Game news & updates. Varney. Allen. The Duelist. 18. Wizards of the Coast. 84. August 1997.
  3. Scorpion Clan Coup. Faulkes. Zen. 34. InQuest. Wizard Entertainment. 30. February 1998.
  4. The Hidden Emperor. Swan. Rick. Rick Swan. 34. InQuest. Wizard Entertainment. 36. February 1998.
  5. Legend of the Five Rings: Pearl Edition. Fannon. Sean Patrick. Sean Patrick Fannon. 49. InQuest. Wizard Entertainment. 34. May 1999.
  6. Web site: The Imperial Gift - Legend of the Five Rings . 2014-09-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140910215731/http://www.l5r.com/2008/10/17/the-imperial-gift/ . 2014-09-10 . dead .
  7. Web site: Imperial Gift 2 - Legend of the Five Rings . 2014-09-09 . https://archive.today/20140909223602/http://www.l5r.com/2009/03/27/imperial-gift-2/ . 2014-09-09 . dead .
  8. Web site: Imperial Gift 3 - Legend of the Five Rings . 2014-09-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140910215719/http://www.l5r.com/imperial-gift-3/ . 2014-09-10 . dead .
  9. Web site: Siege: Heart of Darkness - Legend of the Five Rings . 2014-09-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140910200036/http://www.l5r.com/siege-heart-of-darkness/ . 2014-09-10 . dead .
  10. Web site: Siege: Clan War - Legend of the Five Rings . 2015-11-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150921191055/http://www.l5r.com/ccg/siege-clan-war/ . 2015-09-21 . dead .