The Sensei’s path expansion contains 16 new movement cards such as the fox and the rat. These follow the same layout as those in the base game. Each card depicts a way in which one character can move on a player’s turn. Sensei's Path" [7] includes sixteen new and unique cards that can be used as a standalone set of movement cards instead of those found in the base game. Onitama, the board game, is one of many award-winning games published by Arcane Wonders. Arcane Wonders first started creating and selling games in 2012 and are well known for their “Mage Wars Arena” games. Shuffle the movement cards and deal two cards to each player- face-up. Turn over one more card to determine which player will go first. Look at the lower corner of the card for either a red or blue marking, which decides who begins. However, the addition of new cards gives an even greater range of possibilities and combinations. This can help to ensure that each game feels fresh, with players having to learn how to make the most of the cards on the table.

In a previous Have You Played?we took a look at Hive, one of our favourite abstract games, and in doing so mentioned Onitama as one of those abstracts that can replace chess for players who are looking for a modernised game that won’t intimidate potential opponents. Onitama is the most ‘chessy’ looking of those we brought up in passing, and even has familiar shapes in some of the moves. For those who don’t want to stray too far from the world of chess, they’ll find a fantastic new home here. Set in Japan, Onitama, the board game is a strategic two-player board game that requires strategic moves to overtake your opponent’s master, thus claiming the Shrine. Look at the colour of the cards. Red cards have more options for players to move to the right, whereas blue cards have more options for the player to move to the left. Grey cards are symmetrical, giving players an equal number of options on both sides. You can use either your pawn or master to capture your opponent’s master pawn by overtaking the square on the board where the master was positioned. The Way of the Stream To begin, set up the game mat in the middle of the table. Each player selects a master and four student pawns in the same color, red or blue.Onitama isn’t a war, it’s a dance. Each player starts with two cards in front of them which detail the shape of a move they could take. These might be complex diagonal zig-zags, clever side-jumps or straightforward charges. On their turn they’ll choose which one to play, and they’ll move the piece of their choice of the five on the board (a king and four pawns). Once that’s done their opponent will choose a move card of their own and play it. Then the cards will be placed so they can be added to the opponent’s hand next turn. Each player begins with two movement cards face-up, and the fifth card is placed to the right of the starting player (as indicated on this card). As players learn the game they’ll find their strategies start to firm up, and if you have a regular game partner then you’ll find their skill grows too.

The game’s standout feature is its card-driven movement. At the start of the game, each player will be dealt three movement cards that they leave face-up in front of them. Each turn, they choose one of these cards and carry out its movement with any one of their available pieces. The card then goes to their opponent and will remain in their possession until they use it. Onitama appears very similar to chess in the initial setup. There are two opposing sides, and like chess, both players work to move across the board, claiming each other’s pawns along the way. Beautifully illustrated and featuring calligraphic representations of various creatures including the Dragon, Rabbit, Cobra, and Crab, each card offers a different and specific way to move your pawns.Even if you were not able to move this round and had to pass, you still must choose one of your cards to exchange. If your pawn lands a space occupied by one of your opponent’s pawns, your pawn would “capture” this piece. A pawn which is captured is removed from the game. OBJECT OF ONITAMA: The object of Onitama is to win over your opponent by completing one of the win conditions. NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 2 players MATERIALS: A rulebook, 2 masters of different colors, 8 pawns of 2 colors, game mat, 2 colored temples, 16 movement cards. TYPE OF GAME: Strategy Board Game AUDIENCE: 8+

Onitama is a chess-like, abstract strategy game for two players. In the game, two masters of martial arts are battling it out, with the help of their apprentices, against an opposing school. Players are trying to win to prove they have the best martial arts school in the land. The player takes the Move card they have just used and places it to the left side of the play mat, rotating it so it is facing their opponent. They then take the card on the right side of the playmat and add it to their hand. This card can be used next turn. Victory Belongs to… The active player decides which card they want to use to affect a move, and with which pawn. After moving, they swap that card with the card sitting in the middle of the table. This means that the card just played will go to your opponent after they play and move next time. So not only do you need to consider your next move, you also need to think about the card you will be making available to your opponent for a future turn. And of course what you might get in return next time. Each player places their Master on the square marked with their colour in the row closest to them. The Students are set out on the four other squares of that row, two each side of the Master. In this guide i will use the term “Pawn” to refer to either a Master or a Student piece/ Winning the UK Games Expo Award for Best Abstract Game in 2016, Onitama is a competitive two-player game requiring strategy to win. This complete overview covers everything you need to know about the Onitama board game rules.Onitama is an elegant and simple two player abstract strategy game where you take on the role of a Master, guiding your monk followers, in an attempt to defeat your opponent. Armed only with a handful of moves, your cunning, and your wits, have you the skill to be victorious?