
- BGG rank
- BGG #11,249
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Warmaster Ancients
- 2 players
- 90 min
- Complexity 2.6/5
- 2005

2013
Rules assistance for Ronin: Skirmish Wargames in the Age of the Samurai
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Ronin: Skirmish Wargames in the Age of the Samurai is a board game released in 2013 for 2 players and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Craig Woodfield and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Simulation.
From the publisher's website: Set in an age of feuding samurai, wandering swordsmen and fearless warrior monks, Ronin is a skirmish wargame that captures the flavor and excitement of such Akira Kurosawa films as Seven Samurai and Yojimbo. Whether they prefer the loyal samurai retainers of a feudal lord or a horde of desperate bandits, players choose from one of several factions and build forces to battle for dominance and survival in 16th-century Japan. They may also recruit swords-for-hire to supplement their forces – masterless ronin, martial arts masters and secretive ninja will lend their skills to any commander who can afford them. A full points system, incorporating a wide range of equipment and skills, allows for detailed customization of characters, while scenarios and a campaign system permit them to gain experience and develop over time. The fast-paced rules simulate the cut and thrust of hand-to-hand combat and require the player to make tactical decisions in the middle of a fight, immersing them in an era of war.
Ronin: Skirmish Wargames in the Age of the Samurai supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The catalogue lists Ronin: Skirmish Wargames in the Age of the Samurai for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Ronin: Skirmish Wargames in the Age of the Samurai has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Ronin: Skirmish Wargames in the Age of the Samurai belongs to these categories: Wargame, Miniatures, and Renaissance. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Simulation. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Ronin: Skirmish Wargames in the Age of the Samurai are: Craig Woodfield. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Ronin: Skirmish Wargames in the Age of the Samurai as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.