- BGG rank
- BGG #27,525
- BGG rating
- 5.5
Space Pigs
- 3–6 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 1999
- BGG rank
- BGG #13,757
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Samurai & Katana
1999
Rules assistance for Samurai & Katana
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–6 players
- 120 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.6/5
Rules assistant for Samurai & Katana
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Samurai & Katana is a board game released in 1999 for 3–6 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Pascal Bernard and its main mechanics are Campaign / Battle Card Driven.
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About the game
In the XVIth century, during a Japanese civil war, you are a Daïmyo (samourai clan chief) and are attempting to end the civil war by becoming Shogun. Only an honourable Daïmyo can hope to obtain that title. You will organise spectacles, marriages, build castles, trade with China, obtain the loyalty of minor clans, raze sectarian monasteries, call on demons, ronins and even the infamous ninjas during battle. You will try to dishonour and weaken your adversaries, but beware of shifting alliances, treason and assassination... Game Box: 1 map of the game that represents the Japan of the XVI century 55 cards 120 pieces "samurai" (20 each player) 18 pieces "castle" (3 each player) 19 pieces "city" (minor and major) 24 koku (1, 2 and 5 koku coin) 6 cards "clan" 1 Shogun shape with its base 1 Emperor shape with its base
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Tilsit
Questions and answers
Samurai & Katana supports 3–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Samurai & Katana is 120 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Samurai & Katana 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.
Samurai & Katana has a complexity rating of 2.6 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.
Samurai & Katana belongs to these categories: Economic, Wargame, and Medieval. Its main mechanics are Campaign / Battle Card Driven. 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 Samurai & Katana are: Pascal Bernard. 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 Samurai & Katana 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.