
- BGG rank
- BGG #25,058
- BGG rating
- 5.9
Dragon Dash
- 2–6 players
- Complexity 1.3/5
- 2015

2017
Rules assistance for Sixteen Samurai
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Sixteen Samurai is a board game released in 2017 for 2–4 players, 15–25 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by David Manga and its main mechanics are Hand Management and Dice Rolling.
In this fast-action game of cards and dice, players face off against each other on the battlefield. Players assemble a clan of 16 Samurai, and then battle each other until only one clan remains. Samurai are related based on 4 abilities (Power, Speed, Armor, Karma), which determines how many dice they roll.
Sixteen Samurai supports 2–4 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 Sixteen Samurai is 15–25 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 Sixteen Samurai for ages 8 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.
Sixteen Samurai has a complexity rating of 1.3 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a 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.
The main mechanics of Sixteen Samurai are Hand Management and Dice Rolling. Mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns, such as rolling dice, drafting cards or placing workers. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you enjoyed Sixteen Samurai and want something comparable.
The credited designers of Sixteen Samurai are: David Manga. 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 Sixteen 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.