
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,696
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Cataclysm: A Second World War
- 2–5 players
- 90–600 min
- Complexity 4.0/5
- 2018

2008
Rules assistance for Tenka
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Tenka is a board game released in 2008 for 2–4 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Scott Muldoon and its main mechanics are Hand Management and Area Majority / Influence.
In Tenka, each player takes the role of a local baron in the chaos of medieval Japan. The Emperor is powerless and the office of his sworn protector, the Shogun, is an empty shell. The realm is in turmoil as rival Daimyos struggle for control. Two to four players compete in this fast-playing card game of consolidation and conquest, where each turn and every card play is a decision whether to PLACE a card in your court for a modest but long-lasting effect, or to PITCH a card for a stronger but single use. Nobunaga realized his ambition and united almost a third of Japan under his rule; only one player can seize enough Provinces, or have all three Regalia, to control the realm. Play Tenka to find out if it will be you! Each game covers one period of unrest in Feudal Japan lasting until a great warlord emerges victorious
Tenka 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 Tenka is 45 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 Tenka for ages 10 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.
Tenka has a complexity rating of 1.7 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.
Tenka belongs to these categories: Card Game and Medieval. Its main mechanics are Hand Management and Area Majority / Influence. 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 Tenka are: Scott Muldoon. 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 Tenka 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.