Onitama: Big Box^*

Onitama: Big Box packs the elegant two-player martial arts duel together with all three expansions and 14 promo cards. It suits anyone who wants a fast, luck-free strategy game with plenty of room to explore.

What's it about?

High in Japan's misty mountains stands the Onitama Shrine, where masters and students meet to prove their skill. Each side starts with five pieces on a 5x5 grid: four students and one master in the middle. Everything is open information. Only the move cards dealt at the start are random.

How a turn works

1. Pick one of your two face-up move cards.
2. Move one of your pieces exactly as that card shows.
3. Swap the used card for the fifth, neutral card.

Here is the twist. The card you just gave up goes to your opponent next turn. Every move you make also hands them an option. Capture the enemy master, or walk your own master onto their starting space, and you win.

What's in the Big Box?

• Light and Shadow: ninja pieces that move in secret
• Way of the Wind: a neutral Wind Spirit that opens new tactics
• Sensei's Path: 16 new move cards
• 14 promo cards

Who is it for?

Couples and duel fans aged 10 and up. A game takes about 15 to 20 minutes, so a rematch is always on the table.

Conclusion

A modern classic you can teach in minutes and still be chewing on weeks later. If you want dice, chaos or a group game, look elsewhere. For two-player strategy, this is the definitive way to own Onitama.