Onitama: Way of the Wind
Onitama: Way of the Wind Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
COMPONENTS
- 1 Wind Spirit miniature
- 2 Move Cards
- 8 Wind Spirit Cards
Note: You will need your original Onitama game in order to play.
SETUP
After you arrange the playmat as normal, place the Wind Spirit pawn in the centermost space of the game mat. During the game, both players can move the Wind Spirit around the board, creating new choices and tactics!
Choose 5 cards to play with: 2 Wind Spirit cards and 3 Move cards (from the original game and/or an expansion). You can decide which cards to use, or shuffle them and choose randomly.
Give each player 1 of the Wind Spirit cards (at random) along with 1 random Move card to start with. Place the last Move card in the middle of the table, as usual. The stamp on this card will determine which player goes first.
HOW TO PLAY
Play proceeds just like the normal game, except for these changes:
On Your Turn, you must play a card from your hand:
-
If you play a regular Move card, you may use it (as normal) to move your Student or Master OR you can use that card to move the Wind Spirit instead. You may only do this if the Wind Spirit has a legal move (as shown on the Move card).
-
If you play a Wind Spirit card in your hand, you may use it to move two pawns. Each Wind Spirit card shows 2 moves on it: a top move (1) and a bottom move (2).
Example Wind Spirit card, SCORPION (the moves are shown as grid diagrams, marked 1 for the top move and 2 for the bottom move). The card's printed text reads: "Move your Student or Master as shown above, then move the Wind Spirit as shown below." Flavour text: "Clamp your enemies, sting as with a venomous strike. Poison their resolve."
When you play a Wind Spirit card, you first use the top move to move your Student or your Master, just like normal. Then, if it is possible, you must also move the Wind Spirit as shown in the bottom move. If either move has no legal options, that move is ignored (the other move is still used).
MOVING THE WIND SPIRIT
-
The Wind Spirit moves like any other pawn, following the move shown on a card. (As usual, the square grid will show you the way.)
-
If the Wind Spirit lands on a Student pawn (friendly or enemy), it does not capture it. Instead, it swaps places with the other pawn. (A great way to advance one of your own pawns or thwart an enemy's position!)
-
The Wind Spirit can never move into the same space as a Master pawn (friendly or enemy).
-
You can never move a Student or Master pawn onto the same space as the Wind Spirit. (Thus, the Wind Spirit can be used to "block" your opponent's moves!)
-
Moving the Wind Spirit onto your opponent's Temple Arch space does not win the game. (You must prove your mastery over your rival to claim victory!)
-
Remember: The Wind Spirit cannot capture another pawn, nor can it be captured itself.
ALTERNATE SETUP
Once you have mastered the Way of the Wind, you can change the game by using one (or more) of these alternative game setups:
Greater Wind Spirit
You can play the game with more Wind Spirit cards. This ensures that the Wind Spirit will move more often and have a higher impact on the game - both by swapping places and blocking moves. These games involve a lot more thinking and planning, and may take a little longer to play.
- 3 Wind Spirit cards, 2 Move cards: Randomly deal each player 1 Wind Spirit and 1 Move card, and place the remaining Wind Spirit card in the middle of the table.
- 4 Wind Spirit cards, 1 Move card: Randomly deal each player 2 Wind Spirit cards and place the Move card in the middle of the table.
- 5 Wind Spirit cards, 0 Move cards: Randomly deal each player 2 Wind Spirit cards, and place the last Wind Spirit card in the middle of the table.
Lesser Wind Spirit
You can also play the game with fewer Wind Spirit cards. These games are faster and simpler to play.
- 1 Wind Spirit card: Randomly deal each player 2 Move cards then place 1 Wind Spirit card in the middle of the table.
- NO Wind Spirit cards: You can play the game without any Wind Spirit cards! Play the game as normal, using only regular Move cards. Players can still use their Move cards to move one of their pieces or the Wind Spirit.