Now that the cards from the new Bushido Stater Set are out in the open, it's a good time to take a closer look at what you can do with the set aside from using it for a few demo games. I will take a closer look at the models themselves in subsequent posts.
Somewhat unusually for a Starter Set for any game system, this new box does not focus on any one of the standard factions in the game. Instead, the models within the box are from two feuding families, named Hozumi and Kiyozumi.
Not every member of these families is given to hatred of the other, and two individuals are secretly in love, as per a well known play by a certain British bard. As an aside, I find this somewhat fitting given that the famous Japanese film maker, Akira Kurosawa, made a couple of Samurai epics based on Shakespeare's works.
There are 10 models in the box and they are all Ronin models. Each model is available for a limited number of factions and all of the Bushido factions have access to at least one of the models. This would make it challenging to use the box contents to play any one faction (remember - Ronin can never be selected as a faction choice), so each of the families has their own Ronin theme.
These are as shown below;
As the rulebook notes, while Ronin is not a faction choice, it is possible to create a Warband comprised entirely of Ronin models. Indeed, when playing one of these themes, it is a necessity. However, you must still choose the main faction that your Warband is fighting for, which subsequently restricts the models you can choose for your list. However, you will note that regardless of which faction is chosen, all of the starter set models available to a given family can be taken in that theme.
I would therefore suggest approaching Warband selection for either Hozumi or Kiyozumi family themes as follows;
1 - Choose any Bushido Faction
2 - Choose either Family Theme regardless of chosen Faction
3 - Select any Family models allowed by the Theme regardless of chosen Faction
4 - Select any Ronin allowed in the chosen Faction, which can include members of the opposing Family if they are eligible for that faction. However, note that Inducted into the Miko and True Love Enhancement cards will specifically exclude Hinadori and Koga respectively from being used in the Theme for their opposing Family
5 - Only Ronin Enhancement and Enhancement - Equipment cards can be taken - Check any restrictions on the cards themselves
6 - Select any Event or Terrain cards available to the Family or your chosen Faction, but be sure to check that the card can actually be used by at least one of your models (e.g. many Event cards are specific to faction models)
You can of course also use the Starter Set models in your existing factions. I have summarised the factions in which they can be taken below.
Factions available to the Hozumi Family members...
Factions available to the Kiyozumi Family members...
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