Yogo Junzo enjoys a unique position in L5R. While it is widely believed that Junzo has almost no chance to win in a multiplayer game, it is a terror in a one on one. Most decks are modified slightly when switching from multiplayer to a single opponent, but Junzo changes drastically.

Junzo's limitations in a multiplayer game make your success as much a matter of what is in your opponents' decks as what is in yours. Most decks focus on a theme and revolve around that theme throughout the game. Junzo needs not only to do all of that, but also have cards that stop or reduce the effects of cards that specifically affect the Shadowlands.

His inability to ally and have allies limits his defensive capabilities as well as his ability to strike hard when necessary. A one on one provides Junzo with his best chance of success.

Since you see fewer total opposing cards when facing only one opponent, the chances of cards appearing that will adversely affect Junzo are greatly reduced in a one- on-one game. Another advantage to a one-on-one game is that players are less likely to include aabundance of cards that will affect a foe they may never face.

Listed below are two Yogo Junzo decks: one multiplayer, and one 'one on one.' After each, you will see a brief explanation. First, let's look at some cards I like to keep in both kinds of decks.

Kuni Wastelands - Reduces the cost of your Shadowlands cards.
Severed From the Emperor - Negates the Imperial favor.
The Farther You Fall - This is one of the few ways for the Junzo player to cause a loss of honor.
There is No Hope - This card is the cure for Iris Festival (it also stops Chrysanthemum Festival).
Dark Oracle of Water - Allows you to assign after cavalry (it also supersedes Swamplands).
Time of the Void - Limiting an opponents honor production is always a bonus.
Avoid Fate - Buys some time when an event you don't like comes into play.
Feign Death - Lets you put cards like Kyoso No Oni into battle without fear of losing them.
The Shouts - Not only do they work incrementally, but they scare your opponents out of their wits.
Refugees - You don't have to have anyone in the battle.

Yugo Junzo One-on-One

Events:
There is No Hope
Time of the Void
The Farther You Fall
Severed From the Emperor
Inheritance

Regions:
Kuni Wastelands
Plains of Otosan Uchi

Holdings:
Dark Oracle of Water
3 Corr. Iron Mines
3 Corr. Silver Mines
3 Black Market
3 Small Farms
3 Merchant Caravan

Personalities:
2 Mukami
2 Yogo Asami
3 Ogre Outlaw
2 Ogre Bushi
3 Moto Tsume
Moto Tsume Exp.
3 Kyoso no Oni
Oni no Akuma

Action:
3 Refugees
6 First Shout
3 Second Shout
3 Third Shout
2 Avoid Fate
2 Resist Magic
2 Feign Death
3 Evil Portents
3 Frenzy
2 Flight of the Dragons
2 Call to Arms
3 Superior Tactics
3 Counterattack
2 Ambush
2 Sneak Attack
3 Rallying Cry

Item:
Ring of the Void

Although most good decks aren't much more than 30/30, this deck is considerably larger. The Merchant Caravan and the Ring of the Void will help to get rid of cards and get more into your hand.

The strategy is simple: attack at every opportunity. Leave three gold unbowed when possible. If your opponent thinks you have a Call to Arms and doesn't act it doesn't matter if you have it or not. This deck is well-rounded enough so that if you get a reasonable shuffle, you'll be fine. The only thing you need dread is Stand Against the Waves.

Yugo Junzo Multiplayer

In addition to cards for the One on One add the following for a simple Multiplayer deck

Holdings:
Dark Oracle of the Air
3 Corr. Copper Mines
3 Ports
3 Island Wharf

Events:
Doom of the Crane
New Taxes
Summons From Beyond

Personalities:
3 Ninja Shapeshifters
Bayushi Kachiko Exp.
3 Hyobe
2 Oni no Akeru

Actions:
3 Night of a Thousand Fires
The Face of Fear
2 Inner Fire

Terrain:
3 Night Battle
2 Entrapping Terrain

Followers:
3 Ogre Warriors
2 Skeletal Archers
2 Zombie Troops

Items:
2 Obsidian Mirror

Strangely enough, when playing this deck you need to play conservatively. If they gang up on you you're dead. Be nice. Offer to attack someone who becomes a threat. Keep quiet until you have most of your force out. Use the ports and Hyobe as a permanent Rallying Cry. Offer to use Oni no Akeru when someone is being annoying.

Allow your opponents to weaken themselves against each other and kill whomever is left. Be a loyal lap dog until you go for the throat.

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