Unmatched: Sun’s Origin – Japanese Legends Tactical Fighting Game

Unmatched: Sun’s Origin brings two legendary warriors from Japanese history into the fast, tactical world of Unmatched. Take control of Oda Nobunaga, master strategist and daimyo, or Tomoe Gozen, the legendary warrior from The Tale of the Heike, and battle for supremacy at Azuchi Castle.

Designed for 2 players, with games taking around 20 minutes, Sun’s Origin combines tactical movement, hand management and card-driven combat with two highly distinctive fighting styles.

Each hero has their own unique deck and abilities, and both can also be mixed with compatible characters from other Unmatched sets.

What Is Unmatched: Sun’s Origin?

Unmatched is a highly asymmetric miniature fighting game where iconic heroes battle using individual decks designed around their abilities, personalities and legends.

Sun’s Origin focuses on two legendary figures from feudal Japan:

• Oda Nobunaga – A master strategist who fights alongside two Honor Guard sidekicks.

• Tomoe Gozen – A fierce warrior who relentlessly pursues opponents and punishes heroes who try to escape her reach.

The battle takes place on the Azuchi Castle battlefield, a compact two-player map designed around tactical positioning.

As with other Unmatched sets, the two heroes can fight each other straight from the box, or be mixed with compatible fighters from other Unmatched games.

How to Play

Choose Oda Nobunaga or Tomoe Gozen and use your character's unique deck to defeat your opponent.

On your turn, you normally have two actions, allowing you to manoeuvre, attack or play scheme cards. Combat is resolved through attack and defence cards rather than dice, meaning your decisions and card management determine how the battle develops.

The two fighters require very different approaches:

• Oda Nobunaga uses his two Honor Guard sidekicks to surround opponents and create opportunities for powerful flanking effects.

• Tomoe Gozen excels at close-range pursuit, with her Attack of Opportunity punishing opposing heroes who leave her zone.

• Positioning is crucial, particularly on the Azuchi Castle battlefield.

• Hand management determines when you can make the most of your strongest attacks and abilities.

The goal is simple: reduce your opponent's hero to zero health before they defeat yours.

Why You'll Love It

🏯 Japanese Legends

Sun’s Origin brings two fascinating figures from Japanese history and legend into the Unmatched system, backed by artwork from Japanese illustrator Yuta Onoda.

⚔️ Oda Nobunaga's Honor Guard

Oda fights alongside two Honor Guard sidekicks, giving him three fighters on the battlefield and opening up a range of positioning and flanking tactics.

🎯 Master the Flank

Oda's special cards can trigger additional effects when an opposing fighter is adjacent to two or more fighters under his control. Getting the Honor Guard into the right positions is central to his strategy.

🗡️ Tomoe Gozen Pursues Her Prey

Tomoe's Attack of Opportunity deals damage when an opposing hero leaves her zone. This makes escaping from close combat particularly dangerous and encourages aggressive pursuit.

🎴 Classic Unmatched Combat

Unmatched uses card-driven combat instead of dice rolls, combining tactical movement, hand management, positioning and unique character powers.

🔀 Mix and Match

Sun’s Origin isn't limited to its two included fighters. Oda Nobunaga and Tomoe Gozen can be combined with heroes from other compatible Unmatched sets, including characters from Unmatched Adventures.

Who Is Unmatched: Sun’s Origin For?

This is a great choice for:

• Fans of Japanese history and legends

• Existing Unmatched players

• Two-player gaming groups

• Fans of tactical card games

• Players who enjoy asymmetric characters

• Gamers who enjoy miniature combat

• Players who like positional strategy

• Anyone looking for a quick but deeply replayable two-player game

It's also a strong entry point into Unmatched, with two very different fighters and everything needed to play straight from the box.

Meet the Fighters

Oda Nobunaga

Oda Nobunaga was a powerful daimyo who led the Oda clan during the conflicts of 16th-century Japan and is credited with playing a major role in the unification of Japan.

In Unmatched, Oda is represented as a master strategist, commanding two Honor Guard sidekicks. His abilities reward careful positioning, particularly when surrounding an opponent and creating a flank.

The Honor Guard also benefits from being close to Oda, making formation and battlefield control important parts of his strategy.

Tomoe Gozen

Tomoe Gozen is a legendary female warrior associated with the Minamoto clan and is most famously described in The Tale of the Heike.

Her Unmatched deck reflects her reputation as a fierce and relentless warrior. She specialises in pursuing opponents and punishing heroes who attempt to retreat from her zone.

Her Attack of Opportunity can trigger whenever an opposing hero leaves her zone, creating a constant threat in close combat.

Main Mechanics

Asymmetric Player Powers – Oda Nobunaga and Tomoe Gozen have completely different decks and strategies.

Card-Driven Combat – Attacks and defences are resolved using cards rather than dice.

Hand Management – Decide when to use your strongest cards and when to conserve resources.

Tactical Movement – Positioning your hero and sidekicks can determine whether your abilities trigger.

Flanking – Oda's Honor Guard can surround opposing fighters to activate special card effects.

Attack of Opportunity – Tomoe Gozen can punish opposing heroes for leaving her zone.

Sidekicks – Oda's two Honor Guard give him additional fighters and tactical options.

Variable Player Powers – Learning how each fighter's deck works is central to mastering Unmatched.

Games Like Unmatched: Sun’s Origin

If you enjoy Sun’s Origin, you may also like:

• Unmatched: Robin Hood vs Bigfoot – Ranged attacks and sidekick tactics against a powerful melee fighter.

• Unmatched: Little Red Riding Hood vs Beowulf – Two highly asymmetric fighters with distinctive card mechanics.

• Unmatched: Bruce Lee vs Muhammad Ali – A fast two-player duel featuring two legendary fighters.

• Unmatched: Battle of Legends Volume 1 – Four iconic characters using the core Unmatched system.

• Unmatched: Battle of Legends Volume 2 – Another collection of unique heroes and play styles.

• Dice Throne – Competitive character combat with asymmetric abilities and tactical card play.

Game Information

Feature	Details
Game	Unmatched: Sun’s Origin
Players	2
Playing Time	Approx. 20 minutes
Age	9+
Game Type	Tactical Fighting / Card Game
Series	Unmatched
Heroes	Oda Nobunaga & Tomoe Gozen
Sidekicks	2 Honor Guard
Battlefield	Azuchi Castle
Publisher	IELLO / Restoration Games
Designers	Rob Daviau & Justin D. Jacobson
Illustrator	Yuta Onoda
Release	Spring 2024
UK RRP	£27.99

IELLO lists Sun’s Origin for 2 players, ages 9+ and approximately 20 minutes, with a Spring 2024 release. Asmodee UK currently lists the UK edition at £27.99 RRP.

What's Included?

The box contains:

• 2 hero miniatures – Oda Nobunaga and Tomoe Gozen

• 60 action cards – 30 per hero

• 2 character cards

• 2 Honor Guard sidekick tokens

• 4 health dials

• 1 game board featuring Azuchi Castle

• 1 core rulebook

• 1 set rulebook

The official IELLO and Restoration Games rulebooks confirm the complete component list. Oda Nobunaga has three health dials covering himself and his two Honor Guard, while Tomoe Gozen has one.

FAQ

Is Unmatched: Sun’s Origin a standalone game?

Yes. The box contains everything required for a complete two-player game between Oda Nobunaga and Tomoe Gozen.

How many players is it?

Sun’s Origin is designed for 2 players.

How long does it take to play?

A typical game takes around 20 minutes.

What age is it suitable for?

IELLO recommends the game for ages 9 and up.

Who are the characters in Sun’s Origin?

The set features Oda Nobunaga and Tomoe Gozen, two legendary figures from Japanese history and literature.

Can the characters fight heroes from other Unmatched sets?

Yes. Sun’s Origin follows the standard Unmatched system, allowing its heroes to battle compatible fighters from other sets.

What makes Oda Nobunaga different?

Oda commands two Honor Guard sidekicks and uses positioning and flanking to trigger powerful card effects.

What makes Tomoe Gozen different?

Tomoe is a relentless close-range fighter whose Attack of Opportunity can damage an opposing hero when they leave her zone.

Does Unmatched use dice?

No. Combat is primarily card-driven, with players choosing attack and defence cards and using their effects to influence the battle.

Buy Unmatched: Sun’s Origin

Bring two legendary Japanese warriors to the battlefield in Unmatched: Sun’s Origin.

Command Oda Nobunaga and his Honor Guard to outmanoeuvre your opponent, or take control of Tomoe Gozen and relentlessly pursue your prey. With fast games, distinctive abilities and plenty of tactical depth, every battle offers a new challenge.

Order Unmatched: Sun’s Origin from Roll The Dice Cornwall and add Oda Nobunaga and Tomoe Gozen to your Unmatched collection.