"Take up the twin swords of a fierce bushi, command the mystical powers a shugenja, or brave the tangled political webs of a courtier. The Emerald Empire is a land of conflict, danger and intrigue. Face the horrors of the malevolent Shadowlands or dare the endless internal conflicts that threaten each day to tear a fragile empire apart. This is a land where the skilled and daring win glory greater than they could ever dream. A land where honor is a force stronger than steel."
The game contains:
- A quick and easy rule set. Unlike the Second Edition, which uses a system of rolling your skill and keeping your attribute, the third edition of Legend of the Five Rings uses a roll your skill and attribute and keep your attribute system.
- A detailed look at each clan from the Empire.
- Over forty different schools.
- The game also parallel the metaplot of the CCG by the same name.