Battle Box is a fast paced, mini version of L5R for two players that can be played in as little as five to ten minutes a game. The general structure is the same as a regular game of L5R with a few key differences.

To set up the game, shuffle each deck and place them in the center, one on each side of the rings. Both players will draw conflict cards and refill provinces from these two shared decks. Each player starts the game by taking two face down dynasty cards, and drawing two conflict cards. These dyansty cards exist in blank 4 skill provinces. Either player loses the game when both provinces are broken. Each player starts at five honor. Unlike a regular game of L5R, you win the game at ten honor instead. Each player gains four fate per a turn. Passing fate and ring fate is used as normal. Discard piles are shared. Any card that refers to either your or your opponents discard pile will work on cards discard by both players.