The Advanced Battlefield creates a new layer to the duel by adding strategy during the setup phase. Players will have the option to choose where their samurai start on the battlefield and which stance they would like to use to begin the battle. All other rules for gameplay are the same once setup is completed.

The standard setup steps occur for Action Cards, Ability Cards, and Special Attack Cards as described earlier in the rules. After those steps are completed, the players will finish setting up their samurai on the battlefield using the following process:

1. Each player’s samurai are placed in the last spot in the area matching the color of their samurai on the advanced battlefield, furthest from their opponent.

2. To choose the Stance and Position of their samurai, each player places 2 Action Cards facedown in the same way as a standard round.

   1. The first card is to select the stance of the samurai, and each player will need to play either High Strike to start their samurai in Heaven Stance, or Low Strike to start their Samurai in Earth Stance.

   2. The second card is to select the starting position of their samurai on the battlefield, and each player will need to play one of the following movement cards: Charge, Approach, or Retreat.

1. Players reveal the facedown cards simultaneously. 

   1. If they chose to play High Strike then their Samurai begins in Heaven Stance. If they choose Low Strike, then their Samurai begins the game in Earth Stance.

   2. If they chose Charge or Approach, they move their Samurai that distance from the starting location. If they chose Retreat then their Samurai does not move and starts in the furthest location in their chosen stance.

2. The order of the cards does not matter and all setup happens simultaneously.

3. Once both players have revealed both cards and have finished their setup with their samurai in the stances and locations that they selected then the first round can begin following all other standard gameplay rules.

Optional Advanced Battlefield Rule 

If a player moves or is moved backwards onto the position on the battlefield behind their starting area marked with their opponent’s color then they are defeated immediately. This rule is meant as a flavorful way to add to the feeling of fighting on a cliff’s edge and risking a fall with every step. If players use this optional rule and Push it makes the battle of position on the battlefield even more important and deadly.