4 Best Bushido Faction Starter Sets (June 2026) Expert Reviews

If you are looking to get into Bushido Risen Sun, the tabletop skirmish game from GCT Studios set in a fantasy version of feudal Japan, picking the right faction is where the journey begins. The best Bushido faction starter sets give you everything you need to start playing: resin miniatures, profile cards, and a ready-to-field warband straight out of the box.

I have spent months researching and comparing the available faction starter sets for Bushido, looking at model counts, included components, playstyles, and how beginner-friendly each one is. Whether you want to command rebel samurai, summon horrors from the void, or collect the most figures for your investment, this guide will help you find the right match.

In this guide, we break down four of the best Bushido faction starter sets available right now. We cover what each box contains, who each set suits best, and what to consider before committing to your first faction.

Top 3 Picks for Bushido Faction Starter Sets

4 Best Bushido Faction Starter Sets in 2026

1. Shiho Clan Faction Starter Set – Best Entry Point for New Players

The Shiho Clan Faction Starter Set is the box I would hand to anyone who asks where to start with Bushido. This set gives you five resin miniatures on 30mm bases along with eleven full colour cards, which is everything you need to field a complete warband right away.

What makes the Shiho Clan stand out for beginners is its straightforward playstyle. The rebel samurai theme is easy to grasp conceptually: you have disciplined warriors with clear combat roles. The eleven cards include profile cards for each model plus theme cards that define your faction abilities. You can sit down, read through the cards, and have a functional understanding of your warband within minutes.

The models themselves are solid resin castings with good detail. Assembly is required, and the miniatures arrive unpainted, so you will need hobby glue and paint to get them table-ready. From my experience with Bushido resin, the detail quality on the Shiho sculpts holds up well once painted, with clean weapon details and expressive poses that make each figure feel distinct.

One thing to keep in mind is that this set does not include the Bushido Risen Sun rulebook. You will need to pick that up separately, or grab the two-player starter set if you want rules included. But if you already have access to the rules, the Shiho Clan box is the most cost-effective way to get a full faction on the table.

Who Should Pick the Shiho Clan Starter Set

The Shiho Clan is ideal for players who want a balanced, no-nonsense introduction to Bushido. If you like the idea of commanding samurai warriors with clear tactical roles and want a faction that teaches you the core mechanics without overwhelming complexity, this is your starting point.

It is also a strong choice if you plan to grow your collection over time. The Shiho Clan has a wide range of expansion blisters and themed warbands available, so your initial investment feeds naturally into a larger army.

Things to Watch Out For

The main drawback is the assembly requirement. If you are new to miniature hobbies, expect to spend a few hours cleaning mold lines, gluing parts together, and painting before you can play. The set does not include glue, paints, or brushes. Also, with only one customer review on Amazon, community feedback is limited, though the Bushido community rates Shiho highly as a starter faction.

2. Open Rebellion – Shiho Themed Warband – Best for Expanded Gameplay

The Open Rebellion set is essentially the Shiho Clan on steroids. Instead of five miniatures, you get seven, and instead of eleven cards, you get sixteen. This themed warband is designed for players who want more tactical depth from the start and are willing to invest a bit more to get it.

Having two extra models might not sound like much, but in a skirmish game like Bushido where every activation matters, those additional figures open up entirely new strategies. You can field more specialized roles, run flanking maneuvers with dedicated models, or bring in support units that synergize with your core fighters. The sixteen cards give you more theme cards and profile options, which translates directly into more interesting decisions during gameplay.

The model quality matches the standard Shiho Clan aesthetic. These are the same rebel samurai designs but with expanded unit types that give the warband more tactical flexibility. The red and black color scheme on the packaging reflects the rebellious nature of this particular theme, and painting these models with that aggressive palette really makes them pop on the tabletop.

I appreciate that this set bridges the gap between a basic starter and a full 100-rice warband. The faction starter sets from GCT Studios typically sit around 70 rice points, and this themed warband pushes that slightly higher while still being manageable for newer players who have a few games under their belt.

Who Should Pick the Open Rebellion Warband

This set is perfect if you already know you want to play Shiho Clan and prefer starting with a larger, more versatile force rather than building up incrementally. It saves you money compared to buying the basic starter plus expansion blisters separately.

It is also a good fit for experienced miniatures gamers who are adding Bushido to their rotation. If you are comfortable with assembly and painting, the extra models and cards provide immediate tactical variety that keeps the first dozen games interesting.

Things to Watch Out For

Since there are no customer reviews yet for this specific product, you are buying based on the GCT Studios reputation and the Shiho Clan community feedback. The higher price point compared to the basic starter means you should be confident you want to commit to the Shiho Clan before picking this up. And as with all Bushido sets, the rulebook is sold separately.

3. The Void Themed War Band – Best for Horror Theme Enthusiasts

The Void is where Bushido takes a sharp turn into horror territory. This themed warband packs seven miniatures on 30mm bases and an impressive twenty full colour cards, making it the most card-rich faction starter in the lineup. If you want a faction that plays completely differently from the samurai clans, this is it.

What drew me to The Void is how its mechanics break the standard Bushido formula. Where other factions focus on disciplined combat and honorable duels, The Void introduces fear-based mechanics, supernatural abilities, and summoning that can shift the battlefield in unexpected ways. The twenty cards reflect this complexity, giving you more theme cards and special abilities to manage during games.

The blue and white color scheme described on the packaging is interesting because it creates a cold, ethereal look that fits the horror theme perfectly. When painted with pale blues, ghostly whites, and touches of spectral green, these models create an unsettling presence on the table that matches their gameplay identity.

At roughly 6.4 ounces, the set has decent weight for resin miniatures. The horror theme means the sculpt designs are more varied and expressive than standard samurai kits, with twisted otherworldly forms and supernatural elements that make painting them genuinely enjoyable. These models reward careful painting with washes and layering to bring out their eerie details.

Who Should Pick The Void War Band

The Void is the right choice if you are drawn to horror aesthetics and want a faction that plays unconventionally. Players who enjoy control-based strategies, psychological warfare mechanics, and having more special abilities than their opponent will find a lot to love here.

This set also appeals strongly to painters and collectors. The unique sculpt designs make The Void models stand out in any display case, and the horror theme gives you creative freedom with color palettes that samurai factions simply do not offer.

Things to Watch Out For

The Void has a steeper learning curve than the Shiho Clan. Managing twenty cards and understanding fear mechanics requires more experience with the Bushido rules system. I would not recommend this as your very first Bushido purchase unless you are an experienced tabletop gamer who picks up new rule systems quickly. Also, stock is typically limited to one or two units on Amazon, so availability can be inconsistent.

4. Path of a Thousand Names Themed Warband – Best for Collectors and Large Armies

The Path of a Thousand Names themed warband stands out immediately with eight figures, making it the largest model count among the Bushido faction starter sets we reviewed. If you want maximum models on the table from your first purchase, this set delivers more figures per dollar than any other option.

What makes this warband particularly interesting is the mixed material construction. Unlike the pure resin sets, this one uses both metal and resin components, which gives each model a different heft and feel. Metal parts tend to hold sharper detail on weapons and small elements, while resin captures flowing robes and organic shapes beautifully. This combination creates a warband with visual variety straight from the manufacturer.

The blue, white, and red color scheme suggested on the packaging provides a striking palette for painters. I found that this three-color approach makes batch painting efficient: base coat the robes in one color, the armor in another, and use the third for accents and details. The result is a cohesive warband that looks unified on the table without requiring dozens of different paint colors.

At roughly 3.2 ounces total, the set is lighter than you might expect for eight figures, which suggests some models are smaller or more delicately posed than the chunky samurai sculpts in other sets. This lighter weight also makes them easier to transport for tournament play or gaming nights at your local store.

Who Should Pick the Path of a Thousand Names Warband

This set is ideal for collectors who want the most figures possible from a single purchase. If you enjoy painting batches of models and want a warband that looks impressive in numbers on the tabletop, eight figures gives you that impact immediately.

It is also worth considering if you plan to play at higher point values. The Bushido community notes that standard faction starters run around 70 rice points, while larger warbands push toward 100 rice. Having eight models from the start means you are closer to that expanded play level without buying additional blisters.

Things to Watch Out For

The mixed metal and resin construction means you will need different glues and possibly different painting techniques for different models in the same set. Super glue works for resin, but metal parts may need pinning for secure joins. If you are new to miniature assembly, this adds complexity compared to all-resin kits. Also, the manufacturer part number GCTBSM036 suggests this may be a newer release, so community tactics and army lists are still developing.

How to Choose the Right Bushido Faction Starter Sets?

Picking the best Bushido faction starter set comes down to three factors: your experience level, your preferred playstyle, and how much assembly work you are willing to do. Here is how I recommend thinking through the decision.

Consider Your Experience Level

If this is your first Bushido purchase, the Shiho Clan Faction Starter Set is the safest bet. Its straightforward samurai mechanics teach you the core rules without burying you in special abilities and complex interactions. You can learn the game fundamentals, then expand into themed warbands later.

Experienced tabletop gamers can jump straight into the themed warbands like Open Rebellion or The Void. These sets offer more tactical depth and unique mechanics that experienced players will appreciate from game one. The extra complexity will not feel overwhelming if you already know your way around a skirmish game.

Factor in the Hidden Costs

Every Bushido faction starter set arrives unpainted and unassembled. None of them include glue, paints, brushes, or the core rulebook. The Bushido Risen Sun rulebook is a separate purchase, and it is essential for playing the game. You will also want action dice and game tokens, though the official Bushido Risen Sun Token Set (135 double-sided tokens) covers both players for most scenarios.

When budgeting, factor in hobby supplies and the rulebook alongside the starter set price. The total investment is higher than the box price alone, but this is standard for the miniature gaming hobby.

Think About Army Growth

The Bushido community consistently recommends starting with two different faction starter sets to try contrasting playstyles. All faction starter boxes sit around 70 rice points, which makes them balanced against each other for learning games. Starting with Shiho Clan and one other faction gives you variety and lets you introduce friends to the game with a matched pair of forces.

From there, GCT Studios offers individual blisters and expansion packs for each faction. The Shiho Clan has the deepest catalog of additional models, followed by the Cult of Yurei and Savage Wave. If long-term collecting matters to you, factions with more expansion options provide better value over time.

Playstyle Match Guide

Shiho Clan rewards disciplined positioning and coordinated strikes. Think of them as the balanced, reliable faction that does everything well without relying on gimmicks.

The Void thrives on psychological mechanics and unconventional strategies. If you enjoy surprising your opponent and creating chaotic board states, the horror-themed faction delivers that experience.

The Path of a Thousand Names warband offers numerical superiority with eight models. More figures means more activations per turn, which translates to more tactical flexibility and board control.

FAQs

Final Thoughts on the Best Bushido Faction Starter Sets

After comparing all four sets, the Shiho Clan Faction Starter Set remains my top recommendation for most players. It offers the best balance of model count, card variety, and beginner-friendly mechanics at a competitive price point. The rebel samurai theme is accessible, and the faction has deep expansion options for long-term collectors.

For players who want more tactical depth right away, the Open Rebellion Shiho Warband adds two extra models and five more cards for expanded gameplay. Horror fans should look at The Void Themed War Band for its unique mechanics and striking aesthetic. And collectors who prioritize model count will find the Path of a Thousand Names warband delivers eight figures in a single box.

Whichever faction you choose, remember that all Bushido starter sets require separate purchase of the rulebook and hobby supplies. Take your time assembling and painting your first warband, because the quality of these GCT Studios resin miniatures really shines with careful preparation. The best Bushido faction starter sets are the ones that get you excited to build, paint, and play.