Let's Play: Shogun 2 Total War

[Parrhesia]

I'll use the example given in the OP and lay claim to the archers. Ferry's Arrer Boyz will rape what they sow. Or something.

...Gah.

[IGdood]

Okay Furetchen. :D

Archer Monks or Archer Samurai? Monks have insanely high morale and accuracy, the samurai have somewhat insanely high accuracy and some more survivability but not by much.

[Parrhesia]

Samurai. Definitely the samurai.

[IGdood]

This is the Ninja agent. He can open gates to enemy castles, assassinate family members of other clans, assassinate other agents, spy for you, poison an army's food and water so they take some casualties and lose the ability to move, blow up buildings in enemy settlements, and attach to your armies to improve sight range. In other words, they do your dirty work. If they fail in a mission, they have a chance of escaping alive. If they get caught, expect other clans to start hating you for using dirty tactics (as if they don't use it themselves) and your honour rating will start to plummet.

Hojo seems to have fallen. Looks like their castles didn't protect them.

I've mastered the Way of the Bow. Now archers will be even more effective...i think.

The Shoni, being the pain in the ass dicks that they are, decide to blockade Nanban trade port in Bungo. Given the size of that navy. I need to start building my own.

Imperial Tribute? I guess I should pay up...

I make my way back to the trade node the Shoni kicked my trade ships out of. It has already been taken by the Imagawa. Dammit.

I recruit a ninja in the meantime.

Way of the Spear mastered. Now all spear units will have +1 defense.

Naruto...I mean...the ninja makes his way to Buzen, looking for opportunities to cause chaos.

Takeda has fallen. With all these major clans falling, it seems like its the minor clans who are staying alive.

I move to the other trade node on the bottom left of the map, and I spot undefended Shoni trade ships. Time to attack!

This is a naval battle. You may recall the one and only naval battle I fought in my Empire Total War LP. Anyways, nobody has cannons now, so no broadsides and all that. Instead, we have two types of units on each boat: Seamen and Marines. Marines have bows and will shoot at the crew on other ships as long as they're in range. Seamen either row the boats or pull out katanas and other weapons during boarding actions. Unlike Empire Total War, since your boats are powered by oars instead of sail, you can give the finger to the wind.

In this case, the small ships are called Bow Kobayas. They're fast, they have a lot of archers on them, and they can shoot flaming arrows. The bigger ships are trade ships. They have extremely poor combat ability and that's pretty much it.

Close up of the Bow Kobaya.

Enemy ships spotted! Let's head straight for them. I can care less about facing since we don't have broadside attacks here.

I attempt to set the enemy ships on fire. Setting ships on fire causes heavy damage if left unchecked and it drops morale like Raven drops his sword on enemies. In other words, do it if given the opportunity.

Unfortunately fires can be put out.

Boarding enemy ships means you'll be abandoning ranged attacks in favor of sending the whole crew into a melee fest. Some ships are made specifically to board other ships. If a boarding action is successful and the enemy vessel surrenders, then you'll have captured that ship. This can be useful when the Europeans start showing up around the place, and you can attempt to capture their cannon-using ships for your own purposes.

There isn't much to see right now...

Let's take a step back and just admire the sky for a moment.

A victory, and I've managed to capture both trade ships. Saves me the time and money needed to construct them.

Quickly now, I send the damaged and de-crewed trade ships back to my docks for repairs, while the healthy ships will move on to the trade node. Incense GET.

Anyone who loves Empire Total War will love these guys. And yes, they HAVE FIRE BY RANK TROLOLOL.

Another son!

I decide to grind some experience for my ninja. Sabotage that army!

It works, and he levels up. I put points into assassination.

And I give him a retainer....yeah...ninjas have them too.

The Takeda return!

Trade ships are back in business.

I had Tadazumi clear out a few annoying raiders lurking in my provinces. He ranks up and I put points into skills that make him a better commander.

Way of the Sword GET. I think it's a +1 attack for katana-wielding units....Also I can upgrade my sword dojos to produce NoDachi Samurai.

I'm proud of Tadazumi...and he only just hit 30...

I just realized Tsukushi specializes in philosophical tradition....

[IGdood]

As I was saying, Tsukushi is a place of learning, therefore I've decided to upgrade the school there into a library. Gotta research faster, its an arms race like the Cold War.

Urban Migration? I have plenty of food, so I think more people can go be merchants and such....

I think my navies need more experienced units. I have enough income, so I've decided to build a Pirate Lair in Bungo.

Yoshihisa's had a long enough break. I move him out of Hyuga and have him wait at the borders of Buzen.

Apparently ministering to the population gives experience to monks, and mine levels up. I put points into his ability to inspire things....and I forgot to take a screenie.

I'm cool with that.

Bungo seems to be turning into the Vegas//shithole of my clan. I'm building a Gambling Hall there...and a Pirate Lair...and those unwashed Europeans....sheesh. And its earning me quite an amount of money.

I've neglected to upgrade my Forts until....now.

After I feel that I've acquired a decent-sized navy, I decide to break free of the blockade the Shoni have put on Bungo.

This is a Medium Bune, a floating mini-fortress of sorts. Its well-rounded, which is both its strength and weakness.

I put all my bunes in the center and have the kobayas screen the flanks. The weather is foggy, forcing me to zoom in to actually be able to see what the hell is going on.

Suddenly, I encounter an unknown Shoni ship. Closer inspection says its a Sengoku Bune. And its fucking fast...and its fucking armed to the teeth with seamen...and its...gonna..fucking..board....OH SHIT GET AWAY

Shit promptly hits the fan as morale drops....and my admiral takes an arrow to the head. See that gravestone where his portrait used to be? Yeah, he's dead.

And that fucking Sengoku Bune...its like a lightning-fast melee ship.

My medium bunes are pretty much floating ducks. I regroup my kobaya and decide to lead the other Shoni ships on a wild goose chase.

Luckily, the kobaya are faster than that Sengoku Bune by a little bit, so they can't get caught in a boarding action. I spam fire arrows as much as I can.

I realize that defeat is a huge possibility, but I'll stick around for a moment to see what happens.

Burn you motherfucker BURN.

Unfortunately, the Sengoku Bune manages to hook onto one of my kobaya while it was turning, and I know I'm outclassed and need to face defeat.

I give the command to withdraw. No use throwing my outclassed ships at those wooden fortresses.

The first defeat in this campaign is a naval defeat....

Yoshihisa gathers a rather experienced army of some samurai and ashigaru. Note the matchlocks.

So much for the Imagawa. This can also mean that the previously occupied trade node is now free.

I decide to test out the matchlocks. However...that army is pure cavalry....

This is how matchlock ashigaru look like in-game.

Bow and gun march side by side.

Cavalry suffer heavy penalties while fighting in forests, so I dismount my general. That way he can have some more survivability.

Once again, I put my ranged units in the front. I think the enemy cavalry will get bogged down enough that they will retreat in time.

OPEN FIRE. Okay, I got a poorly-timed screenshot. I'll take better pics of the matchlocks in the future.

Once again, I see a group of flankers. I run my yari samurai to the edges.

The archers retreat in time. The matchlocks...however....

And while the matchlock get pwned, the yari samurai do some pwning of their own.

Yo Integ, who has the better capes? The bodyguards or the pandours?

It's a victory, but I wished I used the Matchlocks better.

I have Yoshihisa return to Bungo so he can avoid attrition and get some healing.

I decide to take another look at my family tree. Yoshihisa has a son, and....well...hey look a button to convert to Christianity...not gonna press it.

Mastered Heaven and Earth. This allows me to build structures called Encampments, which improve the rate troops are replenished. They can be further upgraded to give bonuses to troops trained in its respective region.

[General Herpus Derpus]

MOAR UPDATES ARE REQUIRED!

Also did you get dem bombers yet?

[IGdood]

MOAR UPDATES ARE REQUIRED!

Also did you get dem bombers yet?

Sorry I was busy writing and posting XD

And yes.

It appears that the target age when a child comes of age is varied. Yoshihisa came of age at 14. Yoshihiro is coming of age at 22...I believe.

Quite the looker? I don't know, man.

I decide to send him to Hizen where he will await further orders.

I send a lone kobaya to scout out the other trade spots. Let's see what we find.

Finally managed to get a No-Dachi Dojo. No-Dachi Samurai are pretty much the berzerkers of Shogun 2 Total War. They have off the chart attack and charge bonus, but an extremely shitty defense. They will fall even faster than Pegasus Knights against ranged weapons.

Also managed to build an archery dojo....in Osumi.

Ooh, interesting dilemma. Since I'm not gonna be in a battle soon, I think giving a bonus to farming is the best choice.

Bungo is really like Las Vegas/Macao now.

I attach a ninja to Yoshihisa's army for the lulz.

Well...Furetchen can finally get his archers....in Osumi.

Out of boredom I also upgrade a market to a rice exchange in Hyuga.

I'm a bit suspicious there may be a ninja hanging about my lands, so I recruit a Metsuke. Metsuke are your anti-ninjas. They can detect ninjas, protect your towns and armies from sabotage, arrest ninjas and have them executed, and bribe enemy armies and settlements for a chance to join your forces, resolving conflicts with money.

I occupy the trading area with China. I get silk...which I need for....I don't know...I'm not far into the tech tree yet.

And suddenly out of nowhere, the Hattori ninja clan show up.

They're unfriendly to me because I dishonoured a treaty. I don't get it. Maybe I helped out an enemy of theirs in some way?

They grudgingly accept a trade agreement anyways.

The Leech's Bomb Throwers are ready for combat.

Annnnd Yoshihiro's getting married. His wife...is...quite....productive.

Form GET. All infantry units run 2% faster LOLWUT...and some other bonus which I forgot.

Hooray, it's Toshihisa's turn to come of age.

Seems like the rest of Japan is starting to take notice of us. I should stop expanding before the Shogun decides to give me hell. I better make alliances quickly. I think the Chosokabe would like to be allies with the Shimazu.

Yoshihisa takes Buzen. Autoresolved because there wasn't anyone. There wasn't an option for me to make the Shoni my vassal, so I assume they still have a province somewhere?

So...this is why the Shoni managed to field such a navy. A fletcher. It produces a crapton of luxury goods which is useful for trade. Maybe I should train archers from this province? They get such a huge accuracy boost.

The Date contact me for a trade agreement. I accept.

So..Buzen has some pretty advanced buildings for producing the Great Guard cavalry, one of the best in the game.

I'm proud of my income.

I think I'm gonna recruit Samurai Archers as well as Archer Monks. The monks will be the perfect rival for Furetchen's samurai archers...heheheh

I send my Metsuke out of the coast to have a look-see at what's there. No, that emblem does not belong to the Shoni...but to the...umm...I forgot that clan's name...

Apparently there's way too many Christians in Buzen. My new mission is to make it Buddhist again. Time for MONK.

Hmm...what's this? Something out of the Pirates of the Caribbean? I don't think I'm well-armed enough to take it...unfortunately. I can't even find it.

That, my friends, is how Warrior Monks look like in-game.

My kobaya scouts out some more.....the northernmost trade node is occupied by the Satake. i think they're one of my trade partners...

Edited March 19, 2011 by skitarii

[Parrhesia]

The Arrer Boyz are selected exclusively from the streets. Amongst them, only those with the most inexplicably Cockney accents are respected enough to act as standard bearers and commanders.

[General Herpus Derpus]

Those monks are like ninjas except in white.

What will you do when you get gangbanged?

[Rewjeo]

Can I have those monk warrior archers?

How old is everyone at this point?

[IGdood]

The Arrer Boyz are selected exclusively from the streets. Amongst them, only those with the most inexplicably Cockney accents are respected enough to act as standard bearers and commanders.

Indeed, you'll see them in this update.

Those monks are like ninjas except in white.

What will you do when you get gangbanged?

Gangbanged? I'm sure I can pay my way to get an ally or two...hopefully.

Can I have those monk warrior archers?

How old is everyone at this point?

Yes you may. I also forgot that besides fire arrows, they can also shoot whistling arrows, which demoralize enemies heavily.

I think the sons are entering their 30s. Tadazumi is approaching 40. The old father is 50-something.

Warning: The next few updates contain no battles whatsoever. I am simply turtling and teching up.

My Metsuke looks around and finds that the Ouchi (ouchies?) clan is our next door neighbor. Indeed, the Shoni are no more. I send him back to the border town.

Another son, another future general.

True to the Shimazu tradition, I've unlocked another tier of swordsmanship.

However, I shift priorities for a bit and focus on the shinobi line of buildings.

Huh? Why can't I trade anymore? Oh..they're all dead, that's why.

Remember Higo, the horse province. Well I found a pretty nice building that can make its cavalry even stronger.

Ho shit wtf? Apparently the Date are building this legendary horse producing dojo.

Fuck you, Hattori. I don't need you.

Arrer Boyz? Here you go Furetchen.

Hello Korea, no Kpop today?

Now I can upgrade the Gambling Hall even further.

Hmm...what's a little gold when I can convert some people?

Hmm, looks like the Hattori now own Suo.....

Moving on to Horse Mastery....the arms race continues.

Fufufufufu, I upgraded the Gambling Hall in Bungo to a Criminal Syndicate. Now I can train Kisho Battlefield Ninja.

Hooray for money. PROFIT.

I have a very hard time memorizing Japanese names, I don't know why.

I send old man ninja (he's in his mid 40s) to scout out beyond the island.

Bah. Date gets the first legendary building built. We Shimazu will catch up.....soon.

Because I was bored and the Hattori broke the trade agreement with me, I order my ninja to blow up their food supply of Suo. Take that, bastards.

And somewhere out of the blue, the Wako pirates attack one of my trading fleets. I should've pressed retreat, but for some reason I clicked on the option to fight the battle personally.

It's a really fucking cold day.

My kobaya easily handle their trade ships....well...sorta.

Until their medium bune show up...then I know things are getting rough. I try to keep my distance, but those bune archers are many.

Flaming arrows dammit!

It doesn't go too well. They have numbers on their side. I order a withdrawal.

Even though they made it out safely, I still end up losing the entire fleet because they had nowhere else to go on the campaign map. Fuck.

I also just noticed that I can build some more advanced ships. This is a bomb kobaya. Its like the Bow Kobaya, but it lobs bombs.

And this is that Sengoku Bune.

Since the Wako pirates are still sticking around I'm going to send my battle fleet after them.

Ninja keeps scouting and finds....oh my. This whole area is controlled by the Hattori.

And being the vengeful teenager that I am I order assassination.

The pirates, seemingly foolhardy, have decided to blockade a port. They' really want to die eh?

I find that I can also recruit yari cavalry now. Yari cavalry are anti-cavalry cavalry. They're useful in escorting your ranged units and charging cavalry who are charging your flanks...

Death to all pirates!

Edited March 20, 2011 by skitarii

[IGdood]

Bune in the center, kobaya on the flanks. My plan is to have the bune go full speed ahead and ram shit, while the kobaya perform flanking maneuvers. Shouldn't be too hard to execute.

Dragovich. Krevchenko. Wako. All. Must.. Die. <-- I hope someone gets this reference.

Kobaya going full speed ahead...

CHAAARRRGE FIRE ALL ARROWS

Burn in hell, Wako!

Brace for boarders, bune!

Friendly fire, punny.

Really nice loot too. I managed to get their ships.

Which I then send back to the ports for repairing.

In the meantime, I recruit some No-Dachi samurai and Yari Cavalry.

Emperor wants tribute....eeeh why not?

These are the Kisho Battlefield Ninja. Few in number, awesome stats. Plus they can stay hidden whereever they go and throw flashbangs...err I mean blinding grenades to fuck up their victims.

And my ninja continues to screw over the Hattori.

All grown up, Toshihisa is getting married.

Mastered Horse Mastery, redundant redundancy. Now I can construct that Legendary Batjutsu School too!

I guess not moving my generals is making them lazy....

I can recruit Naginata Samurai, well-rounded infantry who are the lovechild of the yari and katana. They can fight infantry, but katanas do it better. They can beat cavalry, but yari do a better job. They are also extremely heavily armored, able to shrug off arrows and such.

Annnnd Naginata Warrior Monks. They wear a lot less armor, but they have the ability of WarCry. Basically they shout curses and troll superstition which demoralizes any nearby enemies.

Ah, a dilemma. I think I'll invest 2000 to keep those pirates away.

I send in my Monk to troll the Hattori. Unfortunately the mods aren't taking it.

Meanwhile my ninja levels up and I choose a new disguise for him.

Currently building up...an invasion force.

Successful troll is successful.

The rebels then wrest control of the province away from the Hattori. That means I can take it and it won't be a declaration of war to the Hattori. Rather, it is their fauly they failed to secure the province. What a dick move.

Monk proceeds to troll another monk, sending him into retirement.

He levels up, and I give him a new retainer.

Meanwhile, my ninja assassinates another Hattori monk. Trolololol.

A new dilemma...and I choose the agrarian toll option.

Hooray, I build a Legendary Batjutsu Dojo. But since I'm not the first, I don't get high bonuses.

Annnnd I master Kenjutsu Mastery. Now I can finally build the highest tier of Katana buildings.

The Chosokabe and Hattori are at each other's throats. I'm gonna have to choose a side soon.

This is the Legendary Kenjutsu School I've unlocked. With it built, I can finally train a Katana Hero, the swordsmaster of this game. He and his retinue can fuck up any infantry unit.

Wow, a lucky opportunity. Hell yes I'll pay up to get +2 experience for all archers trained in the next 10 turns. I train up a new group of warrior monk archers and bow samurai.

Just look at those Arrer Boyz. Level 4 right off the bat and bonus accuracy from the fletching building. Bow Warrior Monks still on the way.

Good things just keep on coming.

Tadazumi...you naughty boy.

[IGdood]

This is my current family tree....

Katana Hero WILL GET

Finally I can shift to the Chi tech tree.

Loool KILL IT WITH FIRE

Just look at that godliness. The only disadvantage is that his retinue only numbers up to 40 men.

Badass motherfucker.

My monk is being a very very nice troll.

Now Leech's grenadiers can be even more effective.

Looks like old man Daimyo is suffering weight gain.

Meanwhile, I ally up with the Chosokabe, pissing off the Hattori. I also marry off Fumiyo, our only daughter.

A few turns later, they ask me to do this for them. I accept.

Our grand army is ready to be transported. It is beginning.

The Green Tide is rising. All of Japan will know of the fury of the Shimazu. We are relentless. UNLEASH THE WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Parrhesia]

Heh heh heh...dese boyz ain't got no clue wot deyse is dealin' wiv.

I mean, um, reputable! Yeah! That's me, arright! I might as well be Typical Archer number three!

[eclipse]

Furet, it's NORMAL Archer Number Three! You shame your retinue!

This Let's Play is quite an interesting read. I'd get it myself, but my computer would die.

[IGdood]

Heh heh heh...dese boyz ain't got no clue wot deyse is dealin' wiv.

I mean, um, reputable! Yeah! That's me, arright! I might as well be Typical Archer number three!

We'ze gonna get the rest of dem gitz. Unfortunately I don't think I can do an impression of Japanese ork-speak

Furet, it's NORMAL Archer Number Three! You shame your retinue!

This Let's Play is quite an interesting read. I'd get it myself, but my computer would die.

Join the LP! Heheheheh. Revive the chainsaw brigade! Katana cavalry do exist, not just the yari-wielding bunch.

[Parrhesia]

We'ze gonna get the rest of dem gitz. Unfortunately I don't think I can do an impression of Japanese ork-speak.

[spoiler=rambling]I play O&G in WH Fantasy.

Only 10 Arrer Boyz but FUCK IT I MADE THE EFFORT and the current models are too expensive to be more than what the next batch of plastic orcs needs to look like.

6th Edition Plastics~

But, um, yeah! Show them ninja gitz the right end ov a choppa!

Edited March 20, 2011 by Furetchen

[Integrity]

Pandours still have better cloaks.

Dammit, Tarii. You make this game look awesome and make me feel like a moron for skipping it.

[eclipse]

Hmm, all right. . .but if I'm lucky enough to get a calvary unit, they're the Pineapple Huggers.

Edited March 20, 2011 by eclipse

[IGdood]

Pandours still have better cloaks.

Dammit, Tarii. You make this game look awesome and make me feel like a moron for skipping it.

(persuade} You will buy this, now.

Sorry bout that, at least you know if you buy it now then it'll be worth the money. Also, Gamestop is selling the limited edition for the same price as the regular edition. The Hattori clan are actually limited edition material.

Hmm, all right. . .but if I'm lucky enough to get a calvary unit, they're the Pineapple Huggers.

Sure =)

Sorry for the lack of constant updates today. I was playing Dragon Age 2 as well as Pokemon Black.

So here's something to throw at you guys and gal/s.

Previously on Shogun 2 Total War, Yoshihisa was on a boat, allegedly it was heard he was telling people to look at him, including Poseidon. (unconfirmed) He will establish a foothold starting with the rebel province of Suo.

Meanwhile, old man daimyo Takahisa recruits a second assault force and will be ready to backup his beloved son in several seasons' time.

Here's a pic of Katana Cavalry, basically anti-infantry heavy cavalry, except for yari-armed units. They're a bit better adapted for prolonged melee against infantry, being armed with katanas. They also use them two-handed, on horseback no less. Rumors abound of an especially elite force of katana cavalry known as the Pineapple Huggers will be joining Daimyo Takahisa's 2nd Divine Wave Army after his son conquers Suo.

Yoshihisa lands in Suo. While it is possible to simply walk over from Buzen, the territory of the Amako clan stands in the way. I don't wish to incite a war with them just yet, as the Hattori might slam against my invasion force and I'd prefer not to fight a war on both fronts even though I am economically capable of such an action. Suo is currently a rebel province thanks to my monk, and attacking rebels doesn't affect anything diplomatically.

Just a pic of Naginata Warrior Monks, they might show up in our armies.

Yoshihisa goes for a siege assault on Suo. My ninja had already sabotaged the castle gates, so we can just walk right in and have ourselves a massacre. Of course, since they have archers, I'll send in the yari ashigaru first to take a few arrows in the face.

I've split my attacking forces into two groups. None of our forumer's units will be fighting in this battle.

Since cavalry is pretty useless in a siege battle I dismount my yari cavalry to get myself some instant yari samurai (with a lot less defense). They'll accompany the yari ashigaru to take arrows in the face.

On the other side of the rebel fort will be my sword units, mainly the No-Dachi and katana samurai. No katana hero here, he's too valuable for this.

"I'm ready to die for my master!"

The rebels run around in the castle, to what purpose I don't know.

Here's a pic of the Bomb Throwers and the Kisho Ninja. They get to sit this one out.

The rebel archers are facing the katana troops. I move up some bow ashigaru to soften them up with flaming arrows while the assault groups make their advance.

None shall stop the green tide! Onwards!

The officer is the first to head in. Brave man, he is.

Ha, those archers have their backs turned to us. CUT 'EM DOWN.

Meanwhile, the yari ashigaru get down and dirty and pull out their katanas instead of using their yari.

The yari samurai and no-dachi samurai made it in without resistance. Those rebels are really going to feel this.

TENNHAKU BANZAI

The resulting slaughter is bloody and quick.

Rebel in the middle just received a cut through the belly and is dropping his katana.

Here are a few memorable moments.

See, this is what happens when Furetchen trains your Bow Ashigaru. I can't even begin to think how Rewjeo's Monks and the Arrer Boyz will do.

Suo is ours! The conquest swallows all!

Unfortunately, Suo is in ruins, although it can be quickly rebuilt.

I have my ninja travel eastwards to Aki, where he can sabotage some more gates. Meanwhile, the monk will attempt to incite rebellions.

U mad, Aki?

You have to admit, Iemitsu is a badass grandpa.

Hooray, now the Yari Ashigaru will last a bit longer...or at least future ones will....with the +1 level upon training.

The rebellion overwhelms the Hattori garrison, leaving it for a nice, bloody harvest by the Shimazu.

I notice that Suo has a Nanban Trade Port. I decide to demolish the one in Bungo. Bungo should be a naval base rather than a trading area of matchlock muskets. The Shimazu family is still Buddhist, so I can't upgrade any Nanban Trade Ports anyways.

With Suo's public order stabilized (which only took 1 turn), Yoshihisa is free to attack Aki. I know I'll suffer some attrition, but that's fine.

Meanwhile...old man Daimyo is still gathering forces....

Let's kill.

Rewjeo's Bow Warrior Monks. Yes, some of them are barefoot.

I thought this was a badass pose.

So, on one end of the map, I have the matchlocks, Rewjeo's Bow Monks, and lots of Yari Ashigaru.

The Arrer Boyz and Bomb Throwers will sit this one out too. Their numbers need to be conserved just in case of a counterattack.

Kisho Ninja have an ability that lets them be deployed outside of the regular yellow-line deployment zone. They're usually used in sieges to open up gatehouses or to kill off archers, who usually can't see them due to their ability to Stealth for periods of time. They're assigned with some katana samurai and dismounted yari cavalry, I believe.

The rebel archers are facing the Arrer Boyz, who are not part of the assault force. Stupid.

The music of the game is awesome, I'd advise you guys to look around for it. Here is one of the battle tracks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNjyRrKzyd8

Edited March 21, 2011 by skitarii

[eclipse]

Hmph, nice. Glad my Pineapple Huggers were useful!

[Parrhesia]

The title of that piece of music is...unfortunate.

The piece of music itself makes me require this game.

*goes off to grab Mediaeval 2*

[IGdood]

Hmph, nice. Glad my Pineapple Huggers were useful!

Well those yari cavalry weren't...but they can be inducted if you wish. The actual Huggers are still back with old man Daimyo, not shipped over to Suo yet. I won't treat my forumer's soldiers like meatshields...... heheh.

The title of that piece of music is...unfortunate.

The piece of music itself makes me require this game.

*goes off to grab Mediaeval 2*

Yeah, ironic indeed. It's one of my favorite battle tracks too..... Jeff Van Dyck is a boss. The fact that he responded to my email when I sent him reference music a year ago is even more badass....and that one of the tracks sounded a lot like the reference music makes me feel all giddy inside.

Monks and Guns, FORWARD!

Rewjeo's Monks let loose with a volley of Whistling Arrows. Whistling Arrows do regular damage, but they make a really eerie whistling noise as they fly, which makes both friend and foe who hear it shit bricks. Afterwards I think I told them to use fire arrows.

Seems like all that training is paying off.

Oh, did I mention that the gates were sabotaged before the battle started?

So we just need to walk in there.

The defenders rush to meet my troops at the gates. Since the matchlock can't exactly arch their shots over walls, I make them climb the walls. Hopefully while the defenders are distracted they can commence shooting.

No survivors!

One should not underestimate the power of a generic soldier! Unlike Fire Emblem.

Ah, so the rebels have some yari ronin. Ronin troops appear in rebel armies, basically they're similar to yari samurai. I forgot if they had the same stats. Sometimes when enemy clans fall you can receive a dilemma that allows you to hire ronin troops.

A few matchlocks fall to their deaths, but overall they've mostly made it in.

And...EMPIRE TOTAL WAR TIME FUCKERS

They even have the same animation, ain't that cute?

The rebels immediately lose their will to fight.

Third rank...FIIIIIIIRE!

Meanwhile, ninja and company are busy cutting up whoever's on the other side of the fort.

Matchlock: No bow can match the pow of the teppo (matchlock)!

Arrer Boy: -_- Fakku.

I thought this sequence of screenshots looked epic.

I forgot if I mentioned this, but units actually make facial expressions in combat. This guy's mouth opened a bit when he took a katana to the neck...before grimacing.

Kisho ninja have special killing animations. This particularly unlucky rebel was gutted, kicked in the side, and now he's being pushed to the ground.

The victory is ours. I decide to obtain a vassal, in the form of the long-thought dead Mori clan. With a vassal, I have a tiny buffer between my provinces and the Hattori. This frees me to go conquer the Amako(sp?) which I previously did not want to attack yet for fear of a war on two fronts.

To have seen Yoshihisa since he was 14....now he's a grown man. Well more like grown middle-aged man...

Moving on to the next province....

I further boost up Yoshihisa's combat ability. Perhaps I can hit the final rank someday?

And boosting rally won't hurt.

Here, have some victory music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsK5mifbrCQ

Edited March 21, 2011 by skitarii

[Parrhesia]

Arrer Boy: Fakku.

This makes me think of how I accidentally named my Honourable Archer MU in FE12 'Fuck (indicating childlike)'.

Also, he has an eyepatch~

Also, holy shit my respect for ... ... ... ... ... the makers of these games (Creative Solutions or something?) went up like a thousandfold. Despite already being extremely high.

[IGdood]

Creative Assembly, but yes...they really tried to work hard after how a lot of fans complained about Empire and Napoleon.

Also, Furetchen, if I manage to roll out an Archer Hero, he's probably your incarnation on the battlefield.