Guide of Bait Tactics

[Maltz]

"Suzuki, what do you think about this battlefield?"
"There are many small hills. It seems that Oda will not actively come to us."
"Are you thinking what I am thinking?"
"That our chance of winning is 100%? "

[Maltz]

"Suzuki, what is Oda's formation?"
"The first row is Bow units, so it is one of the three Bow-First formations. The yari units make a very long second line."
"Hm... I see a Naginata unit right in the middle of the first row, but they are now blocked by trees."
"So we can either move our formation to expose that Naginata, and draw it out with Bow Warrior Monks from the middle; or we draw out the exposed yari units."
"Let's start with the easier, the bows, then move on to the even more exposed sides!"

[Maltz]

"Buhaha, taste the trap of hell fire!"
"My lord, Oda has 10 units of Bow. We have 14. When do we draw the line?"
"Oda's has a mixed of samurai and ashigaru, we have a mix of monks and ashigaru. Let's play safe and stop at 8, shall we?"
"Of course!"

[Maltz]

Regrets

Most regret to die; most die with regrets.
How insignificant, how short, how fragile is our lives,
When the messenger of afterlife arrives.

[Maltz]

Forty Five. Balance the Enemy with Baits on Both Sides

"My lord, we are now ready to draw out Oda's exposed yari units from the side!"
"Good. There is less tree on the right. Let's approach from the right."
"Hm... Oda's formation turns as our bait approaches... it is difficult for our out-run their faster Yari Samurai."
"Let's balance the scale, shall we? Send up a Bow Warrior Monk on the other side! And move up the trap to the middle!"
"Yes, my lord!"

49. Use bow infantry on both sides to balance the enemy army's orientation, should it turns too much to make our bait's work difficult.

[Maltz]

"My lord, it works! Oda's army has turned back!"
"Watch out, the prey is coming into the trap! Come to daddy! "


Note: Please compare the radar maps of the above two pictures to see the difference.

[Maltz]

"My lord, Oda has sent out a Yari Samurai unit to face our balancing bait on the left!"
"It would be impolite to not accept their gift. Tell the trap to turn 45 degrees counter-clockwise! "

[Maltz]

"My lord, I have always had a question about the Loan Sword Ashigaru..."
"Yes?"
"There are three varieties of them. Some are low-level monks. Some are typical ashigaru with their pointy hats. But what about the third kind? They look like samurai, with good helmet and armor."
"Helmet and armor? Who told you to separate ashigaru and samurai with their helmet and armor?"
"Sorry, my lord, I know I should look at their hearts and skills. But..."
"NO! The difference is one their feet! Ashigaru wears sandals or nothing, samurai wears shoes! How can you not have noticed that for all these years?"
" Now I finally get it..."

[Maltz]

Forty Six. Pressing the Limit of Bow Units' Response Radius

"My lord, we have trimmed away almost all of the exposed Yari Samurai units."
"Not good enough. Move the Bow Warrior Monks closer. We can get the last one of them."
"Even if their range covers the enemy's bow?"
"Yes. A partial cover is fine. Just don't cover their entire unit or they will respond."
"Good!"

50. When we have superior range, it is OK to partially cover an enemy's ranged units with our bait's superior range without drawing out the partially covered ranged unit.

[Maltz]

"My lord, that's it for the exposed sides. We can't draw out anymore units."
"That's very good work, Suzuki."
"So shall we work on the central Naginata next?"
"Hm... Suzuki, I have been thinking about one thing..."

[Maltz]

"What's on your mind, my lord?"
"If we survive all battles, one day we will retire. When you retire, what do you want to keep as the best memory?"
"My lord, I think it would be to fight a huge, glorious battle that decides the fate of Japan, such as this very battle."
"Yes. Why don't we just let Oda come to us now? We will not use Bait Tactics to the exreme, but we will live on with the memory that this battle was not a one-sided slaughter. For a good 20 seconds, nobody knows which side routs first... (then, of course we they rout first )"

[Maltz]

Forty Seven. Observe the Enemy's Formation Carefully or Regret

"I understand. They say the best generals crave to meet a good opponent, because they are tired of winning."
"Actually I am not tired of winning. But still, it will be a nice thing to say that we won our victory the hard way. Isn't it?"
"Let's do it then. (with the cost of hundreds of extra Ikko soldiers). Draw out the Bow units next, we prepare for the final clash!"
"Let's do this one for Japan! "

Note: Actually the real reason for not drawing out the middle of Naginata is that I COMPLETELY MISSED IT. What an embarrassment. And when I realized it was there BEFORE it is too late, I got lazy, thinking this wouldn't make a big difference.

Why not a big difference? If this middle Naginata was drawn out, Oda would not replace it with a Yari unit, though. The "Misplaced Katana" role is fulfilled only by a Katana or a Naginata. So Oda would turn into a "Bow First" formation. But at least I would be able to work on their side to draw out one more Yari unit. So 2 units is not a big difference out of 25. Yeah maybe I could work on their Yari Cavalry. I admit I really got lazy.

[Maltz]

(reprise, May it be)

Yes it is - a sea of fire, pour down - upon you...

[Maltz]

Yes it is - six thousands men, waging lives on your value...

[Maltz]

You hide, way in the back... OH how far, you are from gore...

[Maltz]

Oh come, charge now! Oh come, duke it out...
Believe, and enbrace the war cry that's deafening loud ~

[Maltz]

Oh come, do your best! Oh come, t'is the test...
Believe, we deliver you to the bliss of the west...
You run, we still deliver you to the bliss of the west...

[Maltz]

"My lord, a glorious victory! We lost more than 1000 of our best men. "
"They are mostly injured. We did not lose any unit. We will regain our strength by next year. Oda has no army left. Let's take over Kinki in a blitz, shall we?"
"Let's do it!"


End of the Second Battle of Echizen

[Maltz]

Bait Tactics Video Episode #05: Battles of Echizen.



One last battle remains!

[Maltz]

Intermission. The Last Great Opponent

In spring, Oda's five armies were reduced to dust.
By autumn, Ikko covered Kinki in a powerful gust.

[Maltz]

Yet march to war again we must,
As Takeda has betrayed our trust.

[Maltz]

VIII. Battles of Musashi

Forty Eight. Revenge for 20 years Ago

Takeda gathered all its strength, ready for a decisive battle.
Suzuki Sadayu defended the bridge, inviting the enemy to walk in the bottle.

[Maltz]

Yet Takeda avoided the bottleneck of the bridge,
And marched into a greater trap - right in the middle three Ikko armies.
If one decisive grand battle is what they seek,
Three decisive battles we shall give.

[Maltz]

Aiming to make this painless and fast,
Two ninja promptly sabotaged Takeda's best.
The Battles of Musashi opens,
with Ikko's first facing Takeda's worst.

[Maltz]

Under the Wings of Crane the first army fell,
As the Misplaced Katana never exceled.

[Maltz]

Before the seventh landmark of Ikko,
It was a familiar match-up of double and double.

[Maltz]

Even relaxed Bait Tactics could be a trouble,
Compared to the quick and numb auto-resolve.

[Maltz]

Takeda daimyo hopelessly looked into the river,
Wondering why he fell for tricks that were never subtle.

[Maltz]

By Autumn, Takeda was reduced to their last province.
The Sengoku Jidai would soon end with its fall.

[Maltz]

Long live the Bait Tactics,
For every thing complex is made of rules of simple.

THE END