Army composition

[Draksen]

Is it possible to play and win in shogun
totalwar only with "standard" units
(available at the beginning), only with
ashigaru yari / samurai yari / archers ???

During the game I always start developping
more powerfull units like monks, no-dachis,
or cavalry...

But for a full campaign game, or an on-line battle, is it possible to win only with "light" units ?



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[Hosakawa Tito]

That's a good question.I haven't tried a campaign like that yet,but I will now.I think against the computer player it would be more possible because I've seen the AI player do some stupid things.Against a human player,especially a good one,probably not.
Tito

[Draksen]

For example with 1000 koku,
you can create 2 warrior monk units...
OR 5 samurai yari units !

I mean, what is better : quality or quantity?


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[VoodooChild]

The Monks are the better option imho...

Even if all other things are equal, there is a tactical advantage for quality over quanity, you have to move them. In order for the qanity player to win they must surround the quality player (or some other special maneuver). The quality player knowing this, will maneuver to avoid this situation. The quanity player must in turn adjust their plans to compinsate for the new situation, and the chess games begins. Controling one or two units as opposed to five will make the difference in this battle.

Now that is if all things are equal. As with any other human creation there are imbalances to unit strenghts and weaknesses. In multiplayer there is just the bottom line cost, in solo player there are other factors such as cost and time to build the particular dojo, distance to the battle, etc. Still that doesn't even get into what are the conditions of the battle. You will have to determine for yourself where the loopholes are.

It also should be said that there are no hard and fast rules to which is the best unit. Just because I am unable to use a unit effectively doesn't mean that you wont be able to. So read all the posts you want, but decide for yourself through play testing what is the best advice for you.

Good Hunting,
-VC

[theforce]

If they were alone 5 yari samurai all the way. 3 of them to hold the monks off and the other 2 to flank. Monks will go to hell. http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif

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Don't use only honour, use theforce, too.
http://www.darksideshogunclan.cjb.net
Enter the Darkside...

[Rob]

Numerical advantage almost always guarantees victory, due to the massive importance of flanking. However, No-Dachi aren't much more expensive than YS and are the same cost as SA.

In the campaign game, a human player with a superior army but smaller numbers actually has a good chance, because of the tactical weakness of the AI. In a multiplayer battle, against a reasonably skilled player, you would be better choosing quantity over quality.

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MizuRob Hojo
Honour to clan Takiyama

[BanzaiZAP]

Yes, you CAN win without building advanced troops, but you have to do it quickly. Once the enemy can build large numbers of advanced troops, you won't stand much of a chance. Early on you can outnumber them, but once they can put a bunch of monks backed by cavalry on the field, you're outclassed pretty quickly. Defensive fights are fine, but attacking begins to suck. At least, that's what happened to me. http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif

-- B)