Sho Sen | Wako

Sho Sen | Wako Image

Basic Unit Statistics (can be modified by difficulty level, arts, skills, traits and retainers)

Recruitment Cost 160
Upkeep Cost 40
Unit Limit 2
Marines 10 8%
Seamen 20 10%
Hull Strength 150 25%
Morale 21 42%

Strengths & Weaknesses

Requires

Description

This vessel carries a crew of wako pirates who prey on smaller, weaker vessels while pretending to be innocent traders.

This is a trade ship in name only. In truth, it is used to close with unsuspecting merchants, allowing the crew to achieve a measure of surprise. Most merchants will be on guard against potential attacks, so the wako resort to such stratagems. Against large ships, however, they lack the firepower for battle, and the manoeuvrability to escape! Historically, the wako plagued the Koreans and Chinese between the 13th and 16th century. There would be periods of inactivity, usually after a devastating attack on the pirates' base had been a salutary lesson, but the wako would always be back. There was simply too much wealth to be stolen! In 1587, Toyotomi Hideyoshi decreed that peasants were not allowed to carry weapons, and in turn the wako found it harder to obtain arms. However, many were subsequently recruited by clans who needed their naval expertise.