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Interesting campaign TWD, keep us updated.
I concur with RS with regard to the farmland improvements.
I concur with RS with regard to the farmland improvements.
Thank you, Asai,
Next set will probably be played in 10 days or so, no sooner, I'm affraid, as I have some summer obligations (playing isn't so super time consuming but writing the stuff and uploading images is more).
Objectives for the next year would include :
- the conquest of Mimasaka. It would act as a mini buffer to protect Bizen and allow smaller garrisons ;
- the scouting of Yamashiro with the emissary. Yamashiro is the next big military objective and I'm affraid my military is too light to take it right now ;
- maybe the invasion of either Kii/Yamato/Iga. Probably not all three provinces since troops are far away. I'd like to invade those with 2 YA units per province. Hopefully, rebels from Yamashiro/Ise will strike back, weakening their home province. It's a shame Oda has been so passive so far as it leaves Mori all the hard work ;
- amassing larger forces on the frontlines.
So that would be a rather peaceful year, geared towards a military/infra build-up.
@Ports & Farms :
In fact we all agree :) I don't plan to build farms in 100 kokus provinces, but from 200 kokus I consider the first upgrade pays for itself.
Tosa and Harima will host ports. Any other troops producing province should also get a port. Logistics prevail.
Next set will probably be played in 10 days or so, no sooner, I'm affraid, as I have some summer obligations (playing isn't so super time consuming but writing the stuff and uploading images is more).
Objectives for the next year would include :
- the conquest of Mimasaka. It would act as a mini buffer to protect Bizen and allow smaller garrisons ;
- the scouting of Yamashiro with the emissary. Yamashiro is the next big military objective and I'm affraid my military is too light to take it right now ;
- maybe the invasion of either Kii/Yamato/Iga. Probably not all three provinces since troops are far away. I'd like to invade those with 2 YA units per province. Hopefully, rebels from Yamashiro/Ise will strike back, weakening their home province. It's a shame Oda has been so passive so far as it leaves Mori all the hard work ;
- amassing larger forces on the frontlines.
So that would be a rather peaceful year, geared towards a military/infra build-up.
@Ports & Farms :
In fact we all agree :) I don't plan to build farms in 100 kokus provinces, but from 200 kokus I consider the first upgrade pays for itself.
Tosa and Harima will host ports. Any other troops producing province should also get a port. Logistics prevail.
This takes me back! Very nice write-ups, TWD. I'll be enjoying reading about the rest of your campaign.
Thank you all, it's nice to hear the rounds aren't too repetitive !
Here's the 5th round, to Winter 1554.
Objectives for this round are modest and stated in my last post, so here we go !
Winter 1553.
Time to make a budget for the year. Kokus are still scarce and this implies to make choices.
The Buddhist temple and an increase of the total income are the main objectives. YA production is very important as Mori's territory grows. The initial expansion left us with a very little available army and plenty of border provinces.
The tax rate is back to low.
Build orders and trainings :
Aki : Buddhist temple (750)
Farms are started/queued in Sanuki (450), Bitchu (350), Tosa (350), Harima (250) and Iyo (250)
--> 2400 kokus.
4 shinobis are ordered in Bizen and 3 YA in each of Aki and Tosa.
--> 3400 kokus/3443.
Troop movements :
The emissary in Owari heads to Mino. He notices that Ise has fallen to Oda's troops. Conquering Kii becomes more pressing but maybe we can let him conquer Yamato/Iga/Omi, all bordering Yamashiro.
A YA from Aki is shipped to Bizen ; a YA there replaces a YA in Harima that reinforces Kawachi.
The shinobi in Awaji goes to Kawachi to help with the loyalty issue. Meanwhile, the shinobi stationned in Tosa heads for Bungo to scout Shimazu's forces, via Iyo.
Finally, a YA in Bizen swaps with the Naginata from Bitchu.
Spring 1554.
Kawachi's defence proved to be pretty easy, facing only low honour YA and SA.
Oda kept on expanding, conquering both Yamato and Omi !! Now is the time to capture Kii. He has his Daymio and a solid 300 men army in Omi. Will he assault Yamashiro ?
Troop movements :
The shinobi in Iyo arrives to Bungo and the emissary in Omi reaches Yamashiro
Forces in Bizen invade Mimasaka.
The shinobi and 87 YA from Kawachi invade Kii. A 1 star YA from Harima strenghtens Kawachi.
The shinobi in Aki scouts Suo. Maybe next season Mori will invade...
The YA produced in Tosa goes to Iyo.
Finally, the shinobi from Bizen heads to Awaji (lowest loyalty), via Harima.
Summer 1554.
The battle for Mimasaka was badly managed, which cost a YA unit. On the plus side, Kii yielded 125 kokus.
2WM and 4 SA guard Yamashiro. It seems the rebels took back Omi ! Lord Oda has fallen into Ise.
Build orders and trainings :
A YA is queued in Aki.
Troop movements :
The shinobi from Bizen goes to Mimasaka (54% loyalty) ; from Suo back to Aki (3 rebel units) ; from Harima reaches Awaji
The YA from Aki and Tosa respectively go to Bizen and Awa, to the east. 5 YA guard Iyo, against 2 Shimazu units in Bungo. That will do for now.
Autumn 1554 :
That was an uneventful season.
Bungo is still lightly garrisoned. The situation didn't change in the east.
Taxes are set to normal.
Troop movements :
YA chains are set up, going from Aki to Bizen to Harima to Kawachi and from Tosa to Awa to Awaji.
The shinobi from Bizen is sent to the rebel port of Hizen to watch Shimazu's progress.
Winter 1554 :
We expected an income superior to 4500 kokus but the year was especially good and... all crops yielded a harvest superior by 25% to what was expected !!
New treasury is : 5761 kokus ! May the name of Mori resound through the land.
700 rebels guard Hizen. Shimazu won't take that province before long. There's a 3 stars general, plenty of SA and 3 units of cavalry (2 Yari and 1 archer).
Shimazu starts producing some cavalry.
Oda took Iga. Not sure what his army looks like.
Our lowest loyalty province is Mimasaka, above 90%. Shinobis do wonders.
The lay of the land :
It may take a while before Oda fights the Rebels, maybe Mori should do the first move towards Yamashiro. I also grow tired to keep garrisons in Bizen, Bitchu and Harima... Errr... What to do ? What to do ? Breaking Oda asap is also appealing.
The new budget will allow plenty of things, including the recruiting of elite units and the building of ports in Tosa (much needed) and Harima (cheap).
Mori's initial expansion (Aki --> Bizen --> Shikoku) proved successful but has come to an end during this round. Objectives need to be reassessed now that we can manoeuver freely again.
I just (editing) considered bribing the rebel army in Yamashiro... That would not be super expensive : 3300 kokus. That is 1300 kokus more expensive than if the units were built in Aki but it also saves me 6 seasons... Maybe that's what Mori needs to restart its agressive expansion. Not sure about the infrastructure... Is it pillaged when a castle army is bribed ? Is it kept untouched ? There wouldn't be any wrong option, here, though.
Here's the 5th round, to Winter 1554.
Objectives for this round are modest and stated in my last post, so here we go !
Winter 1553.
Time to make a budget for the year. Kokus are still scarce and this implies to make choices.
The Buddhist temple and an increase of the total income are the main objectives. YA production is very important as Mori's territory grows. The initial expansion left us with a very little available army and plenty of border provinces.
The tax rate is back to low.
Build orders and trainings :
Aki : Buddhist temple (750)
Farms are started/queued in Sanuki (450), Bitchu (350), Tosa (350), Harima (250) and Iyo (250)
--> 2400 kokus.
4 shinobis are ordered in Bizen and 3 YA in each of Aki and Tosa.
--> 3400 kokus/3443.
Troop movements :
The emissary in Owari heads to Mino. He notices that Ise has fallen to Oda's troops. Conquering Kii becomes more pressing but maybe we can let him conquer Yamato/Iga/Omi, all bordering Yamashiro.
A YA from Aki is shipped to Bizen ; a YA there replaces a YA in Harima that reinforces Kawachi.
The shinobi in Awaji goes to Kawachi to help with the loyalty issue. Meanwhile, the shinobi stationned in Tosa heads for Bungo to scout Shimazu's forces, via Iyo.
Finally, a YA in Bizen swaps with the Naginata from Bitchu.
Spring 1554.
Kawachi's defence proved to be pretty easy, facing only low honour YA and SA.
Oda kept on expanding, conquering both Yamato and Omi !! Now is the time to capture Kii. He has his Daymio and a solid 300 men army in Omi. Will he assault Yamashiro ?
Troop movements :
The shinobi in Iyo arrives to Bungo and the emissary in Omi reaches Yamashiro
Forces in Bizen invade Mimasaka.
The shinobi and 87 YA from Kawachi invade Kii. A 1 star YA from Harima strenghtens Kawachi.
The shinobi in Aki scouts Suo. Maybe next season Mori will invade...
The YA produced in Tosa goes to Iyo.
Finally, the shinobi from Bizen heads to Awaji (lowest loyalty), via Harima.
Summer 1554.
The battle for Mimasaka was badly managed, which cost a YA unit. On the plus side, Kii yielded 125 kokus.
2WM and 4 SA guard Yamashiro. It seems the rebels took back Omi ! Lord Oda has fallen into Ise.
Build orders and trainings :
A YA is queued in Aki.
Troop movements :
The shinobi from Bizen goes to Mimasaka (54% loyalty) ; from Suo back to Aki (3 rebel units) ; from Harima reaches Awaji
The YA from Aki and Tosa respectively go to Bizen and Awa, to the east. 5 YA guard Iyo, against 2 Shimazu units in Bungo. That will do for now.
Autumn 1554 :
That was an uneventful season.
Bungo is still lightly garrisoned. The situation didn't change in the east.
Taxes are set to normal.
Troop movements :
YA chains are set up, going from Aki to Bizen to Harima to Kawachi and from Tosa to Awa to Awaji.
The shinobi from Bizen is sent to the rebel port of Hizen to watch Shimazu's progress.
Winter 1554 :
We expected an income superior to 4500 kokus but the year was especially good and... all crops yielded a harvest superior by 25% to what was expected !!
New treasury is : 5761 kokus ! May the name of Mori resound through the land.
700 rebels guard Hizen. Shimazu won't take that province before long. There's a 3 stars general, plenty of SA and 3 units of cavalry (2 Yari and 1 archer).
Shimazu starts producing some cavalry.
Oda took Iga. Not sure what his army looks like.
Our lowest loyalty province is Mimasaka, above 90%. Shinobis do wonders.
The lay of the land :
It may take a while before Oda fights the Rebels, maybe Mori should do the first move towards Yamashiro. I also grow tired to keep garrisons in Bizen, Bitchu and Harima... Errr... What to do ? What to do ? Breaking Oda asap is also appealing.
The new budget will allow plenty of things, including the recruiting of elite units and the building of ports in Tosa (much needed) and Harima (cheap).
Mori's initial expansion (Aki --> Bizen --> Shikoku) proved successful but has come to an end during this round. Objectives need to be reassessed now that we can manoeuver freely again.
I just (editing) considered bribing the rebel army in Yamashiro... That would not be super expensive : 3300 kokus. That is 1300 kokus more expensive than if the units were built in Aki but it also saves me 6 seasons... Maybe that's what Mori needs to restart its agressive expansion. Not sure about the infrastructure... Is it pillaged when a castle army is bribed ? Is it kept untouched ? There wouldn't be any wrong option, here, though.
Looking good. Your forces seem capable and are not overstretched. At the moment the AI clans will be occupied with the ronin, but once Oda and Shimazu start to swallow territory you will find them breathing down your neck on two fronts, especially in southern Honshu where your territory is more fragmented and easily attacked.
You have some interesting options as well. You can take advantage of Kii and start turning out +1 honour monks or you can accept the Portuguese and develop Tosa for +1 Teppo units.
Yamashiro could prove to be too dangerous at this early stage. The Monk and SA garisson shouldn't be that much of an issue but you will have to invest troops in securing it. When you do it, it will probably become even more of an Oda target and surrounding ronin provinces may counter attack the next season to lift the siege.
If you intend to go to war with Oda anyway, it may be better to let an Oda force take the province, or at least soften it up, first and then invade after Oda has done most of the hard work. If Oda is already in Omi and Iga then it's worth the wait, if not you could try moving against it sooner once you have men available.
You have some interesting options as well. You can take advantage of Kii and start turning out +1 honour monks or you can accept the Portuguese and develop Tosa for +1 Teppo units.
Yamashiro could prove to be too dangerous at this early stage. The Monk and SA garisson shouldn't be that much of an issue but you will have to invest troops in securing it. When you do it, it will probably become even more of an Oda target and surrounding ronin provinces may counter attack the next season to lift the siege.
If you intend to go to war with Oda anyway, it may be better to let an Oda force take the province, or at least soften it up, first and then invade after Oda has done most of the hard work. If Oda is already in Omi and Iga then it's worth the wait, if not you could try moving against it sooner once you have men available.
So you would backfill some provinces around Mimasaka, right ? (in the short term ; time to bring some elite troops to the frontlines)
I'm not sure I'll go this way, since the last round was... hum... not so bold.
Diplo & territorial ambitions :
West : Keep Shimazu a non-issue for as long as possible. Shinobis are great for this and Hizen is already heavily fortified. I anticipate this will be an easy task.
East : Keep Takeda and Imagawa as strong as possible, so as to minimize the danger Uesugi and Hojo represent. This is my main concern, even though it's the longest term.
Center : Destroy Oda. Yes, that is mean but Oda just stands in the way. Had he been neighbouring a powerful clan, I'd have let him live happily, but that is not the case. Ise and Owari are very important provinces to hold if Mori wants to earn (much) more than the eastern clans. To put it otherwise : diplomacy in Shogun is about "balance of power". In this scenario, Oda only balances Mori's and Imagawa's power... which are both bad things (especially the Mori thing).
(I speak of "West-East" as in the strategic map, not real Japan. But I'm sure you already figured that out.)
I won't have time to play today, but I'm thinking more and more about bribing the Rebels in Yamashiro. 3300 kokus is not "huge" if we consider that army (2WM & 4SA ; decent honour, armoury bonus) could give Mori the means to secure central Japan AND still invest 2000+ kokus in infrastructure.
Oda's army is large but fragile...
I'll ponder this a lill' bit more and see if I go for a gutsy or secured move :)
I'm not sure I'll go this way, since the last round was... hum... not so bold.
Diplo & territorial ambitions :
West : Keep Shimazu a non-issue for as long as possible. Shinobis are great for this and Hizen is already heavily fortified. I anticipate this will be an easy task.
East : Keep Takeda and Imagawa as strong as possible, so as to minimize the danger Uesugi and Hojo represent. This is my main concern, even though it's the longest term.
Center : Destroy Oda. Yes, that is mean but Oda just stands in the way. Had he been neighbouring a powerful clan, I'd have let him live happily, but that is not the case. Ise and Owari are very important provinces to hold if Mori wants to earn (much) more than the eastern clans. To put it otherwise : diplomacy in Shogun is about "balance of power". In this scenario, Oda only balances Mori's and Imagawa's power... which are both bad things (especially the Mori thing).
(I speak of "West-East" as in the strategic map, not real Japan. But I'm sure you already figured that out.)
I won't have time to play today, but I'm thinking more and more about bribing the Rebels in Yamashiro. 3300 kokus is not "huge" if we consider that army (2WM & 4SA ; decent honour, armoury bonus) could give Mori the means to secure central Japan AND still invest 2000+ kokus in infrastructure.
Oda's army is large but fragile...
I'll ponder this a lill' bit more and see if I go for a gutsy or secured move :)
If you advance into the south as far as Nagato (taking, Hoki, Izumo, Bingo, Iwami and Suo in the process - and optionally building ports in every one to generate income) you will be in a very strong position, and a good garrison in Nagato will secure Honshu from any Shimazu surprises. Leaving those provinces rebel runs the risk of Shimazu moving in. If Imagawa are eliminated (happens quite often) they could reappear in force in their former provinces, including those in Kyushu such as Hizen, Chikuzen and Chikugo, producing a second enemy on your southern front. Remember that AI clans in STW/MI may seem stagnant for the first few years of the campaign, but can suddenly explode in size to present a real threat.
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