Mod vs. Mod: A TWS2 Deathmatch

[Zim]

In a corner of the .Org staff breakroom a man in a turban sits. He is quietly reading a newspaper and drinking coffee somehow, despite the fact that his face is covered, when a shadow falls over him. Looking up, he sees a strikingly handsome man with impressive facial hair. The newcomer looks down and asks "Sir Monkey who speaks Phonetically?". The sitting man nods, prompting the other to pull one of his gloves off and slap him.

"I, Sir Zim of the Magnificent Mustache, do challenge Sir Monkey to a TWS2 duel to the death. This duel is to be played a minimum of 1-2 hours per week on a prearranged day, to be adjusted as needed. Short aar posts shall be made as the game goes on, with a suitable delay if either or both sides prefers not to let the other know what they are doing. Do you accept?"

The sitting man gives the other a withering stare and nods.

And thus a TWS2 deathmatch was born. In this corner you have Zim as the Shimazu, and old and distinguished clan on the island of Kyushu, known for their loyal generals and superior sword samurai. In the other corner on the island of Shikoku, you have Phonicsmonkey as the Chosokabe, with an equally long history but only recently having regained their independence from the Ichigo. They are renowned not only for the skill and hard work of their peasants, but their superior archers. Both clans seek not only to dominate their own islands, but the neighboring one as well. With such mutually exclusive goals, one question is on the mind of all in Japan. Whose cuisine will reign supre...er...which clan will dominate the southern isles?

Settings, rules and other stuff:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Normal difficulty
Medium unit size (blame my computer. )
Goal: Each player is trying to dominate both their own and the other's island

The factions have a 20 turn truce to get their own island under control before the war begins.
Both players will stay off of the mainland, as well as off the other's island (the latter only until the 20 turns are up).
Once the war begins, it only ends when the other side is annihilated. In the grim, dark futu...past of feudal Japan, there is only war.
Battles against the computer factions will have the AI army played by the other player, with these exceptions:
-Rebel armies
-Armies significantly smaller than the player army
-The first AI faction each side starts at war with

*We're still discovering things as far as the mp campaign goes (for example, both of us were very surprised in a short test game to find the other player could "drop in" and play an AI army they attack) so there may be slight changes or additions to the rules, which will be posted here.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Oh man, I'm going to be watching this one with interest.

also glad I stepped down as mod here before I got stomped on in front of the entire forum...

[Zim]

You have yet to see the awfulness that is Zim. Phonics is slightly better off I think but both of us have almost no MP experience to speak of.

Oh man, I'm going to be watching this one with interest.

also glad I stepped down as mod here before I got stomped on in front of the entire forum...

[TheFlax]

---> Begins cheering for Zim

[phonicsmonkey]

The short test game we ran ended rather badly for me:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Uh-oh - looks like no-one's home...cursed Murikami



We who are about to die salute you!



It's FREEZING out here



A personal duel with the Daimyo? Sure!



Ouch



Time for the sepukku

[HopAlongBunny]

Waiting for the much rumored mud-wrestling!

[phonicsmonkey]

You won't be disappointed

[Cecil XIX]

Awesome. Is there a line for who gets to play the winner?

[Zim]

The short test game we ran ended rather badly for me:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Uh-oh - looks like no-one's home...cursed Murikami



We who are about to die salute you!



It's FREEZING out here



A personal duel with the Daimyo? Sure!



Ouch



Time for the sepukku

Ah, good memories.

Awesome. Is there a line for who gets to play the winner?

There could be, although it might be a rather dubious prize to get to curbstomp the slightly less bad player.

[phonicsmonkey]

Maybe two other guys should play off against each other and the winners and losers can play next? Mini-tourney!

[GeneralHankerchief]

Maybe two other guys should play off against each other and the winners and losers can play next? Mini-tourney!

I'd be in for that.

[Zim]

GH versus Cecil?

[Ituralde]

Fight! Fight! Fight! FIGHT!

Looking forward to the tales of your exploits.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Will follow this with interest!

We really need more ninja/samurai/japan style smilies...

[Zim]

The game's heating up. Due to the fact that Shikoku is significantly smaller than Kyushu we're going to allow some mainland expansion but the focus will still be on the islands.

First update should be up within the day or so. For now here's an example of what happens when two of the weakest ships in the game, commanded by two players who never played a naval battle in TWS2 or even the demo, go at eachother. I was playing the Myoshi force.

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=276&id=8927

I highly recommend this as a sound track for the battle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJv5qLsLYoo

[phonicsmonkey]

This is what I meant by watching n00bs mudwrestling

[phonicsmonkey]

Ok I'm going to post the first update - this is from our first session of play a couple of days ago.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

First I must gather my chi:



Upgrade my farms:



Build a harbour:



Recruit some men for the Daimyo's army. You'll notice I'll be bow-heavy throughout...



And now it's off to bother the Kono.



Aha, my chi is now in place



A turn or two later, suitably bolstered by new recruits, the Daimyo lays siege to Iyo. No assault for now - let them sally if they dare.



I'm a bit worried about this large Sogo army which tracked me here - it might turn back and march on Tosa while I'm otherwise engaged.



So I'll try to make nice with them.



Success! This means that when I take Iyo that Sogo force will be bounced back to their border.



Mmm friendship peace and love with the Sogo.



Out come the Kono, all according to plan.



I got a bit too distracted to take screenshots here so there's just a couple.

And that's where the session ended for that day. Zim will no doubt post and maybe he can add some screenshots to that battle - he was spectating and might have taken a few.

[Zim]

Also from session #1.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

1545:
The Daimyo and family.


The territory of the mighty and feared Shimazu.


The Shimazu are an ancient and revered clan. However, it dawns on Daimyo Takahisa that perhaps they might receive some more reverence if they increased their territory, not to mention a better inheritance for his three sons. With that in mind he brings together all the forces of the clan and moves against Ito, first signing an alliance with neighboring Sagara to keep his capital safe.

Takahisa is slightly surprised to find Osumi defended by only a small group of local Samurai and archers.



His retainers tell him that he won a heroic victory that day, although he does not remember much of it, almost as if the battle were resolved automatically with no combat taking place...



Setting aside his foggy memories of the battle, he marches on towards the Ito capital only to be met by one of their armies. Perhaps these were meant reinforce Osumi?



The Shimazu army marches towards its enemy.



Perhaps fearing being whittled away by the superior Shimazu (which was exactly the Daimyo's plan) the Ito move forward to engage, and lacking other cavalry their own general charges the Shimazu bowmen. The archers back away behind a line of spears, only for the Ito general to change directions and mvoe on another group of bowmen.



At this point Takahisa's horse tripped and threw him off. He would be unconscious the rest of the battle, but his co-general tells him that his spearmen bravely charged the Ito commander, and the rest of the army also advanced. Before long the Ito dogs routed and were cut down.

[Zim]

Session 1, continued.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Encouraged by his victories thus far, Takahisa continues onwards towards the Ito capital. While in his encampment outside their last city, he is pleased to hear that research is going well back home. This is taken as an omen that it is time to assault the city.





Ashigaru archers are sent ahead to rain arrows from the defenders.



However, the Ito, cowardly as they are, prove remarkably adept at hiding behind walls. With the archer's ammunition expended and very few enemy troops killed, Takahisa decides that an assault on the castle would not be feasible and reluctantly withdraws to meet with reinforcements sent from home.

OOC: And with that rather pathetic display the first session ended for Shimazu. Battles are rather quick in this game. I'm going to have to work harder to take more pics, or maybe use the slow button more often.

Both clans have made their beginning moves to consolidate and do so quickly. Perhaps their progress might be stymied after taking out this beginning foes?

[Marshall Louis-Nicolas Davout]

Make a youtube vid of this.

[Cecil XIX]

The game's heating up. Due to the fact that Shikoku is significantly smaller than Kyushu we're going to allow some mainland expansion but the focus will still be on the islands.

First update should be up within the day or so. For now here's an example of what happens when two of the weakest ships in the game, commanded by two players who never played a naval battle in TWS2 or even the demo, go at eachother. I was playing the Myoshi force.

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=276&id=8927

I highly recommend this as a sound track for the battle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJv5qLsLYoo

I don't see anything particularly wrong with your naval skills in this. Circling each other makes sense at the start, as you're both evenly matched and either one of you could get an advantage in archers to exploit. It's more a testament to why the encyclopedia says trade ships should never be used in combat.

[Myth]

If your PC can support this you can use fraps to make a youtube video of your gaming sessions (this is played live right?)

[Zim]

Good to know because I had little idea what I was doing. It might be worth noting I was trying to circle. Given that we had the same ship on both sides I was trying to board right from early on, resulting in the circling.

I don't see anything particularly wrong with your naval skills in this. Circling each other makes sense at the start, as you're both evenly matched and either one of you could get an advantage in archers to exploit. It's more a testament to why the encyclopedia says trade ships should never be used in combat.

I was thinking the same, at least for some battles. You have to pay to be able to take more than a short video with Fraps, right?

If your PC can support this you can use fraps to make a youtube video of your gaming sessions (this is played live right?)

I'm back from Firearms qualifications and my work for the weekend was cancelled, so expect another update within a day or so.

[phonicsmonkey]

Make a youtube vid of this.

That's a good idea - I'll look into it.

Ok, so here is update #2 from the Chosokabe, part 1.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

With the Kono vanquished, all that remains is to take Iyo.





Chosokabe Kunichika is developing his skills.



I like to move further.



And this sword looks cool so I'll have that...



Aha, those Sogo are now back on their own turf. Better fix up Iyo while I think of it.



And how about we build some stables here too.



Having mastered Zen (for the markets) I now turn to Bushido.



Then out of the blue comes the news that the dastardly Miyoshi have attacked my new-found allies the Sogo! I chose to go to war.



I'm an attacking kind of Daimyo.



Chosokabe Kunichika is on the move.



My first Metsuke, at Tosa.



And now to hire some trade ships and try to get some of the nodes.



Couple of turns later, off I go.



Here comes Kunichika. He's excited about marching on the evil Miyoshi.

[phonicsmonkey]

Chosokabe update #2, part 2

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Aargh, my trade ship, attacked! Curse you Miyoshi!



The resulting battle is somewhat cyclical...






And Zim (playing the Miyoshi) narrowly beat me. Curses!

Maybe I need a fleet escort.



Eeuww, Christians...



Chosokabe aren't I? May as well study the bow then...



Who are these helpful Shimazu that want to inject capital into my economy?




This time my trade ship has company...



The Daimyo plunges headlong into enemy territory.



But the Miyoshi conquer my ally the poor ill-fated Sogo, disrupting my trade in the process.




On the theory that my Shimazu rivals will already have grabbed the nodes to the west, I head north instead in search of imports.



Sorry, but there's just something really really cool about Ninja



I send him north after the Miyoshi.



Angered by my incursion into their territory, the dirty Miyoshi spring from their bolt hole and attack the honourable Chosokabe Daimyo.



This is my big chance to take out the Miyoshi! All I need to do is beat Zim in this battle and the road to their capital lies open to me.





Things get really really hectic here. Inexperienced in MP and keen to push the issue I bring my archers out of the cover of the trees, negating my advantage. Then, as their light cavalry run down and slaughter my archers and their yari approach, I utterly panic and throw my general(s) into the fray, losing most of their units, getting them killed and causing my army to rout en masse.

I really miss the pause button.



A disastrous result for the Chosomonkey. Instead of their capital being at my mercy, the roles are reverse and Tosa lies defenseless. My Daimyo is dead and his wife takes over. The session ends.

[Zim]

A very nice battle if I may say so.

[Zim]

And now for further adventures of the mighty Zimazu.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

When we left off Daimyo Takahisa had very wisely decided not to pursue the assault on Ito's last province. After meeting with some reinforcements heturned toward the city again only to find the cowardly dogs had dared to recruit more defenders from outlying village the brief time he was away. This could not go unpunished. The city was laid siege again, this time with the intent to let the Ito sweat it out a few months before attacking.

Surprisingly, the Ito decide to attack him next season.



Undaunted, the Shimazu forces array for battle.




During the upcoming battle Hyuga looms in the distance, reminding both sides of what was at stake.



Ito troops on the march, including the elite Samurai retainers of their daimyo.







The Shimazu prepare to face the Ito horde.






Unsurprisingly, the Ito break quickly after a few volleys of arrows and charges by the junior general's cavalry. The remainder of the Ito flee back to Hyuga.





















Naturally the Daimyo decides to strike at Hyuga while the defenders are weak from the battle.



Brave man that he is, Takahisa decides to dismount and join the assault.





Ugh, legendary Daimyo he may be, but he's not as young as he used to be.



Of course, while Takahisa may be brave he isn't stupid. arhcers had whittled down the few defenders before he made his glorious escalade.



With the defeat of the last of the enemy bodyguard Hyuga was now a Shimazu possession.

[Zim]

Update 2, Mark 2.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Takahisa was quite perturbed to discover his ally Sagara had ringed him in by conquering all the provinces his lands now neighbored. Left with nothing to do he turned to that most unwarlike and therefore dull task, catching up on his nations economic, cultural, and diplomatic progress.

Hmmm, ally Sagara has accepted some strange foreign religion. Why couldn't they stick with the much more Japanese Buddhism? My advisors say that religion came from China, but still it was an old imported tradition. Completely different from this new one. Having been in Japan so long made it respectable.



A son comes of age. Surely he will be a great warrior like his father.



A trade deal with the "Chosokabe"? What clan is this? They sound barbaric. Well, no doubt they will bow in time to the Shimazu, might as well take their money by their consent for now until we can take it by force.



Way of the Sword? Maybe research is more valuable than I first thought.

[phonicsmonkey]

Chosomonkey Update #3, part 1

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Daimyo's grieving wife takes over the running of the clan. Hopefully she is a better leader than the dear departed husband, although I note she doesn't come with a free unit of heavy cavalry..



In fact, her first move is to try to get peace with the dastardly (and rather rude) Miyoshi.




pleasepleaseplease....oh. Well, they got her gender right anyways..



The Chosokabe still have some troops and plenty of cash to recruit more, so a recruitment drive is underway and everyone in the field is ordered back to Tosa for a last stand defence.






Meanwhile my ninja begins his training.




And some more trade ships are sent to the nodes.





No sign of the Miyoshi yet, and the defences are growing at Tosa. Maybe I'll get out of this alive...



Tee hee - I just beat him to that node.



More ninja activity and he levels up.

[phonicsmonkey]

Chosomonkey Update #3, part 2 (this is a big one)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Aha, somebody wants to help out with my general lack of generals.



To the nodes!



Miyoshi have missed their chance for a quick strike on Tosa - now I have a full stack in there.



My ninja gives me a look at what's still at Awa. Basically everything they have.



Ok, so it's time to go on the offensive again.



Nodes nodes nodes, looking for a good time





Approaching Miyoshi territory.



Form sounds nice.



Bit of a trade bonus never goes amiss.



Send my metsuke first, then he can keep order in my newly captured province.



HaHaHa, eat this Miyoshi




Superior stone is what it's all about..



Time to back it up.



And my ninja can cause them some trouble while I approach.





The mighty Chosokabe invasion force waits on the border.



It occurs to me that I might be able to solve my Daimyo problem. Why didn't I think of this before?!






This is where I learn the ultimate truth I've been searching for all these years: Miyoshi are campers.



Still camping.



Some hippies arrive at Tosa in a floating bathtub bearing trinkets, beads and string. They smell like patchouli oil and the Daimyo's wife is not impressed with their beards and grubby sandals.

Send them away! Dirty hippies...



Hold on, someone has left the camp!



That was dumb.



Camping Miyoshi suffer unusual accidents.



And while they camp out at Awa, I waltz round the back and take that other place.




Another guy joins the party.



C'mon you campers, come and get it.



tum te tum



te tum



Hold on a minute, didn't they call my woman a woman for asking for peace? Stick it, campers!



A welcome break in the form of a trade agreement with those weirdos the Ikko Ikki
(srsly, what's wrong with them?)


Mastery of Form is essential to a balanced life.



Finally I get sick of the Miyoshi campers and besiege Awa.



And eventually they grow a pair and come out to face me.



This battle is long and hard fought. Zim does well with his light cav and butchers many of my archers. The arrival of my reinforcements settles the day but I suffer heavy losses.






Not sure these guys have heard of Pyrrhus, but they get the idea I guess.



Miyoshi, where did your bravado go?