Chokepoint and Province Access Map

**TinCow** · 07-07-2011, 15:09

The discussion in the Legendary thread regarding the difficult of playing Oda emphasized to me how important defensible provinces can be when playing campaigns. To make it easier to visualize the strategic situation and create plans for strategic movements, I created the following map:

The map should be mostly self-explanatory, but I'll give a brief rundown on what I consider to be useful about it.

A good example is for a Date player. The Echigo to Uzen/Ugo path is off-road and very long. As such, it is almost never used by the AI and even when it is the player will see the army coming for a very long time before it threatens either province. So Date can defend five provinces with a single army in Fukushima; with the only caveat being that the army might have to leave the castle every once in a while to deal with an army trying to use the nearby indirect route to Miyagi. Thus, Fukushima is basically a perfect choke-point. However, pushing beyond Fukushima starts opening up many different avenues of approach, particularly around Hitachi, Shimotsuke, Shimosa, Musashi, and Kozuke. The 'natural' expansion to Hitachi and Shimotsuke now requires 3 armies to defend from the previous requirement of 1. One province cannot pay for the maintenance on a full stack army (at least not those provinces, and not early in the game), so that expansion is not good for your finances. So, the proper strategy for Date is to expand quickly to take all the provinces behind the chokepoint of Fukushima, then defend at Fukushima and build up. When ready, then blitz and take Hitachi, Shimotsuke, Shimosa, Kazusa, Musashi, Kozuke, and Echigo. That entire line can be held with the same 3 armies that were required to hold the far smaller area when the frontline was at Fukushima/Hitachi/Shimotsuke. After that, the next push can take Sagami, Izu, Suruga, Kai, and North Shinano... and still require the same 3 armies to hold all fronts.

This map also shows why Oda is so difficult to play. While the Oda east and south both contain nice choke points, the Oda are open to a very large number of approaches to the west and north. Expansion into those areas causes even more problems, as the defensive situation does not simplify until the entire central 'bulge' around Kyoto is taken. That simply cannot be done early on, so Oda are forced to live for the entire early and mid-game with a wide-open territory which can be attacked my multiple enemies from multiple points with little warning.

**Vladimir** · 07-07-2011, 16:58

I need to stop waiting and get this game. Too worried about bugs and expansions I guess.

Date looks even more promising.

Isn't there a gold mine on Sago? Wouldn't it make sense to take it when Fukushima is secured? You could take Noto from there and be in a good position to pincer others.

**TinCow** · 07-07-2011, 17:35

Originally Posted by Vladimir

Isn't there a gold mine on Sago? Wouldn't it make sense to take it when Fukushima is secured? You could take Noto from there and be in a good position to pincer others.

Yes. Sato is a superb province because of the gold mine and the fact that you don't need any military force to defend it. You need a strong army to take it, because by the time you get there it is usually defended by 2 full stacks which will move on you instantly. So, whatever stack you bring needs to be able to beat off twice its own numbers. Once that's done, though, it's yours and it's very easy to hold.

**TinCow** · 07-07-2011, 21:55

Map updated with a new version without all the numbers for province/castle names. Now we don't have to speak in codes...

**HopAlongBunny** · 07-08-2011, 05:28

Thank you for the map

**Andres** · 07-08-2011, 09:18

Nice map.

I also like to read your thought processes regarding to your campaigns.

Finally found some time this week to take a look at my current Chosokabe campaign. I took Shikoku and then I invaded Buzen and took it from a minor clan (it was their only province). After that, I converted to christianity. Shimazu owns the rest of Kyushu, so they are pretty powerful (7 provinces). The neighbouring provinces on Honshu are in the hands of the Ouchi clan, which is 6 provinces strong and the Amako, 8 provinces strong, which means Buzen is a lonely province, surounded by mighty neighbours. Since my clan and the Shimazu are the only Christian clans, I tried to establish good relations with the Shimazu (Amako and Ouchi will keep hating me anyway and I don't feel like constantly throwing money at them). They accepted an alliance and military acces, only to break that treaty the next turn. They did so twice in a row, so clearly, they plan to attack me eventually.

Ouchi and Amako don't like me, because I'm Christian. I finally have my provinces under control now, after a period of turtling after the conversion to Christianity, and lots of cash are coming in from trade. The plan is now to sneak in agents in Ouchi and Amako territory to incite revolts. I keep my daimyo and a full stack of mainly ashigaru bows and spears within the walls of Buzen, while upgrading the castle. I'm also building a few Nanban trade ships so that I can control the sea. Once I have naval supremacy, I will take out the Shimazu fleets, keep inciting revolts in Ouchi and Amako territory to keep them busy and will sneak in a full stack army lead by my heir into Shimazu lands, preferably a province that isn't defended too strongly.

My Daimyo will remain in his castle, in the hopes the Shimazu will throw their two full stack armies on the walls, while my heir will continue his conquest of Kyushu. Having endless streams of money from those trade nodes is fun.

After the conquest of Kyushu, I will take a few provinces from the Amako and Ouchi, just to break their power. No need to destroy them entirely, I'm playing a short campaign, so I don't need all that land. Once Kyush is mine and Ouchi and Amako are weakened, it will be time to send invade Setsuku with some stacks and then go for Kyoto.

**TheDuck** · 08-06-2011, 08:28

Originally Posted by Vladimir

I need to stop waiting and get this game. Too worried about bugs and expansions I guess.

Date looks even more promising.

Isn't there a gold mine on Sago? Wouldn't it make sense to take it when Fukushima is secured? You could take Noto from there and be in a good position to pincer others.

Get it! I just did.. and I haven't experienced a bug yet after about 6 hours of play (having a great time so far).. CA seems to have solved their quality problems.. and that is excellent.. I've always loved these games.. but was quite wary until I'd see the first patch.. but the last few games have just gotten better and better quality-wise (not to mention being a blast to play and pretty to boot).

**Monk** · 08-15-2011, 14:06

Just found this map, incredibly useful for the planning stages when your campaign is just getting off the ground. Thanks a lot for the work you put into this TC.

**Oleander Ardens** · 08-22-2011, 16:11

An excellent map, maybe you could have a talk with our dearest froggie to include it into the guide. I too found it very neat, as it allows you to easily plan offensive moves and defensive points. It certainly makes you appreciate the advantage of interior lines and good roads.

OA