Thanks for the advice FBE - I'm a long time admirer of your guides btw!

I've got a few more major battles under my belt and I'm a lot happier now. I took some of your advice and simplified my deployment and tactics - I was trying to do too much previously. But I have kept a couple of Daikyu units in my armies - they must do a bit more damage than regular bow sam as they always have as many if not more kills despite the slower reload - like how bow sam arrows have beter penetration that ashi bows? I've also stuck with the Spears, but I've gone deeper in the tech tree and my guys are now coming out at 4 chevrons which has made a world of difference - can actually hold Kat Sams now and I like being able to murder cavalry (which I am coming across a lot).

Nowadays I'm deploying in a simple double line as you said, and covering the flanks with Yari Sams. The bow in front on skirmish seems to work much better as they have clearer shots and it draws the enemy into my Yari wall. I also think much of the issues I had with my earlier battles is because I was taking on an AI super stack of mostly all samurai - you know the type that charges around constantly winning until all the units are 6-7 chevrons and unstoppable. That is the reason the enemy boes were shooting so fast, they were just very experienced. Now I am frequently winning the early exchange of bowfire, the two units of daikyu are very helpful here for baiting the enemy bow into range of my Bow Sams so I get the first stationary volleys in.

So yeah, now that I've cracked the elite enemy units and made some adjustments to my deployment and in game maneuvures I'm happily chewing through their replacement stacks of unexperienced troops. Fortunately I was in a strong position during my initial troubles so my campaign has survived me losing 3 stacks + generals.

Also - i've noticed that it is often not a good idea to try and fight defensive pitched battles - depsite the advantage of having field fortifications availalbe I frequently find the enemy will choose to attack me in fog - which in addition to the range penalty to my bow also makes it incredibly hard to keep track of things without a minimap or pause!! So I usually attack simply so I can have fine weather and actually see what is going on!! :)