Guide of Bait Tactics

[Maltz]

The Grandmaster waited in the forest,
Patiently for his prey of interest.
None of Chosokabe's men ever noticed,
Now they are ambushed by the strongest!

[Maltz]

Twenty One. Ambush to Attack in the Open

"My lord! Captain Shinji Kagenaka reporting - General Suzuki Sadayu sent me to coordinate the Second Army's action with the First Army. The Second army has followed the plan to attack Sanuki and Awa."
(Shimozuma Raishou, 下間賴照) "Good! Let the First Army handle Chosokabe's force."
"My lord, please be careful. Chosokabe's army is almost exclusively samurai."
"Indeed. That's why we ambush them. We pick the battlefield. There is no mountain forest for them to hide!"
"So what is my lord's plan? Do we attack them from both sides?"
"That could work if the enemy is nothing but ashigaru. We have no chance if we engage their entire samurai army at once. We need to break them up. All units, on my order! March to southeast! We will use Bait Tactics! "

28. When an enemy army stays on a difficult terrain, set up an ambush beside the open road in order to attack on the open.

"My lord has heard about Bait Tactics, too?"
"Of course! Who can forget the Delightful Castle Assault chapter in The Art of Gore?"
"Er... actually I have never read the book, my lord. "
"Well, you are a Naginata Warrior Monk Rider, you have nothing to do with castle assault anyway. It is a very thick chapter, much thicker than Bait Tactics."

[Maltz]

"My lord, Chosokabe has 7 units of terribly powerful Bow Samurai, protected by melee units front and back."
"Looks like Chosokabe Kunichika really cherishes his Hot Dog. I mean his Bow Samurai. Let's reduce their numbers first!"
"By how much, my Lord?"
"We have 7 units of Bow Ashigaru. We can reduce Chosokabe's Bow Samurai to 3 units. Release the bait!"

[Maltz]

Twenty Two. Flat Terrain is Ideal for Baiting Ranged Units

"Yeah, come to us! let Ikko-Ikki deliver you to paradise!"
"Hm... this open terrain is not so flat. Our bait will have problem leading the prey back. Is there a relatively flat strip of land nearby?"
"Let me scout around, my lord!"

[Maltz]

"My lord, there is a flat strip of land in the west, not far away."
"OK! Let the Bow Ashigaru set up their trap there! Saves a lot of trouble. "

29. It is quite tedious to maintain a suitable lead on a ranged prey over rough terrain, as we have to adjust the speed of the bait constantly. Flat terrain is much preferred for the ease of mind.

[Maltz]

"My lord, after losing one unit of Bow Samurai, Chosokabe has adapted a new formation!"
"The Misplaced Katana? Nothing new here. Keep working on their Bow Samurai!"

[Maltz]

"My lord, we have reduced Chosokabe's Bow units to 3. What's next?"
"The next stage is melee ashigaru. Chosokabe only has two, and they are hiding in the back of the bows. It will be nice if we can induce a change in their formation."
"Does that mean our Cavalry will approach from the side of their formation?"
"Not bad! Now I name you the acting captain of the Naginata Warrior Monk Cavalry. Go and lead the unit, then!"
"Right away!"