That damned Shimazu Clan!

I've played the full 1530 campaign game 3 times now, the first time on the second lowest level and then twice at expert. Twice as Oda and now as Hojo and each time it's been the Shimazu clan that I've had to deal with. Despite poor soil and poor revenues it always comes out as a powerhouse, an unstoppable juggernaut with yari ashigaru that can outrun my Yari Cavalry, for God's sake. Is this typical? Does Shimazu always wind up being the master of Western Japan?

Yes it is very typical unfortunately. And if you play as Shimazu you'll find 9/10 times Hojo have mass armies of Asigaru and rule the East.

Easiest way to beat them is to get a ninja or Geisha and kill their Daimyo and heirs, and then knock out their best taisho.

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Fëa-Quendi

I always played as Shimazu.

And had very little trouble in taking over the west. At was always just a matter of time.

But I always won

Quote Originally posted by Ithaskar Fëarindel:
Yes it is very typical unfortunately. And if you play as Shimazu you'll find 9/10 times Hojo have mass armies of Asigaru and rule the East.

Easiest way to beat them is to get a ninja or Geisha and kill their Daimyo and heirs, and then knock out their best taisho.

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Thanks for that advice; I'm locked in a expert level clash right at the center line of Japan, and the computer is just playing meaner and meaner.

the island of kyushu has some very fertile land with whichto make loads of money. anyways i allways find that the hojo and imagawa get stamped out first whilst on the other side of japan the mori allmost allways takes out the shimazu but then they themselves seem to run ou of heirs real quick.

Indeed. Shimazu have poor soil but after taking the three Imagawa provinces and building 100% farm improvements, can easily take on the Mori clan, even if they have already WM because he will overwhelm the Mori. But you must not wait too long, because otherwise the Imagawa will have already taken Shinano and have a lot o koku and you will not be able to take as easy as in the first rounds tyhe provinces. I usually make a fast 2YS and 2AS put my daymio in front, bring him in Bungo, because this way Imagawa has to split his forces to protect 2 proveinces that you can invade from Bungo, and for the first assault wich is in the province without the river (i always deal with that last) i bring also for a short time my forces from Nagato, they represent something for the numbers an help in the asault. After I take over his castled province, from where he has the port and can bring reinforcements. Don't forget to have a Mori alliance and resend you initial forces + 1 aditional back in Nagato, otherwise you will lose it to Mori. Last you take Imakava last province from you Iland and you prepare for the only way you can win with the Shiumazu, or the only way I have been able to, quickly make a geisha and start building your aliances with every daymio. After you have alliance wiyth everyone you can start to kill them. This way you will gain rich provinces without losing men. Have fun and welcome to Total War World.

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