The problem with Shimazu is that their unit bonus applies to No-Dachi, which are a great unit, but can't be used until the Legendary Swordsman event. Sometimes I have waited decades to get this! This makes playing as Shimazu a bonus, especially once Mori's monks enter the fray and you STILL don't have the LS event.

To get back to the topic... Yari Samurai are probably the best all-round units in the game IMO. I never go anywhere without them. I like them to be able to take casualties holding the enemy while I flank with my No-Dachi. If I tried this with YA then I would have a serious rout on my hands. Later in the game I use Naginata a bit more for this purpose, but I find them to be a bit too slow and also expensive.

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MizuRob Hojo
Honour to clan Takiyama

[This message has been edited by Rob (edited 12-23-2000).]