Getting there is half the fun.

[Forward Observer]

I mentioned something in a previous post that no one really picked up on. The post was discussing the irrational lopsided decisions that you get with auto-resolve, but I also asked or wondered what the least amount of game years it might take to successfully complete a campaign in single player for any given clan at any given difficulty level.

I had just completed a Hojo campaign at the normal difficulty level by the game year 1562. I have no idea if this is any kind of a record, but it was almost 20 years less than I had taken to win with any other clan.

Of course the Hojo is probably the easiest clan to play, but my gameplay has also improved by playing through all the clans, and picking up pearls of wisdom from this (ahem!) esteemed forum. I have also learned that you can conquer a lot of territory and eliminate a lot of enemy (through sieges)without a fight if you use good strategy. This in turn eliminates the time it takes to rebuild troops lost in battle. Of course you are alway indirectly playing against time to avoid enemy troop build up, enemy technological advances, and the dreaded (shudder)Geisha. What I am suggesting is playing more exclusively against time. It's not "if" you are going to rule Japan, but how soon. I know playing this way might improve my game. because I would have to be more aggressive.

Anyway, for those of you looking for a new challenge in single player this just may be the ticket. Since there is no point score in Shogun, other than head count results from single battles, this is the only quantifiable measure I can think of. We might even have informal contests. With 7 clans and 4 difficulty levels you could have (uh ,lets see 4 times, uh, carry the 3,uh, 7 goes into, uh) 43 cate--no, make that 28 categories. Any thoughts out there on this.
Feel free to criticize if you think this is a totally lame idea, or if it has been suggested before. If not, then remember you read it here first. Cheers.

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Artillery adds dignity to what would otherwise be a vulgar brawl.

[This message has been edited by Forward Observer (edited 04-28-2001).]

[Alastair]

Well, I don't think there would be much competition in the expert levels, because as far as I know only a few on this forum (coughcoughShaicoughcoughborisuscoughcough) have beaten the game at that level. Of course, I'm only a Ronin... :bg

[Tone]

Playing on expert you have to be very aggressive and try and win quickly. My personal record is 1551 as Shimazu, and yes that was with timer, limited view etc.

However it was a fluke. I've tried to replicate the moves twice since and got thrashed both times. I win about 25% on expert and have never won as 2 of the clans. I do use port attacks when I get myself in an untennable situation, but always put those games down as a loss regardless of the outcome.

I'm sure quite a few have a better record than me.

Stick at improving the aggression of your play and your on the right track in my book.

[Hiroshi-O'Duff]

Hojo is definitely easy, due to the bucks, but I haven't tried them since I got really GOOD at the game. I'm going to set my own personal record with ODA -- I foresee being finished around 1555. I just have a few places to pound on, and almost all of the river battles are over with already.

Duff

[EasyCo]

Pesonally i like the Oda...Its fun...the Expert too.Its so hard to win about 60%.
I hate the Hojo..Im just hate em!

EasyCo