Guide of Bait Tactics

[Maltz]

Twenty Five. A Little Hope of Forest Hill

"Shinji! Oh, you are now a Suzuki. Is that real mostache?"
"Yes, my lord. It is real."
"Amazing that you managed to grow it in a year. Mine is just a fake glued to the mask."
"What's the battle plan, my lord?"
"You are now an official general. Why don't you make a plan?"
"Yes, my lord! The terrain of the battlefield is primarily forest. I think Amako's army is going to pick a large hill and hide in there. This hill in the center is large enough to hide all enemy soldiers."
"My map does not show a large hill here... but yes, it is a large hill."
"So we cannot use Bait Tactics... we will have to attack it the hard way. We can surround the hill with units and attack together."
"Why can't we use Bait tactics?"
"Because when the enemy hides in deep forest, there is no way to draw them out."
"Really?"

32. When the enemy hides in deep forest, it is extremely difficult to draw them out. But there is one exception : melee ashigaru.

"The Amako army is 70% Yari Ashigaru. There is a good chance that many units are exposed. Why don't you take a look at the formation of the Amako army before they go into hiding?"
"Yes, my lord!"

[Maltz]

"My lord, Amako's army is divided into three rows. The first row is 4 units of Bow Ashigaru. The next two rows are all yari units - 14 units of Yari Ashigaru and 1 unit of Yari Samurai. The second row is much longer than the third row."
"That Yari Samurai is their acting commander. Are there exposed Yari Ashigaru on the second row?"
"Yes, my lord."
"So let's draw them out!"
"With what, my lord?"
"We need something so valuable that they cannot resist. "
"Please be careful, my lord..."


Note: It is rarely possible to draw out AI's ranged units from deep forest, unless they are located at the edge of the forest.

[Maltz]

Twenty Six. Taisho Draws out Hidden Melee Ashigaru


"Hidden units, my lord! Treacherously trying to ambush us!"
"Thanks for the warning. I had to get really close to draw them out. Get the trap ready!"
"Yes, my lord!"

33. When drawing out melee ashigaru hiding in the forest, approach the most exposed unit from the side of the formation to avoid activation of bow units. The ashigaru will charge out. Maintain a short distance to lead them back to the trap.

Note: It is possible to use other cavalry to draw out hidden melee ashigaru. But I get an impression that they get off hook very easily if the bait is not valuable enough.

[Maltz]

"We are ready, my lord!"
"OK! Here we come!"

(1000 arrows flying)

"Stop firing! I am in the range!"
"Sorry my lord, I forgot to tell them to hold fire. "

[Maltz]

"Please leave their captain to me, my lord!"
"Go, mustache!"

[Maltz]

Out of the Forest

The trees provides much shelter,
Now the bait has to get much closer.
Yet the ashigaru does not become any wiser,
As they rush into trap like their predecessor.

[Maltz]

The Holy Koriyama (Holy Mt. Kori)

The holy mountain never sees,
The holy mountain never weeps.
Blood spilled nurishes its trees,
Remnants of battle add to its stories.

[Maltz]

" Don't let them escape!"
"My lord, we have six units of cavalry, like a huge school of piranha. Nothing is left on the bone. "

[Maltz]

"Hm? There seems to be some rearrangement in Amako's army."
"My lord, Amako's first line is now spear units. Their bow units have backed off to the second line, protected by spear units on the flanks. There is no more third line."
"Oh. This is the famous Porcupine formation. Anything that has melee units up front is a blessing for Bait Tactics. "


Note: Amako starts the battle with 15 spear units and 4 bow units. The formation shift happens when there are about 8 untis of spear and 4 units of bow. Apparently, AI chooses its formation based on their current army composition.

[Maltz]

"It seems that Amako Yari Samurai tends to follow my lord. When my lord approaches from the left, the samurai goes to the left. When my lord approaches from the right, the samurai goes to the right."
"It is fine. When I approach them, there will be a shuffle in their formation. Some Yari Ashigaru is coming after me. "

[Maltz]

"The trap is ready!"
"Unleash the Ikko-Ikki horde! "

[Maltz]

"It looks like that I can no longer draw out units from the side. But when I go to the front, Amako moves their Bow Units to the front. "
"My lord, please let me hold their formation on the side!"
"Good idea!"


34. When your unit approaches the enemy from the side and see the AI adapting a favorable formation, you can "lock in" that formation by parking the unit on the same spot. Then use another unit as the bait.

[Maltz]

"Run away! Watch out for the arrows!" "
"Are you all right, my lord?"
"I am fine... but strangely time flows extra fast around me, like 4 times speed. I didn't have enough time to issue my commands to run away from danger..."
"It looks like Amako's remaining spear units are unwilling to come out anymore. And their Bow units have become very sensitive."
"Indeed. Amako's remaining spear units can no longer cover their bow units in the Procupine formation. Maybe this is as much we can do now. Get ready for the final assault! Surround the hill!"


35. When the enemies hides in deep forest hill, there is no way to draw their ranged units out and activate their attack mode. When we have destroyed all units that can be drawn out, there is no option left but to actively attack. The only exception is when the bow units are very close to the edge of the forest.

Note: I got lazy and used 4 times speed to play. Not a very good idea when there is a chance of being shot.

[Maltz]

Twenty Seven. Last-minute Bait Tactics


"My lord! We have surrounded the hill! We start the assault on your order!"
"Hold on! Let's see if we can draw out just one or two more units... Bow Ashigaru, march forward!"

[Maltz]

"My lord! The enemy captain, the Yari Samurai is charging downhill!"
"Bow Ashigaru back off! Hold them up with Yari Ashigaru! Bodyguards, gett off your horses! We charge on foot!"
"Charge!"


Note: Generals have got off their horses much earlier as the last stage of the fight happens exclusively in the forest.

[Maltz]

"My lord, the enemy captain fled! We have also baited out another unit of Yari Ashigaru."
"Watch out! Here comes their super bow ashigaru! We need some distractions - Bow Ashigaru, loose formation, in the forest! Tell the units on the other side start charging uphill!"


36. Consider Bait Tactics whenever the enemy starts charging at us. We can avoid a lot of casualty this way.

[Maltz]

"My lord! A glorious victory! We baited 14 out of 19 units from a forest hill! "
"Yeah. Luckily the Amako army is full of Yari Ashigaru. It won't be this easy in other cases."
"Oh right, we just received reports from Buzen, the first batch of Ikko Bow Warrior Monks are arriving on the sea."
"No prey can resist Bow Warrior Monks... unless they hide in the forest."

[Maltz]

A Temporary Ceasefire

Ikko and Amako signed a temporary peace treaty,
while one preaches compaission but the other spreads treachery.
More fierce battles of Sengoku lies ahead,
But no one doubts the power of the faithful... baitful army.

End of Battle of Koriyama

[Maltz]

Video: Guide of Bait Tactics III (Battles of Koriyama)



Currently I have no more content planned for the guide. I might add other battles as examples later, but only if I have something new to share.
I hope you have enjoyed the guide!

[HopAlongBunny]

Thou hast saved the best for last

[Maltz]

Thanks! Actually I now have another chapter planned to cover Bait Tactics on the water.

[Peasant Phill]

this has become an encredibly comprehensive guide. Truly amazing work.

[HopAlongBunny]

Ok, second last :p

I underestimated the Maltz Test of Complteness :)

[Maltz]

(reprise: London Bridge is falling down)

Intermission: The Third Memorial

Amako has declared war,
can't ignore, must report,
Amako's army is in Bingo,
Let's go crush it.

[Maltz]

Amako is falling down, facing down, upside down,
Amako is crushed to ground,
By Sadayu Suzuki.


Note: The battle of Mihara is presented separatedly here.

[Maltz]

(Suzuki Mitsuaki) "Argh... why am I assigned to fight these boring Wako? I want to fight Amako, not Wako! Those Wako never stops spawning!"
"My lord, Wako is actually our best friend! Don't you know it?"
"Hm? Who are you? Oh... you are the new retainer. People call you a Pearl Fisherman? So... do you farm pearl or catch fish, or both?"
"My lord, I am a certified strategist specialized in ancient Chinese naval warfare. Pearl Fisherman is my given and family name! Please just call me Pearl."
"OK Pearl... please enlighten me, why is Wako our best friend?"
"Wako teaches us all the basics of naval warfare. They are so weak that all they do is to give us experiences, levels, and free trade ships."
"Hm... they are indeed push-overs. But I want to fight some real enemies! Like General Suzuki! The original one, not me."
"Good news, my lord. This just comes in: an order to fight Amako's navy!"
"Great! What's our intelligence on Amako's naval power?"
"Amako has about 16 ships, ranging from Sengoku Bune to Trade Ships."
"But we only have 6 Medium Bune."
"That's enough to win. Let's go!"
"That's enough?"
"Didn't my lord like to talk about stories of Bait Tactics? Let's use it on the water."
"Bait tactics on the water?!"

[Maltz]

Twenty Eight. Approach from the Side

(Port of Iyo, Winter 1555)

"We are ready to fight! Where is the enemy fleet?"
"There is a large Amako fleet right outside the Port of Bingo."
"How many ships?"
"10!"
"What's our chance?"
"With Bait Tactics? 100%.
"This sounds familiar..."

[Maltz]

"Hm, the terrain on the water is all flat. I guess this is good for Bait Tactics?"
"Indeed, my lord. Any terrain is good terrain when they are under the water. The little islands are good but not necessary."
"Amako's fleet has a mixture of everything. Where do we start?"
"My lord, we have to worry about be boarded by larger ships. All our ships are Medium Bune. We don't want to be boarded by Sengoku Bune. So our primary objetive is to destroy the only thing that can destroy us. Then the rest is easy."
"Amako has three Sengoku Bune..."
"So we have to draw them out separately. One by one, ideally. And kill most of their sailors with arrows before they get a chance to board us."
"Makes sense. How do we draw them out? Using baits?"
"Exactly. Each ship is essentially a ranged unit. So their response radius is roughly the same as their range."
"Hm... the Amako's formation is a thin, long line. If we approach them from the front, we might activate too many ships at once."
"Indeed. We have to apporach from the side."
"Which side?"
"The side with the wind carrying our arrows to the enemy."



37. When defending on water, the enemy loves the "long, thin line" formation. Approach from the side with the wind blowing from us to the enemy.

Note: Actually I never noticed any difference of wind changing the range or accuracy of arrows. However, they do make a critical difference in the speed of sail-boats.

[Maltz]

"Good, we are now on the side of the enemy's formation! Let's do some bait tactics! What's our bait? Our prey? Our trap?"
"My lord, how about I just pass you The Art of Gore so you can read it yourself..."


38. Bait for naval battle: The Bait should be fast enough to return with relatively light damage.

"Hm... all we have is Medium Bune."
"Medium Bune is not a bad bait, my lord. They are durable enough to lead the preys back."

39. Prey for naval battle: The first ship in contact will NOT be drawn out. Instead, it is the ships in the back that will respond to the bait. Usually there are multiple preys at once.

"I'll keep an eye on the ships in the back and pull back the bait as quickly as possible."
"Ships cannot row backward, usually we have to move forward even further before strating to turn back. Please be careful."

40. Trap for naval battle: Use powerful ranged attack to weaken the enemy before boarding a weak-ranged ship like a Sengoku Bune.

"Sengoku Bune has all their sailors on the deck. Ranged attack can quickly kill them."
"Yes, please focus on them!"

41. Trapping distance for naval battle: Preys usually have different speed. The longer the trapping distance, the more strectched out the enemy is.

"No problem. There is not too much room due to some strange red line confining the water space, but enough for us to setup a good trap! Baits, ahead!"

[Maltz]

Twenty Nine. Lazy Trade Ships

"The first enemy ship is in the bait's range - It is a trade ship!"
"My lord, trade ship usually does not elicit a response in the back. Please simply shoot them up with multiple ships."
"How come?"
"Maybe they want to use them to deplete our arrows?"
"But we have unlimited arrows..."

42. The enemy often treat their Trade Ships as "expendable". No prey will be drawn out if the trade ship is attacked. Use superior ranged power to shoot them up.