Positioning units for bridge defences

[ReluctantSamurai]

I tend not to purchase lots of Teppo ( as the AI likes wet weather when I do ), so I tend to rely on mainly Archers.

I never waste koku on the arquebus and go straight for muskets which can still fire in all but the most severe weather. Sure, they get less kills, but it's the morale impact that's key. (and btw, weather is one element that is modeled better in Shogun than any other in the TW series, IMO. compare the thunderstorm at the start of the historical Okehazama battle with a battle during one in RTW, for instance...one has to plan according to the seasons). I will typically have no more than four teppo in a defensive army, and no more than two in an attacking one.

Teppo also tend to retreat too quickly when attacked, as do the Archers if you put them at the front

Teppo are cheap, and if I occasionally get a unit caught by a cavalry charge, there's plenty more where they came from. I also favor training teppo in Owari and Tosa (when I finally acquire them) for the ashi honor bonus which helps reduce routing. Also, I usually put them in "Hold Position" and "Hold Formation" which also helps. My favorite tactic with teppo involves luring enemy cavalry to charge a teppo unit (in two lines instead of the usual three, fire-at-will is off). I use a CA as bait, and when the enemy cav gets close enough, I send the CA through the teppo who then get off a full volley at close range and then retreat behind the CA, who by this time close formation and charge what's left of the enemy unit. If assisted by another cavalry unit attacking from flank, only a very high honor unit will stay to fight.

This depends on the way the river runs by the bridge. Sometimes the river's position blocks flanking moves on one side.

Agreed. Sometimes that is the case.

I agree this will be more than negated by your method IF it is "pulled off".

Of course, as you seem to have perfected your tactics, you will continue to use them.

From my recent Nobunaga's Ambition Campaign (Oda 1580, expert level):

https://imgcash2.imageshack.us/Himg1...=640&ysize=480

https://imgcash3.imageshack.us/Himg1...=640&ysize=480

It's really not that difficult to pull off and the results can be staggering to an opponent.

But, as you say, everyone has their own way, and if that works, then so much the better