Shogun: Total War
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| Shogun: Total War {{#if:{{{image|}}}|<tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center;">{{{image|}}} | |
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| Developer(s) | Creative Assembly {{#if:{{{publisher|}}}|<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Publisher(s)<td>{{{publisher|}}} |
| Release date(s) | June 13, 2000 |
| Genre(s) | Real-time tactics |
| Mode(s) | Single player, 2 to 8 Multiplayer over TCP/IP {{#if:{{{ratings|}}}|<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Rating(s)<td>{{{ratings|}}} |
| Platform(s) | Windows {{#if:{{{media|}}}|<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Media<td>{{{media|}}} |
Shogun: Total War is the first of Creative Assembly's "Total War" series. It is a history-based grand strategy computer game that combines turn-based provincial development with real-time battles. The player assumes the role of one of seven daimyos (Uesugi, Shimazu, Oda, Mori, Imagawa, Takeda, Omi) attempting to unite feudal Japan during the Sengoku period ("The Age of the Country at War") and become Shogun. Sun Tzu's The Art of War is central to the game; its precepts are quoted often and its strategies recommended.
The play involves a strategic phase building up armies and moving them into provinces followed by a real time battle phase. The three dimensional battles are notable for including aspects such as morale that had up to its publication usually been ignored by computer war games and are more typical of table top gaming.
It was followed by the Mongol Invasion expansion pack which added a Mongols campaign, played as either the invaders or as Japan. The Warlord Edition was also released, contain both the original game and the expansion. The Total War series has been continued with Medieval: Total War and Rome: Total War.
Contents |
Unit Types
(The following are combat units usable in the campaign mode on the original Shogun-Total War unless stated)
Yari Ashigaru
The standard peasant forces which in Japanese history, made up the mainstay of many armies (although in the game most people prefer to use the slightly more expensive Yari Samurai). Their main task is to fight en masse, they should not be expected to last long, they are best used to support more powerful units in a large combat, or to attack archers (note- if the latter is in use "loose formation" is advised, otherwise the arrows will slice through them incredibly quickly; due to their relatively low morale this is highly undesirable.)
Yari Samurai
These are essentially the more expensive of the two types of basic infantrymen, their spears are useful against cavalry when used in sufficient numbers, they are incredibly versatile and no matter how advanced an army is, it will not last long without a horde of these warriors nearby. They are reasonably sturdy though of course they will break under excessive pressure, if enough can be amassed a unit or two can be used to attack a ballistic unit which may be harassing your ranks. Charging an oncoming infantry horde (particularly if you are uphill) with them also gives them a reasonable advantage and allows time for your superior units to arrive, or just gives you those extra numbers you need to add weight to your assault, they are also excellent for mopping up fleeing troops.
Samurai Archers
The core of most ballistics based armies they are the only ballistics unit available right from the beginning of the game, and whether you use them in your own army or not (and there is no reason you shouldn't use them) you end up acquainted with them due to some clans sheer dependency on them. They are your best friend and your worst enemy, depending on whose side they are on. When you are attacking make sure to place your troops in loose formation, otherwise these warriors will decimate them with clouds of wooden fury, when you get near enough switch to either close or wedge (depending on the unit) and charge, or, if the archers are unsupported stay in loose formation as they are relatively weak and even Ashigaru can slaughter them with ease. If you find yourself on the defensive against a rivals incursion place these men on a hill facing the other side of the field with the rest of your forces behind (unless a pre-emptive cavalry flank attack is on the cards), as the enemy gets close (note your archers should be in loose formation as the enemies will return fire) you should be able to pepper his army, causing casualties in many units due to fire at will (or of course focusing your fire on a particular unit you deem a threat). As they ascend the hill sweep your own combat forces down onto them, this not only gives you a combat bonus, but the archers can then fire into the frenzy and further support your units.
Warrior Monks
Extremely powerful, highly devoted warriors of death. These men carry naginatas and are highly effective against all types of enemy. This is the finest argument not to convert to Christianity as you lose the ability to construct Buddhist temples and therefore losing your ability to train Warrior Monks. These units can tear through other units with ease as Buddhist armies don't like facing them due to their zeal and purity. They are a perfect assault unit and you should use them whenever possible, they are suited to most combat situations. However, despair not, for these men while strong are far from immortal, volleys of accurate archer fire combined with a quick assault can break them, thus they can be slain as they flee.
Nodachi Samurai
The most sophisticated samurai infantry unit. Effective against practically all other ground units. They wield a large two-handed sword which makes them very effective in attacking. They have very weak defense, so are best used in attacking the enemy in the side or rear as they will take massive casualties in a head-on fight. In order to build a sword-dojo (the required building for training No-Dachi) one of your soldiers must achieve a certain number of kills and become a sword-master. Any soldier can do this, even ones not armed with a sword.
Naginata Infantry
The finest infantry based deterrent to cavalry, their main weakness is the fact that they are very slow-moving in battlefield. Also, they are quite high in the building level, and as such you will not acquire them for quite some time. (you also need an armoury in the region). Their heavy armor tires them out during marching.
Arquebusers
The basic musket unit, reasonably effective against weaker enemy units at range, but likely to be annihilated in close combat. They can be trained after establishing a trading post with western nations. Their bullets are very damaging to high-armor units. Being shot at is very demoralizing and guns are effective at making enemy units flee.
Musketeers
More powerful and advanced musket units.
Yari Cavalry
The mainstay of the mounted forces, very effective in charging routing or low-morale ground units and/or missile units. Not powerful enough to face most infantry units in a fair fight, but they are very good at killing archers and units which have routed and are running away. They are armed with a Yari spear which makes them effective against other cavalry units. The fastest unit available and the only unit capable of catching Cavalry Archers. Like all Cavalry they face penalties when fighting in the woods or against other Yari armed units.
Cavalry Archers
The only mounted ranged unit. Less range and accuracy compared to Samurai Archers. Cavalry Archers are best used to pepper enemy units with arrows at a distance while using their speed to keep out of reach. They will lose in an archery duel to Samurai Archers because their horses are better targets, but they are better in melee so are able to defeat them in a one-on-one fight. The only unit which can catch them are Yari Cavalry.
Naginata Cavalry
Heavily armed, slow Cavalry meant for frontal attacks. They have a strong attack but weak defense. Best used for as a mounted shock troop, attacking and breaking the enemy lines. Will take significant casualties but are the cheapest Cavalry available. Note: Only available in the Mongol Invasion expansion pack and the Warlord Edition.
Heavy Cavalry
The most powerful cavalry in Japan. Able to destroy any other unit with the possible exception of Warrior Monks. Since these are the best units available your leader is given a bodyguard of 10 Heavy Cavalry to protect him in battle. They are also the most expensive unit so it is best to use them in flanking movements; charging enemy units from the side or rear in order to break their morale.
Kensei
The aptly named 'sword saint'. These single men units can literally tear through other, less powerful, units. They take four seasons to create, a whole game year, which makes them very valuable, so it is often advisable to avoid attracting unwanted enemy archer fire. Can, on occasion, rip through entire units of weaker troops before dying.