Total War: Shogun 2 / Army counters
Total War: Shogun 2 ashigaru, samurai and cavalry counters
Build a practical Sengoku army without assuming the most expensive unit wins every fight.
Edition covered
The original 2011 Sengoku campaign. Pictures are publisher images for Shogun 2. Rise of the Samurai and Fall of the Samurai have separate rosters and campaign systems; their rules are outside this guide.
10 items · one picture per entry · open a picture for full size.
Core unit roles
Specialist roles
Pursuit and attacks on exposed units
Light Cavalry
Tactical reminder: Avoid intact spear fronts.
Mounted melee against infantry
Katana Cavalry
Tactical reminder: Do not stay trapped in spears.
Firearms at useful firing angles
Matchlock units
Tactical reminder: Clear line of fire and weather matter.
Quick notes
- Anchor the line with spears. Yari Ashigaru are inexpensive and can form a defensive spear wall.
- Use samurai for their specific job. Katana Samurai fight infantry effectively; Yari Samurai provide mobile spear support; bow units create ranged pressure.
- Charge cavalry into a useful target. Cavalry is valuable for flanking, pursuit and attacking exposed archers.
- Keep reserves for morale shocks. Flanks, general proximity, fatigue and casualties influence morale.
Useful tip
Flanks, general proximity, fatigue and casualties influence morale. Hold a fresh unit behind the line so that one local rout does not uncover your archers and turn into an army-wide collapse.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Publisher game and edition listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Feral official manual | www.feralinteractive.com |
| Official campaign getting-started guide | wiki.totalwar.com |