Shogun - Screenshots
By Ian Boys
1. The Fortress

This battle involved attempting to seize an enemy camp to gain undisputed mastery of a province. First the troops are drawn up into their formations, then the army is assembled. In this case, as we do not fear counter-attack,  archers are at the front to wear the enemy down, then spear-armed samurai, the main assault troops, close in behind to charge the enemy at the right moment.

While assembling, two companies of enemy spearmen charged down the slope at the rear of our troops and had to be dispatched, wasting time and energy and causing casualties. It was also disconcerting - I had no warning till they were almost on me and I was too focussed on the main objective.

The troops begin their march up the hill. The position of the enemy camp on the rise gives them advantages:


 
The main battle is a bloody affair. Archers pour volley after volley of arrows into the camp but we are unable to take it. Successive waves are thrown back, then my whole army flees, only to be rallied at a distance. The next attack crumbles even more quickly. The enemy advantages of height and secure flanks and rear are unassailable, in spite of my much larger forces.
 

2. The River

In this battle I have a much larger force, including light cavalry. But there is only one bridge across the river and the enemy waits just out of bowshot on the other side. I advance archers to the river banks for security and form up the attackers in tight bodies ready to cross. The light cavalry will cross last to help rout wavering units and to prevent routing ones from reforming. (I HOPE!)

Here my Yari Samurai are the first to cross. By choosing a defensive unit to make the first crossing I hope to blunt any counter-attacks and form a bridgehead. The archers on my bank of the river will give covering fire. As I cross the first enemy units move towards me.

In the later stages of the battle I have crossed with significant forces and have lines of spearmen and archers on the far bank. My second, fresh wave starts to cross, to take up positions immediately behind the first wave, who will then part to flank positions. The bodies at the far end of the bridge clearly show the cost of this battle.
 

3. The Gorge

This shot gives some idea of the alternative conditions possible - here snow and light fog. The enemy are on the right of the picture. Rather than advance through the gorge I send the bulk of my army up the far hill to seize and hold the high ground before the enemy. On the near hill I send a company each of archers, spearmen and cavalry who make their way to the enemy rear and open the battle. As soon as the enemy front starts to detach units to deal with my diversion, the main force sweeps down the hill to rout the enemy and scatter his formations. Once split up, his army can be devoured piecemeal.