Before we get into the details of how to play, let’s take a look at the units you will command in the battle.
Every unit is represented on the game board by a group of models set into a base so they are easy to move around. Each unit has a matching Unit Card that shows all of the unit’s abilities as well as the orders you may assign to it.
Unit Flags
Every unit has a Unit Flag that shows the symbol for this unit type (Ashigaru, Samurai, Monks, etc.), the type of armament (naginatas, bows, arquebus, etc.), and experience level (experience level will be used in a future expansion release).
Each unit’s fl ag and Unit Card must be marked with the same number, so it is always clear which card belongs to which unit on the game board.
Unit Characteristics
The front side of a Unit Card lists all of the unit’s characteristics. In the Basic Game, you only use the abilities in the orange boxes.
Unit Type and Symbol
A unit can be one of many diff erent types, and can be identifi ed by the symbol on the Unit Card and atching Unit Flag:
ASHIGARU WITH YARI
Ashigaru were the common soldiers of Japanese armies. Though not as well trained as Samurai, Ashigaru armed with yari (spears) were much more numerous—in fact, they formed the backbone of Japanese armies in the XVI and XVII Centuries.
ASHIGARU WITH ARQUEBUS
The Arquebus was introduced to Japan by Portuguese traders in the middle of the XVI Century. Easier to master than the bow, the arquebus soon became popular with Ashigaru soldiers.
SAMURAI WITH NAGINATA
Samurai were trained to use a plethora of melee weapons, and would often use a polearm called the naginata. This versatile weapon could be used in massed formations as well as in single combat.
MOUNTED SAMURAI
Medieval Japanese armies lacked good horses, and therefore also lacked true heavy cavalry. Nevertheless, Samurai cavalry compensated for the poor quality of their horses with superior skill.
ASHIGARU ARCHERS
The bow was traditionally regarded as a weapon of the Samurai. Eventually, however, Ashigaru began using them too. Through their superiority in numbers, Ashigaru archers could achieve adequate results.
GENERAL STAFF
Japanese generals were Samurai from the noble families, and were as pro cient in ghting as they were at commanding an army. Surrounded by his elite loyal bodyguards, the general could change the course of a battle.
Range Chart and Firepower Value
Only units armed with ranged weapons, such as mounted archers or arquebusiers have this ability.
A unit’s Firepower Value is determined by the range of the attack. The chart on the Unit Card shows different Firepower Values for each range that unit can hit. If a space on the chart is marked with an “x”, the unit may not attack an enemy at that range.
The Firepower Value tells you how likely the unit is to hit when attacking with its ranged weapons. You must roll the number shown or less on a die to score a hit when this unit makes a ranged attack. The Firepower Value is the same whether you are attacking infantry or cavalry (see Ranged Combat).
Example: This unit of archers can re on an enemy target that is between 2 and 6 hexes away. If it attacks a unit 3 hexes away, the Firepower value is 4, but if the target is 5 hexes away, the Firepower is only 2.
Attack Values
A unit’s Attack Values determine how likely the unit is to hit an enemy when it attacks. You must roll the number shown or less on a die to score a hit (see Melee Combat).
Example: This unit has an Attack Value Against Infantry of 4. When it attacks, any die roll of 1-4 is counted as a hit, while any result of 5-20 is a miss.
All units have 2 Attack Values:
Attack Value Against Infantry is used only when the unit attacks an enemy infantry unit.
Attack Value Against Cavalry is used only when the unit attacks an enemy cavalry unit.
Cavalry units show two numbers in each Attack Value box, such as “8x3”. The fi rst number is the unit’s Attack Value. The second number is the number of dice you roll for each model in the unit when attacking.
Example: When this cavalry unit attacks an enemy infantry unit, it rolls 3 dice for each model in the unit, with a base Attack Value Against Infantry of 8, and Attack Value Against Cavalry of 6.
Defense Value
The quality of a unit’s defensive equipment, as well as the level of training and combat experience, determines how well the unit can avoid losses during
a combat. These abilities are combined into a single number called “Defense Value”. A unit’s Defense Value is the number of hits the unit can take without suff ering any casualties. Each time a unit is hit, its current Defense Value is reduced by 1 point for each hit.
Some orders can increase or decrease a unit’s Defense Value, as can some types of terrain. Always record the current Defense Value for each unit in the matching box of the Unit Card.
At the beginning of each turn, the Defense Value of all units return to their original, unmodifi ed values.
The Order Chart
The back side of the Unit Card shows a chart which lists all of the orders that you may assign to that unit. You cannot issue any orders to a unit that are not listed on its Order Chart!
During the Planning Phase, place a mark in the right hand column for the order you wish to issue to each unit. If you issue Fire Ranged Weapons or Assault orders, write the number of the target enemy unit in this box.
Below the Order Chart is a series of hexes. When you issue a movement order to a unit, you must write down the hex numbers that the unit will move through that turn.
