Shogun II now downloading ... anyone got any tips? [Beginners Guide Inside]

**eru** · March 19, 2011, 05:30 AM

Hi all,

Edit: This is not a place to comment Moderators action, if you wish to do so you can go here Commentary

Tzar

It's downloading ... how long have I got? (We got as far as 28% downloaded before it was closed)

I don't mean to be rude but ... WTF! (Having the above thread closed had upset my democratic thoughts of the TWC forum)

So anyhow ... apparently I can talk on the forums here, so here goes. Hope i'm following the rules now:

**Irelia** · March 19, 2011, 05:41 AM

you never know with steam

**eru** · March 19, 2011, 05:47 AM

It's not doing too bad tbh. It's 10:45 and on 41% now. I'm averaging a 800kb/s. So as long as it stays steady until 100% I should be ok.
I really wish i'd made the trip to the shop this morning tho as it would have certainly been faster. Either that or got the download started last night before I went to bed.

I'm almost on 50%. This is an important milestone! As such I will be throwing a party here! Tell your friends.
There will be beer, wine, orgies and cupcakes for all. And more importantly we will be displaying the old Shogun1:TW strategy guides on a .ppt

Just to reminisce of them 'olden days' when it all started.

Update: It's 11:11am and i'm on 50%
Wootage!

Sadly it seems i'll have to start the halfway party alone however, as everyone seems to have not seen the party invites yet. Strange that

I'd have thought i'd have thousands streaming through the pearly gates of ... > Games, Activities and Chat > Thema Devia when getting a thread going on Shogun2:TW in there?

Anyhow ... the .ppt's are running, the girls are already naked, the beer kegs are open and the cupcakes are in the cake stand.

Tips For Taxes And Economy

Ok whilst taking some time out from the party I nipped onto my iphone to gather some data. It seems in Shogun 2: Total War, you can exempt a province from taxes. What good is it to exempt a province from taxes? What relationship about taxes and economy? I have found the following three tips to help me out and explain the relationship between taxes and economy:

Tip 1 For Taxes And Economy
You can manage your economy in three ways: building specific buildings, signing trade agreements (the money you make depends in part of your resources) and managing your taxes.
My question: Which is better to aim for when starting the game?

Tip 2 For Taxes And Economy
If you exempt a province from tax, you lose your tax income (it represents the vast majority of your economy), but you can still make money out of trade.
My question: Is there an automanage tax option as well?

Tip 3 For Taxes And Economy
When you just conquered the region and looted it, you could exempt this region from taxes. This move could increase happiness.
My question: Is it best to occupy or loot when starting the game?

**Ascarona** · March 19, 2011, 06:30 AM

Take it to the Chat Thread.
IBTL.

**eru** · March 19, 2011, 06:35 AM

Originally Posted by Ascarona

Take it to the Chat Thread.
IBTL.

Have you got a link Ascarona? I've been moved about more than a Napoleonic army today!

It is now 11:30 and i'm on 56%. The party was awesome although a little lonely...
Here is some more info dug up from the tinternet. Hopefully this will be of some use to other folks just moving onto the new Shogun2:TW game?
I was just reading this thread and decided to put some info together. Here is what i found:

Clan Traits - There are nine main clans but I can only find info on ten clans

The Chosokabe Clan Traits
1. Increased income from farms
2. Reduced recruitment cost and upkeep for all bow infantry
3. Can recruit superior bow infantry

The Date Clan Traits
1. Charge bonus to all units
2. Reduced recruitment cost and upkeep for no-dachi samurai
3. Can recruit superior no-dachi samurai

The Hattori Clan Traits
1. +2% to the success chance of ninja actions
2. Specialist Hattori units can hide effectively in battle
3. Specialist Hattori units possess kisho training

The Hojo Clan Traits
1. Castles are cheaper to build and repair
2. Reduced recruitment costs and upkeep for siege units
3. Can recruit superior siege units

The Mori Clan Traits
1. Increased campaign map movement range for all ships
2. Reduced recruitment costs and upkeep for all ships
3. Can recruit superior ships

The Oda Clan Traits
1. Improved morale for all ashigaru
2. Reduced recruitment costs and upkeep for all ashigaru
3. Can recruit superior ashigaru

The Shimazu Clan Traits
1. Increased loyalty for all generals
2. Reduced recruitment costs and upkeep for katana samurai
3. Can recruit superior katana heroes
4. Can recruit superior katana samurai

The Takeda Clan Traits
1. Improved morale for cavalry
2. Reduced recruitment costs and upkeep for all cavalry
3. Can recruit superior cavalry

The Tokugawa Clan Traits
1. +2% to the success chance of metsuke actions
2. Bonus to diplomatic relations
3. Reduced recruitment costs and upkeep for kisho ninja
4. Can recruit superior kisho ninja

The Uesugi Clan Traits
1. 2% to the success chance of monk actions
2. Increased trade income
3. Reduced recruitment costs and upkeep for warrior monks
4. Can recruit superior warrior monks

**Ascarona** · March 19, 2011, 06:36 AM

How are you not getting this? We don't care about your download speeds, to quote the mod that closed your first thread:

Do we really need a thread on this?? Download speed fluctuates, end of story.

Play another game or something if you can't wait for the download to finish.

**eru** · March 19, 2011, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by Ascarona

We don't care about your download speeds

Thanks you for the warm welcome and also bringing your mighty post count to bear. I guess by 'we' you mean everyone on this forum right? I'm aware that forum theory suggests I have to now bow down to you words of wisdom because of the mightily high post count. I'm already on my knees ... see? [grovel, grovel] ... I'm not talking about download speeds BTW, only game advice. The problem i'm now faced with however is that my thread has been moved to the area of the forum no one ever reads; let alone talk about the new Shogun2:TW game! However I came here to talk about the game ... so i'll just talk to myself if needed.

Originally Posted by Ascarona

Play another game or something if you can't wait for the download to finish.

Is talking about a TW game a crime? I'm confused. I'm just some dude who is downloading a TW game whilst on a TW forum and trying to gathering info about Shogun2; the new TW game. You know ... having a chat! You never know this thread might help someone else in a similar situation over the coming days/weeks. Or do you have to be a veteran player to now post here? Some sort of beginners guide would have been grand for someone like me getting to grips with the game. A thread like this would be an excellent grounding for one! I'm miffed why this is against protocol.

Just to clarify what forum means for the disbelievers, here is a quote from an everyday dictionary to clarify:

World English Dictionary:
forum (ˈfɔːrəm) — n , pl -rums , -ra
1. a meeting or assembly for the open discussion of subjects of public interest
2. a medium for open discussion, such as a magazine
3. a public meeting place for open discussion

The young mod has correctly moved me here ... so here I am! Everything should therefore be cushty? Right?

Cheers.

Ok it's 12 noon and i'm on 67% downloaded. Gettting there!

I've got some more info to share about concerning how to become Shogun and what is the Shogun's bonus. While you holding Kyoto for one year, you will be declared becoming Shogun by Emperor. Some people suggest that the event happens for other reasons like becoming legendary but evidence suggests otherwise and it has been cofirmed happen when you reach 17 or 18 regions RD will happen without being Shogun. Even though you are the Shogun, you still don't win the game as you still have to conquer everyone else.

When you become Shogun, you will have the following happen:
1. 10% tax rate bonus across your clan.
2. Higher base morale for all units.
3. A free battleship, the Nihon Maru, and also two Bow Kobaya.
4. You will receive a Great Guard, and a couple of other lesser cavalry units.
5. The whole world declares war on you. Yikes!!!!!!!!!!! Already commonly know as realm divide (RD).

Update: The Hattori clan is well placed to grab the shogunate!!!

Ok it's 12:20pm and i'm on 73%

How to Solve the Food Shortage Problem
I've read about a lot of people having food shortage problems. Here are some beginner tips:
1. The only structures that produce food are farms. You must keeping up food surpluses!
2. Do not upgrade your castles as soon as you could. Castles consume food...
3. Your castle upgrades must coincide with your farm level. Otherwise you face a never ending stream of rebellions.
4. Keep in mind the marketplace or perhaps the rice exchange also consumes food. Building it will reduce your food supply.
5. Research the food upgrade buildings in the research tree, and build them as soon as possible.

...and also you have to know that unit upkeep does not consume food. So as long as you have money, train away!

It is now 12:57 and i'm on 87% downloaded. Sooooooooooooo close!

Anyhow; i'm sitting here thinking about why I just deleted Napoleon:TW and upgraded to Shogun2:TW. I instantly knew i wouldn't be playing Napoleon:TW anytime soon if I had Shogun2:TW and needed the space - so it got deleted for now... /sigh.

This is the new installment and should offer new features, be a better game and provide a refreshing change! Well here is what I see as the key differences I found from googling about the recent news releases:

Why Upgrade? A Total War 'Features' Guide
There are some additional features in Shogun 2: Total War. This guide following will show you these features in detail.

Redefined
Shogun 2 is the ultimate refinement of the original formula with a new, cutting-edge AI, more polish and online functionality than ever before. The result is the perfect mix of real-time and turn-based strategy gaming that invites both veterans of Total War and new players to experience the enjoyment and depth of the series.

New Character Progression
Choose from 9 different clans and compete on and offline for the undisputed supremacy of Medieval Japan. Gain experience to level up your own character-warlord as well as your generals and agents.

A Complete Single and Multiplayer Offering
Play through the Main Campaign in single player or invite a friend online to play competitively or cooperatively in Campaign Multiplayer mode. Join 8-player multiplayer battles with your own upgradable avatar and climb the online Leaderboard to show the world who reigns supreme. Also including exciting new modes of team play for clans, a first in the Total War series.
Shogun 2: New Generation AI System

Developed according to Sun Tzu's principles in the Art of War, the Artificial Intelligence constantly analyses its situation and reacts to your every move with greater precision and variety.

Improved Land and Naval Battle Gameplay
Land battles never felt so realistic with new multi-staged castle sieges and terrain features changing according to the weather and time of the day - turning each engagement into a tactical challenge. Set buildings on fire to force garrisoned troops out and use your units' special abilities to turn the tide of the battle. Naval combat also offers more variety with the addition of coastal battles. Islands can work as effective cover for your ships, while sand bars and reefs can be used as traps against an enemy fleet.

Accessible and In-depth Empire-building Gameplay
A streamlined User Interface makes management of your kingdom much easier. Build and govern cities, recruit and train troops, conduct diplomacy and manage your agents - each feature is now introduced with comprehensive tutorials, gradually revealing the depth of the Shogun 2 campaign map - the heart and soul of the Total War experience.

It's 13:19pm and i'm on 91% ... almost!

Faction Starting Areas
To add to the Faction traits/info above, the game includes 65 provinces, several trade provinces and 14 naval regions. The main Factions are:

Also kindly posted on these very forums by Deathstar there is a map of the current game starting areas:

The Minor Factions are: Amako, Anegajoji, Asai, Asano, Ashikaga, Ashina, Bessho, Buddhist Rebels, Christian Rebels, Errno, Hatakeyama, Honma, Hosokawa, Iga Ninja, Ikko Ikki, Imagawa, Ishida, Ito, Jinbo, Kikkawa, Kiso, Kitabatake, Kobayakawa, Kono, Kuroda, Matsuda, Miyoshi, Mogami, Murakami, Uesugi Ogigatsu, Otomo, Ouchi, Portugal, Rebels, Sagara, Saito, Sakai, He, Satomi, Shone, Sogo, Takaoka, Toyotomi, Tsutsui, Ukita, Urakami, Utsonomiya, Wako, Yamana, Yamanouchi Uesugi.

Argh ... my computer just had a blue screen of death (first one ever!) and reset. The download is now back to 69%
/cry

**Aeneas Veneratio** · March 19, 2011, 08:55 AM

Why didnt you post this in the Shogun 2 Total War forum? Or get a mod to move to there?

Also, why did you find the progress of your downloading to be of any interest for the rest of us? Kind of reminds me of people using Foursquare on FB, like someone cares about their whereabouts.

As for tips, try you luck first with the Chosokabe or the Date as you can take it slower than the other factions. Shimazu might seem like a good choice, but the minor clans next to you can be a serious problem. The two clans to your north are allied and can decide to take actions against you, when you finally conquer your intermediate threat, the Ito. At least that is what happened to me.

**eru** · March 19, 2011, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by Aeneas Veneratio

Why didn't you post this in the Shogun 2 Total War forum? Or get a mod to move to there?

I did but got directed to come here by the mod YD23. This is what I obediently did but I have no idea why this is the correct place? I'll have to direct you towards a mod for an answer to that ...

Originally Posted by Aeneas Veneratio

Also, why did you find the progress of your downloading to be of any interest for the rest of us?

I'm not sure what you mean by your quote "the rest of us?" But i'm NOT really interested in talking about my download ... i'm after advice and tips only. A beginners guide if you like. I can't play the game just yet - so i'm adding my progress as an aspect. A way of telling a story perhaps ... telling a tale ... creating atmosphere ... chatting ...

As i'm now sidelined into a part of the forum that rarely gets noticed - i've thought it would become a useful contribution to the community to add what i'm finding out along the way and create the basis of a 'Beginners Guide' which does not exist to-date. I'm already thinking of compiling it into a .doc myself at some point.

As for a starting faction; the 'Chosokabe', I think, is the better choice for a first campaign. Mainly as it's in the demo and has a good starting area to consolidate. Thanks for the advice. I will sail into this window of opportunity.

**Dodge** · March 19, 2011, 11:16 AM

I like your style, eru.

I'm at 63%

**Cahoma** · March 19, 2011, 11:56 AM

Damn I wish I had kept my pre-order on steam.... Downloading would have been so easy.

Instead I'm still waiting for it and the dirtbags still haven't replied to the email I sent yesterday.

**Becephalus** · March 19, 2011, 12:56 PM

Actually you vasslas and allies wont attack you at realm divide if you are close enough friends.

**Ascarona** · March 19, 2011, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by eru

Thanks you for the warm welcome

No problem.

and also bringing your mighty post count to bear. I guess by 'we' you mean everyone on this forum right?

Nope, it refers to the inner community of Thema Devia.

I'm aware that forum theory suggests I have to now bow down to you words of wisdom because of the mightily high post count. I'm already on my knees ... see? [grovel, grovel] ... I'm not talking about download speeds BTW, only game advice. The problem i'm now faced with however is that my thread has been moved to the area of the forum no one ever reads; let alone talk about the new Shogun2:TW game! However I came here to talk about the game ... so i'll just talk to myself if needed.

Which is a form of spamming, which is against the ToS. Again, if you want to rant or discuss something as incredibly boring as your download speed, then take it to "The Chat Thread".

Is talking about a TW game a crime? I'm confused. I'm just some dude who is downloading a TW game whilst on a TW forum and trying to gathering info about Shogun2; the new TW game. You know ... having a chat! You never know this thread might help someone else in a similar situation over the coming days/weeks. Or do you have to be a veteran player to now post here? Some sort of beginners guide would have been grand for someone like me getting to grips with the game. A thread like this would be an excellent grounding for one! I'm miffed why this is against protocol.

Which is why I already linked to the correct place for that twice, for another place to go with this stuff: http://java.surrealchat.net/chat/twcenter, the official chat program of TWC.

Just to clarify what forum means for the disbelievers, here is a quote from an everyday dictionary to clarify:The young mod has correctly moved me here ... so here I am! Everything should therefore be cushty? Right?

Wrong.

Do we really need a thread on this?? Download speed fluctuates, end of story.

The mod who closed your thread himself stated that there isn't a point in making a thread for this, but then you open up two more threads to complain about said closure. Then you continue to ramble on with yourself and making quadruple posts filled with info that can already be found in a quick scan of the S2:TW board.

Really "dude", this is just a waste of bandwith and your time. Please refrain from making threads like this in the future, I doubt it will make you very popular.

**eru** · March 19, 2011, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by Ascarona

Really "dude", this is just a waste of bandwith and your time. Please refrain from making threads like this in the future, I doubt it will make you very popular.

Sorry Ascarona but I feel too intimidated to reply because of your omnipotent post count. It makes me tremble with fear and reminds me of what it is to be in the Oda clan. Maybe when I earn such a vast array of time-wasting stamps myself i'll be able to share an o-sake お酒 with you?

Originally Posted by Dodge

I like your style, ERU.
I'm at 63%

I've been playing for the last few hours now

Initially I didn't like the game outlay. It seems to has lost a 'feel' for me ... perhaps it's all the cartoony feel to it now. However i'm getting into it more as time goes by. Maybe it's a grower? Maybe I just need to learn the buttons