Just beat game on VH with Ashigaru only.

[Koolhan37]

First of all, this is not necessarily a criticism, though some may see it as such.

I know there was a thread, perhaps since moved to the strategy section, about trying to beat the game on Legendary with just Ashigaru. Well, this was the test run and now on to Legendary. I don't have exact proof, you will just have to trust me on this. The only non-Ashigaru units in any of my armies were the Great Guard and two Yari Cavalry that you get after taking Kyoto, which never saw combat(garrisoned in Kyoto). Also I only have maybe two imported matchlocks? No siege weapons either. Basically just Ashigaru spear and bow, and generals. Not even loan-swords(did not have that mod installed at the time).

It was done as the Oda, of course, and done somewhat quickly. There were some tough battles, but actually, I found using all Ashigaru armies to be quite effective, as I could field a TON of troops. Just look at my armies on the screenshot, and I'm raking in like 12k a year, with only the horses trade node. I also have at least one or two Ashigaru in almost every single castle, not bad!

A good tactic I found, was to use vassals, a lot of vassals. A couple had two provinces, helping me reach my goal. It also allowed me to focus two or more huge stacks of Ashigaru armies on one province/area.

I found it funny that my units, and my Daimy(!) only got a TINY amount of experience, when that army in the picture, at least some of those units have been on the march for the entire game, and Oda Nobuhide has probably easily fought 30+ battles(he's max rank, ashigaru/infantry line, of course ).

Anyways, enjoy some screens(they are 1680x1050).

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

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[kentuckybandit]

There was talk around here earlier of some kind of forum award for pulling this off.

[Koolhan37]

Eh, I think that was for Legendary only, which is what i'm going to try next. VH is pretty tough, but Legendary restrictions would make it a bit tougher. The beginning was the worst, and then after that only a few bumps in the road.

Edit: Would also like to add that the morale of a rank 3 Oda Yari Ashigaru under Nobuhide is 23. That's eight points higher than a Great Guard unit. They basically fight to the death every time. Pretty awesome.

[Nerouin]

Eh, I think that was for Legendary only, which is what i'm going to try next. VH is pretty tough, but Legendary restrictions would make it a bit tougher. The beginning was the worst, and then after that only a few bumps in the road.

Edit: Would also like to add that the morale of a rank 3 Oda Yari Ashigaru under Nobuhide is 23. That's eight points higher than a Great Guard unit. They basically fight to the death every time. Pretty awesome.

Needs balancing. Badly. Unfortunately, CA can't be ****ed to actually optimize the unit balance BEFORE releasing the game.

[GenWolfe]

Yeah Oda ashigaru are insane.
Mind in my campaign I also built some samurias.

[krakr]

There's actually a thread on the official forums where someone has done this on legendary.

[Koolhan37]

There's actually a thread on the official forums where someone has done this on legendary.

Cool, it can be rough for a little while, but once the Ashigaru train gets rolling, there's not much that can stop it. The sheer numbers, high morale, and Generals with the proper upgrades can be pretty amazing.

[Kupo]

What's so difficult about using ashigaru only? (especially as Oda) Or are generals banned as well?

I guess the start becomes slightly tougher if you can't use the yari samurai during the first two turns, but as Oda there really isn't any point in spending money on other troops. When I played my legendary the only non-ashigaru I recruited was 3 yari cavalry, and I they were pretty much a waste of resources.

[lsm]

once you get through the first few turns as oda, it's pretty hard to stop the peasant armies. train them up in iga with the pilgrim site morale bonus, with a big castle for the xp, maybe add a basic armory, and fielded with a ashigaru job specd general and they're just as deadly as samurai but 1/3 the price.

my last oda campaign i blitzed to the matchlock tech after the +1 spear xp bushido art, and never had any problems on vh

[G3NUINE chief]

Nice ive been trying to do the same, but early game i get swamped and crushed, what was your early game tactic playing as Oda?.

[dzaric]

Very cool, im actually trying the same thing you are doing and...*looks at avatar pic*.....*slowly walks away*

Edit: In my defense I actually didnt see u used it here before i chose the pic for my avatar . Great play + Great director = Great Movie

[Koolhan37]

Very cool, im actually trying the same thing you are doing and...*looks at avatar pic*.....*slowly walks away*

Edit: In my defense I actually didnt see u used it here before i chose the pic for my avatar . Great play + Great director = Great Movie

Hahaha, nice! And completely agree on why it is such a great movie. The vibrant colors and cinematography are excellent as well. One of the best Shakespeare adaptations and tragedies of all time.

As for tactics...well, just survive the first 10 turns, try to take a weak province ASAP(within first five turns, preferably sooner). Get a strong ally, preferably by marrying somebody, because the relationship bonus is really strong and helps with Realm Divide. Them just spam agents and peasants. Upgrade generals accordingly. I guess it can get a little boring fighting with basically two units for much of the game, but oh well.

Not saying it's an amazing feat or anything, just interesting to me, since I feel I did it rather quickly, and wasn't too hard after a while.

Also I try to build up the roads as fast as possible, and have my best general be the commissioner that helps with resupply. Even units at half strength replenish in one turn, that's really vital.

[Lugotorix]

Congratulations man. Must have been tough.

If we don't get Imagawa or Kiso, I might try Oda on Hard. One thing though, I can't seem to get a straight answer on whether the -200 remains for vassals After Realm Divide. Hard would be much more appealing if it was -50 as in Darth. Some people will swear by that it remains the same, which baffles me on the amount of bribing you must have done, even if very quickly. For me, three turns after realm divide on normal, I was trying to get my Allies the Takeda to join me against the Hatano, which were Allies that betrayed me, and the 2700 I offered them was considered an insult. They decced me a couple of turns later after I invaded my 1 province vassal the Satake (They were already going to betray me along with all other vassals 3-4 turns in).

[Koolhan37]

Well when Realm Divide hit, I had three of my vassals declare war on me, so that was a bit rough. I was in the process of becoming Shogun though so that helped after a couple turns. My one ally, the Takeda, I was allied mostly the whole game with a marriage, so the trade boost, and them being at war with my enemies helped. I also gave them 1,000-2,000 gold every now and again. A lot of my vassals I conquered(or re-conquered) after the realm divide, so they stayed on my side until I met the objectives.

[Amaranthen]

Congrats, I usually keep a full stack of peasants on my home island/provinces as defense against possible sea invasion (Should my navy fail).

My conventional armies are full of samurais, with a 2-3 units of peasants to soak up damage.

Peasants are great for defending because they can replenish very fast.