Which Matchlock unit do you prefer?[MP]

[Haru]

Matchlock Ashigaru

Matchlock Samurai

Matchlock Warrior Monks

If so, please post reasons why? For I am curious as to if leveling the Ashigaru would be beneficial.

[Quintus Augustus]

I must say the samurai ones are the best looking, but the monks get some better abilities/accuracy.

[StormtrooperDan]

I have two sets of veteran armies I rotate between. An ashigaru army (taking advantage of the Inspiring Orator -10% unit cost) and a monk army, and I use the appropriate matchlock unit for each army.

I mainly use Ashigaru and Monk, and I've only heard that Samurai ones aren't worth the money.

Benefits of Matchlock Ashigaru:
- Cheap, only $360 for an vanilla one with Inspiring Orator retainer.

Benefits of Matchlock Monk:
- Increase range ability + better reload and accuracy.

[Haru]

Thank you for the feedback, keep it coming

I must say the samurai ones are the best looking, but the monks get some better abilities/accuracy.

Samurai best looking? I'd beg to differ, I'd say the monks and or normal Ashigaru look better. The samurai have way to much armor.

I've only heard that Samurai ones aren't worth the money.

What are some of those reasons the Samurai aren't worth the money?

Benefits of Matchlock Monk:
- Increase range ability + better reload and accuracy.

Yeah, naturally they get a few buffs over the ashigaru, seeing how they cost more. Aside from that, does that increase range ability come by default or is that a skill upgrade only?

[Battlecry]

does that increase range ability come by default or is that a skill upgrade only?

Like monk-archers, they get a default range bonus.

Some people harp on about how fast the units move? these fellas would have to be deployed at least 3 months before every battle!

That video is hilarious. What's with the shoes I wonder? Looking at those naginata, I desperately want to own one.

[Haru]

Like monk-archers, they get a default range bonus.

Last time I checked, their default range was 100, for all three. You are mistaken and are probably confused with an ability, correct?

And yes, the Archer Warrior Monks do have a default range bonus over the Ashigaru, however. With the matchlock units that's not how it works.

[StormtrooperDan]

What are some of those reasons the Samurai aren't worth the money?

The main benefit is that a Samurai have better melee attack (6) /defense (2) and armor (4) over an Ashigaru. Which means if your Matchlock Samurai are caught in melee, they'll handle themselves for a while. But if a player is good, the Matchlocks should never enter melee. So those benefits are moot.

Yeah, naturally they get a few buffs over the ashigaru, seeing how they cost more. Aside from that, does that increase range ability come by default or is that a skill upgrade only?

All Matchlocks have same base 100 range; however, Monks get a special ability you can trigger in battle that increases their range by 25 for a short duration.

All Matchlock units will have an clan skill upgrade that increases range as well.

Here are some unit stats:

Matchlock Ashigaru
Range: 100
Accuracy: 30
Reloading Skill: 5
Ammunition 15
Melee Attack: 2
Melee Defense: 1
Armor: 1
Morale: 3

Matchlock Samurai
Range: 100
Accuracy: 50
Reloading Skill: 20
Ammunition 15
Melee Attack: 6
Melee Defense: 2
Armor: 4
Morale: 8

Matchlock Warrior Monk
Range: 100
Accuracy: 60
Reloading Skill: 30
Ammunition 15
Melee Attack: 4
Melee Defense: 2
Armor: 2
Morale: 12

[KittySN]

Samurai are the best armored, monks are too expensive and fragile, and ashigaru are cheap.

Personally, I like samurai the best, but in low money, I'm trying to upgrade ashigaru vets.

[Haru]

Interesting, so by the looks of it one logical reason to go for the Samurai would be for the reloading skill increase, it's far superior than that of the Ashigaru, but at the same time not to far away from that of the Monks.

As for the monks themselves other than that range increase skill, I can't see how choosing them over Samurai and Ashigaru would be benificial. The Accuracy and Reloading skills for them are obviously a bit higher, but ever so slightly.

[StormtrooperDan]

Interesting, so by the looks of it one logical reason to go for the Samurai would be for the reloading skill increase, it's far superior than that of the Ashigaru, but at the same time not to far away from that of the Monks.

As for the monks themselves other than that range increase skill, I can't see how choosing them over Samurai and Ashigaru would be benificial. The Accuracy and Reloading skills for them are obviously a bit higher, but ever so slightly.

I got these stats from the TWC Wiki for Shogun 2, I actually think some of these are wrong. Will update and check with game when I get home.

[Doe3000]

The matchlock samurai are a good middle ground. I've had a few ashigaru matchlocks in my campaign but I've never really been all that impressed with their performance, especially in comparison to the very cheap and reliable ashigaru archers (200+ Koku - archers, 700+ koku matchlocks - I think).

[Wodeson]

When I can afford it, I take Samurai matchlocks for reload and accuracy, otherwise Ashigaru. Haven't unlocked Warrior Monk Matchlocks yet.

Depending on how easy it is to unlock 'Fire By Rank' will probably determine my future matchlock choices.

[the_mango55]

The matchlock samurai are a good middle ground. I've had a few ashigaru matchlocks in my campaign but I've never really been all that impressed with their performance, especially in comparison to the very cheap and reliable ashigaru archers (200+ Koku - archers, 700+ koku matchlocks - I think).

You must be buying the imported ones that you can get from the eurpoean ports. They are only slightly more expensive than the archers.

[bangell99]

For sieges, I use veteran ashigaru with upgraded reload speed. Devastating.

[CtrlAltDe1337]

How to you build the Samurai matchlocks in the campaign, or are they just a MP unit?

[Haru]

So far I'm finding the Ashigaru to be really useful. Still trying to find if their usefulness is out-weighed by the monks or Samurai.


On a side note: Forgot I should've posted this in the Multiplayer section, if a mod can take care of that for me. That'd be grand.

[teafanatic]

I prefer archers

[Eien]

I only bring 2-3 units of teppo's in my standing army, and mostly used to garrison castles, esp those with multiple layers, the inner court can be a total killing field.

[da_bradler]

I use ashigaru. have a couple rank 5 and they are extremely useful. they are cheap enough that they can be used as fodder, say if a army is bow heavy, I run them up in loose formation ahead of my melee and they absorb tons of damage cheaply.

also they draw so damn much attention, great to have on flanks, I deploy them really aggressively since it's not game losing to have enemy cav take them out, yet if they are left free to shoot they'll pretty much win the match.

I just like that whatever I do them seems to work. either they draw attention from powerful cav/bow units at key moments or they get hundreds of kills if left alone. the threat they pose for their cost is awesome. matchlock monks are so expensive that I feel like I need to alter my game plan to get them to be worthwhile. ashigaru are this sweet little extra that lets me bring less bow but still have force at range.

[Lysimachos]

Some people harp on about how fast the units move? these fellas would have to be deployed at least 3 months before every battle!

Buddha says: The greatest prayer is patience.