This army represents the forces of Japan at the hight of the 'Age of War'.
The list is currently in the Experimental section of the army lists due to it including +2 protection & FV6 LHI and also a rule for Arquebus, however it is envisaged that it will transfer to the Early Renaissance section when appropriate.
At this period Japanese forces almost exclusively fought each other, with the one major exception being the unsucessful invasion of Korea.
Films such as 'Throne of Blood', Kagamusha and the original 'Seven Samurai' should act as inspiration, if any is needed!
By this period, the bulk of the army were proffessional troops and there was little difference between the poorer Bushi and the veteran Ashigaru on the battlefield. Bows has declined significantly as a primary weapon, being replaced with Yari (Spear) and Katana (sword).
NB: List transcribed by Aetius from Polemicus' original postings
| Era: Biblical | Sengoku Japanese 1543 to 1600 AD | CR: H: 2 L: 7 | BP: 2 | Init: 5 | ||||
| Core | ||||||||
| Number | Type | Description | Key | FV | PROT | Weapon | Cost | |
| 1 | HC(d!) | Hatamoto | k | 5[1]0 | +2 | Yari | 13 | |
| 1 | LHI | Bushi | k | 5[1]2 | +2 | Yari/Katana | 9 | |
| 5 | LHI | Ashigaru | k | 4[1]2 | +1 | Yari | 6 | |
| 1 | LI | Wakato | 3[1]1 | +1 | Various Polearms | 4 | ||
| Bonus: | ||||||||
| 3 | HC | Mounted Bushi** | k | 5[1]0 | +2 | Yari | 12 | |
| O | ||||||||
| 3 | LHI | Dmt. Bushi** | k | 5[1]2 | +2 | Yari/Katana | 11 | |
| 3 | LHI | Bushi | k | 5[1]2 | +2 | Yari/Katana | 9 | |
| 1 | LHI | Bushi | k | 5[1]2 | +2 | Bow/Katana | 11 | |
| 5 | LHI | Ashigaru | k | 4[1]2 | +1 | Yari | 6 | |
| 3 | LI | Ashigaru | 3[1]1 | +1 | Bows | 6 | ||
| 6 | LI | Ashigaru | 3[1]1 | +1 | Arquebus*** | 6 | ||
| 4 | LI | Wakato | 3[1]1 | +1 | Various Polearms | 4 | ||
Terrain:
Core: 1 GR
Bonus: (Max: 3 ) 3GR; 1 SH; 1 RG; 1 W
Notes:
Core: 95 Bonus: 207
* Hatamoto are Veterans (+ 1 cost included); the General (Sokan) must be permanently attached to them. As such no other Veteran upgrade can be purchased.
If dismounted, the Hatamoto and the Sokan must be out of control, in an immobile headquarter. This can be represented with a diorama on a bigger base, if desired.
** Each HC (Mounted Bushi) unit can be substituted by one LHI (Dismounted) Bushi.
*** for Arquebuses; range 12"; may move 1/2 distance if they fire; may always evade at full distance; all targets have PROT +0 (+1 to their dice if the firer is at greater distance than 6"). The cost is 6 points (2 points more than x-bows in A2).
Note: by this time Japanese forces had simple cannon (as well as heavy wall guns) but these were generally not used in field battles.
List Author: Polemicus