DEFENDING OUR HOME - Shimazu (Legendary Challenge: Katana Units Only) - Total War: Shogun 2 - Ep.01!

[@TwoHands95]

Tanegashima is an island, clan and a matchlock. These snapping matchlocks, teppō (lit. iron guns), are colloquially called Tanegashimas due to their supposed introduction to the Japanese by the Portuguese landing on the Tanegashima-island.

[@Naraku-no-Hana-WE]

To add to this, for a period of time the Japanese thought that gunpowder itself came from Tanegashima Island, thus early matchlock weapons and everything associated with them were named after the island. Most samurai clans are named after their family's point of origin or original seat of power.

[@KusunokiSG47]

The more you know

[@bjornhellgate3985]

Glorious nippon steal folded a billion times

[@neenamishra6137]

Matchlock and bow samurai also use a katana but short

[@ryancox191]

Now do fall of the samurai with only wooden cannons.

[@blazstajcar9336]

Finally, the mighty katana cavalry will rise

[@neenamishra6137]

Yes,its might is to get slaughtered by yari cavalry

[@blazstajcar9336]

@@neenamishra6137 but does ai actuallu tend to field yari cav? in my experience it doesn't do it too often

[@Pietrzu07]

You are the best still playing this awesome game :) I'll always remember Oda campaign and whole story about those times you were telling us!

[@XiaoXiao_416]

You can win an offensive siege against the samurai retainer with only 1 general with 0 loss: dismount, burn down the gate, run inside just in front of the gate, they'll charge at you. Then you move outside SLOWLY by pressing backspace. With some practice, you can lure the samurai retainer out of the castle, with minimal losses. (If you run outside too quickly, they'll lose interest and back into the castle. But you can then try again.) After they are outside the castle, walk to the edge of the map, then run back to the capture point. 0 men loss, kill 60 men for battle exp, 10 exp for general. Only 1 general unit is needed. (You don't even need to repair castle, as it repairs automatically next turn due to the minimal damage.)

[@khoifoto]

I saw katana units, I hit the like button and subscribe.

[@Al3xtheMeh]

While choosing the Shimazu is the best option overall, it could be interesting to see these type of Unit only challenges using different factions. Like for this one using the Hattori, Date, or even the ikko Ikki could be a twist. I thought you’d have run this game dry a while ago, but these unique challenges keep it alive. Good job!

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

Thank you sir. I agree with what you say as well, however, I have done other challenges for most other clans already so I kind of wanted to play the Shimazu again as well as it had been a while. :D

[@bobysansk4206]

If he did Ikko Ikki he could spam katana ashigaru

[@Plotatothewondercat]

Yeah, Ikko Ikki is probably the onlysword easymode run, simply because there's a cheap source of blades there.

[@bobysansk4206]

Yes that my point it would be too easy for an experienced player like donkey

[@MarkKimberly]

I've been binge watching your Shogun 2 campaigns. Can't wait for this series to continue!!

[@MarkKimberly]

Wow I didn't even see you uploaded challenges already!! Shit I have alot of watching to do lol! (Sorry just subbed not long ago)

[@lsynno]

This is a pretty cool challenge idea. A heavily defensive starting position with only offensive units. Not the hardest but it should result in some unique game play.

[@bezukaking6860]

The Tanegashima gun was named after the Island (a Portuguese trade vessel ship wrecked there, the traders gave some stuff - including a gun - to the local lord and got - among other things - his daughter in return) and your guy is from there (it's just off the south of Kyushu from Satsuma)

[@bezukaking6860]

Shipwreck was in 1543

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

Interesting, thanks for that bit of background story.

[@orphancrippler9526]

"Thanks for the gun! Here take a daughter!"

[@bezukaking6860]

@@orphancrippler9526 what can I say, it's cool stuff

[@45calibermedic]

How about that. So, am I right to assume that the daughter became a servant? Did she go to Portugal?

[@antiheartless45]

Wouldn't superior armor be a better idea because of the range disadvantage you have

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

I ended up getting the armour from the encampment building.

[@yester8039]

I can say for sure you are my favourite youtuber since i started watching your vids in the Ashikaga Shogunate campaing, please keep this AMAZING work and i hope you have a nice day!

[@gavinc.6243]

Been waiting for this one.

[@Naraku-no-Hana-WE]

Ninja (being commoners) did not use katana. The popularized ninja weapons such as the ninjato short sword or shinobi-gatana are not historical weapons, as Ninja were not wealthy and simply employed whatever weaponry and tools they had available to them, in truth no different from what any peasant of the era could have used. The difference between a battlefield ninja and an ashigaru was in their training, tactics, and creed. Actually the weapon we know as katana was not employed during the early and mid portions of this era at all. The iconic katana weapon we associate with the samurai came into use at the end of this period and was popularized during the reign Tokugawa Shogunate. The most common blades employed by samurai of this era are the Uchigatana and Tachi. Compared to the katana, the Uchigatana has less of a curve and may in fact be a straight sword. It may also have been cheaper to make, and thus employed by lower status footsoldiers. The Tachi is comparatively shorter, curved blade typically employed by samurai on horseback. Unlike the katana which is carried thrust into the obi (belt) blade side up, the Tachi was worn slung from the belt blade side down (which is easier to draw from horseback). After its popularization in the eras following the Sengoku Jidai, the katana became the image of a samurai's blade and the term is used to refer to all Japanese swords. And on a further note, it's unclear whether the nodachi (or Oudachi) was ever employed in battle. These were ceremonial weapons and more of a status symbol than a practical weapon, though rumors exist of exceptional warriors carrying them into battle (whether they were actually used or not).

[@Gre3nStYle]

Very good explanation about everything. I agree to most even though Katanas have been used since the Muromachi Period (1392-1573) you perfectly said that the Katana we associate with samurai came way later. Even though there's no real proof about the Ninjato being a thing they're based on the design of a normal wakizashi or chokuto. Whether they really existed is unknown as there's no physical proof.

[@Osvath97]

Iga and Koga clan-ninjas, which is the classic image of the ninja, what most people think about when referring to ninjas, developed from jizamurai clans, so they were not commoners. People such as Hattori Hanzo, Fuma Kotaro and Momochi Sandayu being a cases in point. Not all people employed as ninjas were samurai, but the clans who invented and trained ninjutsu were. These clans would however also employ commoners, all though not in the same roles as ninjutsu trained clan-ninjas. It is reasonable to assume that almost all battlefield ninja were samurai of these clans. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that Kisho Ninjas in this game use katanas.

[@Naraku-no-Hana-WE]

@@Osvath97 I disagree, I'm well aware of the founding of Iga and Koga. As someone who has spent a significant amount of time training with both the Bujinkan and Jinenkan I have a different perspective. The weaponry and martial arts training taught is significantly different than traditional samurai arts. There is no distinction between a battlefield ninja and any other ninja. The warriors of these ninja villages were pressed into service out of need. All men - of noble leanings or otherwise - are fielded. Their numbers were significantly inferior compared to any potential invading clan. The vast majority of their ranks are peasant born, even more so than other clans of the Sengoku Jidai era.

[@Osvath97]

@@Naraku-no-Hana-WE No one doubts that ninjutsu was different than traditional samurai martial arts. I fail to see what you mean. There were many different positions and types of ninjas. The jizamurai-ninja clans of Iga and Koga did often sell their services. When it came to kishu tasks, it is reasonable to assume that these tasks were carried out by full members of the Iga and Koga clans, which would mean samurai.

[@Naraku-no-Hana-WE]

@@Osvath97 the type of training indicates the type of weaponry employed. The weapons of the samurai were Bow, Spear (or Naginata depending on the era), then Sword in that order of significance. In 13 years training I did not learn a single bit of Kyujutsu (archery). Soujutsu (spear fighting) was limited to keeping the pointy end facing the enemy. Kenjutsu training was highly limited and basic, the vast majority of it centered around deflecting, parrying, evading, or disarming an enemy's blade. The vast majority of weapons training focused on the bo, hanbo, kusari fundo, kusari gama, tanto, and a wide variety of throwing weapons, all weaponry employed by peasantry. This is in keeping with the history of the Iga ninja clans I was taught. Quite frankly no one knows the true lineage of the various publicly famous ninja. You mentioned Hattori Hanzo, it's still heavily disputed whether he was ever truly of the samurai class. And frankly there's no way to know. I need to emphasize again there is no reason to only employ fully trained samurai-class ninja to the battlefield. Ninja training wasn't designed to produce elite battlefield combatants, their primary skills were in avoidance of battle at all costs, keeping their enemies far away from home. More than half of the disciplines taught to ninja were non-battlefield such as meteorology. They weren't some elite mercenary battle squadron, when warlords hired them it wasn't for their combat prowess. When ninja took to the field it was out of necessity and it was all hands on deck.

[@azer3111]

The moment u talked I liked, subscribed, and hit that notification bell. Thank u for great content

[@MrRandalFlagg]

I guess going the armor route for your special building would be a good idea. Even judging by the second battle. And those were just bow ashigaru!

[@aorusaki]

I love these challenges!!!!

[@sundered7325]

i laughed my ass off when you said lets just kill em(with 2 generals and retainers)... even you chuckled a bit whilst saying that

[@keimoclayton2844]

Great content. Thank you sir.

[@AvengerAtIlipa]

Mori Pirate (Wakko Wakko) only Challenge

[@benjaminmclaren8782]

Aw yeah, I am looking forward to this one!

[@brainwasher9876]

MrSmartDonkey! Since you're doing katana only, can you try going Christian (since you can't use bow warrior monks or naginatas)? I really want to see your opinions on conversion.

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

I thought about it, but still decided against it in the end.

[@stalker-5150]

Ninja's use a shinobigatana. It's considered a type of short sword.

[@TheMock5000]

I find it funny that the clan that ends up unifying Japan, dies right at the start.

[@alexanderabramov2719]

Nice! Personally I would love it if you headed for Katana Cav sooner than later, would probably make battles more engaging, armies look slicker and give us footage of a unit you don't use EVER AT ALL :D

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

Twelve episodes in they're in my armies.

[@CivSki]

Finally some straight up Shogun 2!

[@thomasbeha5974]

Will you do a clan overview for Nagoka as well? I like your clan overviews really much and I think it‘s the last one missing

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

I haven't done the Tsu one yet either, but yes I will, at some point.

[@thomasbeha5974]

@@MrSmartDonkeyLP ah right I forgot about them. I'm exited what Army Composition they get🤔

[@Stepan308]

1 dislike from Ashikaha shogunate

[@TwoHands95]

MrSmartDonkey, have you thought about giving Master of Strategy a chance? I did not like it at all first, found it very confusing and frustrating. Yet, I stuck with it and now it is one of my favorite overhaul-mods for any game I've played.

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

I have tried it in the past, but I don't like the Extended Japan mod, makes campaigns take too long. Shogun 2 campaigns are the perfect length, they don't take 65 real life years to complete unlike some other TW campaigns.

[@TwoHands95]

​@@MrSmartDonkeyLP No, problem. I agree to some extent. I've done all clans on very hard in Shogun 2. It's the perfect length but sometimes I fancy a longer campaign. Anyways, good to know looking forward to the series!

[@generalmoltke1777]

You can build a bow koboja top take the trading point already with a normal harbour. You dont have to wait for the trading Port.

[@generalmoltke1777]

Oh, i See you did. nevermind

[@faceoctopus4571]

Loansword Ashigaru use katana. But that of course is only available to the Ikko Ikki.

[@noexitnoproblem6037]

These siege battles drive me nuts. It just seems like theres never enough room to be had. Verses Medieval castles theres so much more room and wall positioning etc. Cheers.

[@totalmadnesman]

Well to be fair, in the early game there are only small castles and forts. Later the citadelles are huge.

[@worldman3218]

The reason why your guys are not recovering as fast as you thought is because it was snowing.

[@briandinh9169]

All hail the best cavalry, the katana cavalry

[@gibbled0]

Hey Donkey, have you tried the Master of Strategy Sengoku overhaul? I find it gives the game a lot of depth, and I think it would be an excellent medium for more challenges.

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

I have tried it in the past, but I don't like the Extended Japan mod, makes campaigns take too long. Shogun 2 campaigns are the perfect length, they don't take 65 real life years to complete unlike some other TW campaigns.

[@Malevolent74]

Hey donkey I was curious if you ever use strategies such as the hammer and anvil or oblique strategies

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

I don't think there's a Total War player out there that doesn't use those strategies. I use them in every single battle if I have cavalry, and sometimes without cavalry too. Watch literally any video that has battles in it on my channel and you'll see.

[@Malevolent74]

MrSmartDonkeyLP sorry I’m new and was just curious😅

[@orphancrippler9526]

@@Malevolent74 He also uses tactics like forcing the enemy AI archers to scale the walls by moving his infantry out of range.

[@lorenzosp8566]

@@orphancrippler9526 those aren't tactics, they are cheese

[@dawaaagh7496]

@@lorenzosp8566 No, cheese would be doing what LegendOfTotalWar does, in games such as WH2, placing his entire army to the left/right side of the map, and use art to destroy said towers. Theirs nothing the ai or enemy player can do against it, which is why it is cheese, as well as not even playing on legendary difficulty but still making excuses as to cheese every game because he doesn't understand how to play them as intended. Sorry, i just really dislike him. But yeah, the ai can easily target other units, its the same tactic the french used at the battle of hastings 1066, just a lure more then anything.

[@darcysutherland]

Can't wait for more. Shouldn't be that hard

[@Ryo-yl3sv]

The sword of a Ninja is called Ninjatō and it is a bit shorter than a Katana

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

Perfect, so I made the right call not including them.

[@Huuhailija]

Yes gimme shogun 2 videos!

[@eliasgrandfield7793]

Ninjato is the ninja sward

[@snubbles9991]

Hey have you ever did a master of strategy campaign? Its a pretty amazing overhaul mod for shogun 2

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

I have tried it in the past, but I don't like the Extended Japan mod, makes campaigns take too long. Shogun 2 campaigns are the perfect length, they don't take 65 real life years to complete unlike some other TW campaigns.

[@snubbles9991]

@@MrSmartDonkeyLPits cool man , but yea I do agree on the extra map extension tho. Personally when you've been playing shogun for almost a thousand hours for the past years mods like this a wholeheartedly welcome lol

[@nikoszaxarias5200]

Hey Donkey, how's things. As I know, a Ninja sword is the Ninjato, no way near the Katana in every aspect you see it. Just for information...

[@cardminatorful]

wont the legendary series erase choshu u doing or u finished recording the series(all the way) or I doesn't do that since u doing rise of the samurai?

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

What do you mean erase?

[@cardminatorful]

overwrite your choshu campaign

[@grammarcrusader1065]

Use only sword units and cannons you need cannons ever time

[@MalakianM2S]

I didn't know that hatamoto stands for balloon man.

[@tntaclegrape]

It doesn't. Hatamoto is the great guard.

[@MalakianM2S]

@@tntaclegrape Are you sure it doesn't stand for an obvious joke though?

[@fabianhartendorf9609]

A ninja sword is called a ninjato

[@RoastingPotPieMonkey]

i've been gone for a bit, is the ninja challenge coming back? or is it dead?

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

Coming back.

[@wuetendergoblin]

You should change your heritage asap to your youngest son, if you do that u can put every son that comes on age before him into a council position, otherwise u cant. And if u do it before they get old enough, they wont suffer on loyality

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

I've recorded 12 episodes so far so I'm afraid it's a bit too late for that, but don't worry, I have all commissions used already.

[@wuetendergoblin]

@@MrSmartDonkeyLP U will do fine anyway, just a tip to give u kind of a head start in money some times

[@bezukaking6860]

You could have kept the ashigaru, all you had to do was only use their katanas (no yari wall or fire at will)

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

That's obviously not the challenge though. I could use almost every unit in the game if I did that, what would be the point?

[@XiaoXiao_416]

In the early game, especially in challenge runs when you are strapped for cash, you shouldn't upgrade farm. Farm is a terrible investment early game, even when you have very fertile soil (shimazu has average). For 950, you get 225+ wealth, at tax rate 25%, that's 56 income a turn. You need 16+ turns to make back your investment. Instead, 850 for market, you get 200 wealth, AND you get metsuke that gives 200+ income a turn. If you didn't upgrade farm, you could have gotten that extra unit, and take the town 1 turn sooner, and get the income of that town for an extra turn (~400 income a turn). The AI builds up forces very quickly as they have cheaper units, and you need to attack as soon and as fast as possible. So you want to pump out as many units as you can. Take their town before they are ready. In the same spirit as honor boosting happiness early game, happiness is so useful when conquering early game that I always go for zen first, along with honor (heroic or retainer) if I can. Though, sword of ameterasu is way too strong early game. Inspired by your shogunate run, I started a run where I took Kyoto on turn 1 with hattori. Pumping out 5 yari ashigarus a turn, easily wiped out 8 other towns in 2 years.

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

You seem to be completely ignoring the fact that units also cost money and that the ~400 is more like ~300 a turn. You seem to be under the impression that I don’t know what I’m doing or something, let me assure you I am fine. In my opinion I’d rather build up my towns a little first as I want to make sure I can afford to keep my expansion going and not run dry after a few turns.

[@XiaoXiao_416]

@@MrSmartDonkeyLP Undoubtedly, you are good at doing field battles. Your shogunate and hattori campaigns had some very epic battles, with terrible odds. However, it has been pointed out, not by just me, but by several other commenters that your main focus is on doing battle, and you ignore some economic details. As you said in the video, one turn could matter a lot. Same could be said on mismanaging your cash in early game. For your argument about unit costing money: indeed, getting the unit 1 turn earlier costs you 250 that 1 turn, but you get the town 1 turn earlier, giving you 400+ that turn, and you get market 1 turn sooner, metsuke 1 turn sooner, gets you 200+ for that 1 turn sooner. Taking this town 1 turn sooner may allow you to take the next town 1 turn sooner etc.. And this is only an economic analysis. More importantly, because you run one turn late, the AI could have built up 2 more units, and make your battle more difficult. (Maybe instead of doing offensive siege, you need to wait a turn to siege them out. Lose out on income of town for 1 turn, and building construction 1 turn late.) Indeed, I am absolutely confident you are fine, as I have seen you do difficult battles many times. But I believe you could reduce the difficulty of your battles if you revise your stance on economy management. It would also help players who are new at the game, to learn these economic techniques, which are not readily available online. 1. Farm is a bad investment early game (unless maybe very sterile) 2. Take Minister of Finance, switch to development when you need to build major building(s), next turn build more buildings at discount rate (if you need to build), then switch back to finance before ending turn to get tax boost as well for the same turn (200+ for 2% at 3 towns total 4k+ wealth). 3. Let your general take the exp of early game, as boosting 1% tax to 2% 3% accounts for increases of double/triple effectiveness. (Let your daimyo be reinforcement) 4. Have your general siege enemy with development, reducing 1 to 3 discontent could easily save you 400+ of tax exemption (and/or upkeep of units by leaving them in town). 5. Zen gives +1 happiness, again saving you from tax exemption across multiple towns (~400 or more). todofuken gives -5% upkeep, even for 2000 upkeep army early game, is only 100 per turn. You could easily go for todofuken after zen, losing out on 5th-7th turns without todufuken (~300 at that point in the game). It also saves you the money to build sake den, which is vastly inferior to market. 6. Keep your army under general with finance, to get reduced upkeep 2% to 4% 6% (~100 per turn). (Let daimyo be by himself) 7. Don't upgrade roads early game. You almost never return to your home town, as you expand outwards. The +15% movement and +2% replenish is not worth 950. None of these matter in the later game, as you would have huge income and just steamrolls everyone anyways. The early game is exactly when economy matters. This is also where newer players struggle in legendary/high difficulty.

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

k

[@Cucumber202]

@@MrSmartDonkeyLP Savage (prntscr.com/mxgai2)

[@bobysansk4206]

~mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm TASTY and wow never thought to do this

[@Monke-fj2qz]

For some reason I didn’t think you would play Shimazu. Forgive me I was drunk and high.

[@Monke-fj2qz]

Ninjas use Ninjatos I believe

[@johnevans4787]

Katana = sword.. Ninja katana. No Dachi katana (long sword). could have used all Katana (sword) units. but yeah if you are going by unit name i get it. Great vids.

[@laurentiumiu751]

I read it as katakana only challenge, LMAO.

[@riokisna]

pls try bow only challenge

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

Please check my channel, already done that. kzbin.info/aero/PL28oZ4FVZmk4zQhRBgosnAbVb_lkk3MsR

[@hmongtse]

I see shimazu katana units only i watch

[@tonyfranksland428]

Hey Wait, Ship doesn't equip Katana lol

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

Oh snap, you got me there.

[@gizmoapangalook121]

Ninja have a ninjato

[@pyrrhusofepirus8491]

I mean, its not really a challenge with your skill and the fact that your katana samurai are better and cost less, I reckon a bigger challenge would be play Shimazu but not use any katana units

[@hollow88]

have you ever lost a battle beacause you run out of time?

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

I don't think so, but I've got my timer set to 60 minutes, so that's pretty difficult to do.

[@hollow88]

@@MrSmartDonkeyLP i always set it to unlimited. Never used more than, let's say 30 minutes but still

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

Only reason I set a timer is because of bugs, I've seen battle-breaking bugs sometime where for example the A.I. is besieging my castle but doesn't actually attack me and just sits back instead. In cases like that I let the clock run out.

[@hollow88]

@@MrSmartDonkeyLP noticed that as well. Always found annoying how the A.I prefers to wait for ages on the top of a hill or in a deep forest even though they are sometimes the attackers. Guess i'll start using 60 minutes as well

[@GodOfMoxie555]

Nodachi are katanas its literally like saying a greatsword is not a sword. I get its cause of the challenge though.

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

No they’re not. Katanas and Nodachis are two different things. Look it up. Like, I understand what you’re trying to say with Katana meaning “sword” and Nodachi being “greatsword” but that doesn’t change anything. A Katana still has measurements, it’s described as a specific type of sword with a certain length.

[@GodOfMoxie555]

Yeah I get that, not trying to sound like a weeb, but for example a claymore is not consider a greatsword by some historians and by others it is. The modern need to put a million different category on things from history is what I was pointing out. most weapons we have fancy names for today were simple called sword or rifle by the people who used them at that time in history. And on the case of nodachi yes it has different measurements but its like a sports car vs a jeep its still a car. People in history did not care so much about the distinction, its a modern obsession.

[@GodOfMoxie555]

Not that the Japanese were not obsessed about swords though if you research the history its pretty insane, the measurements changes over the years. for example since its hard to put a curve on a sword during the forging during peace times katanas had way less curve then the ones made during war times and the length changes as well. There is no exact agreed about measurements in Japanese swords they all very.

[@Misterdelusion]

Katana means blade or sword, any unit with a sword is a Katana unit damnit!

[@Gre3nStYle]

It's not about the meaning. Seeing as your translation is wrong anyways what we refer to today to a katana is not just any blade or sword. A huge Zweihänder is not a katana and neither was it at any time a katana.

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

Yeah, what Max said.

[@morganwithaneevee246]

Shimazu katana only? That... Honestly doesn't seem too difficult. Shimazu katanas are broken. 😂

[@MrSmartDonkeyLP]

Yeah, it won't be that difficult, I did a Yari Samurai only campaign and that was pretty simple too, this should be a walk in the park comparatively.

[@morganwithaneevee246]

@@MrSmartDonkeyLP I'm still annoyed that there isn't any clan that provide bonuses to yari or naginata samurai. The Date specialize in no-dachi samurai for crying out loud, could have fit them in somewhere. Almost no point in researching high-tier spear tech.

[@yami2227]

Steamroll challenge

[@markiplierxjacksepticeyefo2782]

Omfg Ninja sword I’m gonna kill myself they use katanas XD not NINJA SWORDS

[@Malevolent74]

Second