• Units

Shimazu Matchlock Infantry

Shimazu Heavy Gunners

These gunners carry immensely powerful, heavy pieces. The large calibre bullets fired from the oversized barrels will not only kill, but can also do damage to buildings. The guns are expensive and weighty; they are in short supply as are men strong enough to use them. As a result, the unit is numerically rather small, and this will count against them in close combat. The musketeers also move relatively slowly, leaving them vulnerable to cavalry attacks.

European “harquebuses” of the period came in many different sizes and calibres. Standardisation was almost unknown, and some of the huge bullets fired look ridiculously large to modern eyes. However, when Portuguese traders were blown off course and arrived in Japan, the Shimazu were quick to recognise the military worth of the two guns aboard the vessel. Their master weaponsmith was a master sword maker but, sadly, this did not help him copy the European guns. Eventually a deal was done: the smith got lessons in gun making from a second group of Portuguese traders; they got the smith’s daughter. A harsh bargain for harsh times, perhaps.

Unit Name Shimazu Heavy Gunners

Unit Key UP1_Inf_Missile_Heavy_Gunner_Shimazu

Soldiers 80

Category Ranged Infantry

Class Matchlock Infantry

Multiplayer Cost 1100

└ Multiplayer Limit 0

Recruitment Cost 1100

├ Recruitment Turns 2

└ Unit Limit 0

Upkeep Cost 200

Melee Attack 6

└ Melee Weapon sabre

Charge Bonus 6

Bonus vs Cavalry 0

Range 100

├ Missile Weapon musket

└ Projectile shogun_heavygunner

Accuracy 50

Reloading Skill 20

Ammunition 15

Melee Defence 2

Armour 4

Morale 8

Abilities

• Bamboo Wall
  A large wall that can be erected during the deployment phase. It blocks the movement of enemies and protects against cavalry charges.
• Fire by Rank
  Will fire by rank from front to rear, each rank kneeling to reload and allowing those behind a clear field of fire.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Very large muskets can heavily damage units and buildings.
• Small unit size leaves them vulnerable in melee.
• Very vulnerable to cavalry.