• Units

Ikko Ikki Sword Infantry

Ikko Ikki Loan Sword Ashigaru

These foot soldiers carry katana: swords renowned for their razor sharpness and cutting power. The ashigaru form part of the main battle line and, once enemy infantry has been sufficiently weakened by missile troops, the ashigaru charge in and engage in melee.

Though ashigaru lack the swordsmanship of samurai, the sharp katana does most of the work. Once it cuts into an enemy, momentum carries it through, carving bone and flesh like silk. Because ashigaru don’t have the same social standing as samurai, their morale isn’t as good, and they are weak against cavalry charges or missile attacks.

In 1588, the Japanese regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi banned all peasants from owning arms to remove the threat of peasant revolts and to hopefully limit other daimyo’s attempts to seize power. This measure also meant the existing ashigaru rose in stature. Once they had been little more than trained peasantry who split their time between farming and soldiering, but now they were professional soldiers. While of a lower class than the samurai, they could fight in battle without worrying how their crops were faring.

Unit Name Ikko Ikki Loan Sword Ashigaru

Unit Key Inf_Sword_Katana_Ashigaru

Soldiers 200

Category Melee Infantry

Class Sword Infantry

Multiplayer Cost 400

└ Multiplayer Limit 0

Recruitment Cost 400

├ Recruitment Turns 1

└ Unit Limit 0

Upkeep Cost 50

Melee Attack 9

└ Melee Weapon sabre

Charge Bonus 10

Bonus vs Cavalry 0

Melee Defence 2

Armour 2

Morale 5

Abilities

No Ability

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Good in melee.
• Average morale.
• Vulnerable to cavalry.
• Vulnerable to missiles.