SHOGUN REPRINT CONFIRMED- WOTC CALLS IT "IKUSA"- NEW NAME

How many of ya’ll play ‘Fortress America?’ I play this game which was released with Axis and Allies in the game master series and is quite popular. It was printed extensively in the 1980’s and reprinted in 2012. If any of you want to see the added section under other games upvote and/or comment, thanks.

@billinjackson:

@taamvan:

sweet.  the new version seemed really short of pieces to me, we didn’t play it but I have it.   It always seemed like you needed jillions of ashigaru…

You are correct. I used to break out shogun to add their pieces - always a pain

Sorry, from what I understand, the troop count is limited in order to increase attacks.  Basically, the only way to increase your number of troops is to kill off an opponent…you then get his troops to use.

@Wolfshanze:

Ya, there is another game called “Shogun” by Queen Games.
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/20551/shogun

But it’s totally different than the Milton Bradley “Shogun”
https://www.amazon.com/Milton-Bradley-Shogun-Gamemaster-Series/dp/B001NHE7BW

Which was later renamed “Samurai Swords” and released by Ikusa
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/221/ikusa

And is now entirely out of print :(

I had the original Shogun that mysteriously disappeared in my teens.

Several years ago I picked up Ikusa. It’s the same game, with “upgraded” art, but no little plastic swords (#sadface). I was sad to find it’s now unavailable to purchase new.

@Private:

I would say that the key is to always use your daimyo armies to the full AND then make sure they are safe at the end of the turn.

Defending borders with non-daimyo garrisons and castles can be expensive and yet ineffective. A better defense is the threat of counterattack by your own daimyo. And a better use of castles can be to provide your daimyo army with a safe haven.

The loss of a daimyo army is a significant set-back. The biggest threat is a two or more daimyo attack on one, so always beware this from your opponents and try to create such a possibility for you.

Lastly, the fluid alliances of this game make the diplomatic aspect critical. If any player looks like winning, it makes sense for the others to gang up on him/her. So if you can surprise your opponents with the win, so much the better. For example by going first. Or by taking out an opponent.

Pretty much this. I’ve never found a strategy that I have stuck with but this advice is golden.

The pieces look awesome!

That is too funny.

@FieldMarshalGames:

Looks more like a Tide of Iron game

Yes it does.

I’m toying with the idea of creating a Wars of the Roses version of this to complement my Advanced Kingmaker, as I think the system can be adapted pretty well to this period and setting.

Can’t find much info around on variants; IL’s files on BGG won’t load for me.

The main difference would be a greater emphasis on killing off rival claimants, and less on “conquering” provinces - an anachronism in 15th century England, where landholdings were scattered in small manors.

But overall the troop types match quite well:

Daimo = Lord (I have 24 Lords; the Dukes and Earls from 1453-1461, divided between up to 8 players)
Swordsman = Knight (1-4 in each Lord’s retinue(army))
Bowman = Archers (1-4 per Lord)
Spearman = Levy (1-8 in a retinue)
Ronin = Mercenaries (recruited from abroad)
Ninja = Murderer

The gunners might be deleted, or perhaps replaced by artillery units, or the mercenaries may be ranged units (crossbows)

Castle building is hardly relevant, as stone castles were almost obsolete, and could hardly be thown up in the space of a game turn, so perhaps each player starts with one home castle.

Anyway I’ll get started on a map and see how it goes.

I’ve heard somewhere about a game “Shogunmaker” which combines the two game t’other way round; I’d be interested if anyone has ever seen anything of this, but I believe it’s a home made game which turns up at conventions now and again.

Quick update, the PC demo is now available for download.

http://www.freeverse.com/solace.mgi

Cheers,
Rocco