Shogun / Samurai Swords / Ikusa is the last game in the original Milton BradleyGamemaster series. It focuses on the chaotic feudal society of Japan during the Middle Ages. Players play one of several factions that erupt into a civil war, trying to consolidate their strongholds and then defeat other armies for the right to be called Shogun, the supreme ruler.
In the game, players command forces on islands of feudal Japan. Player forces include provincial forces in the provinces and mobile armies commanded by daimyos. In each turn, players will allocate their koku into bids and purchases for the round. The round begins with the allocation of turn order, which is determined by bid, and in the case of tied bids, by player agreement or random draw. Then players other bids and payments are accounted for in purchases of castles and fortresses, drafting of new troops and ronin, and a bid for the lone ninja. Following the bids phase, players in turn order plan and execute attacks against enemy territories, with attacks resolved through die rolls. A player wins the game when he or she has captured a certain number of territories, either via straight conquest or by vanquishing the last of an opponent's diamyos and taking over that player's forces.
The game was originally published as Shogun and was later changed to Samurai Swords due to a name conflict with James Clavell's Shogun. Ikusa is the latest iteration of the game.
5 colored sets of 72 plastic military units with these pieces:
36 Spearmen
9 Sword samurai
9 Bow samurai
9 Gunners
6 Standard bearers
3 Daimyo
Notes: New sets came with a product reply card. Also, Milton Bradley, in their infinite wisdom, often included extra pieces. (Somes set came with 3 or 4 extra Spearman from each army and one or two extra Ronin figures.)
Samurai Swords - v.1
Let's be honest. Shogun/Samurai Swords/Ikusa isn't a tough game to play. However, it can be intimidating for new players because it has so many rules and a turn-order structure that isn't always easy to pick up. And the army movement/add unit rules sometimes seem clunky.
I don't get this game to the table as much as I like, so I wrote this rules summary so that when I open the box I can read one short[er] document and start the game. Instead of flipping through the long rule book I can just check this reference and go.
Hope it helps!
Note: This game incorporates the rules from Shogun and Samurai Swords (which I believe only had a few minor differences if any). If Ikusa added new rules (I am thinking of the turn order markers instead of the swords) this...
Eine Zusammenfassung der Regeln für Armeen und Provinzstreitkräfte, um auf einen Blick alle Details zu haben, die man sich im Spiel schlecht merken kann.
v1.1 of the summary with corrections.
This file summarizes the rules that differentiate armies and provincial forces in Ikusa on one page. For in-game reference as it is difficult to remember all details.
The newest release of this game, called Ikusa, did away with the little samurai sword turn order pieces. I thought that folks might miss or want to have the little swords again. Print these on heavy card stock, glue the back side, fold along the gray line and let them dry. Then, cut out the sword shape and laminate them. Use as turn order designators (as in the original game). Enjoy.
Reference sheet useful for quick referencing and provides a structured summary for teaching the game.
This file contains all 187 ref sheets that I have made so far, for the convenience of those who wish to download all at one go.
Visual checklist of Samurai Swords game contents. Includes area to note your actual counts. Second page is a checklist of the 68 Province Cards.
Note: The only difference between this and the previous version is that Koku is now spelled correctly. (Thanks to Benjamin Maggi for pointing out my error.)
File Preview:
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The English version of my historical scenario variant published in German before. (Translated by demand.) ;)
This scenario was derived from the computer game "Shogun: Total War".
I haven't had much chance to play-test this scenario. Basically, I just adapted it as good as possible from the computer game (without changing the basic rules of the game too much). Any suggestions are welcome!
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