This has been my favorite board game ever since I first played it in the 80's. The reason it hasn't change much in 36 years, is due to how well the rules were written in the first place. I don't remember needing any house rules to fix or or improve anything. If you like this type of game, I really feel you should treat yourself and give it play.
Thank you Mr. Harsh for this very informative very entertaining "how to play" video. I've owned samurai swords for a while but never had a chance to bring it to the table. but now knowing the rules I'm bringing it out soon. Thanks!
Excellent video! It was one of my favorite games growing up in the 80's. I just bought a used copy of Samurai Swords at BGGC Spring 2018 for 40$ (box is beaten up, but all the components are intact: D) Additionally, I ordered the fan-created objective cards from Gamecrafters that give this game a bit of luck mitigation;) I will most likely be playing 2 player for a while though until I can get a group going:)
I always thought the first turn rule "No attaching a province with a Daimyo" meant "You cannot use your Daimyo to attack on the first turn", not "You cannot a province containing a Daimyo". The usage of the word "With" meant two separate things. Thanks for the clarification!
It's a shame this game is so hard to find and expensive. They should just reissue it and sell it as normal because I think a lot of people would buy it
Great review and breakdown of the rules and mechanics. I always loved playing this game "Samurai Swords" in my day. But I often had to plead and pry people away from Axis and Allies. The GameMaster series of games is quite simply some of the best gaming to have come out of the '80s. Great Games, lots of fun!
i play it since `86 and i have still the game... after all this years and all the epic fights only 2 pieces left...iàm happy to see , other peoples play this game. creetings from germany
You're welcome! I go back and watch these videos myself when I haven't played a game in a while. Kind of weird listening to myself, but it helps jog my memory.
Some errors. Ikusa - Publisher: Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro. Designer: Mike Gray. Artist: Art Direction Ryan Sansaver, Cover Steve Argyle, Interior Illustrations Gonzalo Flores, Graphic Design Leon Cortez. The movie itself, as always, sensational!
Big E, According to the rules, "In case of a tie, the tying players decide which of them gets which marker. If they can’t agree, they randomly determine who among them chooses first." Depending on your play group this could be awkward, (Both want to go first) but it's going to encourage some kind of negotiation so both parties are satisfied. I'm always amazed how many of these now classic games encourage developing a players ability to resolve conflict. Personally, I think this is a good thing. Newer games avoid this and avoid rule conflicts to promote fairness. Reflecting on this, I'm not sure I would call it progress.
I have a couple questions. First, during the final movement phase how many units can move to friendly provinces, how many provinces can be crossed during the move and can you skip over enemy provinces to enter friendly territory? Second, so only one unit can be added to each army per turn? Third, can you use a provincial army with only one unit to attack an adjacent enemy province, regardless of the outcome of the battle? If yes, and the attacking unit is defeated, during the fourth phase of combat can friendly units be brought in to garrison the now empty province or is it considered unclaimed territory? Fourth, if you have a daimyo and a provincial army on a territory, can you use ronin within the stacking limit of the total force occupying the territory, but use them to fight alongside the provincial army or the daimyo respectively?
So, if i'm not mistaken the Daimyo has two non-combat movement options in attack phase A and D even on lvl 1? Moving in phase A to a friendly territory and moving too captured province or adjacent friendly territory in phase D? Can you do non-combat movement (phase D) to a neutral province or only empty provinces? it seems like it`s not the same thing..
What happens when a provincal force attacks an province with an castle and after that the armee attacks from the same province. Does the defending province get new extra defence Units again for the Castle. And at the end of the Players turn when you can movie Units to adjacent provinces. When you have for example 3 Units in a province. Can you move two to one province and the other one to another province. And when you Attack with provincal forces can you Attack with 1 unit a specific province and with the other two another province or can you only attack one province
I just found a complete game at a yard sale for the amazing low price of 🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁 $5.00! I gave her dear heart a $20.00 bill and happily took it home...
Great video. I have a question regarding the defence of a province. What happenes when a province with an army and province forces gets attacked. Do you then throw the dices separately or together for defense. And does the attacker therefore has to specifiy if he wants to attack the province or the army. Another question: can you leave a unit from your army behind when you move even though you dont need to because there are already Units in the province you leave.
The Defender would throw the dice for all troops together. Double Troop province issues occur when the attacker has an army and provincial forces where he can stage separate attacks. I don't believe this works in reverse from the defender's position. And for your second question, yes, I believe you can to strengthen the provincial forces.
Harsh Rules: Breaking Down Boardgames thanks also just want to say I love your channel you really helped with twilight struggle and war of the ring :) and you also convinced me to get memoir 44 :)
I love playing any one of the versions, the only thing I can not stand about all three versions is the ugliness and mutated geography of Japan. Surely they could have designed a much better looking map.
This has been my favorite board game ever since I first played it in the 80's. The reason it hasn't change much in 36 years, is due to how well the rules were written in the first place. I don't remember needing any house rules to fix or or improve anything. If you like this type of game, I really feel you should treat yourself and give it play.
I totally agree.The rules and the game structure were are flawless especially the restrictions for the first turn.
Ditto to everything you said. I love this game so much but can never find players that are willing to sit 4 to 6 hours.
This and axis and allies is what got me in to table top hobby.
Great review. I have Shogun and needed a refresh. Also, it's hexagonal not octagonal👍
Thank you Mr. Harsh for this very informative very entertaining "how to play" video. I've owned samurai swords for a while but never had a chance to bring it to the table. but now knowing the rules I'm bringing it out soon. Thanks!
You're welcome! Have a good game!
This channel is the best. Every time I need a rules teach - you have one
Thanks so much for this great video! Very helpful indeed!
This game rocked. A medieval Europe remake of this would be simply superb.
Excellent video! It was one of my favorite games growing up in the 80's. I just bought a used copy of Samurai Swords at BGGC Spring 2018 for 40$ (box is beaten up, but all the components are intact: D)
Additionally, I ordered the fan-created objective cards from Gamecrafters that give this game a bit of luck mitigation;)
I will most likely be playing 2 player for a while though until I can get a group going:)
Thanks man, I appreciate the very clear explanation. You can't find a much better video anywhere.
I always thought the first turn rule "No attaching a province with a Daimyo" meant "You cannot use your Daimyo to attack on the first turn", not "You cannot a province containing a Daimyo". The usage of the word "With" meant two separate things. Thanks for the clarification!
Excellent tutorial. Thank you very much for the detail and effort you put into this video!
I got the first edition, Shogun :-)
Extremely well done. Greatly appreciate all the work you put into this. Keep it up!
Great game... was given the Samurai Sword version, but have only played it twice, so difficult to find people who are willing to play it
It's a shame this game is so hard to find and expensive. They should just reissue it and sell it as normal because I think a lot of people would buy it
I found a copy, complete with the Styrofoam trays, at a flea market for $5... just sayin'...
Lynn, yours has aids probably
Got one from my grandma
Great review and breakdown of the rules and mechanics. I always loved playing this game "Samurai Swords" in my day. But I often had to plead and pry people away from Axis and Allies. The GameMaster series of games is quite simply some of the best gaming to have come out of the '80s. Great Games, lots of fun!
i play it since `86 and i have still the game... after all this years and all the epic fights only 2 pieces left...iàm happy to see , other peoples play this game. creetings from germany
Ben,
Thanks for making this video.
You're most welcome. I'd been wanting to make this one for quite a while.
Thank you very much for this! When i don't remember how to play Shogun, i'll surely check this video!!
You're welcome! I go back and watch these videos myself when I haven't played a game in a while. Kind of weird listening to myself, but it helps jog my memory.
This is an excellent video! Very well done :-)
Some errors.
Ikusa - Publisher: Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro. Designer: Mike Gray. Artist: Art Direction Ryan Sansaver, Cover Steve Argyle, Interior Illustrations Gonzalo Flores, Graphic Design Leon Cortez.
The movie itself, as always, sensational!
i just realised how much this board game must have inspired CA to make the original shogun 1 - the game that started the whole total war series
Please refresh my memory, as it has been ages since I have played this one, but what happens if there is ties for turn order bidding?
Big E, According to the rules, "In case of a tie, the tying players decide which of them gets which marker. If they can’t agree, they randomly determine who among them chooses first." Depending on your play group this could be awkward, (Both want to go first) but it's going to encourage some kind of negotiation so both parties are satisfied.
I'm always amazed how many of these now classic games encourage developing a players ability to resolve conflict. Personally, I think this is a good thing. Newer games avoid this and avoid rule conflicts to promote fairness. Reflecting on this, I'm not sure I would call it progress.
16:49 forgets to mention what happens in the case of ties, for both turn order and ninja.
Thanks for the video! I'm gonna buy this!
Enjoy! It's a fun one.
I have a couple questions. First, during the final movement phase how many units can move to friendly provinces, how many provinces can be crossed during the move and can you skip over enemy provinces to enter friendly territory? Second, so only one unit can be added to each army per turn? Third, can you use a provincial army with only one unit to attack an adjacent enemy province, regardless of the outcome of the battle? If yes, and the attacking unit is defeated, during the fourth phase of combat can friendly units be brought in to garrison the now empty province or is it considered unclaimed territory? Fourth, if you have a daimyo and a provincial army on a territory, can you use ronin within the stacking limit of the total force occupying the territory, but use them to fight alongside the provincial army or the daimyo respectively?
It's a hexagon. Octagons have 8 sides.
I just got a version of Shogun and in the Manual it says there exist no province stacking limit.
My uncle owns the game "shogun" and we looked on eBay how much it would cost. About 200 Dollars
I have the original Shogun game 100% complete. asking 69.99 on eBay. took me 3 hours to go through all the pieces to make sure it was complete (ugh!)
If I didn't know any better, I'd say this was Rising Sun 1.0
So, if i'm not mistaken the Daimyo has two non-combat movement options in attack phase A and D even on lvl 1? Moving in phase A to a friendly territory and moving too captured province or adjacent friendly territory in phase D?
Can you do non-combat movement (phase D) to a neutral province or only empty provinces? it seems like it`s not the same thing..
I remember when this game was cheap to buy. Hard to find now
What happens when a provincal force attacks an province with an castle and after that the armee attacks from the same province. Does the defending province get new extra defence Units again for the Castle.
And at the end of the Players turn when you can movie Units to adjacent provinces. When you have for example 3 Units in a province. Can you move two to one province and the other one to another province. And when you Attack with provincal forces can you Attack with 1 unit a specific province and with the other two another province or can you only attack one province
How do you win a two player game? Each side starts with 34. So it has to be more than 35 provinces? Great video as always
Anybody what to play on tabletop simulator? Message me
Could you do a tutorial for the board game Small Samurai Empires by Archona please. It's a quick version similar to this game. Please and thank you.
I just found a complete game at a yard sale for the amazing low price of 🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁
$5.00!
I gave her dear heart a $20.00 bill and happily took it home...
That's an amazing find!
Great video. I have a question regarding the defence of a province. What happenes when a province with an army and province forces gets attacked. Do you then throw the dices separately or together for defense. And does the attacker therefore has to specifiy if he wants to attack the province or the army. Another question: can you leave a unit from your army behind when you move even though you dont need to because there are already Units in the province you leave.
The Defender would throw the dice for all troops together. Double Troop province issues occur when the attacker has an army and provincial forces where he can stage separate attacks. I don't believe this works in reverse from the defender's position. And for your second question, yes, I believe you can to strengthen the provincial forces.
Do Fortress America, ooo oo!! And Conqest of the Empire
Already been done.
Can you still buy this game In the UK or Ireland I can’t see it for sale anywhere
It hasn't been in print for a while. Probably need to get it via ebay.
Harsh Rules: Breaking Down Boardgames thanks also just want to say I love your channel you really helped with twilight struggle and war of the ring :) and you also convinced me to get memoir 44 :)
I wish I this game was cheaper ,guess ill just have to make my own
This one ... or Game of thrones deluxe risk ??
I haven't played the GOT Risk yet. I've heard it's good though!
I would recommend you risk Europe, generally cheaper than most risk games and has a similar game-play to this.
I love playing any one of the versions, the only thing I can not stand about all three versions is the ugliness and mutated geography of Japan. Surely they could have designed a much better looking map.
The swords were removed because of all the millennials stabbing their buddies with them as a joke. *points at self*
With ,,caselse,, you maen caselse and fotreses