Its been a while since I've updated and it seems I'm a better player of Shogun 2 than I am at updating this blog. I suppose blogging is something I've yet to get used to unlike surrounding my opponent's castle and peppering the defending Samurai Retainers with arrows.

I started the game using the Shimazu clan. Located at the western section of Japan, the Shimazu are considered an easy faction to play because the Shimazu are bordered to the west by the sea which is rich in trading areas for incense and spices, build a ship early to make use of these.

The first step for expansion is towards the Ito Clan in Osumi Castle to the east. Once I took the castle I held it and waited for the Ito try to get it back. After breaking their offensive I went on the counter-attack and took Hyuga castle. The Ito then offered to become vassals to avoid extermination. I took the offer and shifted my focus to trade and economic development.

Having vassals is a great way for you to expand your territory without jeopardizing your Daimyo's honor or incurring the displeasure of the Shogunate early in the game. The moment your vassals are at war with another clan, you have the option to support them without start the war directly.

When the Sagara declared war on my vassal, I thrust deeply into the heart of Sagara territory from Satsuma and took the castle within 2 seasons. With enough Yari ashigaru and Bow Ashigaru I held of a counter-attack and eventually took the other remaining Sagara clan holds.

During all this, I wasn't producing soldiers like crazy, instead I was focusing on food production and economic development and trade routes to keep the people from rebelling. Investing in a strong navy is also a good idea because those trade routes are the lifeblood of the economy.

So far I hold 11 provices and my military power is classified as terrifying, financially my clan is considered rich and my clan fame is prominent. So much so that I've attracted the attention of the shogunate so I'm bracing for a major confrontation soon.

I chose the long campaign so I need to conquer 40 provinces including the imperial city of Kyoto and I've only gotten 1/4 of the provinces with 59 turns of play. Though truth be told I'm not an overly aggressive player because I've learned that a too large army may conquer provinces but would not be able to hold them. Also, I don't loot, I peacefully occupy castles so I don't generate discontent which could later lead to rebellion.

I'm taking on the Mori Clan and Chosokabe, the More are strong but their forces are concentrated closer to their main castle which means I easily took 3 castle in their periphery with ease.

The chosokabe are across the pond so I need a substantial navy, army and support troops to take the war to them.

That's my update for now, more to follow soon.