Slitherine

Please stop comparing about the Samurai to Ashigaru because it have different uses yet it is very helpful.

i have read in the book that under the Tokugawa regime (1600-1867), the samurai were the highest of the four social classes.

Well not to say my mind can be changed but after playing a FOG game using the Empire of the Dragon list I have come to one big change in thought.

All Samurai foot and Ashigaru should be Medium foot. Since there I do not know what the Japanese meant by the word Ashigaru which translates to "Light feet" it could mean light armor (compared to Samurai) or faster moving. I am thinking armor. mind you there are a couple of Diaymo's who armed all there troops Samurai and Ashigaru in "Bullet proof" armor. I do not know if it would warrent making a Samurai heavy armored but it may warrent making Ashigaru armored instead of protected.

My thoughts of orginazation are still the same
1/3rd Samurai
1/3rd Ashigaru with Teppo
1/3rd Ashigaru with Yari

If you are playing before 1543 no teppo orginaztion may be more like empire of the dragon. after 1543 the above orginzation (roughly) with teppo starting to repace the yumi (bow) more and more till by 1600 it is mostly used by skirmishers/snipers.

Dave

Sounds good. I believe samurai are better than romans and spartans too. They fight with honor. As for the romans, they fought for greed.

Beware of convincing yourself of Samurai super troops
None of the FoG armies have ever gone that way
Legions may be good but they still get beaten - regularly
Mongols can get shot to pieces
Unbeatable French Heavy Knights get whopped
English longbows - well I've not played these a lot so don't know how to beat them yet
Indian elephants are brill until you lose an element
Etc
Etc
Etc

I never thought of the Samurai as a "Uber" army. The Ashigaru and "True" Ronin are average some even poor. Samurai/Monks would be superoir (some average). And only one unit in a army could be elite being the Hatamato.