The Radar Map
The radar map allows an aerial view of the battle detailing the position of your units or ships and those enemies that are visible, and also topography to assist in planning an attack. Use the plus and minus buttons to zoom in or out and the button in the corner to minimise or maximise the map. Remember to keep checking the map for enemy reinforcements.
Game Speed Controls
The game speed controls are used to adjust the speed of the battle. You can pause the game or put it into slow motion by clicking on buttons to the left or return it to normal by clicking on the central button again. The two positions further right are for double and quadruple speed respectively. Remember that you can use these controls instead of tiring your troops out by running to engage the enemy.
The Balance of Power Bar
During a battle the balance of power bar tracks the relative strength of your force against the enemy's. Mouse over it to see the units remaining on each side.
The Battle Timer
The battle timer shows how much time is left before a battle ends. The attacker must rout or destroy the defender within the time limit or lose the battle. To claim victory the defender has only to keep the attacker at bay. It is possible to turn off the battle timer in the game settings of the game menu, accessed either by pressing Esc or clicking on the game menu button from the campaign map or battlefield, or through the clan selection screen.
The Manoeuvre Compass
The manoeuvre compass is used for fine-tuning orders on the battlefield. The three arrows within its top half can be used to direct a unit or group straight ahead, or turn left or right. The button in the centre of the lower half causes the selected unit to step backwards. Holding down this button will make them turn and walk backwards. Clicking and holding down the rank and file buttons on either side change the depth of a unit's formation by increasing or decreasing the number of rows the troops stand in.
The Run Button
The run button is used to toggle selected units between running and walking. Running is useful for going somewhere in a hurry, but doing it too much will tire the men out.
The Halt Button
Pressing this button cancels orders and makes selected units or ships stop where they are. This is a quicker alternative to giving them a different order.
The Fire-at-Will Button
Fire-at-will is a mode that allows your missile troops to pick their own targets rather than only firing when specifically ordered to do so. It can be toggled on and off with the button in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. Keeping it toggled off helps preserve ammunition, but if you take your eye off them they may be forced into melee.
The Melee Mode Button
Pressing the melee mode button locks the selected melee-capable units into melee mode, so all attack orders will result in a hand-to-hand attack until you click on the melee button again.
The Skirmish Mode Button
When in skirmish mode missile troops avoid getting into melee by keeping their distance from the enemy. When a unit of missile troops is selected the skirmish mode button will appear in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen, where it can be toggled on and off. A missile unit in skirmish mode and with fire-at-will toggled on can be a deadly combination.
The Guard Mode Button
Guard mode ensures that yari or naginata infantry fight defensively, try to maintain their formation when attacked and don't pursue the enemy if they run away. It can be toggled on and off by clicking on the guard mode button that appears in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen when the correct unit type is selected.
The Loose Formation Button
Although available to all units, loose formation is best used to increase the target area of missile units, make them more difficult for enemy missile troops to target (as they not standing closely packed together), and by cavalry to more easily ride down routers. Loose formation is not suitable for charges of any kind, as a closely-packed mass of men is crucial to the impact required to smash through a line. It can be toggled on and off by clicking on the loose formation button that appears in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen when a unit is selected.
The Wedge Formation Button
Wedge formation is available to cavalry units whose general has the "Cavalry Commander" skill, its "arrow head" shape increasing the violence of their charge and enabling them to more easily break through a defending unit's ranks. It can be toggled on and off by clicking on the wedge formation button that appears in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen when a cavalry unit is selected.
The Withdraw Button
The withdraw button causes a unit or ship to leave the battle by travelling toward the edge of the field by the shortest route. It can be called back at any stage before it leaves by issuing a move or attack order.
The Naval Fire Support Button
In Fall of the Samurai if it is possible for your army to call in fire support from a nearby fleet, there will be a naval fire support button on the battle UI to issue a bombardment order. After clicking on it, simply left-click on the area of the battlefield you wish to attack. Once issued, the command to launch fire support can be rescinded by right-clicking anywhere on the land or sea away from the user interface. Fire support is a naturally inaccurate business, so may result in your own units coming under friendly fire and taking casualties.