Land Battle Formations (Shogun 2 & Rise of the Samurai)
The following are group formations that an army or group of units can be set into:
Spear Point
This is a balanced army attack formation, ideally consisting of a front row of archers and matchlock troops, a row of katana-armed units - doubled in the centre and flanked by naginata troops, a row of naginata units, and cavalry and the general behind them.
Crane's Wing
This is a balanced army defence formation, ideally consisting of a front row of archers and matchlock troops, a row of naginata units with a unit of katana troops reinforcing their centre, katana units behind them flanking the general, and cavalry behind them.
Flying Geese
This is a cavalry-heavy army defence formation, ideally consisting of a short double row of matchlocks and archers, a row of katana and naginata units flanked by cavalry, and cavalry and the general behind them.
Reclining Dragon
This is a melee infantry-heavy army attack formation, ideally consisting of a short double row of matchlocks and archers, a row of katana units, a row of naginata units flanked by a short double row of katana units and naginata troops, and cavalry and the general behind them.
War of the Tiger
This is a melee infantry-heavy army defence formation, ideally consisting of a short row of matchlocks at the front, a row of naginata troops, a row of katana units doubled at the centre, archers behind them flanking the doubled units, and cavalry and the general behind them.
Bark of the Pine Tree
This is a cavalry-heavy army attack formation, ideally consisting of a short double row of matchlocks and archers, a short double row of naginata and katana units, and the general behind them with a katana unit behind him, all flanked by cavalry.
Cloud Dragon
This is a missile-heavy army attack formation, ideally consisting of a row of matchlocks, a row of archers with a katana unit in the centre, a row of katana troops, a row of naginata troops, and cavalry and the general behind them.
Flying Bird
This is a missile-heavy army defence formation, ideally consisting of a row of matchlocks, a short row of naginata troops behind them, a row of archers, a row of katana troops, doubled in the centre and flanked by naginata units, and cavalry and the general behind them.
Land Battle Formations (Fall of the Samurai)
The following are group formations that an army or group of units can be set into:
Double Line Standard
This is a balanced army formation, placing line infantry in the centre of the line and artillery in support. Light infantry and cavalry are placed on the flanks. A second line of infantry in the centre helps provide depth and the general is behind this line.
Grand Battery
This is a defensive artillery-heavy formation which places all artillery centre front. Light infantry are placed on the flanks of the artillery, and a line of infantry behind the artillery and light infantry. Cavalry are placed behind both lines on the flanks, and the general is behind both lines in the centre.
Cavalry Heavy Right
This is a cavalry-heavy formation designed to overload one side of the enemy's formation. The centre is line infantry with artillery on the flanks as support. The cavalry is then placed on the extreme right flank and light infantry on the extreme left flank. The general brings up the rear of the army.
Cavalry Heavy Left
This is a cavalry-heavy formation designed to overload one side of the enemy's formation. The centre is line infantry with artillery on the flanks as support. The cavalry is then placed on the extreme left flank and light infantry on the extreme right flank. The general brings up the rear of the army.
Melee Frontline
This is an infantry-heavy formation for use with lots of melee units. They are placed in the front and are backed up by line infantry. Artillery are put on the flanks of the melee units and light infantry on the extreme flanks of the formation. Cavalry are placed behind the light infantry. The general is at the back of the formation in the centre.
Artillery Crossfire
This is a formation for an artillery-heavy army. Line infantry are placed in the centre with light infantry on their flanks in support. Artillery is placed on the extreme flanks to provide a crossfire, and cavalry provide support to them. The general is at the back of the formation in the centre.