Requires
- Arts:
Enables
- Buildings:
- Units:
Description
A true master never accepts that he has mastered his weapon, especially when it is something new to warfare. He should always seek the best in himself and his chosen armament. Gunpowder mastery is achieved through countless hours of practice: the gunner must teach his eye to gauge distance, and allow for the effects of wind, rain, an uncooperative target and even irregularities in gunpowder and shot. Once all of these are understood, mastery will increase the accuracy of all arquebus-armed troops.
During the Sengoku Jidai, the introduction of gunpowder and the arquebus changed warfare in Japan. Guns could be used by unskilled troops, meaning that armies were cheaper to recruit and maintain. As a result, they grew in size. The ashigaru became an essential component of clan armies, and gained in social status as permanent soldiers rather than peasants-under-arms. Japanese guns also improved as Portuguese weapons were copied and rapidly improved upon: it was a Japanese idea to add foresights to gun barrels.