Basic Unit Statistics (can be modified by difficulty level, arts, skills, traits and retainers)
| Recruitment Cost | 850 | |
| Upkeep Cost | 100 | |
| Melee Attack | 15 | 42% |
| Charge Bonus | 10 | 20% |
| Bonus vs Cavalry | 0 | 0% |
| Melee Defence | 4 | 11% |
| Armour | 5 | 33% |
| Morale | 8 | 16% |
Strengths & Weaknesses
- Very good in melee.
- Weak against cavalry.
- Weak against missile attacks.
- Good morale.
Description
When used by a skilled warrior the katana is a deadly weapon, ideal for melee combat.
Katana kachi form part of the main line in battle, charging forward to engage the enemy in close combat. Katanas are very effective weapons: the sharp blade easily cuts through enemies, while the flat deflects blows. The kachi go into battle accepting death and fearing little, which gives them excellent morale, but accepting death and foolishly risking your life are not the same thing. Katana kachi must be wary of threats from cavalry and modern missile troops, against both of which they have little defence. The use of powerful or otherworldly swords is dotted throughout the mythology of Japan. These great weapons are often won in times of trial or through the completion of noble deeds. For example, when Susanoo, god of storms, was cast down from Heaven he was forced to walk the earth. Upon reaching the Hi River he encountered an old man and woman who were weeping. They explained to the god that they had been forced to sacrifice all but one of their young daughters to Orochi, a fearsome 8-headed dragon. The couple begged Susanoo to help them protect their last daughter and he agreed, telling them to lay a trap laced with alcohol. When Orochi drank from the trap all his heads fell asleep. Susanoo took up his sword and slashed the dragon into pieces breaking his sword in the process. When he looked into one of the holes he made in the dragons flesh he saw the glint of a great sword: this was the legendary blade Kusanai-no-Tsurugi which became part of the Imperial regalia of Japan.