Basic Unit Statistics (can be modified by difficulty level, arts, skills, traits and retainers)
| Recruitment Cost | 4500 | |
| Upkeep Cost | 1200 | |
| Marines | 100 | 83% |
| Seamen | 185 | 92% |
| Gunners | 48 | 28% |
| Accuracy | 40 | 57% |
| Reloading Skill | 40 | 100% |
| Hull Strength | 600 | 6% |
| Morale | 13 | 26% |
Strengths & Weaknesses
- Strongest ship.
- Extremely devastating at range.
- Fast and manoeuvrable.
- Strong hull.
Requires
- Religions:
Description
The Black Ship is a heavily armed trader, usually carrying valuable cargo.
This Portuguese trade ship carries goods to China once a year before returning to Europe. As a consequence, it passes the Japanese coast twice, and is a tempting target for the notorious wako pirates. Fortunately, it is heavily armed, strongly built and a good sailer. The Black Ship carries European cannons, powerful enough to destroy any Japanese ship that might threaten it! Obviously, it would be a magnificent prize! The first trade between Japan and Portugal occurred in 1543, when Tanagashima Tokitaka purchased "firelocks" from Portuguese merchants. These were the first "modern" firearms seen in Japan, and the weapons became much sought after. With one sale, the Portuguese created a market for regular trade between the two countries. The introduction of guns changed Japanese warfare, as the emphasis switched from samurai fighting single combat duels on the battlefield to mass volleys by ashigaru units. The second major outside import appeared swiftly, as with later batches of guns came Christian missionaries. Daimyo and lesser men converted, although without necessarily abandoning the samurai ethos of warfare.