Progression Tips

Episode 1 - The Weakest Daimyō Makes His Move

April 1570 - Nobunaga Besieged
With the Hōjō and Takeda to the west and the Uesugi to the north, the Oda Clan of Hitachi is beset by powerful forces. The small clan only has four officers, including the clan leader, Ujiharu Oda. Even the abilities of loyal retainer Masasada Sugenoya are second rate at best. You could say they're in quite the predicament.

We're in quite the predicament...
Sugenoya, we must think of a way to get through this somehow!

My lord, let us first take stock of our diplomatic relations.
Change to Diplomacy View to confirm our situation.

Hmm, we have thankfully made allies of two other clans.
Our alliance with the mighty Hōjō Clan must be maintained at all costs.

Preserve friendly bonds with the larger countries while conquering the smaller clans in the area.
This strategy should serve us well for the time being.

Ujiharu Oda was the daimyō of Hitachi. Under his rule, Oda Castle was usurped so many times that he earned the moniker "Sengoku's Weakest Daimyō."
These circumstances are reflected in-game, which is why the Oda Clan starts with one castle and only three retainers. But that doesn't mean the battle is lost before it begins. The Oda have allied with both the Hōjō and Yūki Clans. Currently lacking the power to take another clan's castle, the Oda Clan should try to maintain alliances and build up power.

Episode 2 - A Severe Lack of Retainers

I wish to appoint retainers as substitutes to develop counties in my stead.
But I find myself with more counties than I have retainers to care for them...

A chief is often the first choice for a substitute.
But as we have no other options, I shall work as a substitute too.

I am in your debt...
When our clan has grown, you shall have your own castle! I swear it!

If you have another castle besides your main base, you can appoint a retainer as lord or land holder. However, the Oda have but the one castle. As such, all retainers function as substitutes for now. The position of substitute is usually intended for officers of low station to gain honor, but the Oda Clan is so small that they don't have enough substitutes to go around.
Once appointed, a land holder cannot be changed until much later in the game, but substitutes can be switched out freely.

Episode 3 - One Settlement Won't Settle It

I've appointed some substitutes, but we have six counties and only three retainers to assign...
A number of counties must be left unmanaged...

You could always develop those counties yourself.
What do you say, my lord?

It would seem we have no choice...
And it is true that daimyō of the past often developed their lands singlehandedly.

Of course, there is a limit to how much you can do alone, my lord.
We should decide what to prioritize before proceeding.

A county without a substitute isn't going to develop itself; it needs the daimyō to take control. Develop your counties to the highest degree by seizing farms and fairs as quickly as your funds and labor will allow.
Labor will increase in proportion to crops and clan targets, but Oda Castle can only support so much. You'll have to make do until you gain a few more castles.

Episode 4 - Prosperity to Oda Castle

Everything appears to have been seized...
And yet the county hardly seems prosperous.

Let us add a new settlement.
Then the gold will come pouring in!

Splendid! And perhaps we should build a new facility while we're at it.
I believe increasing gold income should be our main objective for the time being.

A fine idea, my lord!
Still, there is only so much available space at Oda Castle... What to build...?

You should prioritize increasing gold income at the beginning. Adding a market will increase the gold earned from your fairs.
A trading town would also be effective, but they are expensive. Keep a close eye on your gold reserves.
Boasting only a few settlements, the area around Oda Castle isn't the richest land. You must squeeze as much as possible out of what you have, so don't neglect county development.

Episode 5 - The Oda Clan's Council Official

Now, who should I appoint to the council...?
The position will surely be a boon to the clan.

A conservator must be a senior retainer or higher.
Those with the rank of captain or above can be appointed as overseers.

That means the only one qualified to be a conservator would be my son, Tomoharu.
So let's see what Tomoharu can do!

Ah, but some conservator traits have detrimental effects.
It might be best to scrutinize candidates a bit more thoroughly...

You can obtain various effects by filling the positions of conservator and overseer. Conservators must be senior retainer or above, while overseers must be captain or above.
Conservators produce enormous effects, but they also have negative factors to consider. If you someday make other clans submit to you, you could even appoint their daimyō as conservators.
Overseers primarily affect policies. Increasing their number by issuing System Reform II LV2 can be helpful.
Both positions can be changed at will, but keep in mind the same officer cannot be reappointed until the current daimyō has changed.

Episode 6 - Ravages of the Storm

I can hardly believe it!
We're back where we started, without a single settlement to our name!

We have last month's typhoon to thank for that.
Our settlements incurred significant damage.

Ugh, then we must seize them all over again?
And what if another typhoon were to strike...?

Policies and facilities can help curb the chance of that happening.
But first, we must secure the necessary funds.

An Irrigation Canal facility can reduce the chances of disasters striking, but the Oda Clan doesn't currently have the funds to build one. The best they can do for now is pray for clear skies as they slowly retake their lost settlements.

Episode 7 - The Faithful Makabe Tribe

A tribe dwells in Niihari.
Can we not ally with them?

That would be the Makabe Tribe.
We've arranged for their troops to assist us if we must engage in combat.

We're blessed to have such staunch allies!
I was just thinking we needed some more soldiers.

It might be good to adopt them into the Oda someday.
They would make fine officers.

A tribe can be utilized as temporary manpower. Their vassal degree will go down if their unit is destroyed, but there is no need to worry because it will go back up over time.
You can make Ujimoto Makabe one of your own by using the Assimilate Tribe land measure. Ujimoto Makabe has a high VAL, so he could prove useful in battle.

Episode 8 - Into the Lion's Den

What's this?!
When did our alliance with the Hōjō end?!

Now that they have wiped out the Yūki Clan,
it appears they've set their sights on us...

Then we're already out of time...
We've no choice but to yield to the Hōjō.

You mean for us to submit...?
I suppose it is better to live and covertly build up our forces.

If you have no chance of winning, you can always accept the inevitable, submit, and bide your time. You will only be able to perform diplomacy with the clan you submitted to, but you will also be a in a permanent alliance.
After breaking off their alliance with the Yūki, the Hōjō immediately moved in to destroy them and were planning to do the same to the neighboring Oda next. While it is good to maintain your alliances, goodwill can become expensive.
If you submit to the Hōjō before they attack, you can leave the southwest area to them, allowing you to focus on the northeast.

Episode 9 - A Proposal Worth Listening To

Hm? You look like you have something on your mind.
Come on then, tell me.

The people have voiced their desire.
Would you be willing to build a trade port in Shida?

A trade port? I've never heard of such a thing.
Are we capable of building one?

Yes, my lord. We need only continue seizing settlements.
I will then propose appropriate major settlements for each county.

As you continue seizing settlements around Oda Castle, you will receive suggestions to build major settlements. These additions require gold, but you could sell supplies or the like to gather the funds. Once they are added, they'll become valuable sources of income.

Episode 10 - Weather the Storm as One

The Utsunomiya Clan would make a fine target, but their strength matches our own.
Overpowering them may prove difficult...

Then let us call on the Hōjō for aid!
We've submitted to them, so they won't refuse our request.

Now there's an idea!
The Hōjō were good for something after all!

If you cannot win alone, you can increase your odds by calling for reinforcements.
If you've submitted to another clan, you can call for reinforcements even without forming an alliance. Perform goodwill to keep trust high so you can make a request whenever needed. That said, they will come to your defense even if your trust is at 0, so send a messenger right away when you are attacked!

Episode 11 - Preparation is Half the Battle

The target is Utsunomiya Castle.
Gather the soldiers!

Right away, my lord!
I shall ready the troops and plan our foray into enemy territory!

And once everything is prepared, call for reinforcements from the Hōjō!
Then we march!

You may be on top of civil affairs, but the Oda Clan is by no means powerful. If you set an enemy castle as a target, however, your units will be strengthened. Be sure to take advantage of this ability.

Episode 12 - Profiting off the Backs of Others

The Hōjō have agreed to send reinforcements.
We should march at once!

Hah! These are glad tidings indeed.
Forward, everyone! To Utsunomiya Castle!

We've waited long for this day. Let us marshal our strength and seize victory!

Well, it looks like the Hōjō have already defeated an enemy unit.
We can't let them have all the fun! Surround the castle!

When you request reinforcements, they will march for the target immediately. Don't delay in sending your own troops.
You must pass through another clan's domain to get to Utsunomiya Castle. As a vassal of the Hōjō, however, you can pass through their territory without issue. As such, you can head for Utsunomiya Castle by way of Yūki Castle.
Leave the occupation of the enemy county to the Hōjō. After the enemy unit has been defeated, you can attack Utsunomiya Castle together.

Episode 13 - Second Castle Obtained, Wish Fulfilled

That makes two castles in our possession.
As promised, Sugenoya, I will make you lord of Utsunomiya Castle!

That may be a rash decision, my lord.
It would be better to make Tomoharu Oda the lord for now.

But why? My son is pleasant enough, I grant you,
but his skills pale in comparison to your own.

Lords with high station can govern multiple dominions.
Of our few retainers, Tomoharu would be the best choice.

I suppose I haven't even enough retainers to appoint a land holder...
Let's see how Tomoharu handles a dominion, then.

Castles will not develop without a lord, so make sure to appoint one.
Please note that you cannot change an appointed land holder without issuing the System Reform LV2 policy, and you cannot change a lord without System Reform LV3. It is not possible to reverse a careless decision until much later, so a small clan like the Oda may want to refrain from appointing land holders too early.

Episode 14 - The Futility of Repairing a Ruin

With the Utsunomiya Clan swelling our ranks, our personnel
and income have nearly doubled! We've so many options now!

My lord, we should repair the castle before anything else!
As it is now, it will fall to the first enemy that happens by.

Ah, but we have no gold. I saw this treasure and couldn't help myself...
It may not fix the castle, but perhaps a treasure would salve your ire...?

How could you be so careless, my lord?!
I am most grateful for the gift, though... It even feels like my abilities have improved...

Having only recently been conquered, Utsunomiya Castle still has low HP. Repairs through land measures or submissions cost gold, however, so that might not be in the Oda Clan's best interests at the moment. As long as trouble isn't stirring in the area, you should focus on county development and prioritize raising more troops.

Episode 15 - Shoring Up Castles with Land Measure

Utsunomiya is developing awfully slowly under Tomoharu's stewardship...
Is there no way to prod him along a bit?

Development comes slowly when there are few land holders.
That is the perfect time to give direct orders through land measures.

Hmph, I suppose there's little choice.
That boy takes so much looking after...

After a castle is occupied, the number of seized settlements drops to 0. You should seize them right away to increase your income.
Putting spare labor to work by ordering land measures is an effective way to advance development.

Episode 16 - Policies Issued Forth

We've never had this much gold to spare before.
The time has finally come to issue a policy!

Such powerful influence may be well worth the monthly cost.
What policy will you issue, my lord?

Shall we increase our income...?
Or should we raise the HP of our castles...?

System reform might be a wise choice as well.
That would allow facilities to be added automatically in castles beyond the main base.

Policies cost a lot of money and will continue incurring a monthly fee, so it's important to issue them systematically. That said, the payoff is just as big, so pick the ones that suit your clan's situation.
If you issue the System Reform policy and then set a castle town plan, town facilities will automatically be added in castles outside your main base.

Episode 17 - A Gift from Heaven

I'm not certain when it might have happened, but...
Did our gold and labor increase at some point?

It's because a clan target was completed.
You obtain rewards for developing land, obtaining castles, and so forth.

Then the gods themselves favor our efforts?!
It would not do to refuse such gifts!

The harder the task, the more we stand to gain.
...Though it is actually just offerings from merchants.

Completing clan targets earns you various rewards. Labor in particular can be a precious resource, so it would be a good idea to actively achieve targets.
Letters of commendation can be given to officers who have gained achievements. The Oda Clan hasn't done enough of note to have any officers to give them to yet, but that will change as you soldier on. The more letters of commendation you give, the stronger an officer will become, so hand them out to your favorite officers when they become you retainers.

Episode 18 - Crops Are the Key to Sustaining Soldiers

We need more soldiers if we hope to face the Satake or Ashina!
How might we find more?

All farms have already been seized...
Ah, then let us build a commons!

You mean to bolster our soldiers by increasing our crops?
But that would only gain us a slight increase. Is there nothing else we can do?

Then I recommend building the drill ground Town Facility.
That would increase our soldier count in no time at all!

The Oda Clan lacks strong officers, so the only way to win is to overwhelm the enemy with sheer numbers.
If you have money to spare, drill grounds would give a nice boost. Constructing one allows you to increase your soldier count without using up a Town Facility plot.
You can also issue the System Reform policy to unlock castle town plans. Setting a plan allows the lord of a castle to add town facilities as they please. It's a good policy to use when you have more castles.

Episode 19 - Turning the Tides in Battle

We can field as many units as we have castles.
That presents a number of tactical options to choose from.

Why not initiate a battle?
That would be a large-scale fight with multiple units.

An excellent idea! Our individual abilities may not be so high,
but cooperation between multiple units would allow us to overcome the odds!

Be sure to prioritize occupying key points during battles.
Doing so will raise our morale and strengthen our units!

One of the most important things in battles is how you move your units. Occupy key points to strengthen your units and gain an advantage, then assail your enemy with multiple units in a pincer attack. Even the small Oda Clan can defeat more sizable forces if they play their cards right!
Furthermore, if you manage to start a battle before an enemy's reinforcements have arrived, less enemy units will join the battle, and you will gain a numerical advantage.

Episode 20 - Taking Advantage of Turmoil

The Ashina and Nasu are fighting.
This is our chance!

Let us attack the castle the moment it falls.
We shall loot the burning house, as it were.

Why force an opening when someone else will do it for us!
The castle will be ripe for the taking!

The Oda are still too weak to defeat their enemies in direct combat. Choose instead to strike when the enemy is already debilitated from fighting another clan.
If a large unit then comes to reclaim the castle, simply surrender it and walk away. You will still have taken an advantage by whittling down the enemy forces.

Episode 21 - Halted by an Impregnable Castle

What sorcery is this?!
We've surrounded the castle, but it will not fall!

It appears this castle is a defensive base.
That means it can only be breached through a siege.

Such a thing is possible?!
Bah. Very well, let's try this siege of yours.

Remember that the defenders hold the advantage during a siege.
We must destroy their equipment as we make for the citadel!

After issuing the System Reform II policy, your clan will be able to designate defensive bases. Various kinds of equipment can be installed at these bases, and support soldiers can be called from assistance bases. Being attacked at such a base will initiate a siege battle, giving you the advantage.
By the same token, you will be at a disadvantage when attacking enemy defensive bases and main bases. You must fight your way to the citadel while destroying enemy equipment and keeping morale raised.

Final Episode - The Oda Clan Dreams of Conquest

We've done well expanding our territory, but what do we do now?
Uesugi to the north, Date to the east, Takeda to the west...

We could be crushed like insects at any moment...
Just like before, we should ask the Hōjō for reinforcements.

Forming an alliance with the Uesugi would be ideal, but we are vassal to another clan.
Being unable to negotiate as we please makes things more difficult...

Let us put off fighting the Takeda or Uesugi for now.
Instead, we should try to reclaim that which the Date have taken from us.

We've grown quite accustomed to having our castles stolen away...
And now that knowledge and resolve will serve us well!

That's the spirit, my lord!
The Oda Clan will have the last laugh!

The Oda Clan is the perfect target for large clans looking to expand their power. No matter how strong your castles may be, a large unit will bowl them over in an instant. Preserve your strength; don't waste it fighting unwinnable battles.
Wait for your enemies to exhaust themselves fighting each other before trying to take back stolen castles.
Continue taking, losing, and retaking castles, expanding your territory little by little as you go, and even the Oda Clan may one day rule the world!