Complete Beginner's Guide to Shokuho

Welcome to the fascinating world of Shokuho, one of the most immersive historical modifications for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Set in the turbulent Sengoku period of 16th century Japan, this mod transforms the game into an authentic feudal Japanese experience. Whether you're a seasoned Mount & Blade veteran or completely new to the series, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the complexities of medieval Japan and establish your own legendary legacy.

What Makes Shokuho Special?

Before diving into gameplay mechanics, it's essential to understand what sets Shokuho apart from the base game and other modifications. This mod doesn't simply add new skins and names to existing content—it fundamentally reimagines the Mount & Blade experience through the lens of Japanese history and culture.

The Sengoku period (1467-1615) was characterized by constant warfare, shifting alliances, and the rise and fall of powerful daimyo (feudal lords). The mod captures this volatile political landscape, where honor, strategy, and adaptability determine survival. Unlike European medieval warfare, Japanese combat emphasizes different tactics, weapons, and social structures that directly impact gameplay.

Choosing Your Starting Clan

Your choice of starting clan fundamentally shapes your entire playthrough experience. Each clan offers unique advantages, starting positions, and historical significance that affect both gameplay mechanics and narrative immersion.

Major Clans Overview

Oda Clan: The most historically famous clan, led by the revolutionary Oda Nobunaga. Starting as the Oda offers excellent economic opportunities due to their central location and advanced military innovations. However, you'll face numerous enemies who fear your growing power. This clan is ideal for players who enjoy aggressive expansion and don't mind being outnumbered.

Takeda Clan: Renowned for their legendary cavalry, the Takeda clan excels in mobile warfare and mountain terrain advantage. Their starting position in Kai Province provides natural defensive barriers but limits economic growth. Choose Takeda if you prefer tactical flexibility and want to master cavalry-heavy armies.

Uesugi Clan: Masters of discipline and honor, the Uesugi clan boasts some of the finest ashigaru (foot soldiers) in Japan. Their northern position offers fewer immediate threats but also fewer opportunities for rapid expansion. This clan suits players who prefer defensive strategies and gradual, methodical growth.

Mori Clan: Naval powerhouse with strong economic foundations from trade and piracy. The Mori clan's coastal position provides unique opportunities for maritime warfare and trade, but requires balancing land and sea power. Perfect for players interested in economic warfare and naval tactics.

Understanding the Combat System

Combat in Shokuho differs significantly from traditional Mount & Blade warfare. The mod emphasizes formation fighting, unit specialization, and tactical positioning over individual prowess. Understanding these differences is crucial for battlefield success.

Weapon Categories and Usage

Katana and Wakizashi: The iconic weapons of the samurai class, these swords excel in dueling and close combat. They offer excellent cutting damage but require skill to use effectively against armored opponents. Master the timing of cuts and thrusts to maximize their potential.

Yari (Spears): The backbone of Japanese armies, yari are incredibly effective against cavalry and in formation fighting. Their reach advantage makes them ideal for defensive positions, but they become vulnerable in close quarters. Always maintain formation when using spear units.

Naginata: Polearm weapons traditionally used by warrior monks and samurai retainers. They combine the reach of spears with the cutting power of swords, making them versatile battlefield weapons. Excellent for players who want flexibility in combat roles.

Yumi (Bows): Japanese archery focuses on accuracy and armor penetration rather than rapid fire. Samurai archers are elite units capable of devastating enemy formations when properly positioned. Use them to soften enemy lines before engagement or to defend key positions.

Formation Tactics

Unlike European warfare, Japanese tactics emphasize unit coordination and battlefield discipline. Ashigaru formations are particularly effective when maintained properly but vulnerable when broken. Practice these key formations:

• Yari Wall: A defensive line of spear-armed troops that can stop cavalry charges and control battlefield flow
• Archer Screen: Positioned behind spear formations to provide covering fire and counter enemy archers
• Flanking Forces: Mobile samurai units that exploit gaps in enemy formations or protect your flanks
• Reserve Units: Fresh troops held back to reinforce critical points or exploit breakthrough opportunities

Economic Management and Domain Development

Success in Shokuho requires more than military prowess—economic management determines your long-term sustainability and growth potential. The mod's economy reflects the agricultural foundation of feudal Japan, where rice production, trade routes, and resource management directly impact your military capabilities.

Understanding Rice Economy

Rice serves as the primary currency and resource in feudal Japan. Unlike the monetary system in base Bannerlord, Shokuho's rice-based economy requires different strategic thinking. Fertile provinces produce more rice, supporting larger armies and populations, while mountainous regions might offer strategic minerals but limited agricultural output.

Focus on securing and developing rice-producing territories early in your campaign. These provinces provide the foundation for everything else—without adequate rice production, you cannot maintain large armies or support urban development. Invest in irrigation improvements and protect farmers from bandit raids to maximize output.

Trade and Commerce

Maritime trade plays a crucial role in Japanese economics, especially for coastal clans. Establish trade relationships with other domains and control key ports to maximize revenue. The mod includes unique trade goods like tea, silk, and crafted weapons that can provide significant income when managed properly.

Pay attention to seasonal variations in trade—certain goods become more valuable during specific times of the year. Stockpile resources during abundant periods and sell during scarcity to maximize profits. This economic timing can fund military campaigns or technological improvements.

Diplomacy and Alliance Systems

The Sengoku period's complex political landscape makes diplomacy as important as military strength. Understanding the clan relationship system, honor mechanics, and alliance structures determines your strategic options and long-term survival.

Honor and Reputation

Honor (面子, mentsu) affects how other clans perceive and interact with you. Honorable actions improve relationships and attract high-quality retainers, while dishonorable behavior isolates you diplomatically. However, sometimes pragmatic decisions require sacrificing honor for survival—choose carefully based on your long-term strategy.

Reputation spreads throughout Japan, affecting recruitment, trade, and diplomatic options. A reputation for military prowess attracts warrior retainers but may make peaceful solutions harder to achieve. Conversely, a reputation for wisdom and fairness opens diplomatic opportunities but might encourage aggressive neighbors to test your resolve.

Managing Alliances

Alliances in Shokuho are complex, temporary arrangements rather than permanent partnerships. Clan relationships shift based on territorial ambitions, family connections, and immediate threats. Monitor the political landscape constantly and adjust your alliance strategy accordingly.

Consider these alliance types:

• Defensive Pacts: Mutual protection against common threats, useful for smaller clans
• Marriage Alliances: Long-term relationships through family connections, more stable but harder to break
• Trade Partnerships: Economic cooperation that benefits both parties without military obligations
• Temporary Coalitions: Short-term cooperation against powerful enemies, dissolves after achieving objectives

Character Development and Retainer Management

Your personal character development and retainer management significantly impact your domain's capabilities. Unlike typical RPGs, Shokuho emphasizes leadership skills and the ability to attract and maintain loyal followers.

Skill Development Priorities

Focus your skill development based on your chosen role and clan strengths. A military-focused daimyo needs different skills than one pursuing economic dominance or diplomatic solutions. Consider these priority paths:

Military Leader: Prioritize Leadership, Tactics, and your preferred weapon skills. These improve army size, battle effectiveness, and personal combat ability. Also develop Riding for mobility and Engineering for siege warfare.

Economic Administrator: Focus on Trade, Steward, and Charm skills. These maximize income, reduce administrative costs, and improve recruitment. Don't neglect some military skills for personal protection.

Diplomatic Strategist: Emphasize Charm, Roguery, and Steward skills. This path excels at forming alliances, gathering intelligence, and managing internal affairs. Maintain enough military competence to command respect.

Retainer Recruitment and Management

Quality retainers form the backbone of your administration and military command. Each retainer brings unique skills, connections, and story backgrounds that enhance your domain's capabilities. Recruit diversely to cover all necessary functions—military command, economic management, diplomatic relations, and intelligence gathering.

Pay attention to retainer loyalty and personal ambitions. Satisfied retainers provide better service and remain loyal during difficult periods, while neglected ones might defect to rivals or cause internal problems. Balance rewards, responsibilities, and respect to maintain an effective leadership team.

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Learning from common mistakes accelerates your mastery of Shokuho's complex systems. These frequent errors can derail promising campaigns if not recognized and corrected early.

Military Overextension

New players often expand too quickly, conquering territory faster than they can effectively control or defend it. Overextension leaves you vulnerable to coordinated attacks and internal rebellions. Focus on consolidating gains before pursuing new conquests.

Economic Neglect

Military success requires economic foundation, but many beginners focus solely on combat and ignore economic development. Without proper income and resource management, even successful armies cannot be maintained long-term. Balance military campaigns with economic growth.

Diplomatic Isolation

Attempting to conquer Japan single-handedly leads to facing coalitions of enemies simultaneously. Maintain diplomatic relationships and temporary alliances to avoid fighting all your neighbors at once. Even powerful clans need allies to survive.

Honor Extremism

While honor is important, absolute adherence to honorable conduct can be strategically disastrous. Sometimes survival requires pragmatic decisions that conflict with ideal honor. Find balance between maintaining reputation and making necessary compromises.

Your Path Forward

Mastering Shokuho requires patience, strategic thinking, and willingness to learn from both victories and defeats. This guide provides the foundation, but true expertise comes from experience and experimentation. Each playthrough offers opportunities to explore different strategies, clan dynamics, and historical scenarios.

Start with a major clan for your first campaign to learn the systems without extreme difficulty. Once comfortable with the basics, try smaller clans or unique challenge scenarios to test your skills. The mod's depth rewards multiple playthroughs with different approaches and objectives.

Remember that Shokuho is ultimately about creating your own legend in one of history's most fascinating periods. Whether you unite Japan through military conquest, economic dominance, or diplomatic brilliance, your story becomes part of the rich tapestry of the Sengoku era. Embrace the challenge, learn from setbacks, and forge your path to greatness in feudal Japan.