FAQ

What is Total War: Shogun 2?

Total War: Shogun 2 is a PC strategy game developed by The Creative Assembly and published by SEGA. The game consists of a turn-based strategy aspect, which plays out on a 3-D map of Japan including the islands of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, as well as a real-time tactical aspect which launches anytime you engage in combat.

What is the difference between Total War: Shogun 2 and Shogun: Total War?

There are many, many changes. Shogun: Total War was released in 2000, 11 years before Total War: Shogun 2, so you can probably guess that they are very different.

What are the other Total War games?

In list of oldest to newest. Shogun: Total War, Medieval: Total War, Rome: Total War, Medieval 2: Total War, Empire: Total War, Napoleon: Total War, and Total War: Shogun 2.

When does the game take place?

It is set in 16th century Japan, between the years 1545- 1575/1580. The Onin War has finished, and Japan is divided. You must take control of one of the clans and unite Japan under your rule!

What is this Encyclopedia I have heard people talking about?

The Encyclopedia shows information about a lot of things in Total War: Shogun 2. You can access it through the encyclopedia button in the top left of the screen. Also, right clicking on unit cards will bring up their page.

I also heard you could rotate the campaign map!

Yes, you can. Something you could not do in earlier Total War games.

What are the factions available to play as in Shogun 2?

In Shogun 2, the factions are called Clans. There are a total of 9 playable clans. Oda, Shimazu, Mori, Tokugawa, Takeda, Uesugi, Date, Chosokabe and Hojo. More clans are available for download, and the Hattori clan comes with the limited edition of the game.

I heard all clans have the same units, is this true?

Yes, all playable clans recruit the same units. The clans instead have specialist skills.

What are the clan specialities?

Oda: Ashigaru (Militia) Shimazu: Katana Samurai.
Mori: Ships and naval warfare.
Tokugawa: Diplomacy and Warrior Ninjas.
Takeda: Cavalry.
Uesugi: Monks and Warrior Monks.
Date: No-Dachi Samurai.
Chosokabe: Archery and Farming.
Hattori: Ninja and subteruge.
Hojo: Siege weapons.

What are trade nodes?

Trade nodes are trade posts situated around the island. Sending trade ships to occupy them will get a nice little profit, but remember to protect them with warships.

I just saw a giant black ship! What is it?

The Black Ship is a heavily armed European trader. You may get a message warning you about it. If you manage to capture it, it will give you strong superiority at sea. But beware! It is heavily armed with European cannons and matchlock guns and will be very hard to destroy, let alone getting onto the deck and capturing it!

What is the difference between the normal and the “Limited Edition” of the game?

The limited edition has a few extras, which include being able to play the Hattori Can.

I have the normal version of the game, will I be able to ever play as the Hattori? They seem pretty cool.

Maybe. You may be able to download it at a later date.

I have heard a lot about the multiplayer part of the game, what’s it like?

Multiplayer has been really personalised. Joining a clan is even more important, you get to customize your Avatar, upgrade his skills, and use him to conquer Japan! You unlock more units the more you fight, and generally just enjoy yourself!

I heard about a “Legendary difficulty”, what is this?

In earlier titles they had Easy, Normal, hard, and Very Hard. Shogun 2 includes an even harder level. There are many things it does, affecting campaign and battle alike. In battle, these include the enemy units getting bonuses, not being able to use the mini-map, not being able to issue orders while the game is paused, and many other things.

What agents are there this time round?

Ninjas, Geishas, Monks and Metsuke are the main ones, although if you convert to Christianity the Monk will be replaced with Missionary. Ninjas function as spies and assassins. Geishas are specialized assassins who have the drawback of being always visible on the campaign map, so easy picking for enemy agents. Monks and missionaries convert others to your religion and can demoralize enemy armies and incite revolt in rivals’ territories. Metsuke are counterintelligence specialists who help find and imprison enemy agents, as well as bribing armies.

Some Nanban just offered to trade with me, what is this all about?

The Nanban where what the Japanese used to call Europeans, or barbarians. If you accept to trade, you will gain access to a superior trading port, The Nanban Port, and in turn early matchlock units. But beware, if you build the port Christianity will begin to spread in that region. You can either counter it with temples and monks, or embrace Christianity.

What happens if I do convert to Christianity?

You may read an article about it here: The Nanban and Christianity, by Aftermath.

Will my computer be able to play Total War: Shogun 2?

The Minimum Specs (Required for playing Total War: Shogun 2):

– 2 GHz Intel Dual Core processor / 2.6 GHz Intel Single Core processor , or AMD equivalent (with SSE2)
– 1GB RAM (XP), 2GB RAM (Vista / Windows7)
– 256 MB DirectX 9.0c compatible graphics card (shader model 3)
– 1024×768 minimum screen resolution
– 20GB free hard disk space

Recommended Specs (Recommended for optimum game play of Total War: Shogun 2):

– 2nd Generation Intel® Core™i5 processor (or greater), or AMD equivalent
– 2GB RAM (XP), 4GB RAM (Vista / Windows7)
– AMD Radeon HD 5000 and 6000 series graphics cards or equivalent DirectX 11 compatible graphics card
– 1280×1024 minimum screen resolution
– 20GB free hard disk space

Still don’t know if your computer can handle it? Ask us on the Tech Help Forums, and we will try our best to help you.

Is the a demo available?

Yes, you may download it Here

I heard you need a Steam account to play the game, what is Steam?

Steam is a digital distribution, digital rights management, multiplayer and communications platform developed by Valve Corporation. It is used to distribute a wide range of games and related media entirely over the internet, stretching from one-man independent efforts to some of the world’s most popular games.

What does this mean if I want to play Total War: Shogun 2?

It means that you MUST have Steam installed on your computer. You can download it here. It is completely free. Once Total War: Shogun 2 is installed, the game will appear on your “my games” tab. Because Steam is an online service, you must be online when you activate the game. After that, you can play in “offline mode” you wish but you must go online at least once. Of course, you can stay online all the time if you wish.

I still don’t understand what Steam is?

Maybe reading Steam FAQ will help you.

What are DLCs?

DLC stands for Downloadable content. They are small add-ons to Total War: Shogun 2, they can unlock a faction, new units, etc.

I have a question, but it’s not here!

Then please check out our Forums, and ask there.