The Book of Tagawa Samurai Archers

[dnutt99]

The Book of Tagawa Samurai Archers

Dawn of Darkness - Collection 6 - "Archers and Kyrie"
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If you cannot see the Army Card graphic, check Hasbro's Unit Page for stats and special powers, plus "character biography" and other non-game unit info.

Character Bio: A beautiful pink cherry blossom floats gracefully to the ground and lands at the feet of a noble daimyo lord. He stands tall, bearing the majestic armor of his forefathers. His face is stoic, nostrils flaring, as he draws deeply of the crisp spring air. Pulling his mask down over his face, Kato Katsura extends a long arm, and points into the west. A fleet of his loyal samurai archers march forward, passing him by and forming a line on the hillside. In unison they halt, draw their arrows, and ready their bows. A moment of silence passes, then a faint but growing sound is heard. The Tagawa remain steadfast, bowstrings taught. Over the horizon breaks a screaming war band, their weapons drawn and bloodlust blazing in their eyes. Still the Tagawa archers stand motionless. Their enemies approach closer still before Kato Katsura drops his arm and a hailstorm of arrows are rained down upon his enemies. (Hasbro)

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-Rulings and Clarifications-

• - COUNTERSTRIKE : Who is affected by counterstrike
  Does Counter Strike work against other characters that have Counter Strike?
  Yes, the only time the Tagawa Archers’ Counter Strike is negated is against other Samurai. All other figures that have counterstrike can still be affected by it unless otherwise stated on their card. (Hasbro FAQ)

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-Combinations and Synergies-

Synergy Benefits Received

• - HATAMOTO TARO : Heroic Defense Aura
  As Samurai, Tagawa Samurai Archers may benefit from Hatamoto Taro’s HEROIC DEFENSE AURA
  
  - KATO KATSURO : Kato Katsuro's Command
  As a Samurai Squad, the Tagawa Samurai Archers may benifit from Kato Katsuro's KATO KATSURO'S COMMAND activation synergy.

Synergy Benefits Offered

• - SACRED BAND : Disciplined Army Defense Bonus
  Having a Disciplined personality, Tagawa Samurai Archers may aid the Sacred Band with their DISCIPLINED ARMY DEFENSE BONUS
  *NOTE: See The Book of Sacred Band for proper application.

C3V and SoV Custom Synergies

Spoiler Alert!

Synergy Benefits Offered

​

Synergy Benefits Received

COUNT RAYMOND : MANEUVER 9
As Humans who follow Einar, Tagawa Samurai Archers may benefit from Count Raymond's MANEUVER 9 ability.

TOMOE GOZEN : DEFENSIVE FORMATION
As a Samurai, Tagawa Samurai Archers may boost his own defense as well as Tomoe Gozen's when adjacent to Tomoe Gozen.
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-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-

• - TBA

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-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

Power Ranking and Master Index

Power Ranking
Tagawa Samurai Archers- Though a bit disappointing to most, the Tagawa Samurai Archers might yet prove valuable in the future. B-

Tagawa Archers
Vs. Roman Archers? http://heroscapers.com/community/showthread.php?t=4883
General Assessment? http://heroscapers.com/community/showthread.php?t=5121
Boosting Counterstrike? http://www.heroscapers.com/community/showthread.php?t=768
Benefit from Bloodlust? http://heroscapers.com/community/showthread.php?t=7309

Unit Strategy Review

• 
  Unit Strategy Review: Tagawa Samurai Archers

 

[TexMex]

These guys are becoming a staple for me on defensive hills. And since there common, I'd like to see what a couple of squads could do Still, I hate their lousy defense! I can see where the Roman Archers would make a wiser choice. Though the other night, I did kill a Tarn with their counterstike

 

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

My favorite sculpts from Wave 6.


Subtle brilliance with this squad!



Practicing for the last NorCal tournament involved several trials with these guys against The Einar Imperium.

Now I'm not toting them as the EI counterdraft, but in the games I played them, they were suprisingly successful in dealing with the Einar Kyrie. They could peck at the winged soldiers from afar and then have some good insurance if they became engaged with them. I had luck on my side as there were a few blanks or 1 skulls rolled among the first of a couple of Double Attacks.
Counterstrike was able to bypass the whole Kiova's Gift aura and slaughter some expensive figures.
I was able to get precious height advantage to assist in the carnage and eventually back-up units to play kyrie clean-up.

I suppose the same tactics can be used with any of the melee samurai, but for 21.6 points for a common, ranged figure, they are a viable selection for the EI match-up.
I start to look towards Sentinels or other average attack/beefy defense units to use the Archers as a decent counterdraft.
EDIT: I used 3 squads of TSA, Kaemon, and Hatamoto against 6 Minions, Brunak, and Nakitas. It was sick how many Minions were taken out by Counterstrike.

Still, I hate their lousy defense! I can see where the Roman Archers would make a wiser choice. Though the other night, I did kill a Tarn with their counterstike

It would be insane if they had 4 (or higher) defense for their price.
Factor in height advantage, Raelin and/or Hatamoto, well, it starts to become clear.
3 defense is fine.
It's the cheap, common-ness of the Counterstrike in addition to range that reveals their potential.

 

[GForce3062]

I just like samurai as a whole, My Favorite Units

Yeah, same with me. I love the TSA because it adds more RANGE!!!! to Einar's army. Other than them, its only the hard to find Romans and Guilty. That's why I have 3 squads of 'em. They're also my favorite sculpted squad in the game! Guess who's my favorite sculpted hero........... yep. Kaemon Awa. 3 defense is the best # of defense for their price. Now if you add height, Raelin, and Hatamato Taro and these guys are gonna be unpenetrable! And with counterstrike, these guys are doggin. Even if you give these guys just height advantage they're still gonna rock!

 

[riledguy]

These guys are becoming a staple for me on defensive hills. And since there common, I'd like to see what a couple of squads could do Still, I hate their lousy defense! I can see where the Roman Archers would make a wiser choice. Though the other night, I did kill a Tarn with their counterstike

They are really nice on a hill. I had a squad of these guys on high and got attacked by a wave of vipers. They ended up killing 4 on defense and 2 with their actual attack.

The 1 extra die for height made all the difference (as my opponent rolled a lot of single skulls on his 3 die attack rolls.)

They did way better then their leader who did not pull his 120.

In retrospect I would have been much better off with 3 squads of them. Instead of 1 of them and their failing leader.

 

[Dictatorbilbo]

I LOVE THESE GUYS!!!

They are my single favorite ranged squad because they are one of the few that can survive getting into melee. You can play them like range and like melee. You can have them run straight into the fray, or have them hide back on a hill. The versatility! The only bad thing is that their counterstrike isn't any good against special attacks...

 

[riledguy]

I am thinking 2 of these squads with Realin (sp) would be pretty cool. That seems like a pretty good 210 or so spent. Folks are going to have to rush them and with 5 defense dice would risk dying on their own attack not to mention they would be getting fired at the whole time they were trying to wipe them out.

 

[Dictatorbilbo]

I am thinking 2 of these squads with Realin (sp) would be pretty cool. That seems like a pretty good 210 or so spent. Folks are going to have to rush them and with 5 defense dice would risk dying on their own attack not to mention they would be getting fired at the whole time they were trying to wipe them out.

The only problem with that would be if the opponent outranged you- In which case the opponents would probably be some annoying agents or whatnot- What's really fun is running out your samurai archers to engage them, while shooting the agents down from above! The agents either have to risk counterstrike or disengagement strikes, both which spell almost certain death!

Of course, any of the big guys would them for lunch...

 

[riledguy]

The only problem with that would be if the opponent outranged you- In which case the opponents would probably be some annoying agents or whatnot- What's really fun is running out your samurai archers to engage them, while shooting the agents down from above! The agents either have to risk counterstrike or disengagement strikes, both which spell almost certain death!

Of course, any of the big guys would them for lunch...

There is always going to be a counter to any squad I am trying to think of a squad that over all could pull way more damage then its cost in most situations. They would do well even against range with the 5 defense dice as most range units don't have the huge attack numbers.

At first I was skeptical of the samurai archers as the 3 defense just seemed to low for their return strike to make a difference but after some games with them in action I saw that this is a very strong power as much more often then not folks use melee fighters to take out the range figures.

Next game I will give them a try see how they do and I can put them to the test.

 

[Chimpy]

Well, I have a simple solution to that problem. I have been testing this army:

Tagawa Archers
Kaemon Awa
Crixus
Deathreavers 2X

It has worked wonderfully well. The Roborats have been able to die down any of the opposing ranged units, and the archers have killed any melee units that get too close.

(I don't have a second set of Archers. I would trade out Crixus for another set in this army if I could.)


P.S. Raelin makes this army so better its scary.

 

[riledguy]

Hmm...these Samurais are okay when their on hills, because their attack is ok. But of who am I to say that, after all, I've only had one battle with them(Bringing my total 'scape battles to 6 )!!!!!!!!!ugh I love Heroscape, but I cant find any body who wants to play with me(well every once in awhile I can coax my sister in to playing).

A terrible predicament indeed....

The archers are strong on hills more for the counter strike then the attack rating. It makes it so they have a decent chance of killing figures with a 3 or lower attack rating who go after them in melee.

 

[fejkl]

I like what DictatorBilbo said about the TSA's being ranged and melee. They're somewhat similar to Kaemon, only a bit weaker. I love them, and have Counter-Struck many a unit with them.

 

[rdhight]

I have just got these guys today. (only one set of them along with the Imperium)

Do the imperium go good with the tagawa archers?

I think with one set of each you'll be disappointed. Actually, you might be disappointed in the Imperium no matter how many packs you buy. But no, they don't go horribly together. The problem is that when enemy attackers can select between TSA and Imperium, they have a choice between hitting into a 3 defense on an expensive strong attacker without counter strike and hitting into a 3 defense on a cheap(ish) weak attacker with counter strike. So they'll just take out your stronger squad first thing. You don't want to have those two units mingled together when the melee fighters come calling.

You'll force harder choices if you send the archers out first. Enemy melee approaches: the archers try to engage and get at least a couple chances to counterstrike. Then the Imperium counter-charge and try to get their full 6 attacks at least once. And if enemy range approaches: the cheaper samurai can tie it up so it can't shoot the Imperium on the way in.

How about:

140 Imperium
90 Kiova
80 Raelin
65 Tagawa Samurai Archers
75 James Murphy
50 Marro Warriors
for 500?

If you get another set, Imperium x2, TSA x2, and Kiova also add to 500. But overall, the Archers are the more desirable half of that pack. Cheap, common range with counter strike-- it's great. Shooters with an incentive to engage! I really, really like it when units have powers that pull in different directions.

 

[rdhight]

Here's one that might be more to your liking:
140 Imperium
110 Airborne Elite
100 Agent Carr
80 Raelin
65 Tagawa Samurai Archers
for 495.

Good luck not grenading your own guys!

 

[The Super Atheist]

Here's one that might be more to your liking:
140 Imperium
110 Airborne Elite
100 Agent Carr
80 Raelin
65 Tagawa Samurai Archers
for 495.

Good luck not grenading your own guys!

sounds good, but how about i replace agent carr with the blue samurai?

 

[rdhight]

Here's one that might be more to your liking:
140 Imperium
110 Airborne Elite
100 Agent Carr
80 Raelin
65 Tagawa Samurai Archers
for 495.

Good luck not grenading your own guys!

sounds good, but how about i replace agent carr with the blue samurai?

I like squadscape myself. All squads plus Raelin? I'd play it. And the Kozuke Samurai can definitely fill the beatdown role that I was using Carr for. But Carr is a better answer against Braxas, Kee-Mo-Shi, and other anti-squad heavies who don't draw many counterstrikes. If you don't expect to face those kinds of figures, samurai all the way!

 

[The Super Atheist]

The samurai archers are awesome with height, raelin, and the Imperium.

 

[The Super Atheist]

The samurai archers are awesome with height, raelin, and the Imperium.

What was your opponent throwing against them?

krug and charos. i killed krug in one turn with the imperium with one attack left to use on charos. he then moved his blue samarai up the road and i got two of them with the archers and the remaining one with one of my 2 remaining imperium.


I then wounded khosmet once with an archer and he surrendered (i reduced khosmet to 30 points)

 

[MrBarkypants]

Let me start with Einar is my fav., and I love the Samurai. That said, I hate those archers. They always get out ranged and with their slow movement and fairly low defense, I always get mowed down by the Krav, Q9, Blasts, Nakitas, Snipers, 4th Mass, AE, etc. trying to get in range, let alone be the first to the high ground. Don't even get me started if the enemy has Laglor.....

 

[Shades fan]

When creating a terrain you should try to get a good cover with the archers. That way you could try to kill Q9 with a huge guy like mimring or a wounded Krug,or try to surround him quick enough to kill him.

 

[Dandin]

For 65 points, these guys can be as tough as nails. Because they have the counterstrike, range will want to attack them, but they themselves have range. 4th Mass seems the bane, at least in valiant armies, because they are the only ones who can achieve a high enough defense that would equal them. However, for 5 more points with the 4th Mass, although they don't have the "fear" of counterstrike, they have, basically, +1 attack and +1 defense. These guys in melee fight actually seems logical. Send them forward, spread them so they can get hight, and shot the begebbers out of the approaching army, and if a hero is coming, let melee tie up with them, and then shoot the hero, who can, more then likely, not easily engage the archers to fight. The weaker squads, in fear of engagement strikes, would not disengage, although it seems that it would be the only way to get the hero in to attack. BUT, however, most people are clever enough to keep this from happening, but it seems like a good plan. After they kill and kill and kill until they die, Awa would dive in from distance and blast the remaining squads/heroes, with Izumi coming up in front.

I'm meaning to test this out on my very hilly map, with 2x Tagawa Archers and Izumi samuri, Awa, 2x Emperium, Kavoi (or whatever her name is) and Raelin, + a few more samurai squads to make it go to 800 points, with Thearcus.

with this army, I was thinking about Emperium fly forward to hold the bridge (but in cover of range fire) while Tagawa Archers would go up on the bridge, shooting at the approaching army, and as soon as they die or have slowed the forces (their target is ranged squads), I would move Ninjas or Izumi down through the ice covered part of the river as a distraction, and then bring up Raelin and Kavoi (same thing) with the Emperium suddenly to strike the heroes. Finally, Thearcus would fly in with Awa, and clean up any remaining forces, unless the Emperium are still alive.

It's expensive, but I think it'll be fun to play.

 

[ParaGoomba Slayer]

Such an overated unit. 3 defense counterstrike never happens, 2 attack at 6 range is crappy. If they had 4 archers per squad, i'd like 'em, but as is, no.

 

[NFCfan]

the TSA need height more than almost any other squad in the game. With 2/3 they stink but with 3/4 are great

 

[Clarissimus]

It's true that 2/3 with 6 range is not great, but don't underestimate counterstrike even at 3 defense. Plus there's always height, glyphs, etc. that could improve things.

 

[ParaGoomba Slayer]

It's true that 2/3 with 6 range is not great, but don't underestimate counterstrike even at 3 defense. Plus there's always height, glyphs, etc. that could improve things.

If I had height, or glyphs i'd rather choose a worthwhile ranged squad that would ACTUALLY threaten enemies from getting close, such as Microcorp or Omnicrons. Something that actually has good range and attack.

The Tagawa archers aren't a threat, more like an annoyance. If i'm going to invest in a ranged squad, I want something that doesn't let the enemy get close, NOT something I have to engage with, that's what I have melee for.

I just don't see them earning their points as easily as Microcorp, Krav, Omnicrons, etc.