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The Book of Tagawa Samurai

dnutt99

dnutt99

Well-known member
The Book of Tagawa Samurai
Zanafor's Discovery - Collection 4 - "Lawmen and Samurai"​

CA6603EA-2160-4C68-9521-DBDF7CE3DEB0.jpg
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: Even though their reputations as formidable assassins preceded their arrival in Valhalla, the Tagawa Samurai have proven to be even faster, more ferocious and deadly than their adversaries expected. These disciplined warriors believe that their victims' spirits deserve the highest honor and are united with their own, adding to their collective strength. In addition to this honored code of offense, the Tagawa, much like their Izumi bothers, are artful masters of the riposte: the lightning-quick, deadly-accurate counterstrike. The Tagawa Samurai go into battle expecting death; ironically, it is this very mindset that has been the heart of the Samurai code for centuries and which has allowed them many victories. (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’s 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)]

    - BLOODLUST : Destroying A Figure With Counterstrike
    If a Tagawa Samurai destroys a figure with a Counter Strike roll, can I add an Experience Marker for Bloodlust?
    Yes. (Hasbro FAQ)
_________________________________________________________________
-Combinations and Synergies-

Synergy Benefits Received
  • - HATAMOTO TARO : Heroic Defense Aura
    As Samurai, Tagawa Samurai may benefit from Hatamoto Taro’s HEROIC DEFENSE AURA

    - KATO KATSURO : Kato Katsuro's Command
    As a Samurai Squad, the Tagawa Samurai 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 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!

_________________________________________________________________
-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-

  • - TBA

_________________________________________________________________
-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

Power Ranking and Master Index
MKSentinel said:
Power Ranking
Tagawa Samurai- Quite possibly the best melee squad in the game, a band of angry Tagawa Samurai can be scary.
A high cost keeps them in check, however. B

Tagawa Samurai
Markers for Disengage Damage? http://heroscapers.com/community/showthread.php?t=829
Boosting Counterstrike? http://www.heroscapers.com/community/showthread.php?t=768
Markers Stay if Resurrected? http://heroscapers.com/community/showthread.php?t=1857
Click to expand...

Unit Strategy Review
  • - TBA
 
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I've used the Tagawa in my past few games and have had incredible luck. The last game they destroyed the following figures before going down to Kaemon Awa: Finn, 1xKnights of Weston, and Krug! After killing the knights and Finn with counterstrikes, I then went and got the high ground on Krug and destroyed him without even getting attacked back! Tagawas rule! I'd say the best samurai squad.
 
I love the Tagawa, but they never work for me. They die just as fast as they get markers and thus can never start doing the heavy damage.
 
My exprience is much the same. In the Taro build I play, the samurai were gunned down WAY to quickly by 4th Mass. They die to range VERY easily. If you could get them in base it's AWESOME, but you have to play VERY smart to get the close.

They make a great unit to protect your backfield though, if you have one. If an opposing figure goes after Taelord/Raelin/Taro, the Tagawa can provide some excellent offensive defense.

Adam
 
I am thinking next game of taking these guys after sending Thorgrim and Finn out to get killed (wow.. that sounds really mean.)

That is 280 points to get a squad that starts at 4 attack and had 6 defense and has the potential to get up to 7 attack.

The 220 points left over should be able to get me some good range figures to force a rush into the samurai's waiting swords.
 
riledguy said:
I am thinking next game of taking these guys after sending Thorgrim and Finn out to get killed (wow.. that sounds really mean.)

That is 280 points to get a squad that starts at 4 attack and had 6 defense and has the potential to get up to 7 attack.

The 220 points left over should be able to get me some good range figures to force a rush into the samurai's waiting swords.
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Don't forget Eldgrim! For just 30 points the Tiny Tarn can give these guys a move of 7, which gives them first strike against nearly any melee figure in the game, and second strike against nearly every ranged unit.
 
Eclipse said:
Don't forget Eldgrim! For just 30 points the Tiny Tarn can give these guys a move of 7, which gives them first strike against nearly any melee figure in the game, and second strike against nearly every ranged unit.
Click to expand...

I considered this but I feel that is too many points for the added speed since I have already committed more then half to so few units. I suppose it I have enough ranged power and had the 30 left over I would grab him.
 
If my first Tagawa Samurai destroys an opponent's figure does my second Samurai immediately get the benefit of the Experience Marker or does that kick in when I use them the next time?

I wanted to get the benefit immediately but I felt sorry for my brother so I let it go until the next round. :twisted:
 
zettian_guard said:
If my first Tagawa Samurai destroys an opponent's figure does my second Samurai immediately get the benefit of the Experience Marker or does that kick in when I use them the next time?

I wanted to get the benefit immediately but I felt sorry for my brother so I let it go until the next round. :twisted:
Click to expand...

I'd say it works immediately. You kill one, put a marker, so with the next you attack what is on your card. 3+1 from marker.
 
I just finished a game which came down my Deathwalker 8000 and a lone Tagawa vs. four Einar Imperium, Marcus and five Roman Legionnaires.

The birdmen managed to take out the Deathwalker, but they all died in the effort. With a fully empowered, 6-attack, 5-defense counterstriking Japanese monster, I went hunting for Romans. Ran down Marcus and the lone Roman he was leading, and killed them. Went after the remaining squad of Legionnaires and killed three of them before falling to a spear thrust from the last Roman, the last man standing.

That's why I play Heroscape.
 
the viking bros only give thier special to UH so dont bother wasting it on squads...uniqie or not...
 
phrost said:
the viking bros only give thier special to UH so dont bother wasting it on squads...uniqie or not...
Click to expand...

Actually, the Viking Spirits CAN be used on unique squads; after the game I just played I was planning on fielding a Thorgrim/samurai army next.
 
I must say, to me these guys are absoloutly amazing! I played a battle using two 1670 point armies so my friend could use all the marro including 4 squads of each SOTM common and 1 set of drones. Along with the hive and all the marro heros. I had raelin(new) Charos, Q9, Q10, AE, Sargent D.(new) and some others along with my Tagawa Samurai.
About halfway through the battle I sent my samurai up. It wad awsome. They killed 2 squads of drudge, 2 squads of stingers, 2 squads of nagrubs, TKN, SBN, and KMS!

BEST GAME EVER!!

Edit: Oh yeah, I won with Charos and 1 Tagawa left.
 
The Tagawa Samurai are just down right nasty. The first time I ever used them, my opponent dropped the Airborne Elite near each one, trying to take them out. None of them die. I charge, and get that bloodlust up to maximum. When powered up, these guys play possessed, killing down right anything. I was shearing through Minions of Utgar. I try and draft them every game.
 
Sherman Davies said:
I just finished a game which came down my Deathwalker 8000 and a lone Tagawa vs. four Einar Imperium, Marcus and five Roman Legionnaires.

The birdmen managed to take out the Deathwalker, but they all died in the effort. With a fully empowered, 6-attack, 5-defense counterstriking Japanese monster, I went hunting for Romans. Ran down Marcus and the lone Roman he was leading, and killed them. Went after the remaining squad of Legionnaires and killed three of them before falling to a spear thrust from the last Roman, the last man standing.

That's why I play Heroscape.
Click to expand...

More likely, he committed seppuku for losing a fight to a piece of crap figure. That reminds me of the time I lost Braxas to a squad of 4th mass. that wasn't using wait and fire, and I was on high ground. They just wandered up and attacked like dummies.

"2 skulls"

"no blocks."

"2 skulls"

"no blocks? on 4 dice!?"

"2 skulls"

"are you kidding me!?!?

"2 skulls"

".....EFF!"

She was so mad that the first guy shot her that she hung herself with her own tail. :lol: No way do a bunch of civil war dudes with muskets take out a dragon queen.

On topic, the TS spank hard. You really have to get them under cover to avoid ranged fire, but if you can get all 3 pounding on the enemy, you will quickly destroy many many figures.
 
These guys remind me of the new Calvary; they look good on paper but not really all the great in a real game (at least when I play).

The first time I killed them all before they even reached my units.

The next time I killed two of them and the last got in one attack, but because of his low attack, failed to kill a marro warrior.

This is on a large map where the traveling distance is big, and, at least when I see them, they look like a good target for archers to shot at.
I can see them good on a smaller map, though, where in two turns they'll be engaged.
 
Much like any melee squad, the Tagawa have to be careful of ranged attacks, but not as careful as most. Their 6 speed and 5 defense mean that if you're careful about when you charge them out, at least two of them stand a good chance of making it to their targets. I get the feeling anyone who's having the Tagawa Samurai perform poorly may be playing on excessively uneven ground or on maps with little cover.
 
I have a question about the Tagawa's Counterstrike.

See, I had a friend who sent his Sir Denrick into a crowd of his opponent's Izumi and Tagawa Samurai. Sir Denrick soloed all the Izumi Samurai singlehandedly. Then, on his next turn, Denrick attacked a Tagawa and rolled no skulls. The player who controlled the Tagawa insisted that he could still roll Counterstrike, because of the way the card was written.

We disagreed, but b/c we had no clue who was right, we let him roll any way. He rolled 5 shields-- IOW, Denrick took enough damage to kill him.

So... can the Samurai roll Counterstrike even if no skulls are rolled by the enemy?
 
GeekParallax said:
So... can the Samurai roll Counterstrike even if no skulls are rolled by the enemy?
Click to expand...

Yes.

We get in the habit of not rolling defense dice when our opponent rolls 0 skulls on the attack. Think of it this way: The amount of skulls rolled = how hard your opponent hits you. If no skulls are rolled, then he missed. You still roll for defense.
 
Somebody I played with once wanted to go with that "no defense roll is allowed if the attack roll misses" nonsense. I let it go because I didn't feel like arguing, but I can never understand where that reasoning comes from. Why would missing completely ever be a good thing for an attacker?
 
I agree with both of the last two posts by Browncoat and Sherman Davies. Samurais are one of the few that a roll for defense even when the opponent did not get any skulls. That is the only logical conclusion. That's what I love about counter strike. In my limited imagination I see it this way: "If you try to kill me, I'll kill you." In other words, anybody who takes a swing at a samurai (of course on a normal and adjacent attack) should expect retaliation. That's is what counter strike is all about. I love the samurais.

As you all know range attacks is the way to go against these guys. I played against them last night and only the tagawas were left against my James Murphy. This is how it played. I risked a live by disengaging a few turns because it is better to risk a disengament roll than 5 counter strike dice. You can try Whip 12, but that is a big risk against these samurais if you fail (so I thought). I got lucky with my tactical disengagements and blasted the hell out of the tagawas with the Shotgun Blast without risking counter strike. At the end I have 5 lives left in James Murphy. Call it lucky, but I had room to spare even after risking it with tactical disengagement, which turned out to be stupid. My excuse is that I was caught in the heat of the battle. I would had done better had I rolled for Whip 12 instead of disangaging.

After I did that I remembered that you can only use counter strike against normal attacks and Shotgun Blast is a special attack so I did not need to risk tactical disengagement. I feel dumb, but it worked anyway. It will not be the last time that I forget an important detail. That time it did not cost me victory, but I can't let that happen too often.

I still like the tagawas a lot, but you have to make sure that you get easy kills early in the game. I'm sure James Murphy would not have been left alive or with all his 5 lives had the tagawas achieved full Bloodlust by the end of the game.
 
The rules are quite clear about how combat works.
1. Attacking player rolls attack dice.
2. Defending player rolls defense dice.
3. Compare results.

Follwing these steps means you would always roll defense dice no matter what the results of the attacking player's roll. Comparison is after the two rolls. Most people don't roll defense if the attacker whiffs just to save time except when it's important like defending with a counterstriker.

Newb.
 
I just got my Tawaga finially, but they have some dark spots on them and they look kind've battle-worn instead of new, is this a paint problem, and if it is, will it wear off with use?
 
tyguy94920 said:
I just got my Tawaga finially, but they have some dark spots on them and they look kind've battle-worn instead of new, is this a paint problem, and if it is, will it wear off with use?
Click to expand...

Literally, each piece of HS is unique. The paint jobs can be erratic at times. The few sets that I have bought at stores I look and compare the paint jobs to see which one I like more. It happens. My Tagawas were flawlessly painted, but I have some messed up units in other sets.
 
Last night these guys were incredible. They took out Iskra, 1 Krav, Marcu, James Murphy, 2 TSA for about 220 points of damage.
 
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