Total War: SHOGUN 2

Awesome game. I'm new to the series so I don't know what all is different, but I hear they dumbed it down a little bit. I can't even imagine how hard the others must have been if that's the case, because this is probably the most complicated game I've ever played lol. I had racked up probably 5 hours playtime before I even figured out most of the basics.

Anyone else play? I don't know if maybe I'm just retarded, but I suck ass at actual battles. I've beaten the domination campaign (on easy, this game is hard as fuck) but literally like 90% of the fights were computer resolved :laugh:. I dunno what it is, but I get absolutely raped on manual fights. The only time I ever kill more than I lose is when I'm the defender and I have the high ground with archers etc.

I normally use:
Yari Ashigaru (main infantry)
Bow Ashigaru (frontlines/castle walls)
Bow Cavalry
Light Cavalry
Katana Samurai

^I normally have a maxed out army (~2000-2200 men usually) when I go out conquering and if I'm even somewhat evenly matched I lose a considerable amount of men. I've lost 2k men in a fight where it was 2300 units vs 1200ish. How the hell does that happen? Any advice for sieges? I lost most of my men just getting to the walls usually

I try to avoid inviting Christianity into my provinces. It winds up meaning I don't get any of the good European weaponry, which sort of sucks, but after a while (especially in the long campaigns) the non-clan religion really starts to mess up my provinces' happiness. Any advice on that?

Also, my advice to newbies: Ninjas, monks, and metsukes are your best friend. Get them high level and you will not regret it, especially a metsuke. Bribing armies is hilarious and can help a shitload. Ninjas are awesome too, sabotaging an army/province helps a lot.