III. Player Factions

Throughout the Sengoku era, powerful Buddhist sects controlled extensive lands, fortified monasteries, economic networks, and armed followers across Japan. Many possessed military forces capable of rivaling regional warlords.

Some sects maintained uneasy coexistence with nearby clans, while others became deeply involved in peasant uprisings, political struggles, and open warfare. Religious institutions could serve as centers of learning, economic powers, sanctuaries, and heavily fortified military strongholds all at once.

The sects represented in Sengoku include both formal monastic institutions and broader religious movements, each with distinct traditions, political interests, and methods of exercising power.

Gameplay Style

Sect teams combine religious legitimacy, covert influence, economic resilience, popular support, and defensive military power.

While sects may cooperate against external threats, rivalries between religious movements can be as bitter and violent as those between clans. Most sects oppose the rise of an overly centralized military government, fearing the loss of their autonomy, privileges, and religious independence.

Sects are often strongest when defending their sacred centers, shaping unrest, sanctifying agreements, and using religious influence to alter the political landscape around them.

Zealots

Sect agents cannot perform the Smuggle Goods mission.

Instead, they may perform:

Shrines and Donations

Sect agents cannot perform the Smuggle Goods mission.

Instead, they may establish a shrine network within a location. These networks gather donations and local support, providing income to the Sect while also assisting future Sect agent missions conducted in that location.

Shrines and Donations

Sect holdings throughout Japan generate income through donations, pilgrimage, patronage, and religious support.

These holdings are abstracted within the game and are not individually represented on the Main Map. They represent the broader religious and economic influence of the sect beyond its visible fortifications and armies.

Inspire Religious Revolt

When Sect agents perform the Instigate Revolt mission, there is a chance that unrest may grow beyond normal expectations through religious fervor and popular support.

If successful, the rebellion may become stronger, instability may spread more rapidly, and rebel forces may come under Sect influence or control. Similarly, Sect agents performing Pacify Populace may reduce instability more effectively through mediation, religious authority, and local influence.

Sanctified Agreements

Sects may formally witness and sanctify treaties or agreements by applying their seal and religious authority.

Such agreements carry significant social and political weight. Breaking a sanctified agreement may damage a clan’s reputation, offend the supporting sect, and create consequences beyond the original treaty itself.

“No Matter How the Wind Howls, the Mountain Cannot Bow to It.”

Sect defenders are renowned for their fanatic discipline and determination when defending sacred ground.

Troops defending their home temple or monastic stronghold require two successful hits to destroy rather than one.