VII. Warfare

Warfare in Sengoku is not merely a means of conquest, but a demonstration of legitimacy, prestige, and political authority. A clan incapable of defending its lands or enforcing its claims will quickly lose influence, regardless of its titles or wealth. Yet military victory alone is rarely enough to secure lasting power. Campaigns are expensive, armies are temporary in their loyalties, and every force in the field represents officials, diplomats, and administrators absent from elsewhere.

Warfare takes place on the Main Map during the Action Phase of non-Winter turns, though campaigning during Winter is possible at considerable risk. Generals lead armies across Japan to seize strategic locations, defend allies, suppress rebellions, raid enemy lands, and enforce their clan’s political will.

The game’s warfare system is location-based. Armies fight over castles, ports, towns, roads, temples, and strategic strongholds rather than abstract provincial borders. Military occupation and legitimate authority are not always the same thing: a clan may physically control territory without possessing the legal titles or political recognition necessary to govern it securely.

Battles are expected to occur regularly throughout the game, but endless warfare carries consequences. Campaigning devastates local regions, increases Instability, disrupts economies, and may eventually trigger rebellions or the rise of new local powers. Military strength is essential, but reckless expansion can destroy a clan as easily as defeat.

Warfare is also political. Generals are encouraged to negotiate directly on the battlefield, exchange terms, threaten rivals, arrange temporary truces, or accept honorable surrenders. A battle may pause temporarily for negotiations if all sides agree.

Risk, Injury, and Death

The Sengoku-jidai was an age of warfare, assassination, disease, and sudden reversals of fortune. Characters who place themselves in danger,  whether on the battlefield, during a siege, or through acts of subterfuge, risk injury or death.

Whenever a character participates in a dangerous action, Control may call for a Risk Roll. This is most common after:

• Battles and assaults

• Sieges

• Raids

• Failed missions

• Assassination attempts

• Hazardous travel or winter campaigning

Risk is resolved with a d6 roll administered by Control. Modifiers may apply depending on the circumstances, severity of the conflict, or actions taken by the character.

Possible outcomes include:

• No effect

• Minor injury

• Serious injury

• Capture

• Death

Wounds are tracked across the game. A lightly wounded character may continue acting normally, while repeated injuries increase the likelihood of permanent consequences or death. Characters recover gradually over time, though severe wounds may require multiple turns to heal.

If a character dies, the player does not leave the game. Instead, they return as a new retainer, officer, monk, or member of the same clan’s household. However, death may result in:

• Loss of titles or offices

• Loss of military reputation or command status

• Succession disputes

• Diplomatic consequences

• Honor loss for the clan, depending on the circumstances

Death in Sengoku should be viewed as a meaningful political and narrative event rather than simple elimination. Reckless leaders may achieve great victories, but they also risk leaving their clan leaderless in a time of crisis.