Bushido The Game

[Arachas]

Guy at my club is a Bushido rep and is trying to get me into it (hehe).

I love Japanese theming, samurai ninjas and whatnot. The mechanics look fun and playing on a 2' x 2' board is something else entirely (very tactical!).

The only thing that's putting me off so far is the models: compared to some of the stuff I play (the incredibly Batmodels, CB's endless supply of awesome minis and even the Malifaux plastics) the Bushido models look dated.

Who can tell me if this is a game worth investing in?

[FatherKnowsBest]

I bought some Ito Clan and really like them. Working on a board then I plan on playing some...maybe more.

[Scorch]

Planning on some Temple models. I like the look, and the setting of the game. Not really sure how it plays, but it's skirmish, so that's good! ^^

I like the 2x2", makes it more of a boardgame for the living room, than a LGS game. ^^ Maybe introducing the Ms. to it as well.

I actually like the models. Okay, it's not Infinity. But I think it's a different style. I find it actually has a pretty Japanese feel to it. Like the old paintings of Feudal Japan. It is cartoony, but less 20th century manga which is really Infinity, and more like Feudal Japan.

I am planning to look at this game from a side-dish point of view.. Infinity #1, but sometimes it's nice to have something else.

[FatherKnowsBest]

Planning on some Temple models. I like the look, and the setting of the game. Not really sure how it plays, but it's skirmish, so that's good! ^^

I like the 2x2", makes it more of a boardgame for the living room, than a LGS game. ^^ Maybe introducing the Ms. to it as well.

I actually like the models. Okay, it's not Infinity. But I think it's a different style. I find it actually has a pretty Japanese feel to it. Like the old paintings of Feudal Japan. It is cartoony, but less 20th century manga which is really Infinity, and more like Feudal Japan.

I am planning to look at this game from a side-dish point of view.. Infinity #1, but sometimes it's nice to have something else.

You read my mind.

There's a cool mechanic there though. This game was developed with Gutier, the rules guru of Infinity too.

But in Bushido, it's alternating activation of models, and the more you push your dudes, the more tired they become, and the harder it is for them to defend themselves, but there's a risk-reward aspect too where trying amazing things can sometimes reap rewards.... or so I understand it.

[Scorch]

Planning on some Temple models. I like the look, and the setting of the game. Not really sure how it plays, but it's skirmish, so that's good! ^^

I like the 2x2", makes it more of a boardgame for the living room, than a LGS game. ^^ Maybe introducing the Ms. to it as well.

I actually like the models. Okay, it's not Infinity. But I think it's a different style. I find it actually has a pretty Japanese feel to it. Like the old paintings of Feudal Japan. It is cartoony, but less 20th century manga which is really Infinity, and more like Feudal Japan.

I am planning to look at this game from a side-dish point of view.. Infinity #1, but sometimes it's nice to have something else.

You read my mind.

There's a cool mechanic there though. This game was developed with Gutier, the rules guru of Infinity too.

But in Bushido, it's alternating activation of models, and the more you push your dudes, the more tired they become, and the harder it is for them to defend themselves, but there's a risk-reward aspect too where trying amazing things can sometimes reap rewards.... or so I understand it.

I did not know that Gutier was involved! That's cool!

And sounds nice. I might need to look into it.

[Hero of Man]

I've started collecting the Silvermoon Syndicate, though that's only because I really dig the Roses. They look great as entertainers and such outside Japanese buildings/inside bars.

[Section9]

I've started collecting the Silvermoon Syndicate, though that's only because I really dig the Roses. They look great as entertainers and such outside Japanese buildings/inside bars.

Yes, I'm going to have to get them for use as civvies, too. Can't have a sketchy part of town without a red-light district!

[FatherKnowsBest]

Played my first games last night with a buddy of mine. It's a lot of fun.

[Arachas]

Played my first games last night with a buddy of mine. It's a lot of fun.

Could you write up something of a comparison to Infinity? How do the mechanics relate? Is it easier or harder to play? Stuff like that...

[FatherKnowsBest]

Sure.

It plays a lot differently that Infinity. It's alternate activation. Initiative is rolled at the start of every round. Some similiarities though. There are simple (short skills) and complex (long skill) actions that can be done. If you push your models hard (2 simple skills or 1 complex skill) you suffer for it. Doing just one simple action makes your models "tired" but it doesn't impact your ability to fight. If you go one further than that, you become "exhausted" which then can lower your response time and ability to defend yourself from actions. You and your opponent then can weigh the relative risk of attacking an opponent depending on their ability to fight at full strength.

There's a lot of Ki powers and special abilities which were a little tricky at first to get. But in my second game it started to make sense. Some powers are specific to your active turn, others can be used at any time for an instant effect. Some skills even allow you to supersede your opponent's initiative (think MA lvl3).

Close combat is cool. You have two sets of dice attack and defense. The size of the pool you are able to draw from is dependent on your melee stat, certain skills, how tired you are, and any cool KI powers that can influence it. If attacking you secretly decide how many dice you are going to use to attack. Your opponent then decides how many defense dice he might allocate. You then roll your dice. If your opponent's defense dice beat you, you don't hurt him. If you do hurt him theres a chart you consult (you have to roll again for damage *sigh*). Your opponent then attacks you back etc. Damage can be brutal and you can even slay each other in combat which is cool.





I'll try and answer other questions if you have them, as I am just learning it myself,

[Arachas]

Thanks for that!

Is there any kind of objective play? What about campaigns?

Also curious as to how much your terrain matters. That table on the photos looks ace, but it also looks quite limited.

[FatherKnowsBest]

Thanks for that!

Is there any kind of objective play? What about campaigns?

Also curious as to how much your terrain matters. That table on the photos looks ace, but it also looks quite limited.

I don't think there's campaign play...yet.

There are 11 scenarios (all kinds of different objectives) to begin with. They are constantly developing them and there are also player-made ones as well.

Terrain matters in terms of visibility and difficulty. Check out the downloadable rules section. It's really good.

As to the table, it's one my store had. It worked very well for the scenarios we made up. Of course, I wouldn't want to play this one every time though.

[Arachas]

Considering the boards are only 2' by 2', I kind of feel like making several, haha.

I'm already getting used to the smaller size of 3' by 3' (as compared by the 4' by 4' from most other tabletop games really) by playing Batman and Malifaux. I don't really want to play on large tables anymore, they take too much space.

[FatherKnowsBest]

Considering the boards are only 2' by 2', I kind of feel like making several, haha.

I'm already getting used to the smaller size of 3' by 3' (as compared by the 4' by 4' from most other tabletop games really) by playing Batman and Malifaux. I don't really want to play on large tables anymore, they take too much space.

There are some amazing boards out there (Google it).

I bought some PlastCraft terrain pieces and ended up getting too much of it, but will have enough to rotate out features.

[Arachas]

Considering the boards are only 2' by 2', I kind of feel like making several, haha.

I'm already getting used to the smaller size of 3' by 3' (as compared by the 4' by 4' from most other tabletop games really) by playing Batman and Malifaux. I don't really want to play on large tables anymore, they take too much space.

There are some amazing boards out there (Google it).

I bought some PlastCraft terrain pieces and ended up getting too much of it, but will have enough to rotate out features.

The Japanese stuff right? With the houses, the big red gate thingies? Yeah definitely considering that, though still on the fence: I feel like I could totally scratch build that.

[Scorch]

Considering the boards are only 2' by 2', I kind of feel like making several, haha.

I'm already getting used to the smaller size of 3' by 3' (as compared by the 4' by 4' from most other tabletop games really) by playing Batman and Malifaux. I don't really want to play on large tables anymore, they take too much space.

There are some amazing boards out there (Google it).

I bought some PlastCraft terrain pieces and ended up getting too much of it, but will have enough to rotate out features.

The Japanese stuff right? With the houses, the big red gate thingies? Yeah definitely considering that, though still on the fence: I feel like I could totally scratch build that.

If you gonna scratchbuild a Torii Arch, let me know. Will look great together with those guardian lion statues I have.

[FatherKnowsBest]

I have one of PCGs Torii, Bridge #2, Building #2, Building #3, and some gravestones. I plan to paint them all then weather them down making it look like an Ito Clan settlement that has, like their Clan, been corrupted and fallen into disrepair and spiritual rot. My board is going to be made with Cork which will be made to look like barren rocks. There will be a dry riverbed. Some paths in disrepair that still have some paving stones remaining.

[Section9]

I have one of PCGs Torii, Bridge #2, Building #2, Building #3, and some gravestones. I plan to paint them all then weather them down making it look like an Ito Clan settlement that has, like their Clan, been corrupted and fallen into disrepair and spiritual rot. My board is going to be made with Cork which will be made to look like barren rocks. There will be a dry riverbed. Some paths in disrepair that still have some paving stones remaining.

Please post pics!!!!

I'm tempted to get into either Bushido or Kensei (or maybe both, rulebooks are cheap and both have really nice minis), but I'm also on a mailing list for one of the Osprey Wargames developers (guys who wrote "In Her Majesty's Name") that are working on a Mythic Japan game currently called Daisho.

I figure if I make some schizotech add-ons I can reuse the non-Infinity buildings for Infinity. Slap a big solar panel set on that thatched roof and call it good!

[FatherKnowsBest]

I have one of PCGs Torii, Bridge #2, Building #2, Building #3, and some gravestones. I plan to paint them all then weather them down making it look like an Ito Clan settlement that has, like their Clan, been corrupted and fallen into disrepair and spiritual rot. My board is going to be made with Cork which will be made to look like barren rocks. There will be a dry riverbed. Some paths in disrepair that still have some paving stones remaining.

Please post pics!!!!

I'm tempted to get into either Bushido or Kensei (or maybe both, rulebooks are cheap and both have really nice minis), but I'm also on a mailing list for one of the Osprey Wargames developers (guys who wrote "In Her Majesty's Name") that are working on a Mythic Japan game currently called Daisho.

I figure if I make some schizotech add-ons I can reuse the non-Infinity buildings for Infinity. Slap a big solar panel set on that thatched roof and call it good!

Will do!

I liked only a rare few of the Kensei miniatures, and a mate of mine in the UK plays both games (and is also interested in that Daisho game as well) told me that he preferred Bushido.

While some of the older Bushido minis are lacking (Not as bad as Stroke Face While Poo Ko Dali), their newer sculpts are really ace.

[Maxvon_d]

I like Bushido but have only had a couple of demo games so far. I've got it as a secondary game along with Eden (also on 2x2ft). I have a small collection of Cult of Yurei that I'm looking to get to table at some point and some PCG terrain for it, but Infinity is getting in the way right now .

I'm fortunate enough to have commission painted a couple of box shots for them, which was an honour.

[Arachas]

I like Bushido but have only had a couple of demo games so far. I've got it as a secondary game along with Eden (also on 2x2ft). I have a small collection of Cult of Yurei that I'm looking to get to table at some point and some PCG terrain for it, but Infinity is getting in the way right now .

I'm fortunate enough to have commission painted a couple of box shots for them, which was an honour.

I demand PICS!!

Also, what's Eden?

[Maxvon_d]

I demand PICS!!

Also, what's Eden?

I did Seiji and Hisao for the Temple of Ro-Kan faction.

Eden is another small tactical skirmish game, by French company Taban Miniatures. It's a post apocalyptic setting and has some quirky factions such as psycho clowns (Jokers) and samurai robots (ICS), along with the more traditional Mad Max style survivors (Convoy, Resistance). It's a cool game with some interesting mechanics. Any more though and I'm in danger of a threadjack!

[Arachas]

Very impressive painting!

That Eden site is confusing to me. I can't seem to find clear photos of the factions and such. But you're right: we should open a different thread for discussion on that topic (feel free!). I would love a post-apoc game based on the Fallout universe, myself.

[FatherKnowsBest]

Played some more last night. Got in two scenarios on this board:



I won the first with my Ito Clan, but the second one saw me get thrashed by my opponents (proxied) Prefecture of Ryu. My dice hated me the last game and I made not a single Initiative roll the entire night.

[Arachas]

Looks awesome!

Could expand a little on how different factions play? I've been eyeing the Ito clan (and then painting them up Orochimaru style), but I have no idea how they play.

[FatherKnowsBest]

Looks awesome!

Could expand a little on how different factions play? I've been eyeing the Ito clan (and then painting them up Orochimaru style), but I have no idea how they play.

Check this out:

http://www.bushido-thegame.com/forum/greeny-508

[FatherKnowsBest]

Played two more games today on my board. I've built my Plastcraft Buildings and they look terrific. Sadly, I forgot to take pictures.

The scenarios are a lot of fun and that the game isn't just about killing everything in sight makes it a lot of fun. So far I have found that good tactics can help win the day. A model may appear relatively weak, say a Temple Bushi for example, but if that Bushi is used to engage an opposing model, then both models tire out. Then, if he attacks in a subsequent activation, then he would become exhausted and more prone to attacks. You then come in with another model to aid that Bushi and with that kind of reinforcement in mind, you can aid models in bringing down powerful foes and even deny them their turn to be activated as models that are exhausted cannot act (generally).

It's been a blast so far though.

For the Ito Clan, Impetuous really really really is a penalty for having some cool powers. The guy who comes in the starter, the Hebimiman Akimoto, as an Impetuous model, MUST be activated first. Knowing who or what is going to be activated, even just slightly, is a HUGE advantage to your opponent. He's good though for granting some awesome Poison to allies to use and to also act as a roadblock, but him on his own is not a close combat model.

Sakura is a great model to use to aid others in giving her Ki to (if in range) or zapping with a poison ki attack from 8". I use her to try and soften up targets. She's great when she's given time to charge up I've found.

Chiyo, the named-Temple Bushi, has become my MVP for grabbing objectives or for being a thorn in my opponent's side. She's very cheap for all that she brings to the table, but can be quite fragile.

Itsunagi Ito.... wow. Where to start with him. I've had him draw a lot of opponents away from objectives. Think Achilles in Infinity. If you leave Itsunagi unchecked, he will kick the living shitomatic out of you. If charged with enough Ki either his own or given to him by Sakura, there's not much he can't accomplish. He really is just a half-naked demon worshiper though. He has no armor. And that, coupled with his 6 wounds makes him a purely offensive tool.

I also got Kenzo Ito who I like to alternate with. He's a pure monster of destruction, has armor, and is tremendous. But its hard to fit things in a list you want all the time.

[Arachas]

Sounds like a lot of fun! And with a 2' by 2' board and a playable starter set, why not pick this up?

[FatherKnowsBest]

Sounds like a lot of fun! And with a 2' by 2' board and a playable starter set, why not pick this up?

Yep. Go for it!

I would recommend getting the faction card add on deck. I don't have it but now I want it.

[Mistake Not]

I bought my first Bushido model for Bushido this past week, Ayako Ito.
Already got Sakura a while ago to be an asian-ish vampire because vampires, but now I'll have to get her again for this game.

Next on the list to get are the other Shisai and the archer samurai.. Poison 2/2 on her should be hilarious.
Well.. I'm probably still going to get owned first few games. But who cares? SNAAAAAAKES.