bushido (394)

Yuto relished and excelled in training involving the use of a range of equipment, he believes that often some well-placed caltrops to thwart pursuers attempts to catch him or his squad or a smoke bomb to throw off their senses can change the course of a mission. His successful string of missions suggests there may be something to his claims. It is certain that members of any squad he is part of are glad to have him and his carefully selected assortment of items along with them. Blister contains one miniature, 30mm base and full colour profile card.

Brand new Risen Sun Faction dice, featuring high quality engraved and painted detailing. Attack dice see faction specific design and defence dice celebrate the Risen Sun. Packs contain 6 Attack dice and 6 Defence dice.

The Heimin class consists mainly of farmers, artisans and merchants.  But these peasants know the true lords of the prefecture and follow them still when they go to war.  Being below the notice of most Samurai and living far from the cities of Jwar, most villages are unaware that the Shiho no longer control the prefecture, while others are still loyal to their old Shiho masters regardless. Those loyal to the Eagle remember the days before the Tsunami, before the masked dead, before the Savage Wave, before the Takashi went to war to usurp the Shiho. But they know, deep within their hearts, and in their prayers, that the Eagle will rise once more victorious, covering Jwar with its wings. As you may expect, peasants in-game are not very impressive, but the Uncloak Ki Feat means that any of them could have been a Shiho Samurai all along! Now you die! Surprise! So by fielding three of these, opponents are forced to play as if all of them are Samurai until they uncloak, and you can decide during the game which, if any, are Samurai and which are harmless peasants. Combined with the Shiho Samurais’ ubiquitous Flank trait, this is a powerful way of controlling where the fight will happen. Blister contains three miniatures supplied with three 30mm bases and one full colour profile card. Note: this product comes with a plastic base.

Kyudo, the art of archery, has long been the pastime of the Samurai and those that perfect it become known as Kyudoka. It is extremely rare and frowned upon for anyone other than Samurai to take up a bow for whatever reason. However, the Shiho, with little access to black powder, have made the bow a formidable part of their arsenal. Shiho Shota, a master of Kyudo, has been training loyal Shiho Ashigaru to use this weapon to devastating effect. They can fire several volleys and disappear into the underbrush before an enemy force can even sound a call-to-arms. Shiho Hiroto, never one for rules or archaic tradition was ecstatic to learn that he had some of the finest archers in Jwar who were not Samurai but loyal Ashigaru instead. Shiho Hiroto is a champion of the people and not the power that forces them into submission. They may only be Ashigaru, but they have a pool of three ranged and access to the Lightweight trait, making them some of the best missile troops in Bushido. For 14 Rice, they have outstanding Range - and Strength - and can keep their distance to stay safe. With the Eagle Feather Arrow as a choice, it gives them that chance to let loose that one vital shot that must do damage at all costs. Blister contains two miniatures, 30mm bases and a full colour profile card. Note: this product comes with plastic bases. 

The Shiho’s Ashigaru were once the pride of the Jwar Isles and made up a small but significant part of the Imperial armies that the Emperor relished taking into battle. But that was then, and this is now, and right now, the Takashi Ashigaru are considered the best-trained troops, patrolling the Jwar Isles keeping order for the Prefecture. Still, the Shiho’s fighting men have been together since the usurpation, and the loyalty they show each other is matched only by their commitment to the fallen Eagle Clan. On the table, these Yarimen can move to assist other Ashigaru, meaning any attack on one soldier is potentially an attack facing two or more! Moreover, the enemy will never know the line’s strength and weak points as it constantly moves and changes. Blister contains two miniatures, 30mm bases and full colour profile card. Note: this product comes with plastic bases.

Maki is overjoyed at Shiho Hiroto’s return to Jwar and believes it is only a matter of time before there is a change in the Prefecture’s leadership. Maki is well versed in killing and ambush and moving with stealth over and under the land. Her family were soldiers for the Eagle, and she has been raised with them, fighting the guerilla war since she was old enough to hold a knife. Out of sheer necessity, Maki learned to fight with two blades instead of one. This would have been unthinkable in the past, but current circumstances dictate that the Shiho samurai have had to be more flexible in their teachings. While it would still be unthinkable for her to wield the Daisho, her Tachi are a suitable replacement. Maki offers the same unpredictability as her fellow Ashigaru with her Hold the Line! Ki Feat. Her Unassailable Ki Feat allows her to remain on a flank fending off multiple opponents then using her Sidestep to free herself from being locked down. Blister contains one miniature supplied with a 30mm base and full colour profile card. Note: this product comes with a plastic base.

Here's a little look at the reinforcements for the Minimoto Clan. First let’s look at some new additions for The Finest Steel theme. This samurai theme has been a bit underwhelming since release with basically only one list. It's supposed to be “The Samurai Theme” the best the Minimoto have to offer. Yuji is a great start and an exemplar of everything Minimoto but wouldn’t it be nice if he had some friends? Niko is a maelstrom of destruction. He has taken the Minimoto fighting style to its limit and simply swings his tetsubo tirelessly until everyone else is defeated. Niko is a 4 melee samurai with a wide array of melee options. He can use up to 4 different special attacks and has split attack. His Yoko-Men feat cancels out enemy model's Dodge traits, meaning he can really get to use his Tetsubo on the most nimble opponents. With Armour 4 and Resistance (2) he’s pretty safe too, but that's just how Bears are. Reo is a little different. A long time campaigner, Reo is not at his best. In fact Reo has been given up as dead multiple times, he has broken most of his bones, been stabbed more times than he remembers and… well after all that he fights on! Reo isn’t as quick as he used to be, his melee is only 3. He also wears lighter armour (The Minimoto consider it lighter but it's the very best any other clan has!). He’s still a Bear samurai though and his Immovable trait is great for holding zones, frustrating Ryu spearmen and laughing off monks many throw and slam attacks. It's his unique effect that really makes him a great choice however as when he is reduced to 4 wounds he gains Durable. I think that's all you need know about him! Also permitted in Finest Steel is Rinko. A more senior Yuki no Maio than Kimiko she can create much larger effects, even making a Blizzard (Like the Event card) every turn if you want. She has the same Icy Veins utility feat and a quite amazing feat for the bears that is able to increase damage immensely if you use it correctly. Some of you will have seen these characters already in artwork on the Facebook Group or possibly elsewhere. These are the Minimoto’s ranged Ashigaru. When we were designing the Bear clan I wrote a whole page to try to decide what ranged weapons they would use. While they would respect the strength required to use a bow, it doesn’t follow their metal theme. We considered the use of black powder weapons since they would have to be made of Minimoto forged metal to contain the force from the powder but that didn’t suit the reliance on strength they have. I considered metal javelins (Too primitive), Heavy axes (Not a “Noble” weapon), Shurikens (Ninjas!), and even had an idea that they would use balls of excess metal or slag like a shot-put which is very thematic requiring great strength to hurl huge metal balls at enemies but in the end we decided on Shakram. Sharpened metal disks that are thrown like a frisbee, using both the force and the spinning blade to cut into the enemy. We decided these are ashigaru weapons only, not something a samurai would use but it does (Along with Kimiko) give the clan a ranged option beyond Ronin. And finally (Well, for now) we have the blacksmiths. This is Kajiya. Blacksmiths are held in high regard, they are almost like priests in Jyoto, their work is revered almost as much as the ancestors. There are many ranks to ascend through among the blacksmiths from the lowest, who dispose of unusable metal and slag, up through the domestic smiths who make horseshoes, cooking gear and other household equipment to those making metal items for war. Armour smiths are particularly revered as they choose which ashigaru will receive their “Blessing” but the very best of the blacksmiths will be weapon smiths. Most of these will make the clan’s signature Tetsubo but the few who have the skill will become the bestbladesmiths in the Jwar Isles. Minimoto samurai rarely use their swords. It's a reverence for the steel used to make it and the smiths artistry in creating a katana that makes the bears use it only for important foes. They do not skimp on training with the sword, indeed many of their tetsubo techniques are carried over resulting in unstoppable powerful sword strikes that can, and do, cut an opponent in half. Kajiya will take a Samurai’s blade and dedicate it to a specific fight. This ceremony signifies that a certain opponent has been deemed strong enough to warrant the use of the katana and all of Kajiy's skill and control over the metal and fire elements will go into the dedication. I hope you like our Minimoto Wave. We’re also working on a bear (Yes another one!) and a lot of Garrison of the Damned for Minimoto so keep checking back here for more info.

After the previews, the images and the year of build-up, we can finally release the returning Daimyo of the Eagle Clan and claimant to rule the Jwar Isles: Shiho Hiroto!   What a profile!A 4 Melee Samurai is an excellent start for anyone, but a Samurai with 3 Ki is fantastic. He can boost his Move, which is also rare (especially for a heavily armoured model), and he has many traits.  Moving Hiroto’s story along from his drunken Master profile proved quite tricky. After turning him into the great Samurai leader he should have been, we noticed he was overperforming his “25 Rice cost” slot we had him in. Even after a few revisions, we got to this point where we can’t take any more away without damaging the profile he should be. So we took the rare step of making a human profile over 25 Rice. You will have seen Improvise and Kawasu in previous articles so let's look at Overrule. The first thing to note is this is not an opposed ki feat; it just works. This can be a fantastic tool for controlling the flow of the battle and deciding where fights happen and where to delay and harass. Hiroto’s movement is phenomenal, able to boost Move and with Eagle’s Flight Defence, Improvise, Flank and Booted. Hiroto can go wherever he likes, and you can’t stop him! This also helps activate his Assassin trait (An impolite habit he learned in the less civilised regions of the Empire), making his melee terrifying. His very name has been striking fear into Takashi hearts, the whole prefecture knows of his return, it has been years in the making, and The Black Eagle does not disappoint; how will you use him in Bushido?

Keita was old, even at the Battle of Sagoya, and even though he wished to stand and die with his clan, his orders were to protect the children so that the Shiho clan stood a chance of surviving. Keita has honoured that final order every day of his life by keeping them safe with his blade and teaching them the finer points of swordsmanship as they grew. Yet, there is something to Keita that makes people want to bow even deeper in his presence. Perhaps it is his lordly demeanour and inherent nobility? Whatever it may be, he is a welcome and stalwart asset to the Shiho clan in the fight to throw off the yoke of the Takashi imposters and usurpers. Keita helps the warband in many ways; if you buff his poor melee skill, he can be a viable fighter. But even without any melee exchanges, he offers Virtue Tokens with a wide range of effects that boost the Shiho’s inherent talent for unpredictability. In addition, his Deference Ki Feat can keep him safe from some attacks, which is helpful for a supporting model that needs to be close to the action. Blister contains one miniature supplied with a 30mm base and full colour profile card. Note: this product comes with a plastic base.

In the years following the Dragon Wars, the Shiho name was rarely mentioned. Recently, that name has started to be spoken again with increasing enthusiasm and excitement as it seems that the only known member of that once-proud clan has returned to the Isles of Jwar.Shiho Hiroto is back to conquer his many foes and destroy the Takashi Clan by any means possible. He is leading a secret war taking place in the rice paddies, jungles, and thickets of Jwar. Shiho Hiroto is choosing to hit-and-run, steal, destroy, and disrupt the vital lines of supply and communication that the Takashi clan need so desperately to rule Jwar. Box contains five miniatures supplied with 30mm bases and eleven full colour cards. Note: this product comes with plastic bases.

  A drum! A drum! Death doth come! Before the fall of the Shiho clan at the hands of the duplicitous Takashi family, Yoshitaka was a drummer in the ranks of the Shiho who would lead his men proudly into war. He, and others, would play what the men came to call, The March of the Eagle, which was perfect for stretching out the legs and devouring the miles as they moved from skirmish to skirmish. Alas, Yoshitaka is all that is left of these battlefield musicians whose drums filled their enemies hearts with fear and dread when they heard them in the wind. With Yoshitaka in your ranks, you’ll be able to gain more ground by running your troops straight at your enemies, who will no doubt be cowering in fear as they hear his drumbeats of death. Blister contains one miniature supplied with a 30mm base and full colour profile card. Note: this product comes with a plastic base.

Ayame was known for her beauty long before becoming a Rose, her ability to manipulate people into doing her “Favours” was noticed early and the Gumi made her an offer. In Bushido, taking objectives and controlling zones is dangerous and difficult. The Roses of the Silvermoon Trade Syndicate simply get the enemy to do it for them! Ayame exemplifies the Rose abilities and offers more options to those Jade Rose players to make an all-rose list. Blister contains one miniature supplied with a 30mm base and full colour profile card. Note: this product comes with a plastic base. 

Important: this model is included in the Faction Starter Set. Blister contains one miniature, 30mm base and full colour profile card. Note: this product comes with a plastic base.

  Undoubtedly mean spirited and devoid of any form of warmth, Fai-Ginn has found himself as the primary carer for over half of the Silvermoon's street urchins. For all of the hatred and enmity felt towards him from his young charges he has avoided a dagger in the back, during the darkest hours of the the night, for so long because he does have some value to those he leaches from. His knowledge of what he calls the ‘subtle arts’ are second to none. Blister contains one miniature, 30mm base and full colour profile card. Note: this product comes with a plastic base. 

  Remember that most of the time, when it comes to Jima and the Silver Moon Syndicate, The House Always Wins ... well. Enter young Fuku, a man of marvel with cards, dice, lee-rets, bluffing, blinding, and bidding. One night, he won so much that he earned the eternal ire of one of the underbosses, Deikuo. Deikuo was convinced that Fuku was somehow cheating but could not work out how. All he knew was that Fuku played large and loud, leaving the table just before his luck would surely turn for the worse. He even sent several of his thugs after Fuku, but strangely enough, they all suffered extremely "unlucky" accidents. Determined to make Fuku lose, Deikuo used a considerable portion of his wealth to offer to the Rakki to make Fuku lose on a costly hand of cards. It's said that this is how the Rakki got that slight smile on the side of his mouth because Fuku won the hand, costing not only the players but Deikuo himself all they possessed. You can't bet against luck, it seems. After winning, even more, he drew the unwanted attention of the Oyabun of the Golden Dawn, who made him an offer he could simply not refuse; you can't play games of chance when you're dead, so he now works for the Silvermoon Trade Syndicate, because as anyone knows, those who the Golden Rakki will not, or cannot, interfere with are valuable. Like many models in the Silvermoon Trade Syndicate, Fuku is not taken for his overt combat ability. Instead, his collection of luck-altering abilities fits in well with the Silvermoon's existing re-roll mechanics. Gamblers' Ruin can cause even the most skilled model to simply have an unlucky roll, and Misfortune can cause glancing blows to turn into fatal hits. Blister contains one miniature supplied with a 30mm base and full colour profile card. Note: this product comes with a plastic base.

  Giichi uses a unique fighting style and flail-like weapon. Forged in the fighting pits of Jima he has learned what it takes to survive. He is a bane to Samurai that fight in well-rehearsed routines, he does not follow the rules they have come to expect and his attacks are difficult to anticipate. Giichi understood early on that he would never compete with the Buto in the ring, he did however learn what he could and has impressive Jumo skills. Blister contains one miniature, 30mm base and full colour profile card. Note: this product comes with a plastic base. 

  The head of the Jade Rose has always been the Hanami, Queen of Flowers, the identity of the Queen is never known, for the Roses never go by a real name from the moment they join the sisterhood of the Jade Rose. Despite there having been many Hanamis over the years one thing remains constant, she is always the most beautiful and attractive woman in the Jwar Isles, or even the whole of the Golden Empire. She is the embodiment of grace as she moves sensually, almost gliding, drawing all but the strongest of wills under her thrall, toying with them, a cat with mice, unescapably trapped by her bewitching allure. Those lucky or unlucky enough to receive a Kiss from the Rose are known to lose control of their actions entirely, impotent to her will. Blister contains one miniature, 30mm base and full colour profile card. Note: this product comes with a plastic base.