Help me with Total War: Shogun 2!!!!

[Tehcumseh]

So i have been trying to play Shogun 2 and i always seem to get crushed... I could beat Rome and Medieval 2 just fine but i can't get the hang of this one and i'm playing on easy. If someone could guide me that would be nice. Like i never have money and my food never leaves "1" even though i upgraded it and owned 2 provinces... So if you could guide me that'd be great

[MonolithicBacon]

The basis of Shogun 2 is to ensure you have as many allies as possible. Towards the end of the game, once you grow in power, everybody will turn against you anyways. Until then, open diplomacy, get as many trade agreements going as possible, build only the forces required to defend yourself, upgrade your ports and let the money roll in.

If you're quick off the mark, also get the sea trade going to your favour, by sending ships to the off-map locations, to get better resources and more money.

Once your economy is stable, use assassins to to with those around you. If you manage to cause a revolt in a neighboring city, build up a force and take it quickly. Always occupy, instead of loot. That way you can get the city working stably again, gain more income, and move the army on as soon as possible to take the next city.

Playing aggressively on that game can be risky.

Finally, never leave your home undefended! I'm not saying to leave a whole army, but leave some scouting units behind, just in case a distant enemy decides to land on your shores, which, believe me, they will do often.

[GodlikeDennis]

Try starting as Hojo (starts with gold mine) or Uesugi (easy access to gold mine). Mori are also a fine choice if you want to snatch up the trade routes as soon as possible and also have a gold mine somewhat close to your position. Mori also have a very OP unique unit if you have the unit pack DLC. Trade is much more prolific in Shogun than the other games and trade routes are essential. Try upgrading natural resources and building trade routes. Don't underestimate the economic research possibilities either. Getting high level markets (also requires high level farms) and getting metsukes in your cities can make impossibly large amounts of money. It's quite easy to get 3-4000 koku per turn with a 50% tax rate (from metsukes) on a fully upgraded economic city.

Don't rush to upgrade castles. It takes too much food which is better spent on markets, or just stockpiling to increase town wealth in the long term.

[Dann88]

Well, most people suggest that, abusing ninjas, make a lot of money and buy OP heroes units.
My friend even showed me that he only used ninjas to wipe out a whole faction which has inferior leaders.

[BffWithDEATH]

personally, i found date to be alot of fun, its incredibly easy to defend and you gain access to large slabs of land quickly. i played very agressivly and did fine, but thats because mountains made it easyily defendable