The Black Ship (TWS2 Unit)

The Black Ship (TWS2 Unit)
Class	Galleon
Recruitment Cost	4500
Upkeep Cost	1200
Requires	-
Marines	100
Seamen	185
Gunners	48
Accuracy	40
Reloading Skill	40
Hull Strength	600
Morale	13

Description

The Black Ship is a heavily armed trader, usually carrying valuable cargo.

This Portuguese trade ship carries goods to China once a year before returning to Europe. As a consequence, it passes the Japanese coast twice, and is a tempting target for the notorious wako pirates. Fortunately, it is heavily armed, strongly built and a good sailer. The Black Ship carries European cannons, powerful enough to destroy any Japanese ship that might threaten it! Obviously, it would be a magnificent prize!

The first trade between Japan and Portugal occurred in 1543, when Tanagashima Tokitaka purchased “firelocks” from Portuguese merchants. These were the first “modern” firearms seen in Japan, and the weapons became much sought after. With one sale, the Portuguese created a market for regular trade between the two countries. The introduction of guns changed Japanese warfare, as the emphasis switched from samurai fighting single combat duels on the battlefield to mass volleys by ashigaru units. The second major outside import appeared swiftly, as with later batches of guns came Christian missionaries. Daimyo and lesser men converted, although without necessarily abandoning the samurai ethos of warfare.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Powerful European ships armed with many large cannons.
• Vulnerable to being swarmed by many Japanese ships.

Details

This is the most powerful ship in Shogun 2 by a longshot. It is extremely powerful against the Native Japanese Ships. The Black Ship has an enormous Crew that is armed with Matchlocks, and 12 powerful Cannons on each side that will do terrible damage to the Japanese ships. It is in most ways a heavier version of the Nanban Trade Ship. This ship can often take out a whole enemy fleet without trouble, and there is no one boat that has any chance of defeating it.

The only ships that even have a chance of countering the Black Ship are Cannon Bunes or another Nanban Trade Ship; there would have to be 2 Nanban Ships to stand up to 1 Black Ship. A large number of Bow Koboyas or Fire Bomb Koboyas can also be a threat, if they move correctly and attack all at once they can set fire to the Black Ship. For this reason these small ships should usually be the first target of the Nanban Cannons. The Black Ship is practically impossible to board, they have a huge Crew armed with deadly Matchlocks. The Black Ship is also usually very experienced.

Despite it's power, however, it is so expensive to maintain and repair that it is not the best investment. With 1,200 in upkeep costs, the player could almost afford 5 Nanban Trade Ships, while the Mori can afford exactly 6. The Black Ship is only about twice as strong as one of these.