Making a Difference: Mass Battle for small Groups
Forming a Squad
Every group of Player Characters is different, with different strengths and weaknesses. The way they are drawn into the battle will also vary based on the story and what led them to being in the battle in the first place. In order to engage with the battle, the PCs will need to form a Squad led by one of the Player Characters based on the strengths and weaknesses of the group and how they are approaching the battle field.
There are three kinds of Squad:
In some cases, the PCs may be able to select their own role. More commonly, the PCs’ initial roles are dictated by the overall commander of the forces. Violations of the order of battle, even to exploit immediate opportunities, are considered breaches of Duty and may carry harsh penalties.
Heroes, forming either the Leaders or members of the different types of Squad, may be PCs or valued NPCs or both. A group may choose to become a Ritual Squad to protect a valuable Shugenja NPC, for example.
A group of PCs may also choose to split into two or even three squads, especially in combination with a select number of NPCs. Non-combat characters may choose to join together to form a Command Squad, while more combat-oriented characters may form a Combat squad that can work in conjunction with the Command Squad to achieve their objectives.
Openings
The identification, exploitation, assessment, and closing of openings governs the flow of Advantage on the field of battle.
An opening is a weakness in the opponent’s lines that can be used to the army’s advantage. Each opening is unique; describing them should be a chance to explain the narrative of the battle rather than the mechanics.
In general, Command Squads identify and assess Openings, and then direct Combat Squads to exploit those Openings before they close. The Ritual Squads can create advantage directly or prevent other shugenja from creating advantage in the form of spells.
Successfully exploiting an Opening grants the army Advantage.
Every group of Player Characters is different, with different strengths and weaknesses. The way they are drawn into the battle will also vary based on the story and what led them to being in the battle in the first place. In order to engage with the battle, the PCs will need to form a Squad led by one of the Player Characters based on the strengths and weaknesses of the group and how they are approaching the battle field.
There are three kinds of Squad:
- Command Squad - A Strategist and their Command Staff
- Combat Squad - A Gunso and their Heishi
- Ritual Squad - A Shugenja and their Yojimbo
In some cases, the PCs may be able to select their own role. More commonly, the PCs’ initial roles are dictated by the overall commander of the forces. Violations of the order of battle, even to exploit immediate opportunities, are considered breaches of Duty and may carry harsh penalties.
Heroes, forming either the Leaders or members of the different types of Squad, may be PCs or valued NPCs or both. A group may choose to become a Ritual Squad to protect a valuable Shugenja NPC, for example.
A group of PCs may also choose to split into two or even three squads, especially in combination with a select number of NPCs. Non-combat characters may choose to join together to form a Command Squad, while more combat-oriented characters may form a Combat squad that can work in conjunction with the Command Squad to achieve their objectives.
Openings
The identification, exploitation, assessment, and closing of openings governs the flow of Advantage on the field of battle.
An opening is a weakness in the opponent’s lines that can be used to the army’s advantage. Each opening is unique; describing them should be a chance to explain the narrative of the battle rather than the mechanics.
In general, Command Squads identify and assess Openings, and then direct Combat Squads to exploit those Openings before they close. The Ritual Squads can create advantage directly or prevent other shugenja from creating advantage in the form of spells.
Successfully exploiting an Opening grants the army Advantage.
