"Samurai – what scale of warfare?" Topic

"When it comes to gaming in the period of the Samurai, one thing is certain – we have a wide range of miniatures to choose from, whether it be large battles or small skirmishes. I've tried to gather together a selection of ranges in a number of scales, so no matter what your preferred level of gaming, you should find a range of models to your liking (or perhaps, suddenly realise that this is a period you might want to game in multiple scales!)

I've aimed this primarily at the Sengoku period, though some earlier periods are referenced…"
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Amicalement
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10 or 15mm, no contest. 6mm don't allow anything like the necessary detail, and larger scales don't suit the huge numbers of Sengoku armies.

You had to go and mention the 'D-word' didn't you…

I suppose it all comes down to what detail you consider 'necessary'. Given that by the time of the Sengoku period, the fancy laced samurai armour had mostly given way to much plainer designs, fancy and intricate knot and laminated plates aren't much of an issue. Also, the vast bulk of the armies were Ashigaru with very simple clothing and equipment.

What would appear to be very necessary to me for massed armies would be lots of colourful flags and banners which are most easily (and given the numbers involved are probably best done) with 6mm..

Remember that these were very large armies.

Or perhaps by necessary detail you are looking to be able to show things like the Daimyo surrounded by his maku screens with his closest advisers. Maybe you'd like him to be able to view the nicely presented heads of his enemies laid on a nearby table? What better to round off such a scene than the required musicians and clan banner. Something that could not possibly be done in anything smaller than say, 15mm…(Have a close look, it's all there.)

I'd agree entirely with the sentiment that larger scales don't suit the Sengoku Jidai period – it's perhaps just how you define 'larger' that I'd debate.

In 6mm (and I went that way for two decades), I can't get legible writing on Shingen's great banner. I can just get away with cheating it a bit in 10mm.

Which is not to deny the appeal of the numbers that 6mm allows, mind you.

Mmmmm, must make a couple of command enclosures one of these days….

This is a question I've struggled with, and for me the answer is probably 28mm. That may be a bit of a shock to those who would have expected 10mm, but like (in a way) Sobieski I can't get results I am pleased with in 10mm in terms of sashimono etc. I like the personalities to shine through in Sengoku warfare so 28mm lends itself to that. That said 28mm isn't the most practical scale for my limited space.
Advocates of 6mm and 10mm are right that these battles are huge and masses of figures look great, and I don't think these scales are the wrong choice. From big-battle viewpoint 28mm doesn't really fit many eras especially those they are prevelant in; Ancients, Naps, ACW, WW2 etc

You really need to compromise, as your commanders are likely to be wearing very ornate armor and have lots of other stuff that demands painting, while the armies are going to be huge.

I've chosen 15mm for that detail/mass ratio, but I've seen people do it in 10mm as well.

Fortunately or not, my gaming group just about demands skirmish gaming be in 28mm (largely due to our terrain collection), which drives a different choice altogether.

My answer to this question is always: all of them! :P

From the Baccus 6mm armies posted all the way up to 54mm, I've painted 6mm, 15mm, 1/72, and 28mm. I've found things I like with them all, and I don't doubt I'd enjoy 10mm and 40mm as well. :)

28mm is great, and I'm currently re-basing my 28mm minis for large scale games ( link ), but it is definitely not optimal when it comes to areas such as cost, time investment and storage, to mention some draw-backs.

I can also see 10mm, 15mm and 1/72 as a solid middle ground.