Total War: SHOGUN 2 Complete Edition Ezo Republic: Not on the Playable List, Here Is What to Play
✓ Last verified 2026-10-14 · How we check facts
Quick answer
The Ezo Republic is historical background in Fall of the Samurai, ending with its last stand at Hakodate in 1869, and it is not on the official list of newly playable factions. The playable options are the Fall of the Samurai factions.
Many players search for the Ezo Republic in Total War SHOGUN 2 Complete Edition, so here is a clear answer. The Republic of Ezo is not on the official list of newly playable factions, and it is not an officially playable faction in Total War SHOGUN 2 Complete Edition. It appears in the story as historical background within Fall of the Samurai. The Complete Edition itself was released on October 13, 2026, and the factions you can play are listed below.
Quick Answer: Ezo Is Not on the Playable List
Creative Assembly's official list of newly playable minor factions does not include the Republic of Ezo. That is the honest answer, and it is worth knowing before you plan a campaign around it. Searches for the Ezo Republic often assume it is one of the newly playable factions, but the official list does not support that. Use the Fall of the Samurai factions described below instead.
| Question | Answer | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| On the newly playable list? | No | Official list of minor factions |
| Where does it appear? | Historical background in Fall of the Samurai | Dragon War battles |
| What can I play instead? | Fall of the Samurai factions | Official faction list |
What the Ezo Republic Is in the Game
The Ezo Republic belongs to the Boshin War setting of Fall of the Samurai. The Dragon War battles in that campaign end with the Ezo Republic's last stand at Hakodate in 1869. In other words, it is part of the historical backdrop of the battles, not a faction that the Complete Edition lists for play.
Fall of the Samurai is split between an Imperial side and a Shogunate side. Relations with America, Britain and France affect recruitment and technology, so the wider foreign picture matters even when you play a listed faction. Treat the Ezo Republic as context for those battles rather than a campaign option. Within Total War SHOGUN 2 Complete Edition, it works best as the backdrop that makes the Fall of the Samurai battles feel grounded, rather than a faction you can take onto the campaign map.
Playable Fall of the Samurai Factions
The core Fall of the Samurai factions are the best place to start. They are divided by side, and the DLC factions add their own identities on top of that.
| Group | Factions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial side | Choshu, Satsuma, Tosa | Core Fall of the Samurai factions |
| Shogunate side | Aizu, Nagaoka, Jozai | Core Fall of the Samurai factions |
| DLC factions | Saga, Obama, Tsu, Sendai | Each has its own traits |
The DLC factions each play differently. Saga focuses on artillery, cheaper ships and industry. Obama focuses on cheaper land upkeep, higher tax and repression. Tsu leans on ninja and shinobi strength and allegiance conversion. Sendai emphasises diplomacy and faster sieges. Choose the one whose style fits how you like to play.
The newly playable minor factions also include several Fall of the Samurai names, so you have more options if you want a smaller start. These are Awaji-Sumoto, Fukue, Fukuoka, Hirosaki, Hiroshima, Kakegawa, Kogu, Marugame, Matsue, Matsumae, Nagoya, Oka, Okayama, Sado, Tanegashima, Tottori, Tsushima-Fuchu and Yodo. For the full Fall of the Samurai campaign overview, see the Fall of the Samurai campaign guide.
How to Approach a Fall of the Samurai Campaign
Decide your side early, because the Imperial and Shogunate paths are built around different goals. Check your relations with America, Britain and France before you commit to recruitment or technology plans. Secure your home region before you push into the wider war, and keep food positive so your armies can keep fighting. Those basics carry over from the original game and work well in a campaign built around firearms and artillery.
Our new clans article explains the other newly playable factions in the Complete Edition, which can help you compare a minor faction with a major one.
A useful way to think about the Ezo Republic is as the end point of the Dragon War battles, not as a faction you can pick. If you want the Total War SHOGUN 2 Complete Edition experience of that period, the Fall of the Samurai factions give you the Imperial and Shogunate choices plus the DLC alternatives. Reading the battle context first helps you choose a side that suits your strategy.
No change to the newly playable list has been announced at the time of writing. The official list is the source to check before you assume that any faction has been added. Until then, the Republic of Ezo should be treated as historical background in the Complete Edition rather than a playable faction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I play as the Ezo Republic in Total War SHOGUN 2 Complete Edition?
The Republic of Ezo is not on the official list of newly playable factions, so it is not an officially playable faction in the Complete Edition. The Fall of the Samurai factions are the playable options for that setting.
Q: Where does the Ezo Republic appear?
It appears in Fall of the Samurai as historical background. The Dragon War battles end with its last stand at Hakodate in 1869.
Q: Which Fall of the Samurai faction should I start with?
Start with a core faction on the Imperial or Shogunate side if you want the standard experience. If you want a different style, try one of the DLC factions, such as Saga for artillery and industry or Sendai for diplomacy and sieges.
Q: Where can I read the official details?
Creative Assembly's official Complete Edition FAQs are the place to check official answers about the Complete Edition.
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