Total War: SHOGUN 2 Complete Edition Shimazu Clan Guide: Satsuma Strategy and Opening Tips

The Total War SHOGUN 2 Complete Edition Shimazu clan is one of the most recognizable Sengoku factions. The Complete Edition includes the original Sengoku campaign, so the Shimazu are available in the package from launch. This guide covers the clan's home region, its traditional strengths, and practical advice for the opening and mid-game. For the official feature list, see the official Steam store page.

Use this Shimazu clan guide as a strategy starting point, not a fixed script. Read it once before your first campaign, then return to the specific sections as you need them. The advice below is qualitative, so you can adapt it to your map and your rivals.

Who the Shimazu are

The Shimazu are based in Satsuma on Kyushu. Long-standing community knowledge describes them as a katana samurai clan with loyal generals, which gives the faction a steady, close-combat identity. Their home region is the anchor of the whole campaign, so the early priorities are about keeping it secure. Treat Satsuma as the foundation of the campaign rather than a stepping stone.

The Sengoku campaign starts in mid-16th century Japan. Your goal is to become Shogun by taking Kyoto from the current shogunate, and the Shimazu are one of the major clans you will be competing with for that path. Keep the clan's history in mind as you plan. A faction known for loyal generals rewards careful positioning more than fast, scattered expansion.

Opening priorities

The Shimazu opening is about discipline. Secure your home region before you expand, because a weak core will make every later decision harder. Keep food positive before you upgrade castles, since growth without supplies creates fragile armies. Build trade and markets early so your income can keep pace with your army.

Expansion should follow stability. Take nearby territory when you can defend it, and avoid spreading thin across several fronts at once. Think of the first stretch of the campaign as a checklist: home region, food, trade, then the first border town. If you want to compare a different opening, the Chosokabe campaign guide covers a clan from Shikoku, and the Complete Edition guide gives an overview of the whole package.

Using katana samurai and loyal generals

Katana samurai are the clan's signature, but they work best as part of a balanced army. Yari units counter cavalry, so keep a yari line in front of your katana units when rivals bring horses. Cavalry can flank archers, which makes a mobile reserve useful for breaking enemy ranged formations. A common approach is to let ranged units soften the line first, then commit katana samurai to finish the fight.

Generals rally nearby troops, so keep them close to the line where their presence matters most. Loyal generals also help you manage a larger army, since you can split duties between a front-line commander and a reserve leader. Loyal generals are a clan strength, so use them to hold key positions rather than sending them into every skirmish.

The Complete Edition options that help

The Complete Edition adds several features that make campaign planning easier. The table below lists the ones that matter most for a Shimazu playthrough.

The Spacebar overlays are particularly useful for a clan that depends on stability. Check public order and food regularly, and use the diplomacy overlays to track rival attitudes. Use the overlays as a quick check on public order and food before each big decision.

Mid-game: Kyoto and Realm Divide

Do not rush Kyoto before you can survive Realm Divide. Growing too powerful triggers Realm Divide, when other clans turn against you, so your mid-game should focus on building a strong core and reliable allies. Be patient: a steady Shimazu campaign tends to reward disciplined expansion over an early rush, so judge each new border town by whether you can hold it. The Realm Divide slider gives you control over how harsh that pressure feels, so choose the setting that fits your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Shimazu clan in the Complete Edition?

Yes. The Shimazu are one of the major clans in the original SHOGUN 2 Sengoku campaign, which the Complete Edition includes. Satsuma is their home region. You will find them in the same campaign list as the other major Sengoku clans, so their starting position is easy to locate on the map.

Q: Does the Realm Divide slider change how the Shimazu campaign plays?

The slider applies to campaign play generally, so it affects any clan you choose. You can select the original behavior, a harder setting, or turn Realm Divide off entirely. For your first campaign, the original setting is the closest match to the 2011 feel.

Q: Where should a new player start?

Begin with the Chosokabe Campaign Tutorial, which you can find under Single Player and then Tutorials. Once you understand the basics, return to the Shimazu with the opening priorities in this guide. Then play a short campaign with your chosen clan before you commit to a long run.