#Scholar (學者)
The brain of tactics. Does not fight personally, but coordinates the battlefield and strengthens allies.
- Role: Energy support, squad command specialist, tactical control, battlefield control
- Core Attribute: Wisdom (智)
- Core Zone Entry: forced Breakthrough
- Base Class: strategist (軍師) who has memorized books of war. A daimyo's adviser.
- Three Ways and Six Hearts: Loyalty or Truth. Sees the realm through intellect.
- Skills Eligible for Master: Military Science, Stratagem, Negotiation, Geography, Prophecy, Medicine
- Starting Automatic Skills: Military Science Trained, Stratagem Novice, Geography Novice, Prophecy Novice
#Scent — Winning a War with One Fan
Scholars can be the most dangerous people on the battlefield even without drawing a blade. They master books of war, read terrain, and predict the enemy's next move. And then they share their own breath (Energy) with others. While a samurai swings one sword stroke, the scholar sees five breaths ahead. One stroke kills one person, but five breaths decide one unit.
When the scholar waves a fan, the samurai's blade becomes faster once more. When the scholar speaks, an ashigaru squad thrusts spears at exactly the right time. Even without shedding blood personally, every allied action comes from the scholar's mind. The scholar's essential art, "Energy Transfer," is not just a rule. It means the scholar uses a companion's breath as if it were their own. One scholar combines the Energy of five people into one great breath. That one breath decides the outcome of a battle.
In combat, the scholar stands in the rear and waves a fan. If they directly engage enemies, they die. The scholar's Defense is low, and their Wounds are few. Protecting the scholar is the squad's and companions' role; what the scholar protects is the whole picture of the battlefield. If the scholar dies, the force loses its head. That is why the scholar must always be in the safest place while also having the best view. A command tent in the rear, or a watchtower on high ground. From there, the scholar controls an army of 5 myriads with one finger.
Outside combat, the scholar is the staff officer for everything. They calculate travel routes, analyze enemy castles, and break opponents at the negotiation table with logic. "The pen is mightier than the sword" is an adage made for scholars. Yet the scholar's deepest loneliness is knowing everything alone. While companions fight with blades, the scholar knows their fates. Who will die in the next battle, who will be lost by the scholar's command — the scholar knows. So some scholars flee into books. Some forget through drink. A true scholar bears it. That is the weight of one who carries a fan.
- Recommended Weapons: none (command specialist). Self-defense tanto (concealed), hankyu (short bow), the fan itself (symbol). Avoiding combat is the rule.
- Recommended Schools: none. Scholars belong to schools of military texts more than martial schools. No school (self-taught) recommended.
- Recommended Faction Traits: Kagura Domain (official strategist — adviser), Ikko-ikki (operations staff for peasant armies), Sakai Guild (merchant-house accounting + strategy)
#Law — Trait List
#1st Dan: Divine Calculation and Ghostly Strategy (神算鬼謀) [aptitude]
[aptitude] Divine Calculation and Ghostly Strategy
Effect:
1. Energy Transfer: spend 2 Energy on your breath -> immediately grant 2 Energy to 1 target Lord/Elite.
The recipient can take additional actions with the granted Energy on the next count.
1:1 exchange (total Energy unchanged).
Note: Transferred Energy counts as ordinary Energy for the receiving character.
2. Squad order Energy is always 1 (separate from Wisdom (智) discounts, minimum 1 guaranteed).
Zone: when used from the Rear Zone, upkeep Energy-1 applies (Rear bonus).Energy Transfer Range and Cap (Principle 2)
- Transfer targets are limited to allies with their own Energy. You cannot transfer to units with 0 Energy of their own, such as shikigami, puppets, or squads.
- 1:1 total conservation is an absolute principle, and no trait, school, masterwork, or divine relic can break this ratio.
- Transferred Energy counts as the receiving character's ordinary Energy, but the recipient's 2 times per round cap on 0 Energy maneuvers remains based on the recipient (0 Energy (transferred)). Transfer does not increase the 0 Energy maneuver cap.
Details:
../../co-99-meta/co-99-02-core-principles.mdPrinciple 2.
"On the battlefield, the scholar's breath is not their own. It exists to quicken allied blades."
#3rd-Dan Class Traits (choose 1)
| Trait | Type | Energy | Limit | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tactical Direction (戰術指示) | [Kata] | 1 | 1/round | 1 ally's next attack technique gains +3. "There! Now!" |
| Read Truth and Feint (虛實看破) | [aptitude] | — | — | always know remaining Energy and reservation state of enemy Elites/Lords. "Read the enemy's breath." |
| Formation Method (陣法) | [Kata] | 2 | 1/round | 1 allied squad's Domination contribution x2 (that round). "Perfect placement." |
#5th-Dan Class Traits (choose 1)
| Trait | Type | Energy | Limit | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Command (總指揮) | [Kata] | 1 | 1/round | give a command to all allied squads at once (1 type: advance/retreat). Costs 1 Energy regardless of squad count. |
| Weak Point Analysis (弱點分析) | [Kata] | 2 | 1/combat | 1 enemy takes Defense -2 (until combat ends). "The seam is weak." |
| Energy Distribution (行動力分配) | [aptitude] | — | — | Divine Calculation and Ghostly Strategy transfer cost 2 -> 1 Energy. (Spend 1 -> transfer 1 to target. Efficiency 2 times.) |
#7th-Dan Advanced Traits (choose 1)
| Trait | Type | Energy | Limit | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zhuge Kongming (諸葛孔明) | [aptitude] | — | combat start | at combat start, the scholar freely decides count order. |
| Ambush from Ten Sides (十面埋伏) | [Kata] | 2 | 1 time at combat start | secretly deploy 2 allied units. Reveal on the scholar's breath. Counts as an ambush. |
| Brain of the Battlefield (戰場の腦) | [aptitude] | — | — | at the start of each round, gain 2 extra Energy for the scholar only (cannot carry over). |
#9th-Dan Advanced Traits (choose 1)
| Trait | Type | Energy | Limit | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genius Strategist (天才軍師) | [aptitude] | — | — | up to 2 times per round, execute squad orders at 0 Energy ([Kata]). Energy Transfer keeps 1:1, but one transfer can be split across 2 targets (total unchanged). |
| Orthodox and Unorthodox Plan (奇正之計) | [Kata] | 0 | 1/combat | skip the next breath of 1 Elite-grade or lower enemy. Against Lord-grade or higher, applies on 2d10 + Wisdom + Stratagem >= 15; even on failure, target's next breath limit -2. |
| Invincible Formation (不敗の陣) | [upkeep] | — | 1/lull | at the lull, next round's starting Energy maximum +2 (1 round, no carryover). All squads Cohesion +1. |
#Typical Scholar Breath Patterns
| Breath | Maneuver Combination | Energy | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer+Order | transfer(2)+squad order(1) | 3 | ally +2 Energy+squad action |
| 5th-Dan Transfer x4 | transfer(1)x4 | 4 | 1 Energy each to 4 characters (everyone strengthened) |
| Direction+Order x2 | Tactical Direction(1)+order(1)+order(1) | 3 | attack +3+2 squads |
| Analysis+Transfer | Weak Point Analysis(2)+transfer(2) | 4 | enemy Defense -2 + ally +2 Energy |
#Zone Bonuses
| Zone | Effect |
|---|---|
| Rear Zone | upkeep Energy -1. Unlimited transfer range. Safe. |
| Front Zone | dangerous! Priority target for enemies. |
| Core Zone | never enter. |
#Three Ways and Six Hearts
| Natural Heart | Conflict |
|---|---|
| Loyalty (Way of Rites) | "Achieve the lord's realm through strategy." |
| Risk toward Hegemony | self-righteousness that says "I know best." Loyalty→Hegemony transition. |
When the scholar waves a fan, the battlefield moves.
#Squad Tactics Traits (Scholar)
Slot Rule: Squad tactics traits are included in the class trait choices for that dan. When choosing 3rd/5th-dan class traits, you may choose a squad tactics trait instead of an ordinary class trait.
Scholar squad tactics are formations of military science. The scholar has no combat strength personally, but is the best in the Sengoku at commanding squads. All scholar tactics traits are [Tactic:Stance] — building and maintaining formations is the scholar's real work.
| Trait | Type | Learned Dan | Energy | Limit | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crane-Wing Formation (鶴翼陣) | [Tactic:Stance] | 3rd dan | squad order cost | maintain | the squad is deployed across 2 zones (a crane spreading its wings). Domination +2 in each zone. Cannot move. |
| Fish-Scale Formation (魚鱗陣) | [Tactic:Stance] | 5th dan | squad order cost | maintain | the squad automatically succeeds when breaking through (no check required). After breakthrough, immediately make 1 squad attack (additional cost base). Pierces the enemy Front Zone like scales. |
Three Ways and Six Hearts (Squad Tactics): Crane-Wing Formation is Loyalty (defensive order). Fish-Scale Formation is Hegemony — "scales advancing toward the realm."
"Changing the realm with one fan is harder than doing it with a thousand blades. That is why the scholar carries a fan."
#Example Character
→ Ashikaga Sosui — Sample Sheet (1st/5th/10th dan + step-by-step backstory)