Creative Assembly and SEGA released Total War: SHOGUN 2 on 15 March 2011, opening the campaign in 1545 and handing every clan the same win condition: take Kyoto and hold it. Nine clans ship in the base game, each with one signature discount, from Shimazu katana samurai to Mori warships. Fall of the Samurai is a separate standalone expansion set during the 1860s Boshin War, so its Gatling guns and ironclads never show up in the Sengoku campaign covered here.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your build's key combinations |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
Kyoto
Key resources: Shogun status, plus 1 morale for all units, plus 2 percent clan tax rate, plus 1 daimyo honour, and access to Great Guard and the Nihon Maru Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Yari Ashigaru upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Owari
Key resources: Good farmland, short marching distance to Kyoto and early access to the ashigaru dojo chain Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Yari Ashigaru upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Kai
Key resources: Defensible mountain terrain, horse breeding buildings and quick reach into the eastern provinces Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Yari Ashigaru upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Satsuma
Key resources: A single chokepoint to garrison, Kyushu trade ports and room to build the katana dojo chain undisturbed Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Katana Samurai max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Tosa
Key resources: Island isolation, strong farm income and the bow dojo chain that carries the whole campaign Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Katana Samurai max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Kyoto to Owari)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials, since you'll need them later
- Focus on Yari Ashigaru once accessible
Mid Game (Kai)
- Push Yari Ashigaru to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Katana Samurai
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Satsuma to Tosa)
- Max out Katana Samurai. This is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment: Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials: Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear: Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Kai farming: This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early: Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Count your provinces from turn 10 onward. Realm Divide fires somewhere between 13 and 18 provinces, so keep two full stacks and a war chest ready before you take the province that crosses the line, because you will not get a quiet turn afterwards.
- Farm Kai during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build. Some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Total War: SHOGUN 2 Guides
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Total War: SHOGUN 2 Overview
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Best Builds
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Tier List
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Walkthrough
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Beginner's Guide
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Tips & Tricks
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Weapons Guide
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Combat Guide
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Boss Guide
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Maps & Locations
- Total War: SHOGUN 2 Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Total War: SHOGUN 2, check out these related guides:
- Sid Meier's Civilization V Crafting Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Crafting Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
- RimWorld Crafting Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
