| Map | Enemy |
|---|---|
|
Uesugi Army |
| Unlock with | |
| Date Army | |
| # of Tamatebako | |
| 12 |
Kasugayama Siege (春日山攻城戦) is the name given to the battle that takes place in the territory of Kenshin Uesugi and his army. It has a sub-boss in the form of Kasuga, Kenshin's kunoichi general who appears twice throughout the stage.
Strategy[edit]
Defeat the initial squad leader and his men to build up your Basara before approaching the first gate, where Kasuga awaits your arrival. Corner her with combos, as allowing her to escape can be dangerous due to her own ability to perform quick combos. If fought at a distance, Kasuga will resort to sending a rainbow-colored clone your way (this travels in a straight line and is thus easily dodged) or flying into the air with the help of her familiar, swinging her blades in your direction (this can also be easily dodged, and you can even cause her to fall to the ground by striking her between attacks). Regardless of how much of a challenge Kasuga poses, her health isn't very impressive, and so she can be defeated relatively quickly, especially when cornered at least semi-consistently. Defeating her unlocks the gate, allowing you to proceed to the next gate. She also drops a tamatebako.
As Kasuga retreats, defeat the squad leaders beyond the newly-opened gate. The one right in front drops a tamatebako, while the one standing at the corner of the map drops Basara, so feel free to ignore the latter if you aren't in need of Basara or experience. A steep climb leads to the next gate to be opened, which rewards you with another tamatebako, and a steeper climb leads to the gate after that. As you open the next gate, take note of the two squad leaders at opposite corners of the map; the one on the eastern end is protected by numerous bomb soldiers standing on a narrow cliff and drops a tamatebako, as does the one on the western end. Also take note that the next gate can be completely bypassed, though doing so will cause you to forfeit yet another tamatebako.
The following two gates are mandatory, and in addition to two more squad leaders at opposite corners of the map, are your final chance to build up your Basara and health for the second confrontation with Kasuga. Only the gate captain drops a tamatebako here, so the long trek to either corner of the map isn't ultimately necessary unless you require health/Basara or experience. Corner Kasuga once more, keeping your camera away from the bomb-dropping ninja in the sky, to defeat her, and use the remaining squad leaders past this point to build up your Basara gauge once more (also be sure to pick up the final tamatebako here). Proceeding forward will lead you to the area's boss.
Boss: Kenshin Uesugi[edit]
Kenshin's most infuriating quality is his speed. When you attempt to corner him, he'll dodge out of sight and hit you with a skill that he can activate from a distance, such as his charging iai slash or his rapid thrusts that conclude with one final charge. If he is equipped with a weapon that allows him the use of his ice attribute (as is always the case on Extreme difficulty), his normal combos become even more deadly. If you're looking to play this battle safe, dodge his combos and skills to receive an opening, then attack. If you're feeling bold, use attacks that allow you to attack from a distance (similar to his own) against him, such as the Magnum Step of Masamune Date or the projectiles of Nobunaga Oda, Nouhime, Ranmaru Mori, or Xavi.
If in need of Basara, attack the ninja protecting Kenshin, though be wary of their own infuriating dodges (in which they replace themselves with a tree stump and counterattack from behind you). There are four crates containing assistive items in the corners of the arena as well. Defeat Kenshin to clear the stage and obtain his impressive territory.