Here's the link:

www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_news.asp

I don't know why, but I haven't been this excited about a FFG release in a long while! Maybe because it's just what I wanted for Tannhauser? I can only imagine what the new maps will be like...

So, any speculation? What do you hope for in future Shogunate releases?

I kind of figured a Japanese themed faction was somewhere in the mix. I'm kind of hoping for some Japanese demon or dragon powers. New boards are always cool of course.

It is great news to have more options in the Tannhauser-verse.

I've been waiting for this, I knew as soon as i updated the Mythopoeia, FFG would come out with something new for Tannhauser.

Hey what's everyone think about the "allied forces" rules?

I've updated my blog with an article about this news, and some speculation about the future.

link: miah000.blogspot.com/2011/05/shogunate.html

Anyone check the Shogunate website where it mentions the new "allied forces" option? It looks like I can use Union figures with Matriarchy figures now.

I know it's cliched, and pretty cheesy too, but as a product of the 80s I'm hoping for some ninjas. Tannhauser-styled commando eldtrich-horror ninjas, that is! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we get both a ninja character and a ninja trooper pack.

It really looks incredible!!

I hope to see these things in spanish some day... Tanhausser in Spain is on the novgorod expansión...

WOW!!!!!!! This is awesome!

the new faction does look really cool. But I'm not so sure about this allied faction stuff. I'm hoping ffg is planning on one day merging the union and matriarchy into one faction and the shogunate and reich into one faction.

It seems kind of weird to be able to ally the factions. I guess you will just have to talk things out with your opponent before the game starts because If you were planning on using the reich with shogunate throw in and he was planning on using just the shogunate it can throw a wrench in the whole planning. But I guess it won't be that big of a deal as long as you talk it out. And maybe they're just doing this allied faction until the shogunate get up to speed with the other factions.

Either way I'm very excited for this new expansion and can't wait to see how they play

I'm sure the allied forces rules will be far more clear once we see the specifics.

With box art ready I hope it's out real soon!

I'm guessing they're aiming for some historical resonance but I agree that it's odd as it stands now. As was mentioned, they all have a different source of power that affects how they operate (work for demons, ruled by old gods/women, liberty vs death). As of now there is no fluff that would have binding alliances make sense. Now if they're alliances of convieniance, that would be something I could get behind. Sometimes the Reich might give the Shogunate a hand against the Matriachy, other times they'll help the Union against the Shogunate if they think they're getting too strong. The Matriarchy might join the Reich on a dig that would mutually enhance their supernatural powers (with the option of betrayl) and fight alongside the Shogunate to keep the Union from breaking the status quo in the Pacific, only to help them if they'll draw away the other's forces at a key moment. Sending a guide/liason/operative as it were instead of military cohesion.

Actually there is some old fluff from Tannhauser 1.0 that indicated not only had the three superpowers not only worked together before the war but there were rurmors of Union / Matriarchy colusion, not so much a formal alliance but coovert ops for a common goal.

This may have been in the plans all along, but FFG has been a little light on the fluff text since the revision.

I'm excited about this new faction but I was just wondering was japan even involved in ww1 at all?

I suppose with the war lasting so long in this game it's essentially ww1 and ww2 but just wondering if japan had anything to do with historical ww1.

Strictly historically speaking, Japan was allied with the Allies, but they had little involvment in the actual combat.

See below: for an old map showing who was allied with who grey=Allies, black=central powers. Note at this time the US was still neutral.

The world of Tannhauser mixes World War one and two rather liberaly, but remember that the timeline of Tannhauser begins to really deviate from our reality during the American Civil War. Japan's alliance with the allies stems from the helped they recived from them duirng the rule of Meiji, but they could have just as easily recieved this "assistance" from the American (al la "The Last Samurai") or the Germans. Actually the Last Samurai is a good movie to watch to get a feel for how this idea of the Shogunate may have developed, just replace the Americans with Germans.

As far as I know, the japanese connection to the Allies in WWI were the British in some kind of "naval alliance" dated from 1902, which was some kind of side-effect of the impact of Japan´s victory in the Sino-japanese War in 1894/1895 when the western states realized that once weak Japan has become a a strong power. Japan declared war to germany in 1914, but only fought alongside Great Britain in China and received parts of the german colonies. It seems that at the time when the Shogunate enters the war in the Tannhäuser-universe, the story shifts to the history of WWII. This is also supported by the fact of the invasion of China 1937. This would also explain the loose alliance of the matriarchy and the Union. These alliances clearly reflect (Tannhäuser-like) historical WWII situation.

I wonder what part Italy would play in Tannhäuser-universe. Maybe they will appear as Reich-related troops as a semi-dependend faction, as French resistance fighters could in Union ranks.

Katsuyori said:

I would love it if Italy made it's way into this game. That would be fantastic. I've been obsessed with Italy in ww2 ever since I played as them in the flames of war miniature game. And I could see them fighting with either the union or the reich. It depends on whose in control of Italy at this point in time.

@Miah999 you seem to know tannhauser history very well could you tell me who is in power in Italy in the tannhauser universe?

Here this should help, this is the Tannhauser 1.0 world in 1951, now I can't guarentee FFG will stick with this.

This was part of the French tornament system, and is shows where the bonus tokens "came" from.

As you can see the north half of Italy is in Reich hands, and in the old Tannhauser fluff the Vatican had considerable military power.

Has anyone noticed that the Shin Agent Trooper (at least I think it's the Agent) is apearently female, look below.

Vatican warrior Monks and Nuns would be great for this game... But on which side?

@ Miah: Yes, I already noticed. Nice, the first female Trooper character in this game. Does anyone know if the martriarchy will also get female Troopers as possible replacements for the voivods?

Brillient news, but if they keep releasing new stuff I'll have to get a second mortage! Had some thoughts about the allied forces rules;

how about each player chosse a hero/character and two troopers, and then team up with potential allies? (I know this mean you have 6 figures!). As the new faction released is the formentioned, and it could fit in with the fact of the Union and reich also have the trooper expansions, so you constuct you sides differently.

But take or leave these comments, just happy the Tannhauser world is still expanding!

Hey according to Table Top Gaming News we will see the first two Shogunate releases in August

•TH15 Shogunate Trooper Pack $19.95
•TH24 Iroh Minamoto $12.95

Would yuo like to see Italy in Tannhauser truly? I'm afraid by that, like I yet said on "At last, the Asian faction...but now how about the Caliphate?" , but I'm pleased of your curiosity and expectation.

Miah999 said:

So Q2 2012 probably

Seriously, I can't wait for these guys, they look awesome!

Yes! Samurai! Ashigaru! Shinobi! All in the Tannhäuser World!