Total War: Shogun 2 abilities

In Total War: Shogun 2, some units have special abilities, as indicated by buttons above the unit cards on the UI. These abilities can be activated or deactivated, though some have cooldowns and some have a limit of how many times they may be used per battle.

Infantry Abilities

Banzai

No-Dachi Samurai and some hero units can use this ability to temporarily increase their movement speed and charge bonus. Units have unbreakable morale while the effects of Banzai are active.

Blinding Grenades

Blinding grenades can be used to great effects by ninjas and Hanzo’s Shadows as they can be utilized by having hidden units throw them at unsuspecting enemies such as generals, matchlock units and bowmen and launch a devastating charge this can drastically change the outcome of a battle if used by a wise general.

Flaming Arrows

After researching Way of the Bow, all bow-equipped infantry gain the ability to use flaming arrows. These arrows cause more damage than regular arrows, and can also light buildings and fortifications on fire. Flaming arrows can only be used a limited amount of times per battle, and have a cooldown. Activating them gives enough time for most archer units to launch two or three volleys of flaming arrows.

Rapid Advance

Yari samurai and Date Bulletproof Samurai can utilize rapid advance, temporarily increasing their movement speed, as well as temporarily replenishing their stamina to Fresh for as long as the ability lasts. 

Second Wind

Some elite infantry can use this ability to restore the stamina of themselves and up to two other units. This ability has a cooldown.

Yari Wall

Yari ashigaru and Oda Long Yari Ashigaru can form spear walls, dense formations where the men level their spears in a frontal direction, granting them a high defensive and offensive bonus. This is extremely effective against cavalry, and also very effective against infantry. However, as the units are cramped closely together, they are more vulnerable to arrow and musket fire, and their movement speed is dramatically slowed. In addition, units in yari wall formation are highly vulnerable to being attacked from the flank or rear.

Units cannot activate yari wall if they are already engaged in melee combat. Additionally, units that have already suffered too many casualties cannot form yari walls.

Warcry

Naginata warrior monks and some hero units have this ability, lowering the morale of up to three nearby enemy units. This ability has a cooldown.