I have my list of projects for next year and plan to step my big foot into the world of Samurai and have a few questions, so I seek wisdom from those who may have trodden the path before.  

Initially plan to get Matched Pair - Age of War Samurai .  I currenlty plan to base with mixed troop types e.g.  couple of mounted Samurai with Ashigaru followers behind etc. 

• Anyone gone with this option but thought the indidual packs would have been better than the matched armies
• Anyone gone big base and had a clan or a couple of bases representing a clan 
• Thought mixed troops was the way but then realised separate might have been better  

Should add plan to use a version of TTS or rules similiar and I'll be using artistic licence to give some variation in the armour/clan colours etc.

For what it's worth, my preferred approach would be big bases containing multiple troop types, with their combat abilities defined by the differing numbers of each type on the base.

Answer much appreciated...... 

Sounds like an exciting project! Stepping into the world of Samurai wargaming opens up a lot of options, especially when it comes to basing and unit composition. Here are some thoughts based on different approaches others have taken:

Matched Pair vs. Individual Packs

• The Matched Pair - Age of War Samurai is a solid choice if you want a balanced force straight away. It saves some decision-making but can be limiting in terms of custom composition.
• Some find that individual packs allow more flexibility, especially if you want to tweak ratios of Samurai, Ashigaru, and support troops. If your chosen ruleset has a strong distinction between troop types, you may end up wishing you'd chosen separate packs.

Mixed Troops vs. Separate Units

• Mixed basing (e.g., mounted Samurai with Ashigaru behind them) looks great for diorama-style battlefields and narrative play. It can work well if you're using a ruleset that represents units as combined fighting groups rather than individual elements.
• Separating troops might be better if your ruleset relies on different unit types having distinct stats or if you want more tactical flexibility. Some wargamers who started with mixed troops found that it limited their ability to maneuver units effectively in game terms.

Big Base for Clans vs. Smaller Bases

• A big base for a whole clan can be visually striking, and it's great for rulesets that use group cohesion rather than individual movement. It also makes sense for feudal Japan’s warfare, where loyalty to a clan was key.
• On the other hand, multiple smaller bases give you flexibility—if you ever want to split them up or play different scenarios, you’re not locked into a single representation.

TTS & Artistic License

• If you're using Tabletop Simulator (TTS) or similar digital tools, mixed troop basing could be visually appealing but might not always translate well into unit interactions, depending on the game system.
• Artistic license with armor and clan colors is a great idea—it keeps things visually engaging, and historical Samurai armies were often more varied than we sometimes imagine. Some wargamers even base their clans loosely on historical sources but add personal flair.

Final Thought

If you’re going with a version of TTS or a flexible rule system, you might consider testing different basing setups virtually before committing to the physical models. That way, you’ll get a feel for what works best without redoing anything later.

Would love to hear more about what ruleset you’re leaning towards—some handle mixed troops better than others!

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So I decided to go with mixed bases with 8 bases (each 30mmX30mm) to form a Sonae.  Still got a few figures to paint before I get to basing but will look to have magnetic bases to give me the options...... e.g. going large and having Te formations.

Sounds like a good plan.  I am doing similar but with a slightly larger scale (sorry Baccus!)  If you aren't aware precision wargame supplies will do galvanised steel sabots in whatever size you want for your sonae.  I'm using some existing 100 by 50 I have for the main foot troops with floating kumi for cavalry and missiles which are used to represent the fighting stance of the sonae.  eg bow at the front then it's shooting, bow at rear and cavalry at the sides its in a wedge, cavalry at the rear and bow at the sides it's in a wall of spears, cavalry at the front and bow to the sides it's probing with the cavalry or covering a retreat.

I'm planning on modding Hail Caesar with each formation giving different clash, sustained, short and long values.