Source: https://shadowfrag.com/blog/shogun-conquest/ # Shogun: conquest across the Highlands By the SHADOWFRAG developer · Game modes · Oct 24, 2026 · 3 min read [Shogun](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-shogun) spreads a team fight across six [settlements](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-settlement) and twelve [outposts](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-outpost). Capturing the supporting ground opens the next attack and keeps reinforcements supplied. [Shogun gameplay and its settlement display in the native game client.](https://ds9.dynostatic.com/media.php?id=01M5TFSR3YRKC6K392YD70BY1Y&revision=1) [Shogun](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-shogun) gameplay and its [settlement](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-settlement) display in the native game client. Engine capture: 2026-10-24. **Update, 26–27 October 2026.** Squad deployment, weapon spacing and commitment to captures have been revised, and the southern bridge route has been repaired. The [server limit](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-player-cap) remains 64 including [bots](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-bot). The 128-client research result uses synthetic [free-for-all](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-free-for-all) clients, not full [Shogun](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-shogun) AI. [Read the bot changes](https://shadowfrag.com/blog/shogun-bots-across-the-highlands/) and [capacity results](https://shadowfrag.com/blog/capacity-beyond-64/). [Shogun](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-shogun) gives a team several places to fight over at once. Jade and Crimson start with three [settlements](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-settlement) each across [Shogun Highlands](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-shogun-highlands). A group can defend a court, raid a supporting [outpost](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-outpost) or cross the mountains to reinforce teammates elsewhere. The capture rules make those smaller fights matter to the larger one. ## Opening a settlement to attack Each of the **six [settlements](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-settlement)** has **two supporting [outposts](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-outpost)**, for twelve [outposts](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-outpost) in total. An attacker must own both [linked outposts](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-outpost), with neither contested, before neutralizing or capturing the [settlement](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-settlement). Raiding one of those [outposts](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-outpost) can therefore stop a [settlement](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-settlement) attack and cut its forward spawn and shop [supply](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-supply). Capture happens in phases. An enemy point must first be neutralized, then claimed. Each [outpost](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-outpost) phase takes **eight uncontested seconds**; each [settlement](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-settlement) phase takes **twelve**. Bringing more players into the area does not speed up the timer, and an opposing player stops progress. Cutting [supply](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-supply) does not automatically transfer the [settlement](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-settlement). It stays with its owner until an attacker takes it. That gives a smaller group a useful task outside the main capture circle: interrupt the attack or its support without first defeating everyone at the [settlement](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-settlement) itself. ## Buying equipment for a life Every player starts with **150 gold**. Players earn income away from [supplied buy zones](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-supply), along with territory income and capture rewards. Gold can buy a bow, stars, [impact grenades](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-shrapnel), a net or shadow access. [Shogun](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-shogun) has no [railguns](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-railgun). Gold survives death, while purchased equipment does not. The shop is available during the **ten-second respawn wait** and at supplied friendly camps. Buying shadow access gives that life regenerating throws, with the normal **six-second recharge**, rather than requiring a purchase for every throw. ## Turning territory into a win Both teams start with **400 [tickets](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-tickets)**. Deaths cost [tickets](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-tickets), and the team holding fewer [settlements](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-settlement) loses additional [tickets](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-tickets) every **five seconds**. Equal [settlement](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-settlement) control causes no [territory drain](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-tickets). [Outposts](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-outpost) matter for opening attacks and maintaining [supply](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-supply), but they do not count as [settlements](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-settlement) for this drain. The [tactical map](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-hud) helps connect those decisions. It shows ownership, contested areas, [linked outposts](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-outpost), routes and friendly [supply](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-supply), without revealing enemy players. Every objective has a walking route. Exposed [skyways](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-skyway) offer faster crossings, but you still have to steer the landing. [Shogun](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-shogun) supports up to **64 players including [bots](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-bot)**. The economy and capture times described here were the first playable development rules, with human matches still needed to guide their revision. [Explore Highlands](https://shadowfrag.com/maps/#shogun-highlands) or read about [building the map](https://shadowfrag.com/blog/building-shogun-highlands/). [Back to blog](https://shadowfrag.com/blog/)[Browse the glossary](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/) ## Request an _invite code._ SHADOWFRAG is opening by invitation. Request a code and receive development updates. [Shadow Council](https://shadowfrag.com/glossary/#term-shadow-council) contributors receive priority when invitations begin. Enable JavaScript to request an invite code and confirm your email address. Email confirmation required. Codes will be issued later; a request does not guarantee access. Unsubscribe at any time. 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