Tadakatsu Honda

本多忠勝 Tadakatsu Honda
4-Kanji Description:	戦国最強
4-Kanji Translation:	The Strongest of Sengoku Mighty Samurai (Samurai Heroes)
Weapon:	Drill Spear
Element:	Lightning
Faction:	Tokugawa Oda Toyotomi Eastern Army Honda
Series Debut:	Sengoku Basara
Playable Debut:	Sengoku Basara
Games:	Sengoku Basara Sengoku Basara 2 Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes Sengoku Basara X Sengoku Basara Battle Heroes Sengoku Basara 3 Sengoku Basara Chronicle Heroes Sengoku Basara 3 Utage Sengoku Basara 4 Sengoku Basara 4 Sumeragi Sengoku Basara Legend of Yukimura Sanada Sengoku Basara Battle Party
Anime:	Sengoku Basara Samurai Kings Sengoku Basara Samurai Kings 2 Sengoku Basara The Last Party Sengoku Basara Judge End Gakuen Basara
Seiyuu:	-
Voice Actor:	-
Television Actor:	-
Stage Actor:	-
Character Theme:	Tadakatsu Honda's Theme (Chamy.Ishi/Chamy.Ishi & Masahiro Aoki) (SB2-4S) Betting On Life (Rei Kondoh) (SBSYD)

~!!~

Tadakatsu Honda is a character introduced in Sengoku Basara. He is depicted as a huge robot, specifically a Gundam.

Description

In addition to him being a reference to Gundams, his intro sequences are very much like launch sequences from the Gundam series although his method of getting around the battlefield is more akin to a Dom of the same series. Due to this, he gets a nickname among fans as "Hondam". Being a robot/Gundam, Tadakatsu cannot speak and talk but rather he makes mechanical sounds for his responses (if not actions). This robotic appearance somewhat reflects his title of being the Strongest of the Sengoku.

Tadakatsu's main focus is his modes. He can activate various weapons and equipment from his backpack, all of which will have various effects on him. Additionally, his drill-charging skills also gain some additional effects depending on which mode is active. His Basara attack is also one of the strongest in the game, as it can easily clear the screen of regular enemies, but it disables camera movement for its duration, preventing the player from hitting enemies from behind, limiting its potential (this is fixed in Sengoku Basara 3, as the player can now move the camera). His S-string is also one of the hardest to control after a certain point (though this became more manageable in Sengoku Basara 3).

Gameplay

Tadakatsu's main focus is his modes. He can activate various weapons and equipment from his backpack, all of which will have various effects on him. Additionally, his drill charging skills also gains some additional effects depending on which mode is active. His Basara attack is also one of the strongest in the game, as it can easily clear the screen of regular enemies, but disables camera movement for its duration preventing the player from hitting enemies behind limiting its potential (this is fixed in Sengoku Basara 3, as the player can now move the camera). His Standard Attack is also one of the hardest to control after a certain point (though this became more manageable in Sengoku Basara 3).

In Sengoku Basara 3, Tadakatsu's modes are expanded. Modes can be mixed for different results (like Flight Mode enables movement in Cannon Mode). Tadakatsu's Flight Mode actually enables him to fly, allowing him to avoid some enemies and/or obstables as well as allowing bomber runs with Cannon Mode. Cannon Mode allows the player to aim the cannon, but normally disables movement. Tadakatsu also gains a new Heavy mode which changes all of his attacks, but disables guards and slows down movement. Additionally, when dashing, Tadakatsu can break boxes and some fences as well as damage enemies by simply bumping them.

Due to his size, Tadakatsu is unable to mount horses. Instead, players can use his jetpacks/boosters as an alternative. Additionally, for the same reason, Tadakatsu is immune to grabs and similar moves (such as Motochika's net), though he will still take some damage. He is also immune to knock downs which means that he will always be pushed back from getting hit.

His personal item changes the cannon shells to electromagnetic shots (Sengoku Basara 2), or activates his Support Mode for the entire battle and unlimits his R2's Duration (Sengoku Basara 3). This gets stronger in Sengoku Basara 4 since you are able to carry all three R2's into the fight. That means that you are able to have all modes active at once and with no restrictions like the health depletion from the Electromagnetic Mode when using the personal item.

Skills (Sengoku Basara 4 Sumeragi)

These are the skills for Tadakatsu Honda with the descriptions taken from the english translation patch of Sengoku Basara 4 Sumeragi. This section also uses the playstation layout for inputs.

Jump Attack (Air + SQUARE)

• Attacks the enemies on the ground horizontally with a one hit slash.
• When in Heavy Machinery Mode (First R2) the weapon is rammed with the tip of the weapon towards the enemy.

Jump Finisher (Air + TRIANGLE)

• Falls to the ground and rams his weapon into the ground.
• When in Heavy Machinery Mode (First R2) you can also use the jump button again to fly with Flight Mode (Second R2) automatically to the enemy. This can be cancelled using the TRIANGLE button again.

Rotating Thrust Activation (SQUARE + Hold)

SQUARE + Hold

Ingame-Description: "Thrust your spinning spear into the air. Hold SQUARE further to extend the spin time."

• The hold can be cancelled earlier with releasing the button press.
• Heavy Machinery Mode (First R2) this move becomes the normal standard attack (SQUARE) which gets enhanced by ramming the weapon into the enemies. When hit it unleashes another shockwave with multiple button presses.

Support Mode (TRIANGLE)

TRIANGLE

Ingame-Description: "Activates support units that automatically attack enemies in the area."

• Support units will attack everything automatically around you while active.
• Hit enemies will always be kicked towards you.
• Support Mode does enhance other moves.
• Duration is unlimited using the personal item (although it does not mention this).

Rush Mode (Direction + TRIANGLE)

Direction + TRIANGLE

Ingame-Description: "Slashes spear horizontally. Hold TRIANGLE button after to combo into dash attack."

• When having Support Mode (TRIANGLE) active you can extend your hitbox and damage of Rush Mode.
• The distance and duration of the dash attack can be increased when being in Flight Mode (Second R2) which increases the damage even more.
• When in Heavy Machinery Mode (First R2) it charges the weapon in front of the character and creates an explosion afterwards.

Bombardment Mode (R1)

R1

Ingame-Description: "Use the cannon on your back to fire. Press the SQUARE button to fire. Can control firing position. Cannot move while activated."

• When using Bombardment Mode while you are in Flight Mode (Second R2) you are able to attack with it using SQUARE while moving, shielding, guarding and evasion. Can also be used in the air.
• When in Bombardment Mode while you are in Electromagnetic Mode (Third R2) your shots will be electromagnetic shots that deals more damage, stuns more efficient and hits the enemies multiple times.
• When in Heavy Machinery Mode (First R2) Tadakatsu Honda shoots in the ground and spins himself around to attack all enemies nearby.
• The startup can be canceled by using an action before this moves activation (not everything works but most of it).

Lightning Strike Mode (L1 + TRIANGLE)

L1 + TRIANGLE

Ingame-Description: "Sends support units into the air, then they fire lightning down into spear."

• When having Support Mode (TRIANGLE) units attached to your weapon these will be detached while Lightning Strike Mode is active.
• When in Heavy Machinery Mode (First R2) this moves becomes the enhanced version from Rush Mode (Direction + TRIANGLE).

Skill Revision (L1 + SQUARE)

L1 + SQUARE

Ingame-Description: "Thrusts into the ground, lauching enemies, then discharges into the area for additional damage."

• The discharge lasts longer than the animation of the move.
• When in Heavy Machinery Mode (First R2) this moves becomes the enhanced version from Rotating Thrust Activation (SQUARE + Hold).
• When in Flight Mode (Second R2) Tadakatsu Honda will instead jump into the air and use an aerial drill into the ground move.

Heavy Machinery Mode (First R2)

First R2

Ingame-Description: "Equips front assault heavy armor. All attacks are changed. While wearing it, movement is restricted to walking, and guarding and evasion are disabled."

• Can be combined with Flight Mode (Second R2) and Electromagnetic Mode (Third R2).
• Duration is unlimited using the personal item.

Flight Mode (Second R2)

Second R2

Ingame-Description: "Equips afterburners that increase movement speed. Jump to fly in the air. Can be performed midair."

• Makes it possible to stay as long in the air as the mode is active when holding the jump button or the time runs out but then is able to use this move instantly again. Flight Mode allows you to dash midair.
• The Jump Attack (Air + SQUARE) changes it hitbox and kicks enemys away from you.
• The Jump Finisher becomes into an aerial drill into the ground move.
• Enhances other moves like Rush Mode (Direction + TRIANGLE), Bombardment Mode (R1) and Heavy Machinery Mode (First R2).
• Can be combined with Heavy Machinery Mode (First R2) and Electromagnetic Mode (Third R2). The Third R2 does not have recovery time when activated during Flight Mode (Second R2).
• Duration is unlimited using the personal item.

Electromagnetic Mode (Third R2)

Third R2

Ingame-Description: "Activates an electromagnetic field that hits enemies in range. While activated your health will gradually decrease."

• Health depletion can be cancelled using the personal item.
• Can be combined with Heavy Machinery Mode (First R2) and Flight Mode (Second R2).
• Duration is unlimited using the personal item.
• Use Support Mode (TRIANGLE) to change states where support units attack enemies for you or you enhance your weapon with a pyramid of light with the support units.
• This move activates a constant hitbox around you damaging enemies while you are guarding or dashing without any animations.

Historical information

Tadakatsu Honda

Tadakatsu Honda (本多 忠勝?, March 17, 1548 – December 3, 1610), also called Heihachirō Honda (本多 平八郎), was a Japanese general (and later a daimyo) of the late Sengoku through early Edo period, who served Ieyasu Tokugawa. Tadakatsu was one of the Tokugawa Four Heavenly Kings.

A native of Mikawa Province in Japan, he lived during the Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo periods. Ieyasu promoted him from daimyo of the Ōtaki han (100,000 koku) to the Kuwana han (150,000 koku) as a reward for his service. In addition, his son Tadatomo Honda became daimyo of Ōtaki. In 1609, he retired, and his other son Tadamasa took over Kuwana. His grandson, Tadatoki, married the granddaughter of Ieyasu, Senhime. Despite his years of loyal service, Tadakatsu became increasingly estranged from the Tokugawa bakufu as it evolved from a military to a civilian political institution. This was a fate shared by many other warriors of the time, who were not able to make the conversion from the chaotic lifetime of warfare of the Sengoku period to the more stable peace of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Such was Tadakatsu's reputation that he attracted from the most influential figures in Japan at the time. Nobunaga Oda, who was notoriously disinclined to praise his followers, called him a "Samurai among Samurai". Moreover, Hideyoshi Toyotomi noted that the best samurai were "Tadakatsu Honda in the east and Muneshige Tachibana in the west". Even Shingen Takeda praised Honda, saying that "[he] is a luxury of Ieyasu Tokugawa".

Tadakatsu is often referred to as "The Warrior who surpassed Death itself" because he never once suffered a significant wound, despite being the veteran of over 60 battles by the end of his life. Tadakatsu was 62 at the time of his death.

He was also the father-in-law of Nobuyuki Sanada, and the father of Komatsu.

Gallery

Image Gallery

How to Unlock

Game	How to Unlock	Notes
Sengoku Basara	Clear the game with every other character	Clear the game with Yukimura in Devil Kings
Sengoku Basara 2	Clear the game with Hanbei	Unlocked by Default in the HD Collection
Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes	Unlocked by Default	-
Sengoku Basara X	Unplayable	Ieyasu's Assist
Sengoku Basara Battle Heroes	Clear the game with Motochika	-
Sengoku Basara 3	Clear the game with Yoshihiro & Yoshitsugu	-
Sengoku Basara Chronicle Heroes	Clear the game with Motochika	Unlocked by Default with Battle Heroes Save Data
Sengoku Basara 3 Utage	Unlocked by Default	-
Sengoku Basara 4	Clear the game with Tsuruhime	Can be unlocked with DLC
Sengoku Basara 4 Sumeragi	Unlocked by Default	-
Sengoku Basara Legend of Yukimura Sanada	Complete Story Mode	-