ah, okay - I may run a few off-vDip playtests before we implement then. I found the statistics extremely useful in the revision process thus far, and don't want to skew them. This new variant (tentatively named, Sengoku: Nagashino) should definitely be considered a standalone from the original Sengoku, and it will be massively different. As it stands, the player count shrinks to five (easier to fill), the map is completely redone for historical accuracy and balance, and as alluded to earlier, Oda will be the lone central power, but begin with significantly more SCs than the other players, and have a toehold on both N/S coasts. I think the asymmetric play is really going to offer a new experience both in tactics and diplomacy. Fringe daimyo will have to court the Oda clan while they grow to challenge them, and the Oda for their part have to leverage the credible threat that they can destroy at least one of their rivals single-handedly, although an alliance of all four will bring them down. Not too many variants make sacrificing some of your starting SCs a viable strategy, but the chaos builds and SC distribution should yield that result for Oda here. (which captures the historical aspect of awarding territory to loyal retainers well I think.)
okay, that was a wall of text. Clearly I'm excited about this. It's going to be great.