Inspite of being possessed with special powers to move at lightning speed and inspire command in open battle, Kenshin often failed in the siege of castles and withdrew (Odawara-jo Castle, Usji-jo Castle, Karasawayama-jo Castle and so on).
野戦での電光石火で神がかり的な采配に比べ、攻城戦には失敗し撤退することもしばしばあった（小田原城、臼井城、唐沢山城等）。