To counter this, Katsuyori advanced to Shitaragahara with the main force of 12,000 (6,000, according to one theory) to confront the Oda and Tokugawa allied forces, leaving 3,000 soldiers to keep Nagashino-jo Castle under control.
これに対し、勝頼は長篠城の抑えに兵3000を残し、主力1万2000（一説に兵6000）を率いて設楽ヶ原へ進出し、織田・徳川連合軍と対峙する。