Loving this thus far. Good job several turns ago beating half those peasants with just two units of cavalry. Once my computer gets upgraded I'm so getting this game as to kick some Lithuanian ass.
I won an awesome battle against the French last night. I was politely besieging Rheims, minding my own business when France brings a full stack of guys to drive me off. I have maybe 3/4 of a stack, with some fairly battered units. Their castle garrison joins the fun.
They come around two sides of a hill, the larger army arriving first. They have some ballistas, I have no artillery. I send three units of mailed knights around their infantry line to deal with them. I had some success, but I left them there too long. They get tangled up in some spearmen, take some losses. Meanwhile, my infantry and longbowmen are facing down their remaining infantry and crossbows. My archers do a good job of softening them up.
The infantries clash, and mine do a good job, though outnumbered. Mine are mauled badly, but almost all the French units are run off. At some point in this my longbowmen get attacked by their General. They retreat (without routing, amazingly) all the way to BFE. All are out of the battle for a few minutes.
The garrison has arrived at this point. Low quality troops, but they outnumber me. My infantry again stands tall, and they triumph. Most of the French break, the rest retreat and mill around in confusion. My remaining longbows pepper them with arrows. Again my cavalry is on siege engine duty, this time it's catapults. They get the job done, mostly, but are caught by spearmen again. I pull them back.
At this point the total casualties must be above a thousand. Some parts of the ground are just coated in bodies. Both of our armies have no real strength left, but the battle continues. Their general wanders back in, and I send mine to fight him. Mine gets wiped out. I send my remaining spearmen, only about 40 total. They whittle him way down, but in the end they're all routed. Seconds before, somehow, he is killed. I'm now down to a unit of longbowmen, and still no one has won. I set them to fire flaming arrows at some crossbowmen, the last whole unit I can see. After a bit, they break, and I chase them from the field. Finally, the battle is done.
I am loving this. I just recently re-installed RTW, and I think I might have to give M2TW a second chance. I just think the Roman era is more interesting. You should post more of over-world shots so people can get a better idea of how you're doing overall, and hopefully continue to provide input.
I'm loving this thread and wondering why you haven't sent your current Hochmeister off on a suicide mission so his vastly more competent Marshall can take over? :P
Funny thing is, I've done this before and wound up with a 3 star general with good attributes and a 2-silver chevron escort squad because I send a disloyal or useless general into the thick of, say, some rebellion stack, right at their general and the cav shock sometimes routes their HQ unit.
After that, I run everyone down. In my Total War empires, riot duty is high-risk; high reward as I usually give, say, a bunch of light cav to an iffy general and send him off. He succeedes, he gains stars fast and might get a real command, or gets implaed on some irate pesant's pitchfork.
I'm loving this thread and wondering why you haven't sent your current Hochmeister off on a suicide mission so his vastly more competent Marshall can take over? :P
Honestly, that's what I intended to begin with, with the OrdenMarschall taking over and turning the Order into something a lot more utterly bloodthirsty.
And then Siegfried took over somehow.
And I actually did send Hochmeister Gunther on a suicide mission against a whole 500 strong Lithuanian army complete with loads of infantry, light cavalry, archers, and siege weapons.
He and his bodyguard ended up slaughtering half the Lithuanian army before he died. It actually probably really helped in the early game.
Seriously, fuck the plague. Fuck it. I spent all my time, managing my economy and raising taxes, securing trade rights only to have the whole goddamn lot go down the crapper when the black death shows up. Wall Street Crash aint got shit on what happened to me. Even with minimal spending (only building when necessary and no new recruits) I went from 132000 florins to zip like fucking that.
With a surprise victory in Arensburg against the Novgorodians, you had best get focused on eliminating that Lithuanian kessel you've created upon capturing their capital. Once you've done that, it's probably better to sue for peace, because the Mongols are coming up and the remaining Lithuanian (as well as Polish) cities can serve as a buffer to weaken the Hordes until you've mustered a force you feel is sufficient to kill them.
Don't get lax in defending your border with Novgorod though. Once you've gained peace with the Lithuanians, launch a campaign against Novgorod, capturing their border cities and gaining a few more coastal cities to fund your forces. If peace with the Lithuanians cannot be attained, then it should be easy enough to hold off their meager forces. Whatever the case, I feel that cutting Novgorod down a few pegs is the right course of action. Doubtless, they've been amassing money that will turn into professional and well-trained soldiers. It's time to nip this one in the bud.
As to the subject of gunpowder, it was wise to invest in it early. I suspect this will be the leverage you have been looking for to succeed in this Northern crusade. If you are the first to field bombards and handgunners, then little can stop your forces in the field or at siege.
Well, this LP has finally gotten me to reinstall M2TW and Kingdoms, start up the Teutonic campaign, and, as Lithuania (sorry) on Hard/Hard with large armies, starting up on one of my favorite pastimes...
Alright guys, Pancake is being really kind and letting me run my own Let's Play in this Let's Play thread. I'm running a heavily modified version of M2TW, that is, stainless steel, real recruitment, byg's grim reality, lusted's campaign and battlefield AI, Y&Y's graphic overhaul and a couple other minor tweaks.
I'm about to go on vacation for a couple days but, for my Let's Play I want to give you guys in the thread a lot of say on how the campaign turns out. To that end, I'm going to throw up a list of factions and you guys vote for which one(s) you want me to play. Whatever wins, I'll go with. I'm also wondering if I should download and install the total combat mod with realistic archery and javelins mod. So, to that end, feel free to PM me on what faction I should play and if I should use that mod or not. Also, vote if you want to me play an early or late era campaign, this will determine the technology available to me. PM me because I'll be on vacation and I'll miss your vote otherwise.
And here's the faction list:
I tend to do well with armies that have at least decent ranged firepower but, I'm willing to play anything.
Spain all the way. One of the only factions to get access to both pikes and muskets in the late period. They get access to both spear and sword infantry early on, as well as heavy and light cavalry. Basically, they do everything well except horse archery.
Alright guys, Pancake is being really kind and letting me run my own Let's Play in this Let's Play thread. I'm running a heavily modified version of M2TW, that is, stainless steel, real recruitment, byg's grim reality, lusted's campaign and battlefield AI, Y&Y's graphic overhaul and a couple other minor tweaks.
I'm about to go on vacation for a couple days but, for my Let's Play I want to give you guys in the thread a lot of say on how the campaign turns out. To that end, I'm going to throw up a list of factions and you guys vote for which one(s) you want me to play. Whatever wins, I'll go with. I'm also wondering if I should download and install the total combat mod with realistic archery and javelins mod. So, to that end, feel free to PM me on what faction I should play and if I should use that mod or not. Also, vote if you want to me play an early or late era campaign, this will determine the technology available to me. PM me because I'll be on vacation and I'll miss your vote otherwise.
And here's the faction list:
I tend to do well with armies that have at least decent ranged firepower but, I'm willing to play anything.
If you consider yourself a good player, I'd suggest Knights Templar to go along with the Teutonic thing here.
It's also challenging. Templars start with 1 town, I think.
Take advantage of some of the automated features, and use spear walls to defend units that you aren't currently controlling. Large blocks of spears and pikes in the middle of your army is great defense against sneak attacks that occur when you are micromanaging your cavalry.
Seriously, fuck the plague. Fuck it. I spent all my time, managing my economy and raising taxes, securing trade rights only to have the whole goddamn lot go down the crapper when the black death shows up.
This is exactly the same sentiment many rulers of ages past have shared.
And I vote for the Kingdom of England, early era. Pancake certainly is a generous soul.
Take advantage of some of the automated features, and use spear walls to defend units that you aren't currently controlling. Large blocks of spears and pikes in the middle of your army is great defense against sneak attacks that occur when you are micromanaging your cavalry.
Speaking of this... I've been playing R:TW for a while, but I only just figured out you can control the shape of your units and which direction they face. I feel pretty stupid. Is there anything else important I've been missing out on?
Take advantage of some of the automated features, and use spear walls to defend units that you aren't currently controlling. Large blocks of spears and pikes in the middle of your army is great defense against sneak attacks that occur when you are micromanaging your cavalry.
Speaking of this... I've been playing R:TW for a while, but I only just figured out you can control the shape of your units and which direction they face. I feel pretty stupid. Is there anything else important I've been missing out on?
I completely ignored the deployment phase until recently.
I actually have no idea how the ranged units work in this game. Am I right in thinking that they fail miserably if I stack my spearmen directly in front of them while they're trying to work?
Depends which type. In R:TW, archers can fire above your units. Putting slingers in the same spot will result in either them standing doing nothing or rather excessive amounts of friendly fire.
So your question is: Does this unit arc (archers, catapults, etc) or go straight (slingers, probably ballista, maybe crossbows)
Phoenix-D on
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AxenMy avatar is Excalibur.Yes, the sword.Registered Userregular
Take advantage of some of the automated features, and use spear walls to defend units that you aren't currently controlling. Large blocks of spears and pikes in the middle of your army is great defense against sneak attacks that occur when you are micromanaging your cavalry.
Speaking of this... I've been playing R:TW for a while, but I only just figured out you can control the shape of your units and which direction they face. I feel pretty stupid. Is there anything else important I've been missing out on?
I completely ignored the deployment phase until recently.
Wow, its purely thanks to the deployment phase that I win any siege defenses. Three units of Spearmen in a horse-shoe formation around your gate can hold off damn near anything in Vanilla M2:TW.
Axen on
A Capellan's favorite sheath for any blade is your back.
I should've figured this would happen. The feedback from all you guys is nice but, none of you guys have voted for the same civilization. So, right now it's a big fat, draw between a bunch of them.
Hmmm.
Inquisitor on
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Kane Red RobeMaster of MagicArcanusRegistered Userregular
I should've figured this would happen. The feedback from all you guys is nice but, none of you guys have voted for the same civilization. So, right now it's a big fat, draw between a bunch of them.
Hmmm.
I vote for England, happy? (Although I think two people voted for Portugal).
Of the factions suggest so far, this is what we're looking at:
Portugal: Excellent light infantry and naval units, good light cavalry but lacks professional armies.
Seljuks: Outstanding mounted archers and Janissary troops but lacking in heavy armour and early period infantry.
Spain: Excellent naval units, light infantry and cavalry but lacks heavy infantry and spears in early period.
Poland: Makes use of very strong cavalry but somewhat mediocre infantry.
Knights Templar: Has a good all-round mix of units, superb heavy infantry including Templar Guards but lacks elite cavalry.
England: Boasts superb longbowmen and strong infantry but fields a poor variety of cavalry.
Ireland: Boasts superb longbowmen and strong infantry but fields a poor variety of cavalry.
Two votes for England so far. I don't see a second vote for Portugal but, perhaps I am just missing it.
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Kane Red RobeMaster of MagicArcanusRegistered Userregular
edited July 2008
I read the Poland as a second Portugal, my mistake.
I read the Poland as a second Portugal, my mistake.
It's all good, my friend. From the descriptions, knight templar sound pretty awesome. England sounds fun too, it is always appealing to rain arrow based death upon one's foes.
I vote for Spain, I've been trying to play them on Stainless Steel 6.1 on VH/VH and can't seem to get a roll on at all. I attack the Moors and Portugal fucks me up, so I start a new game and attack Portugal straight away then the Crown of Aragon steps in to attack me. There's also a surprising lack of rebel territories surrounding you so it is hard to get that buffer going.
Alright, well I am about to go to bed and then I am off for four days of vacation. I'll see who's in the lead when I get back and I'll go with them. Right now it is a three way tie between Poland, Spain and Britain. Night everyone, have a good fourth of July weekend.
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PharezonStruggle is an illusion.Victory is in the Qun.Registered Userregular
I actually have no idea how the ranged units work in this game. Am I right in thinking that they fail miserably if I stack my spearmen directly in front of them while they're trying to work?
Archers, catapults, trebuchets, and all that, will work with units in front of them. In fact, putting a spear wall in front of archers with decent range is an excellent tactic.
The bigger gunpowder siege units will also work just fine with units in front of them. Except that they'll start killing the people in front of them either from the blast or from the projectiles themselves.
Posts
They come around two sides of a hill, the larger army arriving first. They have some ballistas, I have no artillery. I send three units of mailed knights around their infantry line to deal with them. I had some success, but I left them there too long. They get tangled up in some spearmen, take some losses. Meanwhile, my infantry and longbowmen are facing down their remaining infantry and crossbows. My archers do a good job of softening them up.
The infantries clash, and mine do a good job, though outnumbered. Mine are mauled badly, but almost all the French units are run off. At some point in this my longbowmen get attacked by their General. They retreat (without routing, amazingly) all the way to BFE. All are out of the battle for a few minutes.
The garrison has arrived at this point. Low quality troops, but they outnumber me. My infantry again stands tall, and they triumph. Most of the French break, the rest retreat and mill around in confusion. My remaining longbows pepper them with arrows. Again my cavalry is on siege engine duty, this time it's catapults. They get the job done, mostly, but are caught by spearmen again. I pull them back.
At this point the total casualties must be above a thousand. Some parts of the ground are just coated in bodies. Both of our armies have no real strength left, but the battle continues. Their general wanders back in, and I send mine to fight him. Mine gets wiped out. I send my remaining spearmen, only about 40 total. They whittle him way down, but in the end they're all routed. Seconds before, somehow, he is killed. I'm now down to a unit of longbowmen, and still no one has won. I set them to fire flaming arrows at some crossbowmen, the last whole unit I can see. After a bit, they break, and I chase them from the field. Finally, the battle is done.
I haven't had this much fun playing a strategy game in years.
Funny thing is, I've done this before and wound up with a 3 star general with good attributes and a 2-silver chevron escort squad because I send a disloyal or useless general into the thick of, say, some rebellion stack, right at their general and the cav shock sometimes routes their HQ unit.
After that, I run everyone down. In my Total War empires, riot duty is high-risk; high reward as I usually give, say, a bunch of light cav to an iffy general and send him off. He succeedes, he gains stars fast and might get a real command, or gets implaed on some irate pesant's pitchfork.
Wound up with a few Hochmeisters that way....
Margaret Thatcher
Honestly, that's what I intended to begin with, with the OrdenMarschall taking over and turning the Order into something a lot more utterly bloodthirsty.
And then Siegfried took over somehow.
And I actually did send Hochmeister Gunther on a suicide mission against a whole 500 strong Lithuanian army complete with loads of infantry, light cavalry, archers, and siege weapons.
He and his bodyguard ended up slaughtering half the Lithuanian army before he died. It actually probably really helped in the early game.
It was a stick.
Don't get lax in defending your border with Novgorod though. Once you've gained peace with the Lithuanians, launch a campaign against Novgorod, capturing their border cities and gaining a few more coastal cities to fund your forces. If peace with the Lithuanians cannot be attained, then it should be easy enough to hold off their meager forces. Whatever the case, I feel that cutting Novgorod down a few pegs is the right course of action. Doubtless, they've been amassing money that will turn into professional and well-trained soldiers. It's time to nip this one in the bud.
As to the subject of gunpowder, it was wise to invest in it early. I suspect this will be the leverage you have been looking for to succeed in this Northern crusade. If you are the first to field bombards and handgunners, then little can stop your forces in the field or at siege.
This has inspired me to reinstall MII:TW myself.
PSN : Bolthorn
Pulling really satisfing victories out of my ass.
I'm about to go on vacation for a couple days but, for my Let's Play I want to give you guys in the thread a lot of say on how the campaign turns out. To that end, I'm going to throw up a list of factions and you guys vote for which one(s) you want me to play. Whatever wins, I'll go with. I'm also wondering if I should download and install the total combat mod with realistic archery and javelins mod. So, to that end, feel free to PM me on what faction I should play and if I should use that mod or not. Also, vote if you want to me play an early or late era campaign, this will determine the technology available to me. PM me because I'll be on vacation and I'll miss your vote otherwise.
And here's the faction list:
I tend to do well with armies that have at least decent ranged firepower but, I'm willing to play anything.
If you consider yourself a good player, I'd suggest Knights Templar to go along with the Teutonic thing here.
It's also challenging. Templars start with 1 town, I think.
Margaret Thatcher
This is exactly the same sentiment many rulers of ages past have shared.
And I vote for the Kingdom of England, early era. Pancake certainly is a generous soul.
Speaking of this... I've been playing R:TW for a while, but I only just figured out you can control the shape of your units and which direction they face. I feel pretty stupid. Is there anything else important I've been missing out on?
I completely ignored the deployment phase until recently.
So your question is: Does this unit arc (archers, catapults, etc) or go straight (slingers, probably ballista, maybe crossbows)
Wow, its purely thanks to the deployment phase that I win any siege defenses. Three units of Spearmen in a horse-shoe formation around your gate can hold off damn near anything in Vanilla M2:TW.
Hmmm.
I vote for England, happy? (Although I think two people voted for Portugal).
Seljuks: Outstanding mounted archers and Janissary troops but lacking in heavy armour and early period infantry.
Spain: Excellent naval units, light infantry and cavalry but lacks heavy infantry and spears in early period.
Poland: Makes use of very strong cavalry but somewhat mediocre infantry.
Knights Templar: Has a good all-round mix of units, superb heavy infantry including Templar Guards but lacks elite cavalry.
England: Boasts superb longbowmen and strong infantry but fields a poor variety of cavalry.
Ireland: Boasts superb longbowmen and strong infantry but fields a poor variety of cavalry.
Two votes for England so far. I don't see a second vote for Portugal but, perhaps I am just missing it.
It's all good, my friend. From the descriptions, knight templar sound pretty awesome. England sounds fun too, it is always appealing to rain arrow based death upon one's foes.
I'm playing England currently. I just opened up Yeoman archers, so I'm ready to really kick some ass.
It was a stick.
Archers, catapults, trebuchets, and all that, will work with units in front of them. In fact, putting a spear wall in front of archers with decent range is an excellent tactic.
The bigger gunpowder siege units will also work just fine with units in front of them. Except that they'll start killing the people in front of them either from the blast or from the projectiles themselves.
This thread can involve a duo of militant orders.