Hesitant Troops

Hey everyone,

I just want to start by saying that this looks like a great mod. Tons of work put in, great models, large map. I've only just started, so I'm sure there's a lot more to explore. I did have a question.

This may be because they're scripted as "ranged" troops, but when I started, I noticed a "hesitance" in my troops, and that of my enemies. What I mean by that is, instead of charging full on (even when I ordered it), my troops would seem to charge 1 at a time, with the rest holding back about 20 feet away from the enemy and looking rather skittish. Since I can't tell what's what because of the odd troop names, would it be fair to assume this is an issue with how they're scripted as 'ranged' troops? My guess is, if I tell them to "hold their fire" and charge, it will eliminate this problem. If not, could it be some issue with the AI scripting? For clarification, I was playing as the... well frankly, I'm not 100% sure I think it was Beornice?

Thanks,
-DrZaius

Nearly all troops have two or three javelins. In the Dark Ages, ranged weapons (including javelins, throwing axes etc.) were very powerful and even one good throw could destroy a shield, or make it not usable. The same thing is in mod, but if you don't like it you can easily eliminate this problem. Simply form the line (there is special formation) and order them charge. The soldiers should throw their javelins, but they won't flee from the formation.

Oh, and here is the troop tree generated in Troop Tree generator. For some reason, it doesn't compile all troops...

Mounted troops are red, ranged troops green and horse archers blue.

But it's still a strange behaviour. Is it part of the formation or morale script?
It can lead to strange battles where only a few of your men attack and get killed,
just as the enemy will advance slowly and suffer great losses instead of charging straight on as a group.

Adorno said:

But it's still a strange behaviour. Is it part of the formation or morale script?
It can lead to strange battles where only a few of your men attack and get killed,
just as the enemy will advance slowly and suffer great losses instead of charging straight on as a group.

Click to expand...

I do think it's because they are 'archers', and native has archers avoid melee if possible. I will test to see if having them 'hold fire' and 'charge' will eliminate their hesitance.

-DrZaius

If you're playing as Beornice, tell them to hold fire and form line - they'll form up in a lovely shield wall. Then if you charge they actually do it in a very coordinated way with their shields raised, even better than native M&B.

My standard Beornican tactic if facing cavalry armies is to dismount, hold fire, and hold position. Then slaughter the cavalry as they charge. When the enemey infantry is close, fire at will and bombard them with javelins at close range, before charging if their morale breaks, or holding and fighting if not.

DrZaius said:

Adorno said:

But it's still a strange behaviour. Is it part of the formation or morale script?
It can lead to strange battles where only a few of your men attack and get killed,
just as the enemy will advance slowly and suffer great losses instead of charging straight on as a group.

Click to expand...

I do think it's because they are 'archers', and native has archers avoid melee if possible. I will test to see if having them 'hold fire' and 'charge' will eliminate their hesitance.

-DrZaius

Click to expand...

From my experience with native Nord troops it does. They will not charge in until throwing ammo is expended or you tell them to hold fire. The problem is that any troop with "guarantee ranged" is defined as archer. In native, only some of the nords had throwing axes/javelin and so were considered "infantry". You could get those guys to charge and leave the real archers behind to shoot "fire at will".