A new weapon type!

[Thraundil]

I just got an idea for a new weapon type that would make it so much easier to be a primary ranger.
Right now, I usually carry a leather armor, boots, a crossbow and a twohanded axe (and of course: bolts). But if I meet mounted opponents, I am largely ****ed unless they are few (and they rarely are). So here is the thing: Pike weapons! So my new inventory would be a crossbow, the axe, a quiver of bolts and 1 pike. Pikes should then of course be two-handed, stab-only weapon: and when standing still it is sort of couched like lances - so when a mounted opponent strikes at you, his mount will be knocked down and killed / crippled. It will help kill a few of the first charging riders - especially if your archer companions also had pikes obviously, pikes will be no good versus infantry; too easy to just knock away. That's why only ½ of the archer companions would have these

 

[tsuken]

There are already pikes, also two handed. But I agree that some special function needs to be added t them against mounted troops, because right now they're not very good and do low damage. The opponents speed should be calculated against them, the more speed the more damage.

 

[zaleukos]

Isnt the relative speed already included in damage calculations?

Maybe it should be possible to put the rear end of your pike into the ground for support by holding down the attack button for a couch-like devastating effect. That could balance the pike well if done properly

 

[Skelly]

Only if the AI was tweeked to keep my knights from wiping themselves out...

It would fit in with the better command and control of troops in general - You would have to have your non-mounted troops to attack a bunch of pike holders, while your mounted troops stay the heck away (or flank, maybe a "couched" pike would be fairly slow to turn and reset - just to give the horses a chance)...

Of course this could make the dreaded black knights worthless against some pikemen unless they would dismount...

 

[Lamaros]

Err. You can beat up cavalry with a two handed sword; thrust stabbity... a polearm just owns them blindfold.

The problem (stated elsewhere, search helps) is that there aren't any units that use polearms... and the AI would need to be a touch better to use them properly.

 

[Skeletor9000]

The AI is really what's at issue here. I agree that the polearm should be able to be set, and that it should be very slow-turning and worthless against non-mounted units. But unless the AI knows not to go charging against those units, I can forsee whole formations of knights throwing themselves against a lone pikeman. If there were some way to tag opponents as preferable that would be great. Then the AI knights would know to avoid pike users. Similarly, archers would know to prefer to shoot non-shielded opponents first. Also, I wonder if there's anyhing in the AI that lets it shoot specifically to kill horses instead of only shooting at the riders. Personally, I use all my arrows to kill horses, and then just ride down the unmounted riders with a lance.