Disclaimer
I know the idea of custom troops have already been previously suggested many times, but I cannot find posts that actually comes with how to implement the idea on the forums. And I know there are probably mods that does this but I have not looked at any mods as I have not used them in my 600hrs+ (sad I know) of playing and do not intend to right now as I know they break with every update and mainly because I would like this system and other good ideas to be implemented into the main game and not have to rely on modding.
This is just my personal idea. It will probably sound stupid for a lot of people or others would already have this idea so I’m sorry in advance if you do not like it or these ideas are already somewhere else. Also, I’m not techy, I do not know how to use photoshop and therefore most of the photos used to show my idea will be done (poorly) in Paint.
If people enjoy this idea, we could use this system and brainstorm more things into it so it fits making a kingdom custom troop tree style of play.
Amount of points/numbers given in the idea is purely for example. Taleworlds can adjust the amount of point cost/points given for use as they see fit.
Basic Details
Idea of this is mainly for a Mercenary play-through. The reason is, in my 600hrs I have never played as a mercenary for more time than until I reached Clan Tier 3. To me, there was no purpose or excitement that could compare to owning a settlement. This custom troop idea would make it so playing as a mercenary is different compared to vassalage, and more rewarding as you are designing your own soldiers giving the game more variety and battle-playstyle. Like I said, it’s mainly for a mercenary play-through but I don’t see why some aspect of this idea can’t go into making a custom kingdom troop tree.
- Custom troop tree system only available for use when player is not a vassal in a kingdom
- Must be clan tier 2 or above to create
- Managed in the Clan tab
- Only 1 troop tree with 3 tier of troops (T2, T3, T4). To match the AI style of mercenary/minor faction and to prevent whole parties from becoming custom troops. 1 troop tree will give you one type of troop (infantry, archers, etc) and will force players to recruit normal troops to fill the niches of their party.
Example, party of custom archers troops will need to recruit normal infantry to protect them in battles
- Custom troops system will be disabled and customised units will not be able to be created if the player stops becoming a mercenary and opts for vassalage/his own kingdom/claiming a settlement. However, existing custom troops will remain for the purpose of those who were donated for garrison defence. (Like I said, my idea currently is purely for mercenary play-through, although it can be implemented into a kingdom custom troop tree for when the player captures a settlement)
Item System
Items available for troop use will be based on weapon/armor tier, troop tier and perks. There should be 2 outloads for each troop for visual variety like there currently is in the game.
- T2 troops can only use weapon/armor that are tier 4 or below
- T3 troops can only use weapon/armor that are tier 5 or below
- T4 troops can only use weapon/armor that are tier 6 or below
Items tier which are higher than the troop tier's usage cannot be seen in the equipment/troop building screen.
Items are selected based on a points system. Different items have a different amount of point cost based on how good the item is. The player must choose what items he wants his troops to carry and spend his available points on them and therefore cannot make his troops have the best item for every item slot. Different tier troop would have a different amount of points available for use.
- T2 troop has 100points to use for items
- T3 troop has 150points to use for items
- T4 troop has 200points to use for items
Type of troop can be selected before making custom troop (Infantry, Archer, Cavalry, Cavalry Archer)
- This is just so the game would know which formation to put those troops in
- All items will be made available for use regardless of troop type. However, only cavalry troops will have access to horses. Infantry can still use a bow, Ranged are not limited to only ranged weapons, etc, but obviously the Points System will prevent the player from giving his infantry the best ranged bow on top of the best melee weapon.
- Cavalry type troops will be given extra separate points for the sole purpose of selecting their horse and horse’s armor. Separate points to prevent the extra points being used on basic items (Selecting cavalry type troop but making them purely infantry by using extra points giving for better armor/weapons and using non on horse/horse armor. Cavalry Bonus points for use will also increase based on troop tier)
- Only T4 cavalry troops will have the option of warhorses
Images below shows my concept of the ‘Item System’. Please keep in mind that the value of items are made up for this purpose, only a few items are present to make it easier for me to make and that some items are of higher tier and would normally not show up if lower tier troops are being designed (eg: Executions Axe, Half Scale Barding, etc).
Unfortunately,
images provided does not show in the order I intended and might cause some confusion.
Skill Points
Similar to the item points system, troop’s skill points will also be able to customised. Troop’s skill points will be based on their tier. With every tier having a baseline in every skill regardless of whether it is useful to the player’s design troop. (This is to help them out in arena events)
Baseline:
- T2 troops have a baseline of 20points in every skill
- T3 troops will have a baseline of 30points
- T4 troops will have a baseline of 40points
Skill points:
- T2 troops will be given 100points
- T3 troops will be given 150points
- T4 troops will be given 200points
Players can then allocate points in the relevant skill of the troop in their mind.
Example: So if I wish to make a T2 two-handed warrior who can use a bow.
Unfortunately,
images provided does not show in the order I intended and might cause some confusion.
Recruitment/Upgrade
- Customised troops cannot be recruited from villages/towns but the T2 troop will be upgradeable from all peasants (Empire/Sturgian/Aseria/etc).
- Custom troops recruits should cost slightly more gold to upgrade to from peasants as peasants should require more training. (I did not opt for more experience requirement as peasants die much easier in battles and having a higher experience requirement would be difficult)
- Cavalry troops will of course require horses and warhorses (if the player’s T4 cavalry troops require warhorses) but would not need the specific type of horse for upgrade similar to the current system. For example, Khuzait Heavy Lancers uses Steppe Warhorse but do not require that specific warhorse to be upgraded from Khuzait Lancers.
Perks
Certain perks will give the player additional advantages when creating their custom troop line to make their time leveling that perk worthwhile.
Most perks revolving around this system would likely go into the Leadership, Roguery, Trade.
Here are some I have thought of:
Leadership:
- Customised troop’s skill point system is given 20 extra skill points for use
- Lowers the upkeep of customised troops by 20%
- Custom troops can now use 1tier higher item. Example: T2 troop previously can only use tier 4 items or below, now they can use tier 5
Roguery:
- Can force villages to give you peasants
- Looters can now be upgraded into custom recruits (T2)
- You can pay bandits for their prisoners (for the purpose of obtaining peasants easier, but this can work for other prisoners they have also)
- Ransom brokers now sell prisoners (Similar idea to the above, but this would also be a neat system for those who don’t like grinding for troops after a bad battle. Ransom brokers sell up to 5 prisoners every week and the type of troop available is completely random.)
Trade:
- Customised troop’s item system is given 10 extra points for use (due to less cost of buying items for your men from the market)
- Item value for customised troop decrease by 1 point
End
Thanks for taking time to read through it. I hope people enjoyed the idea and please feel free to share any ideas you might have.