Have some questions about this mod,

[Titan357]

Hi all,

I was looking around and trying to find a mod to play later, I still have yet to get my boxed copy but I might have it tomorrow, anyway I am drawn to this mod more than the other's but I still have some questions about it before I make a final pick, as I like to have everything ready to go before hand.

First, is there any sort of kingdom owership I can take part in? such as your own faction and castle/towns? Kinda like Lords and Relms?

Next, the biggest factor in looking here insted of at other mods, the bandits and looters and other small units are too powerfull, I have read alot about how bandits are wearing mail/plate and become really hard, then the super units like Dark knights and such, are there any changes like this here? I really don't like that sort of thing, as trained armys should have no problem with bandits and royal and normal standing armys should be the biggest chllange here.

How are bows/crossbows handled? I don't think that bows should be able to hurt some one wearing plate, but really hurt those in lighter armor, but cross bows should be a big threat to armored knights, the vinalla settings where pretty good, but could use improving.

Does this increse the battle size? or will i have to do that my self?

Will I, as a commander/knight of my forces still be able to be effective as I was? as I was able to take several others out with my lance and could take 2-3 on foot at one time.

I think thats about it, I didn't see any plae that answered my question though, so I thought I would ask here.

Thanks.

 

[hotcobbler]

Ok, let me just say I've played several other mods, including lords & realms, and while they all have their merits I think this one has the most replayability value. It has many abilities and unique weapons and armor that other mods don't incorporate, as well as making the player choose between many different play styles.

Yes, you can start your own kingdom, I think it uses the same script as L&R. However, it will be harder than in L&R, so be prepared for a challenge physically and monetarily.

As far as bandits go, I think your ideas of them are historically unfounded. During the middle ages brigands, escorcheurs, and mercenaries were prevalent, usually men who fought in wars but were unneeded at the time. As a result, they would have, generally, been very well equipped and trained. They relied on each other and this brought their unit great strength in battle. I think modern views of these men is highly underrated. They would often take over local castles, killing the lords who owned the land legally and imposing a tax (called a patis in French) on the surrounding lands. With that said, there are petty bandits and drunken fishermen in EGIII, but there are also strong parties of migrating bear clans, forest bandits and deserters that give a variety to what you kill and are killed by

Also, about bows. They were, in the hands of a skilled user, much more effective against any foe than a crossbow, mainly because of their greater rate of fire. It is a common misconception that a longbow could not pierce plate armor. Surely it was harder to do, but at 150 yards they have been demonstrated doing so. 250 yards was the max range of most longbows. So for most of their range they could indeed pierce armor. I haven't tested bows yet, but I think their damage and ability is well handled in this mod. I've been killed by them in full plate but only after taking a lot of damage.

I am able to take out 20-40 full armored Swadians in large battles, but I use a heavily armored barbarian with throwing axes, javelins, and a two handed pole hammer. The blunt damage is not absorbed as well by the plate the Swadians tend to wear, and it makes them vulnerable to it. I like the way that damage types are handled in this mod, and I think you'll find a lot of depth in it.

Hope that answers your questions

 

[kaeldragor]

This isn't in answer to anything specific, just something to bear in mind.  This mod is harder than a lot of others.  Tactics and battle strategy (along with knowing what parties to avoid and which battles to retreat from) are important.

That being said, the special abilities in battle can make up for this, creating a unique battle experience.  There aren't a lot of really easy looter-type parties, but your character starts out with increased stats and equipment to compensate.  If you were skilled before, it should be too hard to adjust, but be cautious when you first engage an enemy you've never faced.  Do not assume that you and 20 mercenaries can take 7 fallen.  There are consequences for being defeated (something that is missing from other mods.)


As for your specific questions, I honestly don't remember about kingdom management, someone else will have to field that one.

As noted, not a lot of "easy pickings" to start with, but you have many advantages to begin with.  Tougher character, good equipment, a few hirelings, and a ton of special features/abilities in battle (healing, warcries, calling extra horses if you lose yours, etc.)

Bows generally do cutting damage to increase the complexity of which weapons affect which armors, but since the game cannot differentiate between leather and plate other than by pure armor number, that's about the best it can do.

No automatic battle size increase - totally in your control.

I would be cautious fighting alone.  I prefer to stay back, or harass from the edges, then charge in to help healing or with warcries when I feel it is safe/needed.  You're tough, but so are some of the enemy and melee combat has an adrenaline pumping frenzy to it in this mod.

Hope that helps.

Edit: hotcobbler beat me to it, but we have similar opinions on many things.  I'm likely not as skilled in direct combat as he is based on his not having problems with 20+ swadians, but I tend to use a horse archer anyway, haven't played the barbarian much.

 

[Titan357]

Ok, let me just say I've played several other mods, including lords & realms, and while they all have their merits I think this one has the most replayability value. It has many abilities and unique weapons and armor that other mods don't incorporate, as well as making the player choose between many different play styles.

Yes, you can start your own kingdom, I think it uses the same script as L&R. However, it will be harder than in L&R, so be prepared for a challenge physically and monetarily.

As far as bandits go, I think your ideas of them are historically unfounded. During the middle ages brigands, escorcheurs, and mercenaries were prevalent, usually men who fought in wars but were unneeded at the time. As a result, they would have, generally, been very well equipped and trained. They relied on each other and this brought their unit great strength in battle. I think modern views of these men is highly underrated. They would often take over local castles, killing the lords who owned the land legally and imposing a tax (called a patis in French) on the surrounding lands. With that said, there are petty bandits and drunken fishermen in EGIII, but there are also strong parties of migrating bear clans, forest bandits and deserters that give a variety to what you kill and are killed by

Also, about bows. They were, in the hands of a skilled user, much more effective against any foe than a crossbow, mainly because of their greater rate of fire. It is a common misconception that a longbow could not pierce plate armor. Surely it was harder to do, but at 150 yards they have been demonstrated doing so. 250 yards was the max range of most longbows. So for most of their range they could indeed pierce armor. I haven't tested bows yet, but I think their damage and ability is well handled in this mod. I've been killed by them in full plate but only after taking a lot of damage.

I am able to take out 20-40 full armored Swadians in large battles, but I use a heavily armored barbarian with throwing axes, javelins, and a two handed pole hammer. The blunt damage is not absorbed as well by the plate the Swadians tend to wear, and it makes them vulnerable to it. I like the way that damage types are handled in this mod, and I think you'll find a lot of depth in it.

Hope that answers your questions

Well I was meaning by the bandits the sort of folk who turned to crime if there was no other way or the ones who got forced into it, I only ment that there should be a weaker version of them like I was thinking of, but those mercs and trianed units/people would have different gear that is better, but I don't lable then as your normal bandit, I think of them more along the lines of mercs that are just out for the money, but don't follow any certen lord/king.


I have a long bow my self, that I shot the other day, I was only meaning that a normal pesant with a bow should not be able to take out a person wearing plate with out much effort, but a trained archer ( and I am far from that my self ) can really do some damage, I just have always felt that a cross bow is on avrage gonna hit more and pack more punch at close range, as well as its simple to use.
Not to argue, I just kinda picture how I wanted the game to be, not how it is really in history.

But its nice to see that the PC can still have a large impact, I was wanting to go more with the old knight but use pole arms, but his pole arm skill is low to start.

 

[hotcobbler]

The barbarian is great for taking on the Swadians with a big polehammer and some plate armor on his back. They usually use cutting weapons so you get a leg up on them there, and since you do blunt damage their armor isn't as big a factor.

 

[Jemzz]

As a answer to your first one, Yes, yes and yes. You can start your own kingdom if you wish or you can join up with a faction and start out with a village like i tend to do and be rewarded villages and castles ((even towns)) if you are well liked and served long enough.

Second, I have no real experience attacking the random partys around the map i preferred to stay to faction vs faction battles but I do engage a bear tribe here and there particularly if they are in my area. But if your looking for easy to train off of like looters and such my best bet is forest bandits and Drunk fisherman they are rather weak and come in low numbers but are like cockroachs...everywhere.

As for your third question, a bow in my hands is better then a crossbow because I have no real feel for them in battle. But I favor the bow for its fire rate and not its stopping power, I would rather put 5 arrows down range then 1 bolt but thats just me. Also please take note that a Longbow has much more stopping power then a short bow, so its not unheard of to see a fully armored knight brought down by arrow fire.

fourth, what ever your present is but you may get some lag in the start of battles ((atleast for me)) when the rest of your unit spawn.

fifth, Depends on your playing style but yes you should be able to. I myself am a arrow shooting whirlwind of death on the battle field i have been known to take out around 60 or 70 enemys before forming up a shield wall for protection.

Hope this helped

 

[macethump]

Just to represent the crossbow camp, I favor a slower-loading and less skill-consuming but powerful weapon.  There is more choice here in crossbow types and bolts, meaning more tradeoffs and planning are needed.  I can use those skillpoints dumped into power draw and horse archery for other things.  Since I only use the crossbow for sieges, no big loss on the battlefield.