How are you playing your game?

[PTcruiser95]

I was just curious how other people like to play. I normally have a very set path, but I am sort of branching out this playthrough. I am playing a female, which I never have before, and I think it makes things much more interesting. I am playing completely solo, so no companions or army unless I recruit a few to clear out a bandit lair. Mainly I am just heading around the world winning tournaments, breaking people out of prison, and doing the occasional quest. I take on small bandit parties if I think I can beat them and sell their loot. It is really fun and laid back - I don't have any troops or any faction things to worry about. My only problem is that I accidentally ticked of the Rhodoks. I only have a -5 Relationship with them, but they attack me on sight. Any tips for getting them to not hate my guts?

As for weapons, I have a Nomad bow and barbed arrows in my first two slots. In my third I keep either a falcion (which is actually freaking deadly if you don't mind the short reach) or a heavy 2h sabre for prison breaks and enemy cavalry. I keep a Nordic shield in the last slot for if I am under archer fire.

Last, but certainly not least, I have a horse, which is probably the most epic horse ever seen in Calradia. I named him Barnabus. I mainly fight on foot, but when I am outnumbered, I snipe with my bow from the back of the horse. All in all, it has so far been a really fun time, except for the time I accidentally pissed off Jarl Rayeck and he attacked me with his entire army of 52. That did not go well, and he now hates me worse than pretty much anything thing else in Calradia.

So what is your style right now?

 

[annallia]

If you don't mind a short reach find yourself a heavy military hammer... thing is downright evil and great for prisoners also a dagger + shield combo isn't as bad as it sounds.

That said my current game I am playing a bandit. I hold no allegiance, all my troops are rescued bandits, I hold no fiefs (yet) I do nothing but raid villages and on occasion sack cities/castles to either get more bandit troops (if they have more imprisoned than I expect to lose) or just for the purpose of robbing them blind.

As to your Rhodok problem if you can get some cash together try talking to one of the lords and telling him you want peace. He will offer to smooth things out for you with the other lords for a price.

 

[Exequiae]

I'm being a total evil punk at the moment.

I started off as a female steppe nomad who rocked up somehow in the Kingdom of Nords.  Female characters are a lot more fun, I think.  I travelled the world, looted from a few Sea Raiders, made a few thousand off tournaments, and generally made a nuisance of myself.  Due to me being a weird person, I only recruited Nords and Vaegirs.  Nords I recruited for the Huscarls and epic Viking-ness and Vaegirs because I needed cavalry and their look fits in with my army.  I had a bit of a Rus army going on.

Then I hired myself out to the Kingdom of Nords because it looked like they were rather powerful - they had just taken 2 Swadian cities and a few castles from the Vaegirs and Rhodoks.  At this time I had about 20 Nord infantry and 5 Vaegir cavalry and had about 1000 denars.  I fought a bit, chased some bandits, helped with the takeover of a few castles, witnessed the Nords sign peace treaties with the Vaegirs, Rhodoks and Swadians, get embroiled in a stupid war with the Khergits and improve my relations with the lords.  Eventually I became a Jarl of the Nords.

Then I left the Nords, because I was bored.  By now I had about 75 warriors, about 30 Huscarls, 20 Nord Veteran Archers, 15 Vaegir Knights and 10 Sword Sisters (who were my personal Amazonian bodyguard).  I also had 30,000 denars, which I never reached before.  After this the Vaegirs needed some mercenaries, so I joined them.  Then they declared war against the Nords, then I got screwed over because my nice industries were in the five Nord towns.  So now I'm running out of money.  So yeah.

 

[malacka07]

I only have a -5 Relationship with them, but they attack me on sight. Any tips for getting them to not hate my guts?

Try to help rhodok villagers against banidts or so

 

[Falcon Critical]

I started an equal opportunity army and recruited every troop I rescued. My party list is pretty long since there aren't more than a few of any units. I hired myself out to nations as a mercenary, then never initiated combat. If a lord attacked me I would fight them, I would join in and assist lords in whichever nation I was fighting for if I could tip the scales in their favour. I always let lords go if I captured them. Through this gameplay I now had about 15 lords with 30 or higher relation, across all nations.

I figured it was time to set out on my own, and I had enough soldiers and mercenaries with me to take a city.  I took the Tulga and declared it a free city. There are many who dislike my one city nation, but they break upon Tulga's walls like sea against a rocky shore. I must admit it is intimidating when the Nords declare war and march across the map with 1200 troops to try and squash me, but my defenses always hold. Tulga is forever more a free and independent city.

 

[Lord Silvabane]

I have a legion of Rhodoks and we just roam the map pillaging villages and destroying armies. Very profitable.

 

[Argeus the Paladin]

I impose very strict restrictions upon myself, as I have mentioned:

- Number of knights < 10% of total army size, and only when sworn vassalage to one realm. Rescued troops don't count.
- Never loot villages, steal cattle, take lords prisoners or otherwise commit "dishonorable" deeds.
- Always fight for Swadia. Never recruit any troops but Swadian and mercenaries. Go out of my way to punish Swadian defectors.
- Death to Nords, Khergits and Rhodoks, peace to everyone else. 

Weapon-wise, I utilize every single cheap trick available in the book. Which means a separate weapon loadout in every case and to level to the maximum proficiency possible in all weapons.

 

[PTcruiser95]

I started an equal opportunity army and recruited every troop I rescued. My party list is pretty long since there aren't more than a few of any units. I hired myself out to nations as a mercenary, then never initiated combat. If a lord attacked me I would fight them, I would join in and assist lords in whichever nation I was fighting for if I could tip the scales in their favour. I always let lords go if I captured them. Through this gameplay I now had about 15 lords with 30 or higher relation, across all nations.

I figured it was time to set out on my own, and I had enough soldiers and mercenaries with me to take a city.  I took the Tulga and declared it a free city. There are many who dislike my one city nation, but they break upon Tulga's walls like sea against a rocky shore. I must admit it is intimidating when the Nords declare war and march across the map with 1200 troops to try and squash me, but my defenses always hold. Tulga is forever more a free and independent city.

That sounds like fun. I am just leveling up, and gaining money and renown, but this time I'm not grinding Sea Raiders to to it. At some point, I will amass an army and take a city, something like you are talking about. I also find it interesting to see how the wars play out without me in them. Other than rescuing prisoners, I am just watching to see who comes out on top. Swadia is constantly at war, as usual. They lost Praven to the Nords, and good old Harlous (sp?) the Fat got captured. I was all psyched to go rescue him and get massive points with Swadia, but alas, they made peace almost instantly. I guess it was a bit demoralizing for Swadia to have their king captured. I can see them now: "We will let you keep Praven! Just give us our partying king back! *sob* He gave the most wonderful feasts...."

 

[Artruis]

Used to be a Rhodock, but now I've declared myself as king... build my kingdom in the center of the land purposely... I keep balance between all the factions, no one is over powered or too weak.

 

[Ivan Khan]

I only have a -5 Relationship with them, but they attack me on sight. Any tips for getting them to not hate my guts?

Find one in a castle or town and ask for peace, should cost less than 1000 to get it.


As for me, I like playing horse archer -- tried other things but nothing satisfies me as much as dropping some bad guy at a gallop from distance. Warbow and large bag of Kerghit Arrows is my bow choice. For my other slots I am in love with the Balanced Elite Scimitar, but for shield I just don't know what I like best. Anybody got some good advise on shields I would love it.

As for companions I try and keep all of them. Normally 1-2 get pissed off and bolt, but next time I see them they come back. My favorite is Fireties (sp) as he has never even thought of leaving me, worst is Katrina and Marinad (sp) as they have never stuck around enough to gain enough levels to be useful yet.

My army is all cavalry, and now elite unless I am training up new men. I like Slaver Cheifs best, no problem with moral and they are deadly against armoured bad guys. Close behind them are the Mamlikes and Swad Knights which are both just assume. I keep a few Vet Horse Archers around in case I need some missile troops, and Lancers are solid and quick to train if needed.

I always start out at Tulga as the steppe bandit lair is the easiest to take and once you get strong enough you can easily get horses off them. once you got everyone mounted you go attack the sea raiders and get armour. I make all of my companions horse archers as I have found they gain levels fast if they are HAs with armoured horses and high level armour.

I am playing as a Rhodickian (sp) mainly as they had the biggest family to marry into. I wanted to rebel awhile ago, but everytime I ask for a castle I get it. I am just going to keep asking for everything, will be interesting as I will take over half the nation with me now based on the towns and castles I hold.

Oh, I use the Diplomacy mod, which makes things a little more fun -- and t works with.152 so far (knock on wood).

 

[DogSoldieR]

My only problem is that I accidentally ticked of the Rhodoks. I only have a -5 Relationship with them, but they attack me on sight. Any tips for getting them to not hate my guts?

How did you do that that???

I impose very strict restrictions upon myself, as I have mentioned:

- Number of knights < 10% of total army size, and only when sworn vassalage to one realm. Rescued troops don't count.
- Never loot villages, steal cattle, take lords prisoners or otherwise commit "dishonorable" deeds.
- Always fight for Swadia. Never recruit any troops but Swadian and mercenaries. Go out of my way to punish Swadian defectors.
- Death to Nords, Khergits and Rhodoks, peace to everyone else. 

Weapon-wise, I utilize every single cheap trick available in the book. Which means a separate weapon loadout in every case and to level to the maximum proficiency possible in all weapons.

What an upstanding, martial lord Argeus is. Join my rebellion Argeus? hehe

 

[taz447]

Vaegir lord, get all the lords to love me, go against them, start war vs them, beat them while recruiting as many lords as possible, recruit those who don't join me after i pitch em in meh dungeon, become new vaegirs, leave the king to rot in my prison 

as for my char ima horse archer and i alternate between bow and polearm 

 

[Staremperor]

I play as roaming Tartar with his all cavalry party peddling goods around Calradia, winning tournaments and establishing workshops for bad ass money (I never go under 30K while equipping myself and all six my companions with the top notch equipment). I also once get involved in a war as mercenary, but I mostly bash up bandits for fights. As for deserters... they are as free as I am so I really should support them with my fortune - run into deserters every time I find them and give them all the money they want.

As for character I'm cavalry archer / lancer (but with long awlpike ) and so as my companions

For the future, I'm gonna declare new khagnate (Tartar, remember?) on Sassanid lands.

 

[winrehs007]

How am I playing my game? I am now playing a game called "Waiting" and "Be Patient".

 

[BDK]

Just trying to win now that the 1-man army bug is finally fixed. So destroying every single faction who dares declare war on me.

 

[PTcruiser95]

My only problem is that I accidentally ticked of the Rhodoks. I only have a -5 Relationship with them, but they attack me on sight. Any tips for getting them to not hate my guts?

How did you do that that???

I impose very strict restrictions upon myself, as I have mentioned:

- Number of knights < 10% of total army size, and only when sworn vassalage to one realm. Rescued troops don't count.
- Never loot villages, steal cattle, take lords prisoners or otherwise commit "dishonorable" deeds.
- Always fight for Swadia. Never recruit any troops but Swadian and mercenaries. Go out of my way to punish Swadian defectors.
- Death to Nords, Khergits and Rhodoks, peace to everyone else. 

Weapon-wise, I utilize every single cheap trick available in the book. Which means a separate weapon loadout in every case and to level to the maximum proficiency possible in all weapons.

What an upstanding, martial lord Argeus is. Join my rebellion Argeus? hehe

Well, I took a "We want to tick off this faction so we can go to war with them quest" from a Kherghit dude. I knew I would take a relationship hit, but I figured I could easily get them back on my side, and I wanted the Kherghits at war. I did not realize that they would attack me on sight with a -5 "suspicious" relationship. Anyway, I will try bribing them in their castle and see what happens. It makes the prison breaks annoying when you can't just waltz into town, take out the jailer and a few guards, and then visit a tavern after. I can take out the jailer in two hits with my heavy 2h sabre - I can't do crap with the pilgrim's staff and throwing knives. I actually had one epic battle with a Rhodock lord - he had about twenty men with him, vs. just me. I took out eleven of his guys, but in the end he overwhelmed me. I made the crossbows waste their arrows, and then sniped everyone without a shield. Unfortunately, the people with those huge Rhodock shields were too much for me....

 

[SkyChef]

I've played different styles in different games but always aim to recruit the most lords and keep them loyal.

This current game, I'm playing as a female character, Razia Sultana (a real character in Asia history). Her army consists of mercenary cavalries, slave chiefs, sword sisters and all companions. I already have 70 lords recruited this time and 2 factions left (Vaegirs 5 towns plus 9 castles and Khegits 6 towns plus 11 castles, lords combined left around 40). I probably would end the game with at least 90 lords under command this time, considered I have not promote any companion to lords yet.

Next game I probably will play Razia Sultana again with her army consisted of all female warriors (sword sisters and female companions) and made all the stupid lords drooling with sexy women and deadly weapons. I can't revenge for her in real life but I can pay tribute for her in my game. It will be a very long game because woman peasant number is very low compared to others so I have to go around the country to look for woman to rescue. The only stupid part of this game is if she doesn't have a husband, she can't hold a feast.

 

[Falcon Critical]

Next game I probably will play Razia Sultana again with her army consisted of all female warriors (sword sisters and female companions) and made all the stupid lords drooling with sexy woman and deadly weapons. I can't revenge for her in real life but I can pay tribute for her in my game. It will be a very long game because woman peasant number is very low compared to others so I have to go around the country to look for woman to rescue. The only stupid part of this game is if she doesn't have a husband she can't hold a feast.

Don't underestimate Camp Defenders. They're one tier under Sword Sisters, most have crossbows and they cost virtually nothing. They're surprisingly accurate and since they got chain armor a few patches back are a bit more survivable. It would also allow you to have more than one troop type in your army. Those that don't have crossbows tend to have shields, and stand in the archer line defending.  It's really a shame that you can't choose which of the Camp Defenders to promote to Sword Sisters.

 

[Mods]

But they don't have helmets, which is very vulnerable in siege defense
And isn't the weapons and armor a particular soldier has randomly chosen before a battle?

 

[killer-blead]

In my current game I play as a trainer. I train myself with tournaments, fight pits, traininggrounds and bandit parties until my weapon prof is really high. Then I recruit some companions and train them into strong trainers who can each hold their own in a 1 vs 4 (at least).

I take on quests from lords with my companions, I always go for the "train troops" quest. To bad you can't give lords troops or else I would have joined a faction as their personal trainer and make them strong.