I cannot for the life of me figure out how to survive

[Duze]

I have played well over 100 hours of Warband and a few other mods. I would in no way categorize myself as a complete noob, but I cannot survive the early game of this mod! I have no idea how you do it. Either i run around with no one in my group and hopefully I can outrun most of the enemies, but 40 of those Dena dudes still kill me because of sheer numbers. If I run around with a small army, I get to watch in horror as the 40 Dena dudes take two casualties while brutally murdering everything I have. I tried hiring high level mercs, but they die as well, or they just run away because it is seemingly impossible to maintain a high enough morale for them to honor their contract:S

I must admit, I am at a loss, I spent four hours yesterday running iron traderuns enough to afford horses for my two companions. I think I spent half of that captured:/

What do?

 

[Cozur]

Spend the first few hours slaying Theows and Bagauda to get your level up. Avoid Dena pirates and Franks at all costs. Run missions from lords and guildmasters. Gets easier from there. Don't bother buying horses, they're horrible in melee. Get a two-hand axe.

 

[Gasket]

Don't begin to hire troops for a good while. I begin by participating in all the tournaments I can find, checking mead halls for useful companions along the way. After I've got a good lump sum I get some good personal gear and some for my companions. I then proceed to go all out merchant (twenty low level troops will keep bandits away usually) until I can purchase at least three winerys. By then you've got a decent character, some useful companions and enough money to support a notable force. I usually then raid the Welsh factions, preying upon the smaller parties and bandits before joining a faction.

Just don't go straight for recruitment, go at it in stages.

Also as has been mentioned avoid horses for they are pretty useless in this mod and a two-handed axe is a necessity in most cases.

 

[Uhtred Ragnarson]

I think the early game is best spent in Ireland or Northern/Eastern Britain (less high level bandits).

 

[Dalkar]

Put Prisoner Management up, go and bag some recruits and companions and level them up a bit. Then beat up bandits and sell them to ransom brokers. Best done in Ireland because of the Scoti Raiders; They're a few hundred a pop I think.

 

[Broken]

When you do start building your army focus all on building a good strong infantry force. All of these outdoor battle scenarios usually features a hill of some kind, be it large or small.  Find this hill and occupy it before the enemy!  There is usually tree on these little hills... Tree of Death man... Keep all your guys together by making use of formations like shieldwall and the... I think its called warcry... The "U" key,as to keep their health up.  You can build up some cavalry later to help track down the runners if you like, but its really all about infantry and infantry tactics so let those who flee, flee.  I was a little thrown off by this mod at first due to the high mortality, but trust me Brytenwalda is worth every drop of blood spilled.

 

[Duze]

Thank you! Ireland is a much easier place to start, and although not as profittable, yet, I can just kite the scotis if they become too much trouble. The Dena ones have gotten a very special place in my heart though, and I will enjoy crushing them when the time comes

 

[Uhtred Ragnarson]

Thank you! Ireland is a much easier place to start, and although not as profittable, yet, I can just kite the scotis if they become too much trouble. The Dena ones have gotten a very special place in my heart though, and I will enjoy crushing them when the time comes

hahaha I hear you. When you own half of Britain, it truly is magnificent to absolutely slaughter the Denas with hundreds of hearthtroops.

 

[shikaka]

Don't begin to hire troops for a good while. I begin by participating in all the tournaments I can find, checking mead halls for useful companions along the way. After I've got a good lump sum I get some good personal gear and some for my companions. I then proceed to go all out merchant (twenty low level troops will keep bandits away usually) until I can purchase at least three winerys. By then you've got a decent character, some useful companions and enough money to support a notable force. I usually then raid the Welsh factions, preying upon the smaller parties and bandits before joining a faction.

Just don't go straight for recruitment, go at it in stages.

Also as has been mentioned avoid horses for they are pretty useless in this mod and a two-handed axe is a necessity in most cases.

I wanted to write something similar.



Just one thing. Even with bad gear (I had a ragged tunic, a normal shield, starting horse and a principe sword I won) it is possible to solo a group of 10-12 franks or Denas, while the companions, rest of the troops are at the start zone.

If you do it, the loot will be good (like hauberks or loricas), and there will be frank/dena survivors. If you recruit them, even if they are 2 or 3 guys, it is a great help!


The method I use is to circle around them, as I don't want to attack a formation of them. At least 1 of them _always_ goes astray, and I take him out (if there are more, choose the half-naked one). If the formation is together just go a bit further, so there are guys who leave the shieldwall, and take them out.
When you do this a few times, you will see that one routs! Go after him and kill him, this usually results in an other one routing. By taking out the routers you will cause a morale failiure in the group and they will all try to flee. 




Also, avoid horses: don't buy more, at all, they are expensive and worthless. Also avoid swords, as they are not armor piercing.


edit: I also think that the low morale what is described in the opening post is due to the rest penalty. (I always turn it off)

 

[Dalkar]

I do the same as above, but I also stab into their bunched up circle thing. Works a charm, especially with a long spear; they have something like 180 reach so you can circle at a safe distance.

 

[Puritan]

Horses are useful, they just require careful handling during battle. Swords are too, especially from horseback.

In the early stages I make sure each companion has a donkey for strategic mobility. Most times I have them dismount, but a donkey charge is sometimes in order (against all archers for example).

 

[blackitalian]

did you read the beginners guide? got milk? the guide is stickied at the top of the forum. sorry, no milk.  here is a link.

隐藏

http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,155372.0.html

 

[shikaka]

did you read the beginners guide? got milk? the guide is stickied at the top of the forum. sorry, no milk.  here is a link.

I read it 

It is very useful, I especially valued the trade rather then slave-trade part, I would have never guessed that.
Also good info in general, but the troops adviced to use don't work.

Also things like 'avoid Dena pirates and franks' (which doesn't let you recruit the frank/dena survivors) and 'buy horses for companions' (waste of money) and 'buy supply wagon' (slow down the party) are debatable 


I will write some things which worked for me to contribute.

 

[blackitalian]

you have many good points, but the troop advice did work. repeatedly.

 

[Puritan]

'buy horses for companions' (waste of money)

I believe this is in the sense of 'four legged animal', which would include donkeys. Since M&B seems to think that Swayedback and Lame animals move just as well as champion breeds over a long distance, this isn't as expensive as you might think.

Really, never buy a new car IRL or non-lame horse in M&B, unless you like wasting money.