Picking up shields in battle, and a thought on leadership.

[zaleukos]

Wouldnt it be nice to be able to pick up enemy shields in the same way one can take enemy horses during battle?

I would also like to get rid of the stacking limit imposed by leadership, or the stacking limit not affecting NPCs/hostage girls. It makes sense to have a max limit for the number of troops one can command dependent on your leadership skill, but not to have a limit on the number of types. From a programming point of view this wouldnt necessitate much of a change, the party could still be stored and presented as stacks of generic NPCs. The same goes for prisoner management.

 

[screwtype]

"It makes sense to have a max limit for the number of troops one can command dependent on your leadership skill, but not to have a limit on the number of types."

Actually, it does make some sort of sense that you can't have unlimited types in your army. I figure the idea is that you can't have a band of too many different types because they won't get along or else just be harder to command.

However, I really don't see the point of having different categories of prisoners. In the end they are all just galley slaves so they should simply be generic captives.
[/quote]

 

[everchot]

Captives are listed so you know who is available to capture when you attack groups with captive soldiers

 

[zaleukos]

Actually, it does make some sort of sense that you can't have unlimited types in your army. I figure the idea is that you can't have a band of too many different types because they won't get along or else just be harder to command.

However, I really don't see the point of having different categories of prisoners. In the end they are all just galley slaves so they should simply be generic captives.

That is probably the idea, but I am not too fond of the solution as it artificially prevents me from upgrading troops. At the very least the named NPCs shouldnt count towards the stack limit. Heck, they dont even follow my orders to hold position

For the prisoners I think they should be stored with their original type (otherwise it'd be much less interesting to attack a prisoner train), but that there shouldnt be a stack limit. Even if one buys the reasoning that your troops have to be of similar types to get along that shouldnt go for shackled prisoners. It's not like they are given the opportunity to start infighting.

One thought is that one could make the number of conscious party members affect how prisoners behave. Maybe the prisoners could try to escape or attack you if you have to guard ten of them on your own 24h a day?

 

[wastelander]

I'm totally on your side, zaleukos, I really don't see ANY cause for the stack limit except of giving your leadership skill more power. I already posted the idea to remove the stack limit and instead limiting the number of comandable groups to the leadership skill. These groups could then be given seperate commands on the battlefield.

Actually, it does make some sort of sense that you can't have unlimited types in your army. I figure the idea is that you can't have a band of too many different types because they won't get along or else just be harder to command.

IMHO, it is hard to imagine that two soldiers or even different groups of soldiers would have an argument about the types of weapons they use. Why shouldn't archers get along with swordsmen?? I think, the only point where such an issue could occur is between soldiers of different heritage, but that would be a matter that affects morale, not the amount of different troop types one can comand.

All regards
~Wasty

 

[JohnathanStrange]

It does seem that one could make a case either way for or against limited troop type slots; I have a slight preference for greater freedom. We've all had the case where a unit can't upgrade because there's no available slot, even though you could recruit 20 more of the existing troops.

Admittedly there's some added strategy as a result - because you've got to do some anticipatory personnel management but it's a bit arbitrary rather than realistic. You could argue that it's reflects some abstract difficulty in commanding a mixed Vaegir infantry, Swadian knights, fighter women, and farmers or whatever. However, as has been pointed out, what if they're all Vaegirs (so no cultural tensions)? Really would a Vaegir infantry and a Vaegir veteran be so different to shout "Charge!" to?

I think Armagan has much more to do than get to this detail but it's still worthwhile to suggest some modifications. 'cause who knows?

 

[Cor Shan]

How about one for each upgrade tree? that makes more sence. I mean, would watchmen suddenly not get along with their old farmer mates?

 

[DaLagga]

I see the point for both limited troop and prisoner types, but its a little oversimplified IMO. I think the system for both needs to be reworked a bit. Maybe, you should have to have a prisoner management skill of 4 just to be able to take a dark knight captive and such. But make them worth quite a bit more. Also, tone down the amount of money you get from loot, and make selling your enemies into slavery just as profitable as selling off their belongings. And as for the troop slots, there alot could be done. But i think just having some "drop off point" for them (your house/castle when and if this is implemented) would be fine for now. Just some ideas...