Problematic faction match-ups?

[Quantum]

At this stage in the beta, I think there is a faction inbalance when two of the factions face each other, specifically the Sarranids and the Rhodoks.

I have played a few games recently where the Sarranids invariably recieve a good thumping from the Rhodoks. The Rhodoks large shields seem to protect very well against what the Sarranids have to throw at them, to the point where the Sarranids seem to be trying to batter down a door rather than attack another player. I don't notice this quite so badly when playing as a non-Sarranid.

Of course, no faction is unbeatable and the skill of the players does effect this, but that aside,  I wondered if anyone else thought this match up was problematic, or whether any other faction match-ups were inbalanced?

Cheers

TheDuke

 

[Harmast]

Sarranids have good, fast cavalry, which can be used effectively against the Rhodoks. For some reason though, everyone playing Sarranid wants to play archer...

 

[SanDiego]

Tho only problem with shields is the forcefield. And Sarranid cavalry can inflict some nasty surprise attack.

 

[AoC]

Meh, i kill them just fine. Sure, they have imba weapon with 60 reach, and lolhammers. It's problem with forcefield shields, not rhodoks.

 

[Kleidophoros]

Tho only problem with shields is the forcefield.

what worries me is the devs intentionally putting it there and not seem like removing it because it represents the shield skill. 

 

[CryptoCactus]

Well, one has to consider SP too. The forcefield is annoying for players to have (I hate it, in fact), but it's a good thing for bot vs. bot combat, I think.

Removing it would make having an all-archer army even more absurdly powerful than it is in vanilla 1.011.

 

[Sheepskin Seatcovers]

I am really starting to notice the disparity between factions.  The Rhodoks have received a considerable buff since the beta started.  I believe this is great, for the game and players alike!  However, the other factions, specifically Swadia, need a buff.  When up against heavy armor, there are no weapons that aid Swadia.  You can thrust with a sword, but that's about it.  In my opinion, Swadians should receive mace trees, hammers, and/or military sickles.  Perhaps one could limit which weapons, especially "top tier weapons," that are allowed to be in multiple factions, but I believe adding greater weapon variety to each faction is necessary.  The Rhodoks really shouldn't be the only ones with such a vast assortment of weapons.  I know someone's going to claim "but Swadian's have the greatsword."  This really isn't an argument against diversifying weapon selection; Swadians still have no weapons but swords.  (spears too but that goes without saying)

 

[Lord Rich]

I am really starting to notice the disparity between factions.  The Rhodoks have received a considerable buff since the beta started.  I believe this is great, for the game and players alike!  However, the other factions, specifically Swadia, need a buff.  When up against heavy armor, there are no weapons that aid Swadia.  You can thrust with a sword, but that's about it.  In my opinion, Swadians should receive mace trees, hammers, and/or military sickles.  Perhaps one could limit which weapons, especially "top tier weapons," that are allowed to be in multiple factions, but I believe adding greater weapon variety to each faction is necessary.  The Rhodoks really shouldn't be the only ones with such a vast assortment of weapons.  I know someone's going to claim "but Swadian's have the greatsword."  This really isn't an argument against diversifying weapon selection; Swadians still have no weapons but swords.  (spears too but that goes without saying)

Both the swadians and sarranids lack a means of effectively breaking shields, this is especially problematic against the nordic horde which comes equipped with 1H axes and huscarl shields. However this is only actually a problem when forced to fight in close quarters (like village or a siege map). When swadians and sarranids can use their cavalry then it is relatively balanced again. I think it comes down to where the fight is happening as well as who is fighting but undoubtably certain combinations of map and factions do come out pretty unbalanced.

 

[duracell]

I think all factions should have access to armor piercing or shield breaking weapons, swords are cool but playing as a Sarranid or Swadian infantry is a real challenge when you face mail wearing Nords for example.

Rhodoks and Nords should be infantry focused and should have saddle horses only, its sometimes comical when the Nord scouts (!) beat the Vaegir or Swadian cavalry, only cavalry factions should have coursers.

 

[kingofnoobia]

I think all factions should have access to armor piercing or shield breaking weapons, swords are cool but playing as a Sarranid or Swadian infantry is a real challenge when you face mail wearing Nords for example.

Rhodoks and Nords should be infantry focused and should have saddle horses only, its sometimes comical when the Nord scouts (!) beat the Vaegir or Swadian cavalry, only cavalry factions should have coursers.

Fully agreed. I also think not all factions should have access to lances. Only Swadians and Khergits, perhaps Sarranids should get them.

 

[Urist]

A long time ago I suggested that Swadian Inf should get a military hammer weapon row ending with the morningstar.
It would fit them well and it would be an option against heavily armored opponents.

Sarranide Footman need 1-3 additional weapon rows too.

 

[Shik]

Awlpikes are designed to pierce armor, but with the stabbing-nerf from a while back, they aren't very viable options anymore.

In any case, I've found that Sarranids generally get beaten by just about any other faction out there. They only excel in cavalry, but cavalry isn't very powerful as a class.

 

[Urist]

I see those awlpikes more as an anti-cav option.

 

[Qwertyman]

I love the uniqueness of the saradin infantry, id hate to see them be given powerful polarmss (other than basic spear)  and any 2handers,    what they need is an alternative to the sword that breaks sheilds and is good against armour, but perhaps slower and shorter than the current sword.

 

[ScientiaExcelsa]

This is the last matchup I was expecting to be called uneven.  Since I always play Rhodok, though, I guess I wouldn't notice.  Sarranid players tend to have far too many archers, and don't make use of their fantastic cavalry options.  If people balanced the classes better, I don't think there would be any problem.

 

[Welcome_To_Hell]

It really depends on the players and not so much the factions.

A lot of new players go Sarranid because it is the new faction and they never played it before.

A lot of new players go archer because melee takes a while to get used to, and they get mass slaughtered by experienced players like me 

With a two handed weapon in TDM it is easy to come out victorious against 4-5 players who have just installed the game for the fist time.

 

[CtrlAltDe1337]

Sarranids will be fine once they get a few new weapons, especially for infantry (like polearms or two-handers).  Right now they don't have many big strong weapons.