RCM for Sword of Damocles

[thrakkemarn]

[Oops. Sorry folks. I just realized I uploaded the version that doesn't change lances to 2h weapons. Just redownload and replace ONLY the item_kinds file, you don't have to start another new game. (This will allow cavalry to actually couch their lances for maximum effectiveness.) Best way to see this in action is to join a tournament at Praven. Can you say ouch?]

[Also forgot, you will probably need to install: http://www.mbrepository.com/file.php?id=905]

After numerous tweakings, I am finally satisfied with the balance of weapons in SoD. So, for anyone who is interested, here is the link. I will probably not be updating this anymore unless there is a significant time before 4.5 comes out, or for some reason I start another 4.1 game and notice more problems. (Or, of course, if anyone out there cares and wants it balanced better). This is not polished, it's merely a hotfix minimod to allow for RCM gameplay in SoD. I can spend more time on it, but it's totally playable.

Here is the 4.1 version:
http://www.mbrepository.com/file.php?id=1500

Also, I have made a version for the pre-Alpha version of 4.5, which you can find here:
http://www.mbrepository.com/file.php?id=1505

The biggest problem is really in the troops, they aren't all that well balanced especially when the new item values are taken into consideration, but top tiers should even out across the board. Let me know if you notice anything really over or underpowered.

(original post below):
I went along and applied RCM changes to the items and module.ini.

It's pretty insane now ... and insanely fun. Not sure if it's balanced in this mod, but man it is fun. Antarian Elite Infantry are really REALLY scary with 90+ armor. It really shows how weak they are on offense though, and how strong the Nords are! Those axes cut through my heavy armor like butter! It was a slaughter on both sides. But so hard! I have 3 castles and 2 lords now, but I am so poor it's ridiculous. The Nords and Vaegirs are constantly sieging my castles, and with the vaegirs not having any shields my infantry gets pinchushioned. I'm still winning battles ... or perhaps it's more accurate to say I'm not losing. Casualties are HIGH. I kind of like the fact that the Antarians aren't invincible anymore though.

I think the biggest problem with the Antarians is their total lack of athletics. The Regular Infantry has some, but when they go to veteran or elite they lose it all. Combined with the increased weight of all that armor they are sloooooow. And their map speed sucks. I'm in a terrible situation, so I'm going to start over and try out a different faction. I miss having archers so here I come Villanese!

sorry for the rambling post, but wanted to get it in before bed

 

[vonmistont]

I was personally playing Villianese and it was quite easy even considering that I started conquest from Rhodoks that are esspecialy immune to Villianians. If you start your conquest from Nords/Swadians it should be easy.

 

[Salmagundi77]

So, is it possible to apply RCM (Native) to SoD with cheerful results?

If not, could someone point me in the direction of an SoD-friendly version of RCM, for grins and giggles? 

 

[thrakkemarn]

No, you can't I manually edited all of the items myself. I can share if you like - but no promises on it being balanced =P PM your email if you want, or if other ppl are interested I'll upload somewhere.

 

[thrakkemarn]

Posted a link to the file after getting a few PMs. It's been updated, enjoy and send feedback!

 

[thrakkemarn]

Well, I noticed that the items file isn't changed in the pre-Alpha 4.5 SoD. However, the troops file is different - but feel free to use the item_kinds file and module.ini settings in Sod 4.5 pre-Alpha.

I'm re-balancing ALL of the troops values now, working on a template that will hold up even after 4.5 is released.

The goal with this is to make it so that, without losing (and perhaps even slightly enhancing) each faction's unique strengths and weaknesses, all of them have a fighting chance. Yes, this means that even the legion troops will be brought (slightly) more in line with the native kingdoms, and that the mid-game should prove more challenging. Because of the changes of RCM the holy, noble and legion troops are kind of ridiculously overpowered (I suspect this is due to the way that powerstrike and other multipliers affect the damage formula).

The goal of this is, after all, to make it all as realistic as possible. While I'm sure there were some people who could use a 2h sword to cut through a guy in plate armor in 1 hit, endlessly, while stomping around in his own plate armor, without losing their breath, I sincerely doubt there were entire armies of such people. =P Therefore, given the limitations of the game and mod (as fabulous as it is, it can't do everything!) I've had to scale down the differences in troop skills and proficiencies. Now, equipment is the MAJOR factor in troop differences, although their skills and different faction specializations still show through.

Will hopefully be done this weekend, and have a new version posted (which will be for the pre-alpha build). (By the way, all you people who downloaded, I'd appreciate some feedback!)

One thing I haven't decided yet - Do I increase the level (and thereby cost) of higher armored units, or scale down armor differences? Right now top tier cavalry/knight units are pretty awesome in their heavy armor, and I like that, so I'm veering towards jacking up their levels.

 

[thrakkemarn]

Ok, Troops have all been rebalanced, so if you want to you can grab the new version (same link as above).

Also, I have made a version for the pre-Alpha version of 4.5, which you can find here:
http://www.mbrepository.com/file.php?id=1505

To all those who had problems with the previous version(s), my apologies. If you follow the ReadMe it should work just fine now though.

 

[NinjaKiwi]

Why did you have to make 4 posts in a row?

 

[Dynastia]

A couple of issues I noticed ; not sure if these are WAD to balance the AI troops or not, but...

Scimitar and Hand-and-a-Half both do ungodly amounts of piercing damage.
Foil and Estoc, weapons specifically designed for piercing armour, do cutting damage like regular swords.

Otherwise, it's great. Keep up the good work.

 

[Sibilance]

I haven't checked your numbers, but if this picks up steam you should contact Ron Losey on MBX. He could join Von and the gang in the development effort if people want it, he did an optional RCM version for The Last Days, and he really knows his stuff.

 

[Dynastia]

Also, archery seems massively overpowered vs armoured units. Low-level archers (Vaegir Archer, Mountain Bandits) are two-shotting me in full mail. In RCM for 1257 it would take dozens of arrows, or a well-placed headshot from a top-tier marksman.