Opinion of the Viking Invasion

[Emp. Conralius]

As we all know, the release of the VI is around the corner. And after reading the new preview on Gamespot, it roused up a few concerns as well as questions. Here are some of the pros & cons of what I picked up off the preview, and a few questions that may be answered hopegully by staff members in the Guild:

Pros
1) Flaming Catapult ammuntion
2) Boiling oil
3) New units (of course)
4) New Factions (bien sur)
5) New map, tech tree, and buildings (yay)
6) Northern France is on the new map
7) Improvements in the tactical AI
8) Organ Gun, nuff said
Question:
-Have you guys noticed that they didn't mention flaming arrows?
-Which of the new factions will be in control of Northern France

Cons:
1) Only 2 Scandinavian provinces (not even that, the map shows about half of the actual "province")
2) No improvements in diplomacy
3) No Glory Achievements for the Viking Era factions, the only option is total domination. Though this may be just a little stretch as far as realism for a faction like the Vikings, but it would but totally ridiculous if a faction like the Northumbrians conquered all of the British Isles including Scandinavia

Well, the Pros most definately outweigh the cons, and for the most part, I was satisfied with the preview and would still purchase the game in a heart beat. And you guys know me, I'm really not the type to complain. Granted though, it's going to be a hard transition from 18th Century Europe to the Dark Ages.

[Kongamato]

I have heard absolutely nothing about the Sicilians, one of the new factions in the main game. What advantages and special units do they get?

[Leet Eriksson]

I take it from the word "Elite" that the muslims are getting some sorts of heavy cavalry that would compensate for their lack of MAA.

[Heraclius]

Quote[/b] (faisal @ April 16 2003,15:17)]I take it from the word "Elite" that the muslims are getting some sorts of heavy cavalry that would compensate for their lack of MAA.
I believe these will be the Arab Faris (Farsi?) Cavalry.

[Leet Eriksson]

Yep,its pretty confusing,but Faris is something alot different from Farsi,Farsi is the language used by the persians to communicate with each other,and Faris litrally means Knight(i.e Arab Faris=Arab Knights,in arabic they are known as Al Fursan Al Arab).Hope that helps.

[Heraclius]

ah okay. thanks Faisal. I actually knew about the Farsi bit. I thought maybe the Arabs had recruited Persian cavalrymen into their army and CA chose to include them. thanks for clearing that up.

[Michael the Great]

Question:
Will we be able to save while battle is in progress?

[Vinsitor]

Quote[/b] ]7) Improvements in the tactical AI

I think they also included "diplomacy" in this sentence.

[GilJaysmith]

Quote[/b] (Michael the Great @ April 17 2003,08:36)]Question:
Will we be able to save while battle is in progress?
Answer: no.

[ShadesWolf]

QUESTION....

Will N.France be a playable landmass ?
ie can u move armies across it

[Captain Fishpants]

Quote[/b] (ShadesWolf @ April 17 2003,06:51)]QUESTION....

Will N.France be a playable landmass ?
ie can u move armies across it
On the Viking Campaign: no.

We decided to concentrate on the Vikings in Britain, and once that decision was taken bits of the map became functionally redundant, and northern France was one of those to bite the dust.

I know this is going to disappoint some people, but bear with us: the new package is actually "rather spiffing". http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

MikeB ~ CA

[ShadesWolf]

OK Guys.. Shame there goes my idea of a mod for the Norman invasion

Thanks for the answer and I have another.....

QUESTION

I assume that seeing VIKING is set in this wonderful country of Britain http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif that there will be a lot of new maps.

Will these maps be available to play as normal medieval online and roughly how many new maps are there?

[kaaskop]

ok a little more on nothern france ,is it like the Sahara
or really just decerational ?

oh and you did ad those ten empty bifs right?

[Shahed]

Quote[/b] (faisal @ April 16 2003,22:46)]in arabic they are known as Al Fursan Al Arab).Hope that helps.
Thanks Gil & Faisal

I don't mean to sound completely uncultured but err...what does Al Fursan mean ?

[Shahed]

One more question, please http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif :

Will we have flaming arrows as ammunition for archers ?

[longjohn2]

Yes archers will use flaming arrows when they shoot at wooden things, and very nice they look too.

[Leet Eriksson]

Quote[/b] (SeljukSinan @ April 17 2003,15:57)]
Quote[/b] (faisal @ April 16 2003,22:46)]in arabic they are known as Al Fursan Al Arab).Hope that helps.
Thanks Gil & Faisal

I don't mean to sound completely uncultured but err...what does Al Fursan mean ?
Al Fursan=The Knights.

[Shahed]

Thank you very much for the answers.

[whiskeyjack]

Just wondering how many provinces will there be exactly on the Viking era campaign?

[Heraclius]

Quote[/b] (whiskeyjack @ April 18 2003,17:55)]Just wondering how many provinces will there be exactly on the Viking era campaign?
I have the number 40 floating around in my head but I could be completely wrong.

[Emp. Conralius]

More Questions:

1) Will there be any new strategic characters for the VI or for the original (spies, princesses, etc)? Though, I know the Viking Era wasnt a time of diplomacy
2) Though this maybe asking too much, how many Scandinavian provinces are there. I've seen Hordaland and Jutland.
3) Will Viking Age units be available for the Danes in the Early Period of the original? If so, which ones?


I'm hoping one of the members of CA will read this http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Michael the Great]

What tactical opportunities will the new units present to the player?

[Heraclius]

a new unit


Quote[/b] ]
Spanish Javelineers
Since classical times, Spain has been renowned for the quality of its javelineers - peltasts, as the Greeks called them. Armed with javelins and swords, they are good light infantry and skirmishers.

[Leet Eriksson]

Question:

Will each faction in the viking invasion period have different units or will they share some units with each other?

[Captain Fishpants]

Quote[/b] (faisal @ April 22 2003,16:03)]Question:

Will each faction in the viking invasion period have different units or will they share some units with each other?
OK, the way it divides up is as follows:

the Viking-era campaign has 8 new factions, most of which have at least a couple of new, exclusive units. The exceptions are the Saxon kingdoms of Mercia, Northumbria and Wessex. As might be expected, these have the Housecarle in common. Other factions, being entirely separate nations with their own "philosophies of war" have unique mixes of units.

The other new units in the game are mostly main campaign early-period types, and either add some historical richness to an area of the map (see them as being similar to the Bulgarian Brigands in the original game) or to a particular faction. We added in a couple because they made the game more interesting to play. Some of the new main campaign units are exclusive to one nation, many are not. Some will only turn up as part of a rebel force, so if you want to command them you'll have to bribe the right rebels - the "Sherwood Foresters" are like this. And they're fun. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

The Danes, for example, will also benefit by having more "Viking" units in the early Medieval campaign.

MikeB ~ CA

[andrewt]

Cool. The early period is my favorite since I like to build from scratch. Are there also new units for high and late eras?

[Emp. Conralius]

Thanx for the info, Captain Fishpants. Your replies are always helpful.

[Swoosh So]

One thing i always wondered is that the byzantines never get advanced units, just because the empire fell at a certain date, but if you play past this its changing history so i think ca missed an oportunity to create 1 maybe 2 entirely new units http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif

[Emp. Conralius]

Swabian Swordsmen
The Swabians of south-western Germany are a tough people, regarded almost as a race apart by their fellow Germans. Armoured in mail and armed with great two-handed swords, Swabian swordsmen are a powerful heavy infantry unit, with the emphasis on attack

[einar]

Quote[/b] (Swoosh So @ April 23 2003,07:01)]One thing i always wondered is that the byzantines never get advanced units, just because the empire fell at a certain date, but if you play past this its changing history so i think ca missed an oportunity to create 1 maybe 2 entirely new units http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
I've readed, sorry i don't remember where, the byzantines have a new unit in the viking expansion. I think it's a unit of lancers.

Could anybody confirm this??

[Dîn-Heru]

They get lancers, a form of cavalry. I have seen a screenshot of them, and I think there is a thread about them.

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

The Byz are one of the factions that get armoured spearmen, as well.

[einar]

I've another question: i've readed this in the gamespot preview of viking invasion:

The improved prebattle menu not only lets you assign specific amounts of money to supply your armies

What's the meaning of this?. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Quote[/b] ]The improved prebattle menu not only lets you assign specific amounts of money to supply your armies


That's a very good question. I haven't heard anything about a feature even remotely similar to this. Anyone else?

[eat cold steel]

> I haven't heard anything about a feature even remotely similar to this. Anyone else?

Nop not me, I guess that's from ancient design documents that has expired.

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Quote[/b] (eat cold steel @ April 24 2003,05:08)]> I haven't heard anything about a feature even remotely similar to this. Anyone else?

Nop not me, I guess that's from ancient design documents that has expired.
Thanks ECS.

[Emp. Conralius]

Has everyone seen the pic of the new Swabian Swordsmen unit?
http://www.totalwar.com/community/viking.htm

Based of the illustartion, doesen't it kinda look like a Germanic barbarian unit you'de think would be from the dark ages?

i think it's pretty cool, btw

[Kongamato]

Perhaps it could be an expensive, CMAA-killing heavy sword unit.

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

From looking at it, I imagine it to be similar to Gallowglasses, but more heavily armoured and more disciplined.

[Emp. Conralius]

The new units, from the Viking Era or for the Classic MTW will most definately breath fresh air into MTW. Units like Swabian Swordsmen and Spanish Javelineers are particularly getting me syked

Captain Fishpants, as far as Swabian Swordsmen and Spanish Javelineers go, what do they have going for them as far as gameplay? Will the new Spanish unit turn out to be just another easily-routable light infantry unit? Will the Swab. Swordsmen be the new IT infantry unit for the HRE. And will the Szekely be another weak, horse archer unit?

Sorry for all these questions Captain, but 2 weeks seems so long to wait http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Pre-ordered it to day Yipee http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Emp. Conralius]

I'm haven't and probably wont pre-order. As far as I know, I'm the only person in the immediate area that has MTW. I'm definately gwttin it the day t comes out