Just got it.

[Beirut]

Just got it yesterday. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

Loaded up, installed the patch, and it's looking good. Only got to play for about twenty minutes but I could see right then and there that this game is going to bite into my free time something fierce.

In those twenty minutes I managed to get my behind handed to me twice, fast, in two custom missions. And I love the volleys of gunfire. This is going to be good. better FPS in-game than in the demo also. (Thank goodness)

I had a few freeze ups at the main menu screen. I would post my DX but I'm not allowed into the tech question forum yet. I guess the bond of trust needs building. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wacko.gif

Do tell though, are there any must-have downloads besides the patch? Mostly I'm interested in letting Ghengis Kahn run amuck through other people's backyards.

Thanks. And very glad to have the game and join the team. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Jacque Schtrapp]

I'm glad you've got it. Take a look around the Dungeon as there are many different mods available. You might stumble across one that sounds too good to be true. Have fun storming the castle http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

[ELITEofFOGOLIN]

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

[Lehesu]

About those freezes. Does it sometimes lock up, often when your mouse goes over a button? Mine does that too, and the only way I can fix it is to Alt-Tab and wait for it to minimize. Not too troubling, but still... Anyone else have this problem?

[Gregoshi]

Beirut, if you are having troubles with the game, please post all relevant information here along with a description of the problem. Kraellin visits here very often as well as several other tech types. Start a new topic for the problem though.

[Kekvit Irae]

By freeze ups do you mean the game hesitating for several (often 10 or more) seconds at a time before resuming? It's plaguing me whenever I select eras on the campaign or custom games. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif

[Heraclius]

Quote[/b] (kekvitirae @ May 25 2003,23:07)]By freeze ups do you mean the game hesitating for several (often 10 or more) seconds at a time before resuming? It's plaguing me whenever I select eras on the campaign or custom games. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
me too. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif but it also happened (although to a lesser extent) with MTW

[Lehesu]

I get the occasional hitch, but the main thing is small freeze ups at the main screen. If I did nothing they would probably stay that way. I have to alt-tab to get the thing working.

[Beirut]

Hello again,

The freeze-ups are always on the main menu screen when my mouse passes over an option. Exactly what Lehesu mentioned. I just reboot and that's that. happens about one time in ten. Not so bad.

I am getting stutters during the game though. Almost seems like a memory leak. Once I reboot, things get better fast. I've got twice the specs mentioned on the box so it should run well enough. (Duron 1.2Ghz, 256 PC-133, GF4-4200 128 meg)

I'll try and post my specs and ask in the tech forum, but as of yesterday I still wasn't allowed in.

One thing though, I can only play the Mongols in the Historical Campaign. Bummer. I was really looking forward to creating some scenarios with them. Oh well, I'll just have to go on attacking the French with... anybody.

And to be honest, I've never played a strategy game, or RPG or RTS before. Always flight sims. I've gone through the campaign tutorial twice and I'm still in a land of oblivion once I hit a campaign. I'll just play my custom battles for now while I learn. If there's an idiot's manual, please point me in the right direction.

All in all, stll happy I got it. And tonight is bachelor's night and I can eat pizza, drink beer and play 'till midnight. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

Thanks for the help.

[Kekvit Irae]

You cant play the Mongols unless you download or make a mod that allows you to. But from my experience, it's quite the hassle since there are those random crashes when you right click a building of yours.
Maybe if the Pagan culture was a bit more defined, it could be better able to me modded.

[Beirut]

Nope, still not allowed in to the tech forum. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif

Hmmm, what if I smash the French cavalry on behalf of the site's landlords? Would that earn me enough brownie points to post?

[Kekvit Irae]

heh took me 40+ posts before I got my promotion. But if you ask a moderator, you might be able to get your thread moved over to the tech forum for the techies there to answer

[Beirut]

On my knees - begging like a jester??

Never http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

I will earn my promotion the old fashioned way.

I'll offer a bribe... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

[Kekvit Irae]

Sorry bud, but emissaries only work in the game http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Gregoshi]

Quote[/b] (kekvitirae @ May 26 2003,14:06)]heh took me 40+ posts before I got my promotion.
kekvitirae, that is because you are averaging 15 posts per day. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif That is only 3 days to promotion. If timing was better it may have only been 2 days.

Beirut, just post here and don't worry about promotion. As long as you continue to post, 1-2 posts a day is plenty, you're promotion won't be long. Bribery isn't necessary. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

[Kekvit Irae]

Quote[/b] (Gregoshi @ May 26 2003,22:24)]kekvitirae, that is because you are averaging 15 posts per day. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif That is only 3 days to promotion. If timing was better it may have only been 2 days.
I would average more, but I frequent the official forums as well, and my time is limited between posting on the two forums and modding ^_^

[Beirut]

Gregoshi... sir.

I'm not plugging for promosion, just wanted to post my DX in the Apocathery for your tech-guru to check out, see why the game freezes at the menu. (rarely) Not serious.

Still bummed out by the lack of Genghis Khanism though. I sooooo badly wanted to sack and pillage Paris with the boys from Mongolia. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

A question if I may; is there a way to make your forces into armies (with the little symbol over the troops at the bottom far left) so they can form in an army-like form? I saw the symbol in my custom battle, but not in the historical battles.

Still haven't a clue how to campaign properly. Is there an Idiot's Guide to M:TW? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif

[FesterShinetop]

Just play and play and play and play and play... you get the picture http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif You will soon get the hang of it Part of the fun is to find out how the game actually works (as there are also a lot of things not mentioned in the manual, which you allready read of course... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif )

[Rob The Bastard]

Finally arrived here But I have to wait until tonight, when I get home to try it out... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif

[Gregoshi]

Beirut
The end of your stay in the Entrance Hall is nigh http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif Then you can post to the Apothecary.

Your question about army-like forms: this is not available in historical battles. Since they are recreating an actual battle, the starting positions of all units are fixed. You will see that formation icon in the lower left again when you fight a battle in the single player campaigns.

As for how to play a campaign, start out slow and focus on one aspect of the campaign such as I'm going to learn about how to build archers and cavalry and work on that. Then pick another - I'm going to learn about emissaries, etc. At first, don't go and pick fights - be passive. Take advantage of the time of peace to learn the non-fighting aspects of the game. Sent out your princesses and emissary around the map and watch what the AI does with its units. Once you learn the basics, then start trying to initiate some things yourself.

When you are comfortable with trying to do things on your own, start a new campaign. Before you start, read the Table of Contents (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=7;t=3823) in the Main Hall. There is a section on the factions. Read the topic discussion the faction you are going to play. It should give you some ideas on what to do or not do as that faction. Take that information and try what they suggest or try to do your own thing. There is no right or wrong way. If you need advise or don't understand something, post here at the Org. There are lots of people who are willing to help you.

Remember, start small and simple, then build on that. Enjoy your journey of discovery. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Kekvit Irae]

Beirut, for all your Mongol Horde needs, try this file: http://kekvitirae.homestead.com/files/Mongol_High.zip
It starts in 1222 (the original date of Ghengis Khan's invasion of Russia), but I didnt bother to rename the Golden Horde or anything else, and gave them Khazar.
Viking Invasion required.

If you dont have Viking Invasion installed, try this version: http://kekvitirae.homestead.com/files/Mongol_High_-_NO_VI.zip (NOT tested)

[Beirut]

Gregoshi,

Gracias for the information. I'll start small and work my way up to a more serious level of womens and plunder. I've been having such a riot making custom battles it might take me a month to try a campaign. Nothing like falling snow and the sound of Russian cannons breaking French cavalry charges into pieces. If there is a Napoleonic expansion to this game it will be incredible.

Kekvitirae,

I'm going to get the Viking add-on, soon, then I'll try the file. Any other must-have add ons you can recomend?

[Kekvit Irae]

There are quite a few mods that are worth mentioning, but none really come to mind at the moment
*coughKekvitModcough*
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

[Lehesu]

Is anyone having problems d/ling the Gnome editor? I get to it, but it doesn't seem like the zip is loading. Yes, yes, I know zip folders do not have a nice little progress bar. It just takes so long that I quit out, thinking that nothing will happen. How long does it take you guys to download similar stuff?