Multiplayer Games

[darklite]

I've been playing these games for abt 3-4 years ever since i got Shogun. Saying that, i've never done any multiplayer games. So i'm going to ask a few questions just to clear up some confusions before i try them out.

1) I have a 56k Modem, so i'm worried abt lag. Are there many players that have this sort of connection, and if so, whats their connection to the game like? Do you suffer from tiomeouts, or regular disconnects (I've played mmporgs on this connection with only a few probs but this is a different sort of game)

2) Are there lobby's for new players? i.e. not just experienced players that like griefing newbie multiplayers http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

3) Are these games much different to AI games (on hard/expert)?

4) Generally, is teamwork actually teamwork rather than everyone going off on their own? (and dying to an organised grp)

5) When you join a game, whats the chances of finding yourself attacking a castle or Mountain, where a player has set up on purpose in order to slaughter you?

Cheers for any info http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

[darklite]

heh. couldn't find the edit button. Actually found a link for http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=18;t=5722 (an unfinished multiplayer guide) but i wouldn't mind an answer abt teh connection issue :P

[CBR]

56K moden is fine for MP even 4v4 and I know several who plays without any problems. Its more a question of the quality of your line. You can see the ping on a host and as long as you dont join games with more than 400 then it should be fine.


CBR

[ichi]

Quote[/b] ]1) I have a 56k Modem, so i'm worried abt lag. Are there many players that have this sort of connection, and if so, whats their connection to the game like? Do you suffer from tiomeouts, or regular disconnects (I've played mmporgs on this connection with only a few probs but this is a different sort of game)

Like CBR says it should not be a prob.


Quote[/b] ]2) Are there lobby's for new players? i.e. not just experienced players that like griefing newbie multiplayers http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

If you ever see me in the lobby (I play VI) say hi and we can play. There are some vets who avoid playing with nebies, others that gratify their egos by spanking less experienced players, and quite a few vets who will help you out. Be sure you mention that you are new and ask for help. By only playing with other newbies you can pick up some bad habits and miss out on some good learning ops.


Quote[/b] ]3) Are these games much different to AI games (on hard/expert)?

While each game can be unique, there are some scenarios that occur more often. The most common situation involves a pav duel (on steppe maps bring 3 or 4 archers, pav xbows or arbs, depending on the era) with some cav skirmishes, followed by melee. One common tactic is to try to overload one side of a 3v3 or 4v4, but you will also see games that are basically 3 or 4 1v1s side by side.

You should start out with a balanced army, one that includes some heavy cav and good infantry, along with missile troops. Don't (IMHO) bring arty. Make your general a cavalry unit (and protect him in battle). Remember that you want your fighting troops (inf and cav) morale to be at least 8, so you need to know something about morale and valor. Before you go online take a look at the Clan Berserk site they have a great unit compare tool. Try building armies in SP custom battles using 10K or 15K florins (standard amounts in MP) - hit F1 when you are in the battle to see your unit stats.


Quote[/b] ]4) Generally, is teamwork actually teamwork rather than everyone going off on their own? (and dying to an organised grp)

If you play with other newbies you may find that they tend to go off and do their own thing, while (again, just my opinion) the best players, especially the best clans, work together as a single unit made up of four armies. By playing with expereincedplayers you can see this. Save the replays from your games and watch them to see what you did right and wrong and what your opponent did right and wrong.


Quote[/b] ]5) When you join a game, whats the chances of finding yourself attacking a castle or Mountain, where a player has set up on purpose in order to slaughter you?

Great question. You get to see the map name and battle conditions before you join. The map names tell you a lot - steppe are ironing boards, flat maps have gentle rolls, hilly has - you guessed it - hills and some can be quite steep. There are maps that do not provide you with a good idea - Carcano, Poitiers, Hattin, so again, go into SP Custom Battles and look at the maps with cryptic names. Download the mappacks so you can play in more games Castles and Bridges usually have something in their names to provide a hint, but not always.

The battle conditions are also shown to you before you ever join. Make sure that you look at Season, Terrain, Era, Florins, and look to see what the unit size is. Some folks, not many, but some, alter the fatigue and morale and camera restriction settings, so check those out as well.

Like I say, if you see me say hi and we can play one for fun.

ichi