IGN Interview videos

[Kraxis]

I have just watched the interview of Mike Simpson (the one with Tim Ansell wasn't that informative), and my dear did he say something cool.

When MikeB or CIF said for us to expect great things for cavalry charges he simply wasn't lying.

Mike mentioned that when cavalry charges infantry they might send the infantryman flying (like the elephants does in TC but at a smaller scale, I suppose), that flying infantryman might knock his buddies over, who are not seriously injured and will get up again. So I guess the barbarian berserker that lies down in the 4th trailer (the Brits against the Seleucid legionaries) is one of those knocked over men.

If your cavalry comes up against a wall of spears the horse (apparently on an individual level) might deside not to run into them. That might cause the rider to come off flying over the enemy ranks and get killed GAH That would be a sight.

A really big wall of spears might spook the horse even more and it might try to jump over and land in the middle of the formation (he says it won't last long, but I fear this might disrupt my precious phalangites http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif). He even mentioned something about a horse that had tried to jump over an elephant and kind of bounced off to the great amusement of the interviewer.

Big cities will be about 1km across. Early on you only get stormladders. You can sap walls (well kind of knew this already but now it is a fact, should be interesting to watch). Certain avenues are obviously going to be better to attack to move the troops along, it can't be great to knock over a wall to rush into a lot of densely clogged housings. The city doesn't take well to fighting in the streets and will suffer damage (perhaps to the very improvements you are trying to capture), in theory you can sack a city completely, or use your siege engines to completely level a city then walk away from the garrison, having them thinking "Did we win?"

[RisingSun]

Yes, there was some interesting info. I am particularly glad about the cav charges, as this is a reality that the TW games could never bring to us before.

I thought he meant that sometimes individual horses will refuse a charge, but almost all of the formation might at other times. Remember, horses like to follow other horses.

[Kraxis]

Quote[/b] (RisingSun @ May 06 2004,18:46)]I thought he meant that sometimes individual horses will refuse a charge, but almost all of the formation might at other times. Remember, horses like to follow other horses.
Ah yes, but does the AI know that? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

He most certainly meant individual horses might refuse or jump, others might carry on with the charge. How many of either is hard to speculate on.

The only thing i'm still waiting for is the impaling on the pikes if one charges them. That would be cool.

[Scipio]

What interview??? Tell me it isnt for BBC only http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif but if so, can I dl it somewhere?

[Kraxis]

At legiontotalwar.com... There are three, all worth it really, but Mike Simpson presents the most interesting info.

[Scipio]

cool thanx, the only ones I have seen to this point are in German... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-dizzy2.gif

[Oaty]

Sounds like good stuff and I have only watched Michaels interview so far but the 2 big things I like about what he said is that you can ambush supply lines. He said to the effects that if the Romans are far into German territory they have the risk of troops coming around and cutting off there supplies. The other I guess not big of on but the fact the size of the army you can move across water depends on the size of your fleet. ( you knoiw in MTW how the Italians could just dominate southern Europe and send 10000 troops everywhere wich can get annoying)

[Scipio]

That'l be great This was very inportant in ancient times to force enemies to attack on unfavorable ground due to the factor of hunger Fantastic

[Nowake]

Must get to TWC and fast. To be sincere, I haven't paid to much attention to these interviews untill you brought the word about this cool info Kraxis. Must see what is about http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-2thumbsup.gif

[Kraxis]

Yeah oaty, but you know, I don't think there will be supplylines like that. I think he meant if you just keep on attacking you might run the risk of getting in too deep in stuff that was better left alone.

[squippy]

Quote[/b] (Kraxis @ May 06 2004,18:12)]A really big wall of spears might spook the horse even more and it might try to jump over and land in the middle of the formation (he says it won't last long, but I fear this might disrupt my precious phalangites http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif).
There was an incident in the Napoleonic wars, although I forget which sides were involved, in which a horse tried to do exactly this, fell ON the square crushing a couple of guys, and opening a gap for the rest of the cavalry squadron. They pushed through, sabred their way across the square, turned round, and then sabred their way back again.

All this does sound really really excellent. This business about horses knocking troops over might make routing cavalry very deangerous, as goes one theory about Agincourt.

[Basileus]

good news indeed, i´ll go grab those vids now heh

[The Wizard]

My thoughts exactly, Nowake.



~Wiz

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Quote[/b] (squippy @ May 07 2004,15:18)]
Quote[/b] (Kraxis @ May 06 2004,18:12)]A really big wall of spears might spook the horse even more and it might try to jump over and land in the middle of the formation (he says it won't last long, but I fear this might disrupt my precious phalangites http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif).
There was an incident in the Napoleonic wars, although I forget which sides were involved, in which a horse tried to do exactly this, fell ON the square crushing a couple of guys, and opening a gap for the rest of the cavalry squadron. They pushed through, sabred their way across the square, turned round, and then sabred their way back again.

All this does sound really really excellent. This business about horses knocking troops over might make routing cavalry very deangerous, as goes one theory about Agincourt.
I believe that was during the retreat of the French after the battle of Salamanca. The attacking cavalry were KGL Dragoons.

[Dwimmerlaik]

Did anyone else catch the reference to Roman special units being able to hide out in the open? In the Mike Simpson interview (around the 2:31 minute mark) he refers to "Roman Special Forces" the Arcarnii (sp?), that can sneak around the battlefield cutting off heads (presumably generals) GAH http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-inquisitive.gif Are we seeing the return of the Battlefield Ninja in new armour? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[Kraxis]

Quote[/b] (Dwimmerlaik @ May 07 2004,18:43)]Did anyone else catch the reference to Roman special units being able to hide out in the open? In the Mike Simpson interview (around the 2:31 minute mark) he refers to "Roman Special Forces" the Arcarnii (sp?), that can sneak around the battlefield cutting off heads (presumably generals) GAH http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-inquisitive.gif Are we seeing the return of the Battlefield Ninja in new armour? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif
I did hear something the first time but didn't pay notice.

Indeed it seems the BN is coming back, but for a surprising faction. At the very top of 'special forces' I would put the Extraordinarii of the Republican times.

[RisingSun]

Quote[/b] ]Did anyone else catch the reference to Roman special units being able to hide out in the open? In the Mike Simpson interview (around the 2:31 minute mark) he refers to "Roman Special Forces" the Arcarnii (sp?), that can sneak around the battlefield cutting off heads (presumably generals) GAH Are we seeing the return of the Battlefield Ninja in new armour?

What's the matter with you guys? It's obviously just Vanya.

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

[Kraxis]

Quote[/b] (RisingSun @ May 08 2004,10:30)]
Quote[/b] ]Did anyone else catch the reference to Roman special units being able to hide out in the open? In the Mike Simpson interview (around the 2:31 minute mark) he refers to "Roman Special Forces" the Arcarnii (sp?), that can sneak around the battlefield cutting off heads (presumably generals) GAH Are we seeing the return of the Battlefield Ninja in new armour?

What's the matter with you guys? It's obviously just Vanya.

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

Well, the Vanya units would not be able to hide in the open with all the "GAH they would yell. But at least they would be cutting heads off...

[Dwimmerlaik]

Quote[/b] (RisingSun @ May 08 2004,12:30)]
Quote[/b] ]

What's the matter with you guys? It's obviously just Vanya.

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif
Vanya? Me? Vanya? I can only dream of aspiring to such a lofty goal http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-jester.gif I practice making head stew every weekend, but I just can't get the balance of spices right... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

But back on topic, Kraxis , what were these "Extraordinarii" like? I confess, I did not know the Romans had sneaky special forces types in regular use (Been reading Asterix for far too long http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif )

EDIT: Did a little Googling and came up with this;
Quote[/b] ] The meaning of the word extraordinarii was hardly the same in 216 BC as it is nowadays. In fact, it meant those out of order, that is either not good enough or not trustworthy enough to take their place in the order of battle. Usually, they were left to protect the camp. The best of them, called ablecti, formed a part of the escort of a Roman commander; mostly, hostages from the Italic nations for the fidelity of their respective cities.Website (http://216.239.41.104/search?q=cache:svxrfc1HjS0J:www.wargamer.com/greatbattles/Scenarios/Cannae%2520216%2520BC.doc+extraordinarii&hl=en)

[Dwimmerlaik]

Quote[/b] (Kraxis @ May 08 2004,15:49)]
Quote[/b] (RisingSun @ May 08 2004,10:30)]
Quote[/b] ]Did anyone else catch the reference to Roman special units being able to hide out in the open? In the Mike Simpson interview (around the 2:31 minute mark) he refers to "Roman Special Forces" the Arcarnii (sp?), that can sneak around the battlefield cutting off heads (presumably generals) GAH Are we seeing the return of the Battlefield Ninja in new armour?

What's the matter with you guys? It's obviously just Vanya.

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

Well, the Vanya units would not be able to hide in the open with all the "GAH they would yell. But at least they would be cutting heads off...
Hehehe..You'd be surprised how much cover a pile of boiled down skulls provides on the open battlefield http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

[Kraxis]

Interesting what you have found there.

Everything I have read about them is that they were in fact extraordinary. They marched in the van of the army, acting as scouts and the initial fighters as well as covering the army in a dangerous situation.
For instance they were the only ones to get out of the pocket of the battle of Lake Trasimene by fighting their way through (that they ended up surrendering in a nearby town is less important).

They were 1500 handpicked troops of the allies forces and directly under the command of the consul, sort of like his bodyguard and/or tactical reserve at any point.

[The Wizard]

What I would like for Macedonia would be the Royal Shield Bearers acting their traditional role as 'commandos' as they acted in Phillip and Alexander's armies... that would be great and would be the right testimony to the infantry that really mattered in a Macedonian army.

And of course the scouts having a secondary role as heavy cavalry, with the kontos. If they still existed in those days, that is...



~Wiz

[Kraxis]

I just came to think of something when you mentioned that Wizard. When assaulting a city with towers or ladders, what about your pikemen or even just spearmen. An 8" spear is not that easy to climb with, I wonder if CA has considered that or they just climb up with the spears and pikes (now pikes inside a tower would look rather odd).

[The Wizard]

Well, I'd think different units would have different kinds of abilities regarding scaling walls and assaulting of other kinds.

For instance: A pezhetairos ('foot companion'), armed with huge pike and nothing else but a mere dagger, would suck at scaling a wall with a ladder; he just couldn't do anything worthwhile in the ensuing melee on the battlements.

A shield bearer, on the other hand, would be much better at that than a foot companion, because he carried a falcata as well as a spear, and was armoured with linen (or bronze) cuirass and hoplon, and of course a helm. He should be far more effective at assaulting cities, just like in real life.



~Wiz