Sweet Realistic Medieval Combat (Mount and Blade)

[Beskar]

I know what you mean by unforgiving, I was in a middle of a push over battle, so I quickly left the computer and returned, apparently, this person knocked me unconcious (one of him) by luck, while I was away, out of a band of 34, 33 were dead and this was a bandit raid on my village, now everytime I go to my village, it says "There are ghosts and scuttering" or something like that, with only an option of leaving.

Anyway to get the village back?

Also, are there are modification to change the build times for upgrades? It seems rather silly that it takes 2 months or so ingame, while in one month, I done so much stuff to get lots of reknown and money, etc.

[rajpoot]

now everytime I go to my village, it says "There are ghosts and scuttering" or something like that, with only an option of leaving.

Ghost thing never happened to me. Even if the village is raided, it says something along the lines of 'desolation' and 'ruins'..never 'ghosts'....
If it's just been raided normally, then you ought to be able to go back in 4-5 game days I think......maybe 7, but most certainly no more than 10 (I'm sorry I don't remember the exact number).

[al Roumi]

Crumbs, I'd forgotten what an unforgiving game this could be.

I thought I would try the release version, having mainly focussed on the betas. I laboriously create my character, defeat all the champions in the training and was having fun learning how to use a bow in the training grounds[1] when I was mugged by 5 looters. Having been captured, lost my shield and some stuff, plus some precious early days, I naturally quit in frustration. :wall:

[1]Is it just me, or has archery got much harder? You don't aim at the target far away, but above the target. Before, I am sure I just aimed at the target - and used to be pretty good at it (until they nerfed archery by requiring a very high power draw).

On the positive side, the four background questions give you way more stats than I am used to. Probably more at level 1 than I got at level 12 in TLD.

How long ago did you originaly play? I think there were some pretty substantial changes to archery/balistics around 0.90-0.96 of the beta. Earlier changes were also made to targeting in 3rd person view meaning that you have to aim above your intended target, irrespective of compensation for distance.

The maddest thing about it is that you actually have to develop a skill for gauging range, projectile speed and anticipating/tracking movment. I've rarely played a game (other than "button mashers" and flight sims) where you had to effectivley work at your own "skills" to get better, as well as just leveling a character. :beam:

I'm also rediscovering M&B atm and trying some of the mods out there. Alot of them are really hard to start a new character off in -usually because there are no easy aprties like looters, only Sea-raider types on 'roides. I had to port a character in to Lords and Realms!

[Reverend Joe]

I know what you mean by unforgiving, I was in a middle of a push over battle, so I quickly left the computer and returned, apparently, this person knocked me unconcious (one of him) by luck, while I was away, out of a band of 34, 33 were dead and this was a bandit raid on my village, now everytime I go to my village, it says "There are ghosts and scuttering" or something like that, with only an option of leaving.

Anyway to get the village back?

Also, are there are modification to change the build times for upgrades? It seems rather silly that it takes 2 months or so ingame, while in one month, I done so much stuff to get lots of reknown and money, etc.
Next time, press the esc button to pause. Never a good idea to try buying a soda in the middle of a swordfight. As for the village, wait a week or so (in game time) and the village should recover; as it is, it's freshly razed and people are reluctant to return.

No idea about the upgrades; I think the long times is supposed to represent the realistic construction times (and it's still not all that realistic, either; it generally takes more than a month to build a large, sturdy structure like a windmill, manor, etc.)

The maddest thing about it is that you actually have to develop a skill for gauging range, projectile speed and anticipating/tracking movment. I've rarely played a game (other than "button mashers" and flight sims) where you had to effectivley work at your own "skills" to get better, as well as just leveling a character. :beam:
By "maddest," do you mean bad? I think the skill requirement represents your ability to hold and release the bow and arrow effectively, rather than gauging where it will land. Same with swords, polearms, etc. -- you can learn easily where to land a blow, but it takes time to develop the muscles and skill to follow through with the blow. The only one that doesn't really make sense to me is the crossbow skill; I guess you could consider that to be holding the crossbow steady, but even so the crosssbow was designed to be the idiot-proof Knight killer of its day.

[Veho Nex]

They just ignore my emails... This is getting on my nerves. I have now been forced to make a public statement on their forums about the lack of support I have been getting... I really hate when companies do this...

[Martok]

Been playing the tutorials on the demo the last couple nights, and I've already discovered something about myself: I well and truly suck at horseback riding. I'm not going to say how many passes it took for me to successfully take out the stupid dummies, aside from that it was an embarrassingly high number. And don't even get me started on the whole "shooting while on horseback" thing; it doesn't even bear mentioning.... :embarassed:

[johnhughthom]

Been playing the tutorials on the demo the last couple nights, and I've already discovered something about myself: I well and truly suck at horseback riding. I'm not going to say how many passes it took for me to successfully take out the stupid dummies, aside from that it was an embarrassingly high number. And don't even get me started on the whole "shooting while on horseback" thing; it doesn't even bear mentioning.... :embarassed:

Don't worry about that, I was exactly the same when I played the tutorial. alh_p had it spot on, horse archery takes practice and when you do get good at it it's about the most fun in gaming.

[TinCow]

Been playing the tutorials on the demo the last couple nights, and I've already discovered something about myself: I well and truly suck at horseback riding. I'm not going to say how many passes it took for me to successfully take out the stupid dummies, aside from that it was an embarrassingly high number. And don't even get me started on the whole "shooting while on horseback" thing; it doesn't even bear mentioning.... :embarassed:

I was the exact same way, totally hopeless at individual combat. Regular play over the last week (my wife is out of town, what else is a guy to do?) has greatly changed that. I am the grim reaper in mounted combat when I choose to engage, and I've even finally started becoming lethal in dismounted combat as well.

For mounted combat, the key is using the proper weapon in the the proper terrain. The couched lance is by far the most devastating weapon there is. One hit kills anything, period, unless you strike a truly glancing blow on a strong target. It takes a bit to get used to aiming, but it's far easier to learn than any other aspect of combat. Just aim the pointy end at the target and ride into them. The key is to pick off the stragglers and outliers, not to run pell-mell into the heart of the mob. Hit someone on the outside and then break off to make another pass. Once you get good at it, you can easily take out 2-3 enemies in a single pass through the mob.

However, the above only works on flat terrain. Don't expect to do a lot of lancing if you're following a group of brigands through the mountains. When you're in a lot of hilly terrain, switch to the sword. This even applies inside the battle map as well. Even if you were lancing well for a while, if the changing nature of combat prevents you from being able to maneuver easily, the sword/axe/whatever is far better.

When on foot, I've found that a lot of success depends on speed, both in movement and with your weapon. Foot movement is accomplished by putting stat points into athletics. It's worth it, trust me. If you move slowly on foot, you are essentially defenseless when the enemy mobs you. If you can move quickly, it is far easier to separate them and deal with them on more even terms. In addition, I've found it is far, far easier if you use a one-handed weapon with a high speed rating. When you hit an enemy for actual damage, they take a moment to recover. You can often get in another hit in this period. If you can swing fast enough, once that first hit lands you can just hack them until they fall without worrying about them swinging back.

As for archery... eh... I'll let you know when I figure that one out myself. :laugh4:

[al Roumi]

By "maddest," do you mean bad?
Nope, I mean my physical control of the mouse... and I mean the most "LOLWUTZUBER" bit of the game (for me) :beam:


As for archery... eh... I'll let you know when I figure that one out myself. :laugh4:
Archery is just plain difficult. Each bow/crossbow/javelin and your own strength and skill stats have an individual effect on the ballistic course of the projectile. I rarely hit with my first shot at range, you have to learn to correct your angle of elevation first, then anticipate for any traverse.

A nice detail is that the difficulty of your shot (when it hits...) is displayed and proportionaly increases the XP you gain from it.

My current character is a mounted javlineer with a saber, I'm enjoying skewereing Swadians and then collecting the heads of those not already "shish-kebabed".

It has to be one of the hardest games I've played, at least until you put in about 20+ hours or so. Even then you can still get mobbed on your own (with 50+ elite troops) by war parties in the 100s. Also as a high level character things get life threatening when you get mobbed on your own (on foot) as enemies "queue" their attacks from a few ranks deep.

[rajpoot]

Getting mobbed on foot is the worst thing. You don't even get a chance to place a hit. I mean it's just maddening to go down in a swarm of peasants, without even getting a chance to place a single hit.
That's one reason I never play on foot. Always on horse with a two handed sword/axe. That's the way to go! I find that even more effective than lancing, since once you skewer an enemy on a lance, it is raised for an instant after that. With a sword and a heavier horse, charging into enemies and slashing is very effective.

[Mailman653]

I'm addicted to using a lance, but I always carry a sword as a backup if I ever get dismounted. In regards to archery and crossbows, I only using them when defending in a siege, I love to fire into them, it's the only time I know I'll hit something :laugh4:

I also like using them when attacking, if I find a high spot on the towers, I would pick up a bow and arror and rain down arrows into the court yard.

[Beskar]

Admittedly, I am having problems with mounted combat, but I am perfectly fine at foot. For some reason, my hits just don't hit against foot targets at all, almost.

My character I have at the moment (Alexia Gisbourne) I pretty much just specced in Int and Charisma, giving her very high medic skills, etc, which allows her to be very effective in fights.

Unfortunately, the game won;'t allow me to screenshot :(

[pevergreen]

I remember playing in the low 0.9 's with a customisble recruits mod. You could pick the equipment they used, then upgrade them and the equipment and so on.

I had 9 of them and me, we all had bows, I made them hold ground on the top of a hill, and we knocked out 35 sea raiders as they charged towards us, when they came up the steep hill, I protected my guys as they continued to shoot. And they were level one.

Truly an incredible game.

[econ21]

Admittedly, I am having problems with mounted combat, but I am perfectly fine at foot. For some reason, my hits just don't hit against foot targets at all, almost.

Yes, I am not much good at actively hitting things from a horse with a sword etc. Have you tried using a couched weapon (lance)? With that, you don't have to click to attack, you just need to get sufficient speed for your lance to be lowered and to pass by an enemy on your right. It's not terribly intuitive at first, but you quickly get the hang of it and like TC said, it does more damage, more easily than anything else.

I remember struggling in the arena with it so I would recommend trying it out for real first. But you have to invest in it - get a decent riding skill (4 ideally), get a big horse (warhorse or charger, ideally), and get well armoured from head to toe with a shield. You can do it with a lot less, but that's the knightly gear you really want so that arrows, spears and dense mobs of foot don't unhorse you after a small mistake.

[johnhughthom]

Personally I prefer to use a fast horse, Champion Coursers are superb, and lighter armour when couching to get in and out of danger quickly. I can understand why you would use a big horse and heavy armour though, it's great charging into a mass melee and knocking six people flying. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the jousting lance, it has the longest reach and gives blunt damage, thus knocking the enemy out so you can capture them and ransom them off.

[pevergreen]

Skirt around the edges on a fast horse, with a couched lance.

I found you can take out 30+ by yourself, if you run around the edges and never actually run into someone unless you are at full speed and its only one person. Physically aim low and run the horse right next to the guy, thats how I hit them.

[Togakure]

They just ignore my emails... This is getting on my nerves. I have now been forced to make a public statement on their forums about the lack of support I have been getting... I really hate when companies do this...

Edit: NVM this; I see your post on Taleworlds.

On the Paradox forums, or at TaleWorlds? The P forums are new and pretty much suck. The TW forum has existed for years now and all the M&B hard-cores hang out there. If you want answers, post at TW. It was created by the game makers and is run by their direct appointees, not Paradox. Be forewarned: the board is very unlike this one. People tell it like it is, are deliberately harsh when people don't do their own homework first or are just plain stupid, and the admins ban idiots quickly and without mercy. State your issue and be cool about it, and someone should come along and offer advice.

***

Edit: Skill point investments and weapon proficiencies affect your combat effectiveness a lot. Early on, it's a lot harder to do anything well. As you invest points, your character will respond better. Once your key skills are 4 or better and your primary weapon proficiencies above 200, you should see a lot of improvement. Lancing tends to improve quickly. Archery does too with regular use (I use a bow a lot during sieges, picking off enemies from the walls). Horse Archery is the hardest to get the hang of, and requires a lot of skill point investment. Don't bother with it unless you are willing to invest at least 6 in Horse Archery, and 4 in Riding. You'll also need a high Power Draw to use the good bows and do more damage. Remember though, that you can shoot while sitting on your horse without moving; Horse archery isn't required for this. The targeting reticle only changes if you're moving.

[miotas]

I love this game. My character is a nomad horse archer, riding a spirited courser, wearing full nomad gear and armed with a lance, a war bow, and 2 quivers of khergit arrows for a total of 56 arrows. I can easily take down parties of 30-40 men on my own, playing on normal difficulty. My parties usually consist of small fast moving bands (20-30 men) of Verteran horse archers with 3 compainions. I conduct swift raids into enemy territory and loot villiages. I can easily take down up to 100 men, unless they are Swadian knights. My favourite tactic against foot infantry is to ride ahead of them at the same speed they are running and keep giving them parthian shots in the head.


Admittedly, I am having problems with mounted combat, but I am perfectly fine at foot. For some reason, my hits just don't hit against foot targets at all, almost.
I had some trouble with this as well until I figured out that you need to actually be looking towards the ground when you swing. If you are looking straight ahead then the sword will swing over their heads and miss.



3) Which units carry blunt weapons? I currently have a mission to capture a spy alive, but he's guarded by about 15 decently armed men. With normal combat, I can easily slaughter all of them without a second thought, but it's impossible for me to keep the spy alive doing that. When I order everyone to use blunt weapons, they all just seem to use their fists, which does nothing but get them killed.
Get yourself a jousting lance, it is blunt and a couched hit will knock them unconsious instantly. Just ride in solo with your jousting lance until you manage to knock out your target, then order your men to move in and kill everyone else. A jousting lance is also a good way to take a lot prisoners and make a lot of money

[A Very Super Market]

I got Mount and Blade a few days ago, and it's addictingly fun. My character is a generic noble/knight, a vassal under the Vaegirs. And he has a lance. A lance that probably has several layers of blood coated on it. My proficiency in polearms (Laugh it up) is around 250, and I've only been playing for a little bit. I don't think I've used any of my other weapons since the beginning of the game.

My army is heavily archer based, so I can run around and poke people while they also get picked off. But I have enough infantry and cavalry for a straight fight, so it's versatile enough to last. I normally ride a spirited Courser, but I keep a Warhorse on hand in case I have to fight a bunch of knights.

But I don't own any land. I am rich beyond all belief, but I don't have any land. Woe is me.

Edit: Oh, and he's got a CRAZY moustache as well.For

[Crazed Rabbit]

Closed Beta sign ups! (http://forums.taleworlds.net/index.php/topic,70852.0.html)


Hello everyone,

We are getting closer to starting M&B Warband multiplayer beta tests and this is an invitation to all our community to apply as beta testers and join in the fun. All you need to do is fill out the application form at:

http://beta.taleworlds.com/apply.aspx

Since server capacity will be limited, we'll be able to accept a limited number of applicants to the beta tests. Our choice criteria will be as follows:
- Applicants who enter a valid serial key are much more likely to be selected than those who do not.
- As we open new test servers, we'll invite new beta testers whose locations are close to that server's location. For example, if we open a server in Germany, we'll invite testers who live in Europe.
- Other than that, selection will be random.

Thank you in advance to all those who will apply.
Looking forward to duke it out with you guys on the beta servers...

CR

[johnhughthom]

Applied.

[al Roumi]

OH MAN!!! Applied.

Chances of success are slim though I bet!

[Mouzafphaerre]

.
Thanks to our new rig I've been playing the latest release for days with pretty high settings and no lags. The world, characters and quests have been much developed since 0.9x versions. Brilliant!

:charge:
.

[seireikhaan]

So has anyone here ever gone full out and conquered the entire map? I'm playing Prophecy of Pendor, and I'm about halfway through and its really a heck of a slugfest even though its not much bigger(if at all) than the native map.

Btw, I heartily recommend Pendor to anyone. Especially if you think Calradia's gotten a bit too familiar.

[rajpoot]

Have done over three-fourths of Calradia. Did it as a vassal though.

What happens when you do conquer the whole map?

[Mouzafphaerre]

.
So, I was replenishing around after an exhaustive campaign and, look at that, King Graveth is badly cornered by a horde of Nords with his 80 something men against 600 some. :shocked: Your humble Byzas Thraikeios enters the scene just to see what happens, likewise with semi-trained 60 something men. The result is a happily surprising victory with 3-4 nord lords captured including King Ragnar. Afterwards a humble epiteth was in order: Byzas Thraikeios Nikator :charge:
.

[al Roumi]

Applications for the Beta test of the "Warband" expansion have been closed:


We have received more than 6000 applications over a short period of time. This will be adequate for the beta tests, so we decided to stop getting new applications for the time being. Many thanks to all who applied for your interest.

Testers will be approved gradually during the next few weeks. So don't be upset if you are not chosen as a tester within the first days

6000 doesn't sound like a huge ammount of community interest to me, given that the application has been open for 3 weeks. Then again, it's been a while since the release of 1.0. What do I know...

http://forums.taleworlds.net/index.php/topic,70852.msg1897283.html#msg1897283

[Crazed Rabbit]

I GOT IN!! BOOYAH!!!!!!!

50% DL'd!

CR

[johnhughthom]

Nice one. :beam:

Let us know what it's like.

[Beskar]

I didn't get in. :sad:

[johnhughthom]

I didn't get in. :sad:

Don't worry, you're not alone.

I'm hoping I get in when they open European servers.

[Beskar]

Hah, my relationship with Mount and Blade is a peculiar one. I really cannot fight on horseback at all, it drives me crazy.

Also, auto-attack on it some how makes me do really bad, but if I go in with the men, my men just slaughter them all.

[Crazed Rabbit]

A good video of beta Warband. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeFmbNOUxZg)

CR

[Togakure]

A good video of beta Warband. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeFmbNOUxZg)

CR
Wow, looks like loads of fun. The player was quite good. Thanks for this.

[Vuk]

I got in! Go me! WEEE!

[Mouzafphaerre]

Hah, my relationship with Mount and Blade is a peculiar one. I really cannot fight on horseback at all, it drives me crazy.

Also, auto-attack on it some how makes me do really bad, but if I go in with the men, my men just slaughter them all.
.
Your presence gives plenty of morale, leadership, tactics... boni to your party; when you're absent they suffer penalties.
.

[Mailman653]

I'm sure there will be some kind of filters in MP that would have horses only, foot only, archers only etc?

Cause I know most people will probably want a horse and just ride around mowing people down, where as people who prefer to fight on foot will have to dodge horses the whole game.

[Togakure]

Ah, but such is the nature of war. Horses are a liability on many types of terrain in M&B. In SP games I often dismount my entire crew (usually all horsemen) to avoid getting slaughtered, even by the AI. Mountains, forests, rivers, and villages can be particularly deadly. Against human players ... after watching that MP video I came to realize just how good some folks are with bows on horseback, let alone on foot. I never did get the horse archery thing down very well. I need to practice up. I imagine some players are quite good with spears on foot against horsemen too.

My guess is, horses will cost a lot so infantry and bowmen will have more to spend on their gear.

It will indeed be crucial to take advantage of terrain obstacles and work as a team in MP for consistent success, I think. This is a good thing. I'm really looking forward to giving MP a try (and getting my butt owned a lot, I'm sure).

[Abokasee]

A good video of beta Warband. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeFmbNOUxZg)

CR


Oh my god online play on M&B I think my eyes have just exploded in awe.

I quite liked the layout of the "choose your equipment" menu, also do higher levels result in better equipment and the like?

Also its a online game with out nade spamming and such like, despite there being no crouch there could be a slightl elemant of stealth (at 3:10 some one could of popped out with a axe and get a quick kill)

Apparently the current player limit is 32, although Im sure mods and various servers can easily lift it too 120 or even more!

[al Roumi]

Awesome video!

Makes me realise I am goiing to get hammered though... I play it a lot slower than that!

You lucky buggers who got in, I've not heard either way yet. It looks like a lot of fun.

Doesn't it have a counterstrike esque system for equipment? Where kills & achievements increase your budget per round? That would be cool.

[Mouzafphaerre]

.
Crouching is a necessary function for SP too. I hope they add it in some time. :yes:

Not that commands are well heeded by the cavalry but it's often wise to order them to spread out (F9 by default) before engaging. I typically order infantry and archers to stand closer (F8); have archers and cavalry follow me until finding a good spot for deployment; order the archers (which should be lagging behind) to hold that position (not too close to the collision area, mind you) and lead my cavalry around the enemy before ordering a charge, often from the rear or flank. It works perfectly against infantry heavy armies such as Nords or Rhodoks (not that, being their vassal, I've ever fought them but I do know the unit tree ~;)).
.

[Mouzafphaerre]

A good video of beta Warband. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeFmbNOUxZg)

CR
.
I see that they've finally implemented the health gauge for the steed. I hope it comes in for the SP soon.
.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Another video. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxyqa5eFpts) This time from the 'battle' gamemode, which is round based and has no respawning. You may see your favorite loco lagomorph, busy killing his foes! (And being killed... :sweatdrop: )

Playing with humans is a night and day difference from playing with AI. It's amazing.

CR

[johnhughthom]

That looks like ridiculously good fun.

[Apoc]

Gamescom Interview with Armagan Yavuz. (http://www.modrealms.com/mount-and-blade/gamescom-mount-blade-warband-interview-with-armagan-yavuz/)

[Apoc]

Interview with Ealabor from Hegemony 268 B.C. (http://www.modrealms.com/modifications/totalconversions/interview-hegemony-268-bc/)

[Jolt]

Another video. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxyqa5eFpts) This time from the 'battle' gamemode, which is round based and has no respawning. You may see your favorite loco lagomorph, busy killing his foes! (And being killed... :sweatdrop: )

Playing with humans is a night and day difference from playing with AI. It's amazing.

CR

Hahaha! I wasn't aware that you were in the video. I was like: "Cute. ... ... ...Wait, did I just saw Crazed_Rabbit appear in this video? After some seconds there it was the name again, and I laughed. :D
CR, this is just one step further in world domination. Soon enough there will only be your videos on youtube.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Some screenshots; first we have the Vaegirs charging the Nords, then the Nords setting up a ladder to attack a Khergit city, and finally said Nords streaming up said ladder.

https://img17.imageshack.us/img17/5336/mb45.jpg
https://img17.imageshack.us/img17/3987/mb48.jpg
https://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4367/mb49.jpg


Oh, and Jolt, if you google search 'crazed rabbit' the third and seventh results link to this thread!

Apoc, Hegemony should get even more awesome with the custom sizing of skeletons that was figured out recently.

CR

[Mailman653]

A siege with real people looks quite fun!

[mountaingoat]

online play would be pretty sweet .. all the servers are going to be in EU and US to start with i guess :furious3: :sweatdrop:
lol

[rajpoot]

I don't get it, is it like a battle with two chaps and their armies or is it 32 different chaps at the same time?

[Jolt]

I suppose all of them are players. Otherwise there should be a set number of soldiers per side each battle, and those soldiers which aren't players become A.I.

[Crazed Rabbit]

I don't get it, is it like a battle with two chaps and their armies or is it 32 different chaps at the same time?

Each soldier is an individual player in most of the media posted so far, up to 64 per game, but bots can play as well.

CR

[rajpoot]

OK......so that means there is no actual leader in any battle who can issue commands to others? I mean it might get messy, specially with bows. With everyone running wherever they want....

[al Roumi]

messy? ever played team fortress or COD4?

[rajpoot]

I rarely play online. Age of Empires when I'd first bought it, but never an FPS. Infact I don't play FPSs at all.
Anyway I don't understand how do they plan to ensure that they don't hit people who're on their own team...

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I rarely play online. Age of Empires when I'd first bought it, but never an FPS. Infact I don't play FPSs at all.
Anyway I don't understand how do they plan to ensure that they don't hit people who're on their own team...

They probably have friendly fire off, which is the default setting in the SP game (except for with thrown weapons).

[Jolt]

Well in tactical multiplayer games, the standard behaviour of players in the same team is to stick together, especially since they know they always have better chances of surviving if they stay together.

[Crazed Rabbit]

They probably have friendly fire off, which is the default setting in the SP game (except for with thrown weapons).

Right now, if you hit a teammate with a projectile, you take damage. I don't mind that so much. Unfortunately, the same is true if you hit a teammate's horse, which leads often to death for even a full health person.

Edit: Also, that's just one of several adjustable server options for friendly fire. It's just the only one that's been used.

CR

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Right now, if you hit a teammate with a projectile, you take damage.


You take damage, or they take damage?

[Crazed Rabbit]

You take damage, or they take damage?

Whoever fires the projectile. The teammate who gets hit takes none.

CR

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

That's a pretty straightforward approach to friendly fire. That'll also nix projectile-based griefing. I guess I'll just have to be careful when I'm firing into crowds. :P It probably won't be too bad without dumb AI running in front of firing lines...

[Veho Nex]

ugh... Cant find my reciept so I might be forced to buy it again...

[kazzan]

Warband is awesome...

It's pretty fun to play, but the nords are slightly overpowered yet. They have the best shields in the game too, but its pretty fun to play either way. New mode is siege mode! Just came with the update. You get to siege a castle with your buddies...

There are already clans for it eve though its still in beta...

[econ21]

Warband is awesome...

It's pretty fun to play, but the nords are slightly overpowered yet. ...

Why are the nords OP in warbands? In the regular game when controlled by the AI, they are perhaps the weakest faction IMO.

[Crazed Rabbit]

I wouldn't call the Nords overpowered; they can be beaten by organized Rhodoks, who have better shields. And you can't bet on anything based on AI.

Right now the biggest issues (IMHO) are archer's shooting/movement while shooting speed, crossbow's low damage, some horse hitbox problems, armor's lack of usefullness (it doesn't stop enough damage), and some spawning issues for team death match random maps. And right now battle mode (rounds with no respawning, like CounterStrike) is the most played, because the other modes devolve more into frantic killing. The team tactics in battle are hugely important to whether your team wins or loses.

I really love the 'realistic' server that forces manual blocking. So much more intense.

CR

[al Roumi]

owh! When will the european servers be up?!

sigh...

[Vuk]

I wouldn't call the Nords overpowered; they can be beaten by organized Rhodoks, who have better shields. And you can't bet on anything based on AI.

Right now the biggest issues (IMHO) are archer's shooting/movement while shooting speed, crossbow's low damage, some horse hitbox problems, armor's lack of usefullness (it doesn't stop enough damage), and some spawning issues for team death match random maps. And right now battle mode (rounds with no respawning, like CounterStrike) is the most played, because the other modes devolve more into frantic killing. The team tactics in battle are hugely important to whether your team wins or loses.

I really love the 'realistic' server that forces manual blocking. So much more intense.

CR

I agree except concerning armour. I think that the better armour should protect more specifically against arrows, but otherwise stay the same. I also think that arrows should not have such a large effect on shields.

[kazzan]

If Nords are not Overpowered, what are they? They win most of the matches..

Is anyone of you in the beta?

[econ21]

If Nords are not Overpowered, what are they? They win most of the matches..

What is it about the Nords that makes them powerful? I have not followed the expansion and so have no idea about how PvP plays out in M&B. Is it down to the equipment open to the player? If so, what do they have access to that other factions don't?

[al Roumi]

What is it about the Nords that makes them powerful? I have not followed the expansion and so have no idea about how PvP plays out in M&B. Is it down to the equipment open to the player? If so, what do they have access to that other factions don't?

Best combat infantry in the game maybe? No spears and plenty of shields, backed up with reasonable archers?

That's a point: In Warband, are spears and polearms still rubbish as weapons for foot soldiers? They have to fix that somehow...

[johnhughthom]

Well I guess if Nords are overpowered that's kinda the point of the beta testing, to let Taleworlds know they needs to work on the balancing.


owh! When will the european servers be up?!

sigh...

I know, it's a frustrating wait.

[econ21]

Best combat infantry in the game maybe? No spears and plenty of shields, backed up with reasonable archers?

So infantry is good in PvP? In the original solo game, cavalry seemed to be more powerful (whether owned by the AI or used by the player against them).

[al Roumi]

So infantry is good in PvP? In the original solo game, cavalry seemed to be more powerful (whether owned by the AI or used by the player against them).

I don't know, I'm still waiting for the EU servers to be up (and to get an invite).

Having seen some of the videos though, it looks like there are some features of the map that intelligent players might utilise as cover from cavalry. From posts above, it also looks like archery is a bit strong, and horses maybe too vulnerable to it. Nords "FTW" on foot of course :beam:

[rajpoot]

Far as I remember top tier infantry had better armour than top tier cavalry....or atleast equivalent.
The main weapons cavalry used were lances, and infantry had swords/axes (not counting the Rhodoks). So, in my experience the cavalry always got bogged down when they tried to poke with their spears while the footmen slashed and chopped. :sweatdrop:
AI Cavalry is useful in sustained battle if they ditch the spears. I almost never gave heroes polearms. If I did, I dismounted them.
What I'm trying to say is that infantry have more or less always been more powerful than the cavalry, unless the infantry carried spears too.

[Crazed Rabbit]

If Nords are not Overpowered, what are they? They win most of the matches..

Is anyone of you in the beta?

I'm in. Same name as here.


What is it about the Nords that makes them powerful? I have not followed the expansion and so have no idea about how PvP plays out in M&B. Is it down to the equipment open to the player? If so, what do they have access to that other factions don't?

Nord infantry have the singular ability to choose throwing axes for equipment. Right now there's 6 per slot. So you can carry 18 and a shield. And now throwing weapons can be switched to melee by pressing 'x'. So you can throw 17 axes at a person and then hit them with the last one. And then pick up more axes from the field. And thrown axes do more damage than swung axes, and 2 or 3 will take down most horses.

Now imagine a mass of infantry with that ability; to fling axe after axe at approaching infantry, destroying their shields and then killing them. I think axes need to be limited to 3 per slot and have damage toned down a bit, and damage against horses nerfed.

The cav vs inf balance is, imo, good. Cav is more powerful, but players won't charge an infantryman with a spear ready. Horse hitboxes need some work, though.


That's a point: In Warband, are spears and polearms still rubbish as weapons for foot soldiers?

Oh certainly not. Tis a foolish Rhodok Sergeant who goes into battle without his glaive. And simple spears can be quite good as well.

CR

[rajpoot]

Nord infantry have the singular ability to choose throwing axes for equipment. Right now there's 6 per slot. So you can carry 18 and a shield. And now throwing weapons can be switched to melee by pressing 'x'.



Awesome!
Like you say, they ought to tone it down a bit, but this certainly is a great idea. :yes:

[al Roumi]

Oh certainly not. Tis a foolish Rhodok Sergeant who goes into battle without his glaive. And simple spears can be quite good as well.


Cool, and thanks for the updates. It's as close as i can get to the beta so far...

[Husar]

Sounds good, question:

When you change javelins to melee, are they still held overhead or like any other spear?
I've wanted an overhead spear animation in this game for a while, for early medieval cavalry f.e. :sweatdrop:

[kazzan]

It switches to normal spear.

The reason nords are op is because they have so god damn many throwing axes, even get them for free. And they even have cavalry, though they should be infantry only...

Im already on a clan, Kingdom Of Holy Calradia. It has some nice mebers...

[Prussian to the Iron]

Yes, it is the ultimate strategy:

-start out as a nomad, steppe person, hunter, everything that has to do with bows and horse archery.

-make sure you max out your agility and archery, plus power-draw and horse archery

-Find some looters (because they have no shields) and basically do a cantabrian circle, shooting arrows at them from your horse.

-sell their stuff, buy some cheap infantry from the villages, and tell them to wait at the start of every battle.

-attack the enemy until all your arrows are used up, then order a charge

-get tons of money and prisoners, and then do anything you want

Using this, at level 1 I already have 8 infantry buddies, an archer woman who is amazing, and 2 mercenary crossbowmen. needless to say, I am owning.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Fight a group of twenty swadian crossbowmen and come back here. :D

[pevergreen]

This needed its own thread why?

:no:

[al Roumi]

Fight a group of twenty swadian crossbowmen and come back here. :D


This needed its own thread why?


Lol to both.

I would also be interested in your findings on the success of this strategy against, erm, anything from mountain bandits and up. :smash:

Edit:

Ok, just realised you are new too M&B.
1, well done for getting it -you won't regret it (your social life/girlfriend will).
2, be very wary of attacking anything other than looters for a while! Your noob infantry will get owned -I always start with a party of "companions", not generic troops as you'll lose them too quickly... note that not all companions like each other and there are a few optimum party compositions to get around that.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

To be fair, you have to start somewhere. And if you enjoy horse archery, go for it. But you can't fight looters forever and the difficulty ratchets up depending on who you're facing.

[johnhughthom]

be very wary of attacking anything other than looters for a while! Your noob infantry will get owned -I always start with a party of "companions", not generic troops as you'll lose them too quickly... note that not all companions like each other and there are a few optimum party compositions to get around that.

I use that strategy too, generally I solo as long as possible getting ridiculous amounts of renown (soloing Sea Raiders is great fun, 17 was the biggest group I beat) then gather up a party and wait until one of the Kings invites me into their Kingdom. Only then do I bother hiring peasant, and I have been levelling up all my companions training so the peasants don't stay weak for long.

[Prussian to the Iron]

hey, I have a spear and a shield, but it wont let me couch it. how do i do that?

[johnhughthom]

Couching is automatic, just get your horse up to speed and point your spear at the enemy don't press the attack button.

[frogbeastegg]

Topics merged.

[professorspatula]

Yes, it is the ultimate strategy:

-start out as a nomad, steppe person, hunter, everything that has to do with bows and horse archery.

-make sure you max out your agility and archery, plus power-draw and horse archery

-Find some looters (because they have no shields) and basically do a cantabrian circle, shooting arrows at them from your horse.

-sell their stuff, buy some cheap infantry from the villages, and tell them to wait at the start of every battle.

-attack the enemy until all your arrows are used up, then order a charge

-get tons of money and prisoners, and then do anything you want

Using this, at level 1 I already have 8 infantry buddies, an archer woman who is amazing, and 2 mercenary crossbowmen. needless to say, I am owning.

You make it sound like this is a quick strategy to success, yet to be a truly great horse archer, you need a high power draw and horse archery stat. For that, you need to pump your stats into strength and agility, which means you'll not be increasing the intelligent stat which is oft needed to give you extra skill points to make you a better rounded character. It'll take quite some time just killing looters and small mountain bandit parties to get a high enough level to be a true great horse archer, and then you'll be weak elsewhere and it'll take you a much longer time to level up other areas. A horse archer is a strong character but it often only takes one lance charge or an unlucky arrow to knock your health down to dangerous levels and make you weak as a kitten, and if you don't have a strong support force to help you, you risk losing the battle and your men and much of your wealth.


I think the horse archer character is fantastic for mounted combat and one of the deadliest in the game, it's just the path to getting him to that stage (Horse archery 6-7 min, same for powerdraw) takes time. That's why if I want to play such a character I usually add a couple of points in riding, horse archery and powerdraw before going out in the wilds to give me a heads up so I can also be less weak initially elsewhere. Or if he has high horse archery already, put the points elsewhere like wound recovery. Technically it's cheating but after playing M&B so much during beta stage, anything I can do to save myself a few hours of leveling up in a new game I will. It's a shame my main PC is out of action as I wouldn't mind playing the game now to be honest. I barely given the game a chance since it got out of beta.

[Beskar]

What doesn't make sense is where it says "At level 1".

I have found though, using pole arm and horse, you can just couch attack hitting the enemy for around 480 damage (What I am hitting for at the moment). Then just sell stuff.

[Apoc]

Some new M&B news:

The European closed beta servers are now open (http://www.modrealms.com/mount-and-blade/mount-blade-warband-closed-beta-european-servers-open/), and invites are being sent out. Needless to say, if you signed up, now is the time to check your inbox.

A new game, Mount & Blade: Ogniem i Mieczem (http://www.modrealms.com/mount-and-blade/mount-blade-ogniem-i-mieczem-with-fire-and-sword-trailer/) (With Fire and Sword) has been announced. Comes with one of the better M&B-related trailers I've seen.

In mod news:

gutekfiutek's Polished Buildings Mod (http://www.modrealms.com/modifications/polished-buildings-mod-v1-0/) has been released, and includes fantastic towns and castles for Swadia and Vaegir.

World War Z and Shaun of the Dead fans may be interested in the Modern Zombie Minimod (http://www.modrealms.com/modifications/modern-zombie-minimod-announced/) that was recently announced. And the third chapter of The Eagle and the Radiant Cross is out (http://www.modrealms.com/modifications/totalconversions/the-eagle-and-the-radiant-cross-chapter-3-v0-1/).

There is also a screenshot (http://www.modrealms.com/modifications/totalconversions/the-peninsular-war-screenshot-rifleman-of-the-95th-rifles/) from The Peninsular War showing a Rifleman of the 95th Rifles crouching (yes, the new animation) and taking aim.

[Vuk]

Hhhhm...that Polish one looks great. Will that be released in English? Also, I hope it will be available in the US.

[Prussian to the Iron]

wait, so is M&B multiplayer now? or are those just closed beta servers?

also:

Does anyone know what Warbands price will be? and what is the current price of full M&B in stores? I might just hold off buying it until when Warbands (and multiplayer) comes out in early 2010, but if its cheap enough, ill buy the full version now.

[Apoc]

Will that be released in English? Also, I hope it will be available in the US.

There's very little info on it. As it looks right now it'll be an eastern European release, at least at first, but that's just me guessing.


wait, so is M&B multiplayer now? or are those just closed beta servers?

Yeah, those are closed beta servers. You need an invite to get in, and the sign up ended weeks ago.

Not sure what the price is in physical stores, but the price is usually around 30€ online (GamersGate, Steam).

[Prussian to the Iron]

€ ? whats that? a euro?

[Crazed Rabbit]

€ ? whats that? a euro?

I believe so. As for your strategy, well, I wouldn't call it the 'ultimate' until you've faced someone besides river pirates. ~;p

And thanks for the news Apoc.

CR

[Beskar]

I know for a fact the arrow circle strategy won't work. I already tried it. Then again, it might be because I am playing with a mod, but the arrows seem to do next to no damage.

[Husar]

I believe so.

You can be sure you ignorant yanks, you... :smash:

[Prussian to the Iron]

I know for a fact the arrow circle strategy won't work. I already tried it. Then again, it might be because I am playing with a mod, but the arrows seem to do next to no damage.

well there you go.

if you do horse archery, you have to invest just about every skillpoint possible in horse archery and power draw, and thrown weapons if you'd like.

in order to get good starting bow weapons, start out as steppe nomad, hunter, etc.

[Beskar]

I done that. It hardly does any damage, even then if shots aren't wasted hitting their shields.

Just having polearm and couch lancing them is pretty much 1 shots them.

[Prussian to the Iron]

did you ever try mounted crossbow-ing?

and remember you said you were using a mod; i'm only on the vanilla trial, so there will be some obvious differences.

[Beskar]

Crossbow's pretty much as a whole, cannot be used on horseback.

I played Lords and Realms, and the Prophecy of Peldan.

[Prussian to the Iron]

ummm......???

and one more thing:

It often takes several passes to get the perfect target, and I often end up firing as they raise thier shields and try to attack me, exposing their body for less than a second. This is the time to strike.

Admittedly, I almost never end up with prisoners due to a decisive lack of mercy.

[Husar]

Crossbow's pretty much as a whole, cannot be used on horseback.

I played Lords and Realms, and the Prophecy of Peldan.

Wrong, unless they changed that.
I mean at least in version 1.something, the last I played, you can shoot all of them from horseback and the light and hunting crossbows can also be reloaded on horseback.

[Beskar]

Wrong,

It isn't wrong. If the game could be screen shotted, I would post a picture. It explicitly says "Cannot be used on Horseback" in Lord and Realms for the Siege Crossbow for instance, But every other one I seen says pretty much the same.

[Prussian to the Iron]

whats 'Lords and Realms'?

[Apoc]

Interview with CD Projekt's managing director about Mount & Blade: Ogniem i Mieczem. (http://www.modrealms.com/mount-and-blade/mount-blade-ogniem-i-mieczem-interview/)

[johnhughthom]

Admittedly, I almost never end up with prisoners due to a decisive lack of mercy.

You should try using jousting lances. They have the longest reach of all polearms and give blunt damage so you capture pretty much every enemy you come across. It's a bit odd to be soloing and carrying 25-30 prisoners around with you though...

[Prussian to the Iron]

You should try using jousting lances. They have the longest reach of all polearms and give blunt damage so you capture pretty much every enemy you come across. It's a bit odd to be soloing and carrying 25-30 prisoners around with you though...

oh, I don't solo, but I think I can only carry like 10 prisoners at a time right now.

and that interview about M&B: Fire and Sword....I don't know. the historical battles looks cool, but I'm guessing it would be a non-campaign thing? and I thought this was set in Calradia, not medieval europe? and whats up with the muskets and pistols?

BTW: is Fire and Sword only available in poland in polish? or is it a world-wide thing? Because I have not seen it in anything but polish except for this translation...

[Prussian to the Iron]

Hey, before i forget to ask, I have a question:

I remember hearing or reading somewhere that you could make captured prisoners into soldiers in your army. but whenever I click 'Talk', it just says something about me watching them and they say they wont try to escape. how can I conscript them?

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

I don't know specifics about Fire and Sword, but it just looks like a mod. M&B is pretty moddable, and there are lots of mods that change the game's setting and gameplay, even adding firearms to it.

[Jolt]

Hey, before i forget to ask, I have a question:

I remember hearing or reading somewhere that you could make captured prisoners into soldiers in your army. but whenever I click 'Talk', it just says something about me watching them and they say they wont try to escape. how can I conscript them?

To recruit them, you have to camp first.
Then you should do something I can't remember since its been a few months since I played the demo.

[Crazed Rabbit]

So, would anybody be interested in forming some sort of Org group for Warband MP playing?

CR

[miotas]

It isn't wrong. If the game could be screen shotted, I would post a picture. It explicitly says "Cannot be used on Horseback" in Lord and Realms for the Siege Crossbow for instance, But every other one I seen says pretty much the same.

That's only for the heavier crossbows, I know for a fact that the hunting crossbow can be used on horseback since I myself was surprised when I first seen the "Cannot be used on horseback message" after I upgraded from the hunting crossbow straight to the siege crossbow. And if the heavy crossbows are already loaded then they can be fired from horseback, it just can't be reloaded.

[Husar]

That's only for the heavier crossbows, I know for a fact that the hunting crossbow can be used on horseback since I myself was surprised when I first seen the "Cannot be used on horseback message" after I upgraded from the hunting crossbow straight to the siege crossbow. And if the heavy crossbows are already loaded then they can be fired from horseback, it just can't be reloaded.

Yes, like I said, the light crossbow and hunting crossbow can be reloaded on horseback, anything above can't, the siege crossbow is the heaviest crossbow in the arsenal and cannot be reloaded on horseback, I thought that was in my last post already. :whip:

[Prussian to the Iron]

I don't know specifics about Fire and Sword, but it just looks like a mod. M&B is pretty moddable, and there are lots of mods that change the game's setting and gameplay, even adding firearms to it.


really? a mod you say well, I'll have to check it out some time and check...

[Mouzafphaerre]

Hey, before i forget to ask, I have a question:

I remember hearing or reading somewhere that you could make captured prisoners into soldiers in your army. but whenever I click 'Talk', it just says something about me watching them and they say they wont try to escape. how can I conscript them?
.
Camp > Take an action > Recruit some of your prisoners to your party

They may or may not accept. The more you drag them around tho more the chance they agree, in my experience. Also your charisma, renown et. must be playing a part as well as party morale et al but I donno...
.

[Prussian to the Iron]

thanks. I did it, but I didn't know what the sea raiders would become, so I just ended up selling them.

This game is getting way too easy though. I raided a few caravans, insulted a few lords, and stole some supplies from the tan people, and then I just raid and loot their towns for thousands of denars a piece! though I must admit, it makes it harder when the merchants have limited money, and will only pay less than half price...

[johnhughthom]

Have you joined a faction yet? If gets more interesting when you are fighting huge battles between nine or ten Lords on each side, and taking castles and cities.

[Vuk]

VFGR Mod Final (http://forums.taleworlds.net/index.php/topic,54137.45.html) has been released!
Download here! (http://www.filefront.com/14470643/Vuks-Faction-and-Gameplay-Rework-v0.005.rar/)

[Prussian to the Iron]

Have you joined a faction yet? If gets more interesting when you are fighting huge battles between nine or ten Lords on each side, and taking castles and cities.

I'm trying to join the Nord faction, but so far I've only gotten a mercenary contract. I'm hoping to get at least an army of maybe 50-60 before I start trying to really fight anyone.

@ just vuk again: what is in the mod? what does it do? there aren't really any details in the thread...

[Vuk]

It is a total rebalance and gameplay stimulant. New troop trees, a new skin, and a ton of gameplay changes. The player really needs to use tactics now and have an army. (something that is now a lot easier to do) You should try it, it makes the game a lot of fun.

[johnhughthom]

I'm trying to join the Nord faction, but so far I've only gotten a mercenary contract.

I may be wrong, but I think you need 150 renown to join a faction. I usually wait for somebody to approach me, which happens around 250 renown.

[al Roumi]

I may be wrong, but I think you need 150 renown to join a faction. I usually wait for somebody to approach me, which happens around 250 renown.

I think the base value is 200 renown, but your relationship with each faction's ruler will reduce that value for their faction. There is a formula, but I don't know it.

Because of this, I find it a good idea to concentrate on missions the rulers give you. It's also helpful to have good relations with the ruler later on, when you start wanting to claim other fiefs.

[Prussian to the Iron]

I think the base value is 200 renown, but your relationship with each faction's ruler will reduce that value for their faction. There is a formula, but I don't know it.

Because of this, I find it a good idea to concentrate on missions the rulers give you. It's also helpful to have good relations with the ruler later on, when you start wanting to claim other fiefs.

I've read that you need 150, but I don't even know what mine is :P

the formula is that for every extra relation point (P), you need 5 less renown needed (R) to join the faction. so:

R= 150 - (P x 5)

where do i check my renown?

[pevergreen]

camp then reports, I believe.

It may be different, I haven't played for quite a while.

[Apoc]

New TLD screenshots! (http://www.modrealms.com/modifications/totalconversions/the-last-days-screenshots-elves-men-of-arnor/)

[Mouzafphaerre]

.
:elephant:
.

[Mailman653]

New TLD screenshots! (http://www.modrealms.com/modifications/totalconversions/the-last-days-screenshots-elves-men-of-arnor/)

:medievalcheers:

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Are they developing for Warband or for 1.whatever?

[rajpoot]

I think they plan to release a version for M&B vanilla first, and then port it over to Warband....atleast that is what I've understood from the posts in the preview thread. They always say Warband release does not affect them.....Anyway, they've been too tight lipped about stuff......

Looks like this last couple of screenshots too were released to kind of cool down some argument of sorts....:sweatdrop:

[johnhughthom]

Just got my beta invite today, so don't give up hope fellow Europeans.

[al Roumi]

Me too, I just picked the email up this morning! Cue hours of clock-watching...

[Prussian to the Iron]

New TLD screenshots! (http://www.modrealms.com/modifications/totalconversions/the-last-days-screenshots-elves-men-of-arnor/)

TLD is pretty cool, but the map is just too big with too few settlements. I mean, from the river to the east of isengard, I literally had to search for any rohirrim between there and west emnet: not a single one found until i patrolled around west emnet for a couple days.....

I think if they used the Third Age: Total War map, and then added in the campsites, it would be much better. Right now, I simply cannot play it: a pike seems to do nothing to a horse, and the damned A.I. wont just stay in a line. Honestly, I wish that they had included a "Circle" or "Schiltrom" formation for use against cavalry.

[Beskar]

Me too, I just picked the email up this morning! Cue hours of clock-watching...

Same here, I was wondering why I was getting the beta email for the full install, etc.

[Jolt]

Is the European Beta application still open? I don't have the game, but I wouldn't mind giving it a try to see if I manage to also get into the beta.

[johnhughthom]

No it's closed, they also asked for a key on installation so you must need to own Mount & Blade.

[Beskar]

I got no special beta key or anything, but here is the download link for the client -[snip]

So you can have fun as far as I am concerned. If this is some how against the rules, I apologise and just edit it out.

[johnhughthom]

Nothing in the emails said not to share the link with anyone, so it should be ok.

[Beskar]

Being honest, you had to type your key in when you sent for application. They might have made it just be selected keys. Would be the same as just downloading Aion, end of the day, you still can't play, so having it doesn't mean anything.

[johnhughthom]

Yeah, when I try to log on US servers I get an invalid key message so you're probably right. No harm in trying anyway Jolt.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Gah. One of the worst things now is the khergits. It sucks to play as them or against them. They're no good at fighting if they aren't on a horse. And even then they aren't the best.

CR

[johnhughthom]

Seen more than one match that ends in a draw with one Khergit endless running around, uselessly firing arrows into the shields of the enemy.

No, I'm not that Khergit. I'm usually dead...

[Jolt]

Nah, if it doesn't work as it needs a key than I won't even bother trying. Oh well, have fun.

[Beskar]

John, want to play together? Just send your name/etc in a pm and which server.

The Khergits are pretty damn powerful from the games I have been in. The only way the Rhodoks survive is by camping the spawn area, basically.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Yeah, when I try to log on US servers I get an invalid key message so you're probably right. No harm in trying anyway Jolt.

That may be a bug. I've had that happen to me a couple times when logging on US and European servers. Each time, logging in again or clicking 'back' and then 'join game' again fixes it and I am able to log on.

CR

[johnhughthom]

John, want to play together? Just send your name/etc in a pm and which server.

The Khergits are pretty damn powerful from the games I have been in. The only way the Rhodoks survive is by camping the spawn area, basically.

I just use johnhughthom as my name, I'll probably not get a chance to play much for the next few days though. Typically I get swamped in work just as I fall in love with Crusader Kings and get on the M&B beta...:sad2:

[frogbeastegg]

As Taleworlds describe the beta as a closed beta I've removed the link. Better safe than sued.

[Abokasee]

As Taleworlds describe the beta as a closed beta I've removed the link. Better safe than sued.

Fair enough.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Taleworlds has just re-opened Close Beta applications! (http://forums.taleworlds.net/index.php/topic,76804.0.html)

Due to overwhelming demand, we have decided to re-enable the beta application forms. If you'd like to become a beta tester, you can apply from the page below:

http://beta.taleworlds.com/apply.aspx

Unfortunately, the problem with yahoo emails not working still persists, so if you have got a yahoo make account, please make sure you use an alternative address.

Thank you very much!

CR

[Beskar]

As Taleworlds describe the beta as a closed beta I've removed the link. Better safe than sued.

No problem, I checked anyway, they validate your key. So hypothetically, you can download it, it just means you can't actually play it as you don't have the key.

[Mouzafphaerre]

.
Applied, I think, but the page never loaded after hitting apply. I'm not sure my application got through and I don't really care much. With school beginning I may not play-test at all.
.

[johnhughthom]

This latest build seems to have added a few problems, I crash an awful lot now(no CTDs at all in the two previous builds I played). Still a lot of fun though.

[Prussian to the Iron]

I applied like 10 minutes after that link was put on here. got the confirmation email, so now its a wait to see if i get chosen!

[johnhughthom]

I applied like 10 minutes after that link was put on here. got the confirmation email, so now its a wait to see if i get chosen!

Good luck, hope you get picked.

[Jolt]

.
Applied, I think, but the page never loaded after hitting apply. I'm not sure my application got through and I don't really care much. With school beginning I may not play-test at all.
.

You need to go to the e-mail you gave to them, and click on the link of the mail they sent you to complete your registration.

Well, I applied as well, despite not having serial key. Not much hope but who knows when they'll need Portuguese guinea pigs.

[Mouzafphaerre]

.
No, not that. There was an error either with their web page or the connection. It went away later when I tried again and now I'm done. Dunno if they invite me though.
.

[al Roumi]

Apparently there is a problem with Yahoo mail, but there are plenty of similar comments & answers on the Taleworlds forum (i think).

I've been on the beta for a week and it has been good fun. There has been a software upgrade every 2 days or so.

Despite it being fun, I feel they are still a fair distance from where it ought to be. Some of the maps are a bit ropey in their balance, never minf the factions themselves.

But then, anyone on the M&B forum will prob have seen me proclaiming my views :sweatdrop:

[Major Robert Dump]

Dang, I'm out of town and my Cd box from purchase is collecting dust at home

[Crazed Rabbit]

Ahoy, here be some M&B Warband screenies for me mates:
The scurvy swadian dogs here be laid low by the axe men!:
https://img35.imageshack.us/img35/4680/gateslaughter.jpg
Your humble captain dressed in medieval finery:
https://img176.imageshack.us/img176/3111/nordinfantry.jpg

CR

[Mouzafphaerre]

.
Me in! :jumping:

Will give a shot in the weekend. :charge:
.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I got in too. :2thumbsup:

[Jolt]

EMFM, when did you recieve the invite?

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

EMFM, when did you recieve the invite?

Right before the post.

[Jolt]

Aww, shucks. That probably means I ain't getting my beta invite. Not unexpected, but still. :(

[Prussian to the Iron]

me too sadfaic

[johnhughthom]

Whats up with Warband these days, got back online over the weekend after 3 weeks or so and haven't found a server with more than 4 players... Has it died down recently or have I just logged on at the wrong times? Right now there's an EU server with 3 players and a US one with 4.

edit: duh, just refreshed and it seems I wasn't picking up all the servers. :embarassed:

[Beskar]

Haven't played it in a while myself. I got quite good once I managed to get used to the system. We need to do another battle re-union.

Edit: Though just tried now and no servers are coming up. Might not be able to play through this proxy.

[al Roumi]

Whats up with Warband these days, got back online over the weekend after 3 weeks or so and haven't found a server with more than 4 players... Has it died down recently or have I just logged on at the wrong times? Right now there's an EU server with 3 players and a US one with 4.

edit: duh, just refreshed and it seems I wasn't picking up all the servers. :embarassed:

I was playing it quite heavily a week or two ago, then there were problems with the servers. I have to admit, although I'm embarassed to do so as a beta player, that I was losing interest... I'll pick it up again this weekend though, I've been following the updated features and some of them look interesting.

I have to admit though, it always seems like there isn't much that seperates me from life or death. More than any other game I've played (FPS's anyway), I can either go on a massive winning or losing streak, with not much in between. Not sure why that is... The game just seems so harsh though -quite unforgiving (especially Battle I think).

[Prussian to the Iron]

every game is like that though:

the other day in battlefiled: Bad company, i was a sniper with the code-unlocked sniper rifle and a laser designator (airstrike) on the golf course. i went almost the entire game without dying, and killed just about every tank i saw. continued with this for the entire day.

yesterday i got on, and not only could i not manage to steer the missles close to the enemy, but i died at least 3 times more than i killed on almost every game.

sometime you are awesome...then you start to suck and then it goes back.

[al Roumi]

I know what you mean and yes that is true to an extent with every multiplayer game but I find it much more uncompromising in Warband. Not sure why, as I said though -it could just be Battle mode, or possibly also faction balance. I'm not actually convinced the factions are truly balanced for the fun of either team all of the time. E.g. you just know you are going to get hammered as Khergits attacking Village or in Siege. Equally, you know you are going to be hammered by the Khergits on any map other than the above 2.

I think the concept of the different factions is great, I'm just not sure it really works in practice. Any FPS makes it possible for each team to completely mirror the other in skills/capability, with few exceptions. Those that are exceptions e.g. Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, are harder to balance -too many variables.

It could also be that it's a beta and we are only given a select few server choices, designed to destruction test the game's playability :D

[johnhughthom]

I haven't see a single server with more than one person using battle mode over the last few days, death and team death modes seem to be most prevalent now. Then again a month ago it was rare to see any mode other than battle with numbers on the server.

[Prussian to the Iron]

maybe for MP they should have it so that you can pick up enemy armor the same way you can with shields and weapons. so if you are a Khergit sieging a castle, you can take that plate armor of the guy you just killed after 4 tries.

[al Roumi]

maybe for MP they should have it so that you can pick up enemy armor the same way you can with shields and weapons. so if you are a Khergit sieging a castle, you can take that plate armor of the guy you just killed after 4 tries.

Yeah but then what's the point in the different factions? Also, armour isn't realisticaly changeable in quite the same way as a shield or weapon... people would shriek at that suggestion!

Are we now running a parrallel forum to the Taleworlds one? :)

[Prussian to the Iron]

hey, TWC has an entire sub-forum for M&B!

i know, but if you have to choose between a reward of good armour to even out the fact that khergits suck in sieges, or realism, and this is in MP, id choose balance. maybe a 5-10 second delay time as you equip it? of coruse you wouldnt have time to in open field.

[johnhughthom]

Playing new (well new to me anyhow) mode now, seek and destroy I think it's called. It's battle mode with objects to defend/destroy. Bit more interesting than the norm.

[Prussian to the Iron]

how do you 'destroy' the objects?

[johnhughthom]

Just hit them with your sword, mace, spear, whatever. They take a bit of thime to destroy so you have to time your move on them correctly.

One match I was hanging back sniping with my bow (is there any feeling in gaming better than an M&B headshot from halfway across the map?) and heard these funny noises but just ignored them. A few seconds later the message "Catapult destroyed" came up so I looked around to see these three Rhodoks (I was Vaegir) had just destroyed it and I hadn't noticed from ten feet away... :dizzy2: In less embarassing news I stayed alive through all twelve rounds of that match, a first for me. :beam:

[Mailman653]

Is it me, or does it seem as if this game were dying slowly? There doesn't seem to be as many mods as their used to be in the reposititory, especially large mods.

[rajpoot]

I think that they are all waiting for Warband to be released finally.
I know many modders are holding everything until they get Warband so that they can use the new features in the mods.

BTW I always thought they never gave this game the publicity it deserved.....I mean, all right they were indie before, but still, it would have done better I think, with a little more advertising.

[Vuk]

It ain't dying. The reason I am not updating my mod is because I am waiting for Warband. I think that that is the same for most. I was one of the first MP beta testers, but I do not play MP anymore. It really stinks. For the sake of balance, freshness, whatever, they killed much of what is good about M&B. If SP is like MP, I will just be sticking with good old M&B. I cannot believe what they did to MP. :no:

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Awww, really? What happened?

[Crazed Rabbit]

I must strongly disagree Vuk. MP is awesome, if still unfinished. I got some screenies from playing 'siege' mode today:
https://img163.imageshack.us/img163/1407/siegetower.jpg
https://img694.imageshack.us/img694/266/towerdefence.jpg
https://img163.imageshack.us/img163/6591/castlefield.jpg
https://img163.imageshack.us/img163/8735/indoorfighting.jpg
https://img188.imageshack.us/img188/1197/courtyardm.jpg
https://img130.imageshack.us/img130/4944/insidefighting.jpg

Also, I humbly request beta testers go here (http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,85221.0.html) and support my ideas for making combat more realistic and less constant circle swinging. [/shameless promotion]

CR

[Vuk]

I must strongly disagree Vuk. MP is awesome, if still unfinished. I got some screenies from playing 'siege' mode today:
https://img163.imageshack.us/img163/1407/siegetower.jpg
https://img694.imageshack.us/img694/266/towerdefence.jpg
https://img163.imageshack.us/img163/6591/castlefield.jpg
https://img163.imageshack.us/img163/8735/indoorfighting.jpg
https://img188.imageshack.us/img188/1197/courtyardm.jpg
https://img130.imageshack.us/img130/4944/insidefighting.jpg

Also, I humbly request beta testers go here (http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,85221.0.html) and support my ideas for making combat more realistic and less constant circle swinging. [/shameless promotion]

CR

I'll check your suggestions out. Yeah, MP is not all bad, but the combat system in it is messed up horribly and it lags like heck on my computer. It didn't used to at first, but with every update it lags more.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Mount and Blade is only $4.99 for the weekend on Steam. That's the best price I've ever seen.

This is a great game, with amazing mods - not just potential for mods - and for $5 you can get it. If you have any interest in the game, now's the time!

CR

[Krauser]

Mount and Blade is only $4.99 for the weekend on Steam. That's the best price I've ever seen.

This is a great game, with amazing mods - not just potential for mods - and for $5 you can get it. If you have any interest in the game, now's the time!

CR

This is great! I just bought it. This is why I always wait to buy games.

[naut]

Mount and Blade is only $4.99 for the weekend on Steam. That's the best price I've ever seen.

This is a great game, with amazing mods - not just potential for mods - and for $5 you can get it. If you have any interest in the game, now's the time!
That's cheaper than when I bought v0.750!

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Any news on Warband, Rabbit?

[rajpoot]

Any news on Warband, Rabbit?

Same question. What is on with Warband? I wasn't selected for the beta......

[al Roumi]

Same question. What is on with Warband? I wasn't selected for the beta......

I think it's at 0.72 or something. Due for release this spring i think?

[Husar]

I just noticed it's listed on steam for March 30, 2010, just saw the official site has it as well.

I hope there will be a downloadable version for owners of ye olde version from the Taleworlds website.

[rajpoot]

I hope there will be a downloadable version for owners of ye olde version from the Taleworlds website.

Old version? As in the beta version of Warband?
I thought the beta had been free....I doubt they'll give the final game for free.

[Togakure]

Old version? As in the beta version of Warband?
I thought the beta had been free....I doubt they'll give the final game for free.
Those of us who purchased M&B (downloaded it from Taleworlds) years ago are guaranteed free upgrades. I upgraded to the official release at no extra cost--paid around $15 back when it was version 7.51 or so.

They may be treating Wardband differently from Mount and Blade SP though, don't know.

[Mailman653]

I doubt they will just give away WB for free, it's a whole other game. I think for those who bought MB way back when, it's paid it's price in full several times over with all the free upgrades it received over it's lifespan.

[Crazed Rabbit]

To my understanding, Warband will cost money. Seeing as I bought M&B for $12 years ago, I'm quite happy to continue to support it.

Sadly, with ME2 my Warband info is a bit outdated. I'll update you guys soon though.

CR

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

I doubt they will just give away WB for free, it's a whole other game. I think for those who bought MB way back when, it's paid it's price in full several times over with all the free upgrades it received over it's lifespan.

Absolutely.

[rajpoot]

The only reason they started 'selling' M&B while it was still in development was (far as I can logically guess) that they needed money to fund the development.
Now that Paradox has taken over and they are no longer and indie team, I doubt it's for them to decide what and what not to give for free. After all, Paradox is funding Warband's development.

What bothers me though is the $5 price tag M&B has on steam......that's like......hell, that's the price of a DLC for many games at present.....This makes it sound as if M&B wasn't as big a success as it should have been.

[Husar]

Old version? As in the beta version of Warband?
I thought the beta had been free....I doubt they'll give the final game for free.

I wasn't asking for anything free, just that I hope that there won't just be a Steam version and/or a retail version or anything incompatible with my version.
You know, because Paradox took over etc.
The beta wasn't free, I paid 12$ for it way back when this thread was bourne out of the watchful and friendly contribution of our dear rabbit.
The warband beta is free but also closed and limited to a certain number of people, the early beta of M&B could be bought by everyone and upgrades were all free. Since warband is an addon I'd never expect to get it free for the 12$ I paid years ago, and they deserve the money, I'm sure they already spent my 12$ on food or maybe a new developer.

[al Roumi]

What bothers me though is the $5 price tag M&B has on steam......that's like......hell, that's the price of a DLC for many games at present.....This makes it sound as if M&B wasn't as big a success as it should have been.

I think the recent price drop and steam re-release is an M&B:Warband pre-release strategy. Steam does many of these, bioshock, Mass Effect, modern warfare... all had price drops & marketing splash in advance of the release of a sequel. M&B was released as a completed product at least a year ago now, you wouldn't expect to pay top dollar for any game that old- not least an indie one.


I wasn't asking for anything free, just that I hope that there won't just be a Steam version and/or a retail version or anything incompatible with my version.
You know, because Paradox took over etc.
The beta wasn't free, I paid 12$ for it way back when this thread was bourne out of the watchful and friendly contribution of our dear rabbit.
The warband beta is free but also closed and limited to a certain number of people, the early beta of M&B could be bought by everyone and upgrades were all free. Since warband is an addon I'd never expect to get it free for the 12$ I paid years ago, and they deserve the money, I'm sure they already spent my 12$ on food or maybe a new developer.

I imagine Warband will be a complete new package, with it's own price tag. I'd be very surprised if Warband was free for owners of the original M&B. The ammountof work which has gone into the beta alone makes that likely for me. I've not seen anything of the single palyer campaign either, but I was under the impression it was to bring more & better features.

IMO it's best to see M&B as version 0.75 and M&B: Warband as v1.0. I'd imagine the price to be reflective of that distinction too.

[TinCow]

So, what kind of SP improvements are there going to be with Warband? Most everything I've read is about the MP component of it, but I'm not really interested in that.

[al Roumi]

So, what kind of SP improvements are there going to be with Warband? Most everything I've read is about the MP component of it, but I'm not really interested in that.

Indeed, the Beta has so far been solely MP. The only thing for sure will be better graphics, I suggest you hold onto something solid 'cos that means: bump mapped textures!

This blurb (http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php?topic=60372.0) from almost a year ago lists a few features beyond multiplayer. No idea if it is current.

[Vuk]

Indeed, the Beta has so far been solely MP. The only thing for sure will be better graphics, I suggest you hold onto something solid 'cos that means: bump mapped textures!

This blurb (http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php?topic=60372.0) from almost a year ago lists a few features beyond multiplayer. No idea if it is current.

There is a ton of new stuff that has been done with SP. I am on the SP and MP beta. Also, MP beta has just been opened to the public.

[Crazed Rabbit]

So, what kind of SP improvements are there going to be with Warband? Most everything I've read is about the MP component of it, but I'm not really interested in that.

Here's the change log to the SP version of Warband: http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,85767.0.html

CR

[al Roumi]

Here's the change log to the SP version of Warband: http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,85767.0.html

CR

I'm on the MP beta, have been since the EU servers have been open. I'm afraid to say I couldn't sustain the interest beyond a month or so. My key still works so I should give it a try again, I know they've made tons of changes to MP, I just hope they are good. The MP game was always so uncompromising, dying in M&B warband bothered me much more than in say MW or TF2. There was so little margin for error and so little to avoid death some times.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Definitely give it a try again if you only played the first month.

Many things have been tweaked and improved.

CR

[Vuk]

I'm on the MP beta, have been since the EU servers have been open. I'm afraid to say I couldn't sustain the interest beyond a month or so. My key still works so I should give it a try again, I know they've made tons of changes to MP, I just hope they are good. The MP game was always so uncompromising, dying in M&B warband bothered me much more than in say MW or TF2. There was so little margin for error and so little to avoid death some times.

To be honest, I agree that the MP is not worth buying the game over, but then again I have not had the chance to set up a server of my own and LAN my mod with friends yet. :beam: SP though definately will be worth buying the game for. I am just praying that they return to the old fighting animations.

[Crazed Rabbit]

The Warband MP Beta Is Now Open to Everyone Who Owns M&B.

The download link:
http://beta.taleworlds.com/download.aspx

Enter your M&B serial and you can DL the beta and get playing!

CR

[ICantSpellDawg]

Do you play still? how do I play with my .org nerd friends?

[Crazed Rabbit]

Go to the Download link I posted. Enter your M&B Serial Code. Download the latest full version.

Install (you may have to enter your serial code again), configure as normal. Launch the program, hit Multiplayer, set up your player profile as at the beginning of SP M&B, and then click Join Game, then join a server or refresh the list if none are showing.

Keep in mind MP Warband is different from SP M&B 1.011 in several ways.

You choose a team (two factions fight in every game) then a pre-set class (Archer, Cav, or Infantry). You given 1000 gold to buy armor and weapons. Live through a round, or kill a lot of enemies, and you'll get more gold the next time.

Hit Esc to bring up a menu where you can chance options, teams, classes, equipment selection, etc.

There are several game types; Battle. You spawn once at the beginning of the round, and your team tries to kill the entire enemy team.

CTF; you spawn ~5 seconds after you die, and try to steal the enemy flag.

Deathmatch, team and otherwise. You spawn very quickly and the goal is to kill your enemies.

EDIT: Siege too, though generally just on European servers. One side defends a castle and has long spawn times the other attacks, using ladders and siege towers, with breakable doors in the castle. The attackers win by getting to the center of the castle and lowering a flag there (lowered by standing around it, the more people the faster it lowers).

And Conquest, something like the battlefield games where you have to capture points on a map. Again, flags represent the capture points. The more your team controls, the slower your point total goes down. Whoever hits bottom first loses. Not many servers play this right now.

Finally, combat is different in some ways, though I'm afraid I can't give you details of the top of my head. One important thing to remember is that melee friendly fire is a server option - so a careless slash could kill your friend.

I still play. I'll be named "Org_Crazed_Rabbit".

CR

[ICantSpellDawg]

teamspeak?

[Crazed Rabbit]

There's no in game voice chat right now, most unfortunately.

You have to get your own teamspeak or ventrilo server.

Here's the simplest winning tactic; have your whole team stick together when fighting the enemy.

CR

[johnhughthom]

Here's the simplest winning tactic; have your whole team stick together when fighting the enemy.


Easier said than done in my experience.

[al Roumi]

Here's the simplest winning tactic; have your whole team stick together when fighting the enemy.



Easier said than done in my experience.

Mine too... After having returned to the Beta this weekend I am more convinced than ever of the need for a voice chat system.

There are a host of new maps and a whole new faction, the "Sarranid caliphate", who have a refined taste in maces.

Combat balance seems more nuanced than I remember, in that classes are more specialised. IMO this is a good development as previously things were a bit weird on the side of weapon proficiencies & equipment choices.

The added maps and game modes seem good too.

The main problem for me remains the difficulty of getting a team to act coherently, it really is paramount in this game as you can find yourself very vulnerable very quickly.

If I have one gripe, (other than the stupid "spin" attacks people always kill me with) its that siege defenders are always far more numerous than attackers. I imagine this is human behaviour and a desire to have the upper hand and get more kilz, but it's silly and unrealistic. A simple server rule to enforce more attackers than defenders would make it much more balanced -defenders have a bloody castle to protect them!

I will likely be popping up on the EU servers in the evenings if anyone fancies killing me IN THE FACE.

[ICantSpellDawg]

Crap multiplayer rules. Thanks again, CR for getting us all into this game with your tireless promotion of it!

[Crazed Rabbit]

Mount and Blade is $5 again, this time at impulse games! (http://www.impulsedriven.com/mountblade)

CR

[seireikhaan]

Downloading now... was a bit frustrated for a little while on why it wouldn't accept my code, and then I realized that Z wasn't a 2...

[Crazed Rabbit]

There's a new mod out today; The Hunt mod (http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,99562.0.html). In short, a victorian era werewolf hunting game:
https://img148.imageshack.us/img148/8168/huntmod1.jpg
Hunters can choose a bow, crossbow, or mustket, but no melee weapons except a short knife.
https://img689.imageshack.us/img689/9040/huntmod3.jpg
Beasts can only use melee weapons, and have to avoid getting shot as they close the distance with hunters.
https://img697.imageshack.us/img697/3368/huntmod2.jpg
The end result is awesome. There's nothing like the thrill of shooting a beast chasing down a teammate, or jumping into the middle of three hunters and slaughtering them.

You can download it right now and play on a server running the mod. Sadly, such servers as of these writing are only in Europe, but I was kicking butt with 230+ ping, which is likely higher than anyone else from North America will have, so don't be discouraged.

CR

[al Roumi]

I am really looking forward to the single player campaign, some of the changes I've picked up on from snooping in the single player beta forum look interesting...

I do get the impression though that things will not stop with the release, i.e. more will be added after - even the multiplayer forum is chock full of ideas for fairly serious overalls to certain balance & combat dynamics.

[johnhughthom]

Getting back into single player Mount & Blade, soloing groups of Sea Raiders is still great fun. Can't wait for single player Warband.

[PanzerJaeger]

Just started back at the game after several years (can't believe Gmail found my activation code.. haha). Its changed so much!

Any tips on how to make money besides the arena? I always seem to be broke. :(

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Just started back at the game after several years (can't believe Gmail found my activation code.. haha). Its changed so much!

Any tips on how to make money besides the arena? I always seem to be broke. :(

Why besides the arena? Betting a thousand or so and then winning is always great money.

[Crazed Rabbit]

I haven't played SP in months, but generally the best way to gain money is by killing people and taking their stuff. Unfortunately the starting roving bands are a bit tougher than in earlier editions; there might not be river pirates anymore.

There's also a lot more quests; from Lords starting out you can get quests to deliver messages and other simple endeavors. Fighting in non-tournament arenas can also gain a slow, but steady, amount of money.

Also, you can join the Warband beta if you own M&B!

CR

[rajpoot]

Warband beta is just MP right? Or does it have SP too?

[Crazed Rabbit]

Warband beta is just MP right? Or does it have SP too?

There's an SP beta, but it's a bit harder to get into. Last I heard, they were looking mainly for modders and people who can script to test the SP. For the MP beta all you need is your M&B serial key. There's servers located in various spots around the world, like Europe, the US, Australia and China.

CR

[al Roumi]

I haven't played SP in months, but generally the best way to gain money is by killing people and taking their stuff. Unfortunately the starting roving bands are a bit tougher than in earlier editions; there might not be river pirates anymore.

There's also a lot more quests; from Lords starting out you can get quests to deliver messages and other simple endeavors. Fighting in non-tournament arenas can also gain a slow, but steady, amount of money.


As far as I remember, I found mountain bandits the best balance of revenue and difficulty as an immediate jump up from Sea raiders. You can always jump small groups of deserters (or Sea raiders for that matter) too, to get better equipment. I never found the arena (except tournaments) that good (probably because I'm not worth betting on...).

[Togakure]

I made huge amounts trading (enough to afford top-notch equipment and steeds for me and my lieutenants, and an elite war band 50-60 strong), but it required spending quite a bit of game time focused on Trade. I worked my trading in with military activities and quests to raise my Renown and standing in the various communities and factions. I found trade to be the most lucrative method of making money until I could bring two or more Towns with their attached Villages under control.

For those preferring to stick to a more combat-related game, taking out sea raiders and selling their gear, gambling in the arenas, and winning the various tournaments are probably the most lucrative activities.

[al Roumi]

I made huge amounts trading (enough to afford top-notch equipment and steeds for me and my lieutenants, and an elite war band 50-60 strong), but it required spending quite a bit of game time focused on Trade. I worked my trading in with military activities and quests to raise my Renown and standing in the various communities and factions. I found trade to be the most lucrative method of making money until I could bring two or more Towns with their attached Villages under control.

To do this, did you use a particular trade map or circuit? I know one was produced during the beta stages of M&B which I used, I'm not sure if it's still current though. It takes quite an effort to identify the best commodity sales and map a route out, enabling you to efficiently focus on the most lucrative exchanges. M&B's trade /economy engine is actually quite developped.

[Togakure]

To do this, did you use a particular trade map or circuit? I know one was produced during the beta stages of M&B which I used, I'm not sure if it's still current though. It takes quite an effort to identify the best commodity sales and map a route out, enabling you to efficiently focus on the most lucrative exchanges. M&B's trade /economy engine is actually quite developped.

I didn't use a concrete circuit. As I adventured, I noted what commodities sold for in the different regions, starting by buying the cheaper items like Fish, Pottery and Linen in areas where they were produced and then adventuring to areas where they were rare and selling at a good profit. As I could afford it, I began to trade in more expensive but lucrative goods like Oil, Furs, Wine, and Spices. In areas where a good is produced and inherently cheaper, the price still fluctuates significantly; the same applies to selling at a profit (love this about the game design). By really paying attention, you know when to buy, when to sell, and when to just hold on to what you've got.

I would do this while running around the map taking on whatever. It costs a lot to hire a party of 40-60 elite warriors and equip eight elite companions, so my games usually start with a very long period of remaining neutral and running around fighting neutrals, doing quests to build renown and favor, and all the while--trading. Joining a faction impacts Trade. If your clan is at war with the region where a good can be bought cheaply or sold at a large profit, that good becomes difficult to trade. So, I usually wait until I've got a lot of cash (and have a castle where I can "stash" men, but that's another subject).

When 1.0 was released, topics did come up over at the TaleWorlds forum covering Trade, some extensive. I remember one guy who wrote up a very complex and viable "trade route" and strategy, but it's buried in the forum somewhere. As I wrote above, I didn't follow a hard route; I just traded as I ran around. It became an automatic part of the routine.

[PanzerJaeger]

Wow. I'm so hooked on this game. You know its bad when you look for excuses to get out of social events just to play. They've really polished it since 2007 or whenever I last played.

I've figured out money pretty well. Another question: Is there any real benefit to owning castles and cities? I've got one castle and one big city now, and they've been nothing but trouble. I have to constantly defend them and go on recruiting drives to garrison them. The castle and minor towns pay virtually nothing, and even my city - which is prosperous - pays a paltry amount compared to what I can make looting enemy towns.

[Madoushi]

I've been playing this game on and off for a couple months now.
Being a Nord is hard, as the Khergits are no joke. I totally can never fight them without some allied Lords around.

Combat is a bit of a mess. The game desperately needs formations and cohesion. It can get old spending an hour riding around, stabbing at guys with a lance, missing, slowing down, turning, and trying to pass them again.

Overall, the game is pretty rewarding, though again, since my enemy is the Khergits, I mostly have to fight raiders or the rare band of Deserters slow enough to chase down. Also, it can be really irritating that Lords only know where Lord of the same faction are.

You'd think a Vaegir Lord could tell me of King Ragnar of the Nords had passed by his castle recently, but no, I have to head to his last know location, and if he's not there, backtrack to a friendly castle, and if there's no lord there, wander to another castle.

Perhaps I should start a new game, and play as a member of a different faction...

[al Roumi]

Perhaps I should start a new game, and play as a member of a different faction...

Why? Just rescind your fealty to Ragnar and go cosy up to the Khan or someone -keep your Huscarls mind, you might miss them when all you have is Rhodock infantry... :)

[Madoushi]

I've never had any Huscarls, the only tim I got close to them, I got seperated from Ragnar and got wiped out by three Khergit Lords, so now anytime I'm in Khergit territory awith no backup, I have to run, and I have to sacrifice soldiers to cover my escape.

I try and make sure as much of my warband is cavalry as possible, so I have lots of Mercenaries, and most of the rest are conscripted Vaegirs and Swdians. I've heard faction troops are better than Mercenaries, but considering how often I lose troops, constantly training up faction troops just isn't worth it. Even getting troops above Veteran can be really hard.

Also, it'd be out of character to betray my Lord. I'd much rather start a war with the Rhodoks or Swadians or just start a new game than betray the King who has been kind to me and who I have such strong ties to.

[johnhughthom]

Invest in training for your NPCs, it really helps level your troops quickly.

[Madoushi]

Most of my NPCs have a job to do (one is a surgeon, one is a scout, etc), so while my own training level is three, most of my NPCs only have training 1 or 2. I had a couple with training 3, but they both left. So now I rarely train more than 100 exp per day. I'm working on building it back up, though.

At least you usually get to keep your companions when you get captured. If not, I'd have probably quit long ago, lol.

[johnhughthom]

I find there are more than enough companions to have some high in the important areas and have at least 4 focused on training. For instance keep putting points into her intelligence and Ymira can be used for all three medical skills, Deshavi the same with scouting. I bump one persons agility to focus on looting, Artimenner on tactics and building and the rest of the skills my character can handle. With a nine person team that leaves 5 to put points into intelligence and bump up their training.

[rajpoot]

Download the formations module. Playing as a strictly infantry player in M&B is almost impossible without formations IMO...specially against the Khergits.

Now with the module it's another story.....I still remember, first time I'd downloaded it I was skeptical as to what use it'll actually be.....I mean the screenshots were cool but still......Anyway, I put everyone in a line formation and then when the Khergit horsemen came and ran into us, total slaughter. Great mod that.

[Togakure]

... Another question: Is there any real benefit to owning castles and cities? I've got one castle and one big city now, and they've been nothing but trouble. I have to constantly defend them and go on recruiting drives to garrison them. The castle and minor towns pay virtually nothing, and even my city - which is prosperous - pays a paltry amount compared to what I can make looting enemy towns.
I find a castle to be a necessity until I can capture and keep a Town for one basic reason: I can garrison troops there at half the upkeep cost. As I adventure around and liberate or hire lowly troops of types that I like using in my war band, I stash them in my castle, keeping my warband at about 50-60 troops, which I've found to be effective for most situations. When I decide to rest, I go to the castle, move my elites out and move the greenhorns into my group so they get trained when I rest (train them til they are eligible for promotion to the level I want them, but don't actually promote until I include them in my band--saves denars).

Because of the impact on civilian attitudes, I never loot villages or towns. I intend to rule them one day, and need them to be cooperative and productive when I do. Focused trade, spoils of battle, and tournament winnings have always kept me in the money such that looting wasn't necessary. Villages and towns are more lucrative when you invest in them and keep the residents happy. I also like to keep a diverse warrior pool, using troop types from all the factions, so alienating villages with cheap potential conscripts isn't in my best interest. Mercs are just too damn expensive to keep in service indefinitely.

To illustrate what is possible, here's what I have in my most recent game, day 571 (which I haven't played in a long time; I stopped after completing the rebellion):
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v139/47Ronin/AlaiKhand571.jpg

I took Chalbek Castle first, then joined the Khergits (who were neutral with the Nords, ending the feud caused by taking Chalbek as an independent). I then took quite a few castles without asking for any reward, carefully timing my capture of Veluca (by observing the holdings of my fellow lords in comparison to their renown), which I asked for and received. Veluca has five dependent villages, which of course went to other lords when I captured Veluca. I then took a number of other castles and a couple of towns, and didn't ask for anything, again, timing things. I took Yalen and was awarded the Town; its villages went to other lords. Finally, I prepared for rebellion. Just prior, I took Dhirim (which has four villages). As predicted, my lord refused to grant me lordship of Dhirim. I chose to keep my holdings and revoke my oath. Instantly, Veluca and all its holdings, Yalen and all its holdings, and Dhirim and all its holdings came under my control--three towns, 14 villages and a castle. I knew where the pretender was, beelined to him, and offered him my services as Grand Marshal. The rebellion was on, and I was a very rich and powerful lord, whoop dee doo. IIRC, I took Praven during the rebellion; the Swadians were very weak thanks to fighting wars on three fronts.

Income from these holdings is more than enough to fund my war efforts. I was able to retain a wide variety of elite troops and start specializing my attack forces depending on what I planned to do (attacking footmen; attacking horsemen, assaulting strongholds, etc.). I was also able to give my loyal allied lords large numbers of top-notch troops. making their crazy escapades much more effective than they would have been otherwise (Khergits are nuts; must be why I like them).

Anyway, FWIW.

[placenik]

Actually, the best person to do doctoring is you, due to ridiculous self-applied leader bonus. For example:

companion surgery 9 => party surgery 9
your surgery 9 +book=10 => party surgery 14 (+4 leader bonus from leader heaving 10 surgery)

So, if you can, boost your intelligence (+1 from book also) and have combat oriented companions. I actually always go for strength/intelligence=30/27 and ignore leadership almost completely.

[PanzerJaeger]

Anyway, FWIW.

Much appreciated Masamune! Thank you. :bow:

I've been spending lots of time on multiplayer lately and I suuuckkk. So much fun, though. :laugh4:

[ICantSpellDawg]

Did they get rid of couched lancing in .800 -.802 ???!!!! Son of a gun. I liked that it was harder to couch since .60, but to get rid of it completely? Am I missing something?

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Did they get rid of couched lancing in .800 -.802 ???!!!! Son of a gun. I liked that it was harder to couch since .60, but to get rid of it completely? Am I missing something?

Why are you playing .800 :?

I don't remember them getting rid of it. Perhaps you have a lance that can't be couched.

*********

You guys got me back into the game. Just killed 400 khergits on native expansion. AKA spent 2 hours chasing down horse archers :laugh4:

Was allied with the swadian queen fortunately, but all her knights stayed in one big clump and chased after one or two of the khergits. Our infantry got slaughtered. I had to kill about 175 of them myself. Quite something to see the entire battlefield covered in arrows. Lost my horse three times and had had to run around until I could find another one.

The Tarkahn's are very tough and seem to be their most common unit. I only had my morningstar with me which made it tough to kill them once I got dehorsed.

Leveled up twice and got a full set of Tarkahn armor (light and tough) :2thumbsup:

Captured the khaan and one of his nobles. Unfortunately I don't have a castle or prison tower. Don't want to ransom them back, I'm sick of killing khergits.

[seireikhaan]

Why are you playing .800 :?

I don't remember them getting rid of it. Perhaps you have a lance that can't be couched.

*********

You guys got me back into the game. Just killed 400 khergits on native expansion. AKA spent 2 hours chasing down horse archers :laugh4:

Was allied with the swadian queen fortunately, but all her knights stayed in one big clump and chased after one or two of the khergits. Our infantry got slaughtered. I had to kill about 175 of them myself. Quite something to see the entire battlefield covered in arrows. Lost my horse three times and had had to run around until I could find another one.

The Tarkahn's are very tough and seem to be their most common unit. I only had my morningstar with me which made it tough to kill them once I got dehorsed.

Leveled up twice and got a full set of Tarkahn armor (light and tough) :2thumbsup:

Captured the khaan and one of his nobles. Unfortunately I don't have a castle or prison tower. Don't want to ransom them back, I'm sick of killing khergits.
He's probably referring to the multi-player Beta number, which is somewhere short of 1, for sure. I also noticed problems with lancing.

[al Roumi]

Download the formations module. Playing as a strictly infantry player in M&B is almost impossible without formations IMO...specially against the Khergits.

Now with the module it's another story.....I still remember, first time I'd downloaded it I was skeptical as to what use it'll actually be.....I mean the screenshots were cool but still......Anyway, I put everyone in a line formation and then when the Khergit horsemen came and ran into us, total slaughter. Great mod that.

Well, you did put everyone in the worst formation to face a cavalry charge... Use a tight formation against cavalry so that the Khergits can't break you up and mob you/pick you off. I am suurprised that you are posting on a TW forum and not know what formation to use against cavalry... :)

[al Roumi]

Did they get rid of couched lancing in .800 -.802 ???!!!! Son of a gun. I liked that it was harder to couch since .60, but to get rid of it completely? Am I missing something?

Nope, not got rid of! But improved.. you now have to press "x" to lower and couch your lance. It's not automatic any more and turning doesn't have as much of an effect.

[ICantSpellDawg]

ahhhh! great idea!

[Husar]

Only if it can be mapped to another key, like Ctrl for example.

[Jolt]

I didn't use a concrete circuit. As I adventured, I noted what commodities sold for in the different regions, starting by buying the cheaper items like Fish, Pottery and Linen in areas where they were produced and then adventuring to areas where they were rare and selling at a good profit. As I could afford it, I began to trade in more expensive but lucrative goods like Oil, Furs, Wine, and Spices. In areas where a good is produced and inherently cheaper, the price still fluctuates significantly; the same applies to selling at a profit (love this about the game design). By really paying attention, you know when to buy, when to sell, and when to just hold on to what you've got.

I would do this while running around the map taking on whatever. It costs a lot to hire a party of 40-60 elite warriors and equip eight elite companions, so my games usually start with a very long period of remaining neutral and running around fighting neutrals, doing quests to build renown and favor, and all the while--trading. Joining a faction impacts Trade. If your clan is at war with the region where a good can be bought cheaply or sold at a large profit, that good becomes difficult to trade. So, I usually wait until I've got a lot of cash (and have a castle where I can "stash" men, but that's another subject).

When 1.0 was released, topics did come up over at the TaleWorlds forum covering Trade, some extensive. I remember one guy who wrote up a very complex and viable "trade route" and strategy, but it's buried in the forum somewhere. As I wrote above, I didn't follow a hard route; I just traded as I ran around. It became an automatic part of the routine.

Why all the fuss? I just looted and burned enemy villages to the ground, took all their goods and went off to sell them in the nearest city of my kingdom. Nord villages in the border with my kingdom Rhodok. Were in preety bad shape. All of them were very poor from my constant raids. I even went on three villages raids now and then.

I would make gigantic profits for less work.

[rajpoot]

Well, you did put everyone in the worst formation to face a cavalry charge... Use a tight formation against cavalry so that the Khergits can't break you up and mob you/pick you off. I am suurprised that you are posting on a TW forum and not know what formation to use against cavalry... :)

I won....seriously. The Khergit horsemen are all light troops with bows. My soldiers were all wielding polearms like glaives and stuff. Putting them in line meant that the Khergits could not pass right through them and got stuck and were hacked down.....

[al Roumi]

I won....seriously. The Khergit horsemen are all light troops with bows. My soldiers were all wielding polearms like glaives and stuff. Putting them in line meant that the Khergits could not pass right through them and got stuck and were hacked down.....

LOL, sorry -I completely mis-understood :laugh:

That would be the bot AI :)