New RTW Campaign before MTW2, Please Read

[ArtistofWarfare]

Hey all...

I'm at work here and am going to get around to my introductory letter later this evening but...it's my first post in got knows how many years around here (I don't even remember my login name...it's literally, years heh).

Obviously, I'm aware that MTW2 just recently hit shelves and I am DYING to start playing this game. The thing is though that my PC simply could not handle MTW2. It just couldn't give me the kind of experience that I'm looking for. No biggie, I have a nice savings, good job, birthday in 2 weeks, etc...so I'll be buying a high end gaming PC within a month or so. I've been waiting to make this purchase for a LONG time, and finally can do it the way I've wanted to all along.

In the meantime, since we're only talking about a month, I've decided to start up a hardcore RTW campaign or two, just to get back in the swing of things and also to properly say "goodbye" to RTW before I move on to MTW2 for the next several years heh. I have a few questions though, as a way of refreshing my memory on a few things and hopefully, to put some concerns to rest:

1) Any rush getting MTW2? I'd imagine that many are in the same boat as me (waiting to upgrade their PC's) or just haven't rolled around to getting the game yet, but I mean, even if I was to start playing in 3, 4, even 5 months...am I out of the loop? Hopefully this will be like RTW and very popular for years, but I'd like some evidence to support this heh. Would be appreciated.

2) Regarding RTW: I'm staring up another campaign in just a couple hours. I haven't even dabbled in a campaign since July. What was the "standard" difficulty levels again? I thought it was "H/H" ...due to the "cheating" or unfair advantages given to opposing AI's on the campaign and battlefield maps when using VH. I'm looking for the most challenging, yet realistic, campaign that I can find.

3) I'm not looking to play this out on anything other than Vanilla, not even sure what faction I'll be playing as. That said, is there by chance a Mod that would really make this much more exciting to play for someone who's "Pre-MTW2" is out there? I don't want one that's going to jack up requirements, or drastically alter the gameplay mechanics, but a nice twist would be interesting at this point. Suggestions welcome.

Thanks in advance for the time and effort reading/answering these guys. It's very much appreciated. I have RTW 1.5 installed on my PC right now, not going with a BI campaign but I have that too. I'll be around here regularly now and I'll check this thread in a little bit. I can't wait for MTW2 next month but I've gotten myself amped on a new RTW campaign in the meantime...it's almost like the old days :-) Please, help this Artist of Warfare get back into the swing of things tonight heh...

Thanks...

ArtistofWarfare

[Roman_Man#3]

Welcome back to the Org.

and to answer your questions:

1. I see no need to rush to play M2TW. In my opinion, RTW is a much better game. I have no doubt M2TW will be popular for years, as some major modifications are being made for it, and also because even STW is still so popular, I think total war games will never fall out of popularity.

2. It is really you choice. m/m is probably the fairest because no special advantages are given to either side. But then again, tha ai is stupid. I am now leaning toward the h/m, vh/m side, as campaign is to simple, and I am now starting to play with darth formations.

3. I recommend DarthMod. Has very nice formations, and changes the way the AI thinks so it is much better in the battlefield. It comes with new skins for someunits, and other than that, I do not think it changes the game that much. Someone can and surely will correct me though.

Hope that answers your questions.

RM3

[ArtistofWarfare]

Welcome back to the Org.

and to answer your questions:

1. I see no need to rush to play M2TW. In my opinion, RTW is a much better game. I have no doubt M2TW will be popular for years, as some major modifications are being made for it, and also because even STW is still so popular, I think total war games will never fall out of popularity.

2. It is really you choice. m/m is probably the fairest because no special advantages are given to either side. But then again, tha ai is stupid. I am now leaning toward the h/m, vh/m side, as campaign is to simple, and I am now starting to play with darth formations.

3. I recommend DarthMod. Has very nice formations, and changes the way the AI thinks so it is much better in the battlefield. It comes with new skins for someunits, and other than that, I do not think it changes the game that much. Someone can and surely will correct me though.

Hope that answers your questions.

RM3

Thank you for this response.

1) Good to hear it. I've always loved RTW...sure it had it's problems at one point but with the AMAZING mod community and the 1.5 patch, it's an absolutely amazing game. Will be for years to come. As said, glad to hear that MTW2 has a modding community devleoping already. Takes some of the anxiety off me in regards to getting this new PC going heh. Either way, I'm still looking to have it up and running on my desk, within 1 month.

2) I recalled a few things after posting that original message earlier: a) I was playing on H/H when I stopped playing in July. It was Vanilla 1.5. b) I was getting ready to download the EB mod when I was last playing. Life took me away from the game so I never made it that far. That said, I've decided to go ahead and download the newest version of EB (think it's v0.8) which is about 65% complete as I write this, as well as the "V0.802" bugfixer for CTD's. EB's main website suggests playing the game at VH campaign and M battles, so when I have it all installed I'm going to obviously start up that VH/M campaign heh.

3) I know I said I was going to play vanilla but as mentioned previously, I recalled right where I was at back in the summer and I was REALLY ready for the EB mod. After spending a couple hours researching it today, I think this is more along the lines of something to tide me over until next month. Looks very in depth, very challenging and historically accurate. I'm excited heh.

4) I am familiar with the Darth Mod formations. Can these also be downloaded and then applied to a RTW 1.5, EB modded game?

[professorspatula]

Until they patch M2TW again and sort out a few silly issues, I'm not in a rush to play it again. My PC struggles a fair bit with it and I didn't find it that enjoyable so I uninstalled it. At some stage - especially when some decent mods are made, I'll give it another go. So yea, there's no rush to play it.

As far as a RTW campaign goes, I would opt for H/H. The AI gets a few advantages but nothing too significant. Both on the battlefield and the campaign map you should outwit it easy anyway. I tend to opt for VH campaigns, but sometimes the AI seems to get a little bit too much help which can be annoying. I tend to steer clear of VH battles though. Not because I'm afraid I'll lose, it's just annoying when you match up your armies and find your superior troops panic and run away far too soon against a weaker enemy and there was no way of foreseeing it - well unless you get used to it happening a few times. This happens on H too, but to a lesser degree.

[ArtistofWarfare]

Until they patch M2TW again and sort out a few silly issues, I'm not in a rush to play it again. My PC struggles a fair bit with it and I didn't find it that enjoyable so I uninstalled it. At some stage - especially when some decent mods are made, I'll give it another go. So yea, there's no rush to play it.

As far as a RTW campaign goes, I would opt for H/H. The AI gets a few advantages but nothing too significant. Both on the battlefield and the campaign map you should outwit it easy anyway. I tend to opt for VH campaigns, but sometimes the AI seems to get a little bit too much help which can be annoying. I tend to steer clear of VH battles though. Not because I'm afraid I'll lose, it's just annoying when you match up your armies and find your superior troops panic and run away far too soon against a weaker enemy and there was no way of foreseeing it - well unless you get used to it happening a few times. This happens on H too, but to a lesser degree.

Well, I started up that EB campaign that I was talking about and EB recommends going with VH/M so I did just that. I went with the Romani just because it's my first EB campaign and because EB's perspective on the Romans is just fantastic...very realistic. Only gone through maybe 3 or 4 turns, no battles yet although I did face off with Epirote forces in the field (they were besieging a city...they're already trying to run small raids up into my lands) but they simply retreated before either of the two Roman armies could reach their position.

Bottom line? I again have to say that I appreciate the responses and that after playing for a few hours last night, it turns out that this is the PERFECT carry over until next month for me. I never played EB in the past and with it applied to RTW, it's like a whole new game.

I'll work on that introductory letter asap...

Thanks guys...

[vonsch]

AoW,

I'm in your shoes too. I went ahead and ordered MTW2, then almost cancelled, because I don't think this PC will run it. Should arrive today or tomorrow. Unlike you, waiting on a new contract so zero income atm. No gonna buy a new PC until that changes. So it may sit if it won't work. No easy way to upgrade this laptop (on the other hand, maybe I should check that, there might be). My desktop is much older and don't think the CPU on that is up to the task, even if I got a new graphics card.

So, I went and played some STW, then some MTW, and now RTW. I like the strategy game in MTW best, but somehow the battles in RTW are most enjoyable. Not sure why that is. I think MTW may feel more realistic. Maybe it's something in the control process that just works better for me in RTW. The seiges are certainly more interesting.

In any case, I'm posting both to commiserate (misery loves company!) and to ask you this:

I didn't see if you mentioned that you have the RTW expansions. I love BI, though playing vanilla at the moment. I do use the Darthmod (I think, pretty sure I loaded that last year) too, and recall it making a nice difference to play. I think there's yet aother expansion too (Sparta?) and I don't have that one myself, if so.

So, if you lack those, that give you more game (and me, if Sparta is out there!)

And the community here is great, though some of us wander in and out irregularly.

[Ludens]

4) I am familiar with the Darth Mod formations. Can these also be downloaded and then applied to a RTW 1.5, EB modded game?
They can be applied to vanilla, but if you really want challenging battles you should install the full mod. DarthFormations are not compatible with Europa Barbarorum, but Thorloff created a special version for EB: you can find it in the EB forum under unofficial modding projects.

Incidentally, if you enjoy EB and you want a real challenge, you should try Arthurian Total War. It's probably the most challenging R:TW mod available.

[redriver]

try the rtw total conversion modification called Chivalry.
it will totally blow ya away. as the name suggests it's set in mediv. perioud. it's in final beta phase for early era.
info and downloads can be found at the link below:
http://www.stratcommandcenter.com//forums/index.php?showforum=40