RTW Alexander - Pros and Cons

I recently received for Christmas Total War Eras, something that I really wanted to buy for a long time. A must for any TW fanatic. (oh yeah, and I've been called "obsessed" too :grin: ).

So, I proudly installed RTW Alexander, to see how this small 500MB expansion pack would add more flavour to the RTW game.

I started my first game very excited, to see what this game can bring new. I started on VH/VH, the typical setting I use on all of my RTW campaigns. But surprise surprise, after I took almost all of my available troops and recruited every mercenary possible, and "grouped" Alexander and Parmenion, I click end turn. Memnon comes with his stack, and attacks me. He gets killed and defeated.

I moved on to Halicarnassus. Took it after 3 turns. After 1 turn of resting and resupplying, I receive the unpleasant visit of 3 full Persian stacks. :skull: Later, after some reconaissance, they were actually 4 and a half. :dizzy2: :dizzy2: :dizzy2:

I get smacked really hard the next turn, as I only had 1 and a half stacks full, and even after training and retraining, I barely manage to get almost 2 full stacks, Parmenion and Alexander. The 3 and a half stacks attack me, my phalanx has been completely wiped out, Parmenion wiped completely and Alexander dies. THE END. :inquisitive:

Got me a really powerful shock. Having to fight against almost 4 stacks is something that I never have experienced in my RTW life before. I love these kinds of stuff, I love big bloody battles. But 4 stacks!! This is more like unpleasant-pleasant. Unpleasant because how the **** am I gonna conquer the whole of Persia in 90 turns with 3 stacks every time waiting to bang my head. Pleasant because it was finally time that something like this, something very exciting for Total War veterans.

I restarted the campaign and I took it more carefully this time. I killed Memnon, took Halicarnassus, wiped 2 stacks at the Halicarnassus province bridge. I have now 2 full stacks, and I'm preparing to lift the Halicarnassus siege. 2 v 2, 3300 Persians vs 2800 Greeks and Macedonians. This should be really bloody, and after using a little cheat(toggle_fow), the next 2-3 turns are clear since no full stacks are near.

***Pros***

- very adrenaline pumping, small but I feel it's specifically created for Total War veterans
- time limit, which is a bit annoying, but it makes you want to take the big trophy more
- focuses specifically on battles and strategies, and less on management
- nice thing for keeping Alexander alive, makes it even harder

---Cons---

- no diplomats - very bad thing, Alexander relied heavily on diplomats
- campaign map - looks horrible
- too many Gaugamelas, I mean you fight a Gaugamela every time, and your army gets seriously depleted and you barely have spare money or no money at all!!!
- not a very big diversity when it comes to army units, which dissapointed me frankly


So, for the ones who have Alexander and played it end enjoyed it, thumbs up. :thumbsup: For those who don't, you're not a Total War true fan. :whip:

It's an intriguing expansion, with lots of potential and challenge.

The two biggest cons for me were:

(a) the battles were too fast paced: the Persians would often melt on meeting my phalanx line, insta-routing.
(b) you have to exterminate to keep your head above water (felt like Timurlane, not Alexander).

I created a mini-mod to tweak these two things:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...57&postcount=1

It only changes the text files, and only in very limited ways, so if you dislike (a) and (b), you might like it.

Sounds nice. I'll give it a try.

Anyhow, I'm gonna be looking to mod Alexander myself, since I hate the extermination of Diplomats(unhistorical) and somehow, the archers to me are off limits!!!

Plus, Companions are waaay too powerful, so is Alexander. But, battles on VH/VH are extremely hard, since the game gives the enemy different bonuses which shouldn't be there. It's fun after all, makes a difference to see who's a TW fan and veteran. :smiley:

I am making a mod called Megas Alexandros. Check it out in the forge. If you want to help, you are more than welcome.

And with Econ's consent, his mini-mod will be included.