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Thank you. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...cons/smile.gif
I've received a request to create a separate Venetian Empire so I'll be working on that. I'll let you guys know when it's done and make it available to you if you're interested.
Hi, Paladin. I wanted to congratulate you on your excellent mod. I've been using it as the basis of my own modding efforts and I must say it's a big improvement over the standard early campaign I believe that some tweaks to it add to gameplay.
1: I've severed all the land bridges and given the danes and Almos. a port and shipyard to start. This seems to keep the Spaniards from simply running over north Africa as they usually seem to do (post patch), Almos now hold their own better. I notice, as you must have, that the English now build up their fleet and unify Great Britian and Ireland before challenging the French on the continent. I note your reasons for not severing the straits of Gibraltar. Historically unimpeachable, but I believe that severing them leads to better gameplay.
2nd: Following +DOC+'s modifications (he kindly sent me a copy)increases AI probability of building ports and shipyards by about 50%, thus adding to the naval race for supremacy. (The game as is gives the human player too great an advantage in building a naval/trade empire). I think that adding to the AI preference for merchants would also help so that the player doesn't AUTOMATICALLY develop the most income within the 1st 100 years. Increasing the fleets also makes it more difficult to launch seabourne invasions anywhere you want, (as was the bane of Shogun). http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...icons/wink.gif
3rd: I gave Sweden to the Danes, since they controlled roughly the southern 1/2 of it from the 6th to the 16th centuries, (but not the northern 1/2 - and there's no way to split up the provinces). One could go either way on this point.
I'm anxious to give your mod a try read your text files and the changes you made sound great, just curious though what changes to the game are made when you modify those prod files. I guess what I want to know is whether I can still play the game in its original post patch form.
Cugel,Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
The increases i made did in fact include increases to the probability of the AI building merchants too. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...icons/wink.gif
Guys, the "Venice Variant" is complete.
You can download it from:
http://home.pacbell.net/jpaladin/109...iceVariant.zip
Please try it and let me know what you think. Thank you.
cugel:
Great, thank you. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...cons/smile.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by [b
I still find that the Almos are running over the Spanish like a steamroller. I'll have to keep watching before I can make a call on whether I should cut that bridge. As for the Danes, historically they didn't really establish much of an empire beyond Scandinavia so it didn't seem to me to be something that would reinforce their role in history to add anything beyond what is already there.Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
Yes, the English are now doing what they should be doing. Now, if I can only get them to build some ships, they would be acting alot more like they did historically.Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
I agree. I just emailed +DOC+ for a copy of that info but just in case he doesn't check his box for a while, could you please email me at jpaladin@pacbell.net on how to do that? I would appreciate it.Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
I spent alot of time trying to find out who controlled Sweden during this period and I was not able to find any part of Sweden under Danish control during this time frame. Can you please post a reference to a source? I would really appreciate it. Thank you.Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
sassbarman:
Thank you. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...cons/smile.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by [b
Definitely save the original files elsewhere. But the only changes made to those files is in regard to the fact that you can no longer build Spies by making Brothels unable to produce them.Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
rock - but i really wish there was a way to turn mods on and off without complelty overwriting files
I completely agree. But for now, let's do the "file dance". http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...ons/tongue.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by [b
I love the mod so far and am playing as the Venetians (sp?)
My only gripe is that the English don't seem to be selectable ?
Are they supposed to be ?
If not- fine
If so- Any idea how I fix it ?
Cheers http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...cons/smile.gif
What do you mean the English are not selectable? In the option area I was still able to choose to play the English and in the game I can click on the English faction and get info. What part are you experiencing problem with?
Notes on the Venetian Variant:
As of today, I added Trading Posts to Venice, Genoa, and Tuscany. Sorry I forgot to add them yesterday. Please download the file again but you only need to replace the 1092EarlyVenice.txt file this time.
I purposely strengthened Venice's rivals, Pisa, Genoa, and Milan so that the Venice player has to focus historically on building a trading empire and not become so quickly a territorial empire.
I gave Venice 5 Galleys specifically so that the Venice player could reach Constantinople right away, as is historical.
I found that as the Venice player, there's really not alot to do so the turns move very quickly.
It seems that building up the Venice province to its' maximum income opportunity is paramount to anything else.
A good idea would be to accept EVERY single alliance that you get offered. At the beginning of the game you are the weakest faction in the game and any real attempt to take Venice is going to be successful. Thankfully I have found that the other factions are more interested in other issues than hitting Venice early on.
Notes regarding general philosophy behind buildings & units:
I'm sure most of you already know this but I thought I would summarize some thoughts on what it means to create buildings in a province.
For example, when you build a Trading Post in a province, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are building just one trading post. Building a trading post, depending on the province, could mean that you are building a network or series of traing posts throughout the province tied together for the common goal of importing and exporting goods.
I see the same thing as being the case with units like Priests. When I build a Priest unit, I look it as though I've created a group of Priests and other religious people that support the Priest for the purpose of preaching and other activities. By killing off such a unit, you are basically eradicating the preaching efforts of an entire group of religious people in that particular province.
Now, this brings up a good point: why doesn't the AI use the fact that you killed off a group of holy men as a reason to either excommunicate you or call upon a Crusade against you?
Certainly anyone that knows his history is aware that one of the galvanizing reasons for the Crusades is that simple pilgrims to the Holy Land were being killed or harrassed by Muslims. This led to the Pope calling for a Crusade. Had the pilgrims been allowed to go there without being attacked, there is very little evidence to believe that the Crusades would have ever had happened.
In fact, one of the conditions of peace between the Crusaders and the Muslims was that pilgrims be given the freedom to visit the holy sites without being victimized.
I encourage thoughts on these notes. Thank you.
Paladin
On the faction selection screen i can't actually select the English as a playable faction http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...s/confused.gif
Is there some way to set assassinations; or maybe just unsuccessful assassinations as acts of war? Or even better yet, set a certain number of assassinations as the starting point for war; ie if one group of priests goes missing in your provinces, it could be bandits; if 5 groups of priests go missing, its crusadin' time
That's weird. I'm not experiencing that myself. I'm sorry but I can't explain it. Anyone else?Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
That is a great question. Unfortunately, I don't know. I'll work on trying to figure it out. Anyone else know anything about this?Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
I've already sent this e-mail, but I'll post it here as well:
Hi Paladin: Here is the info on the merchants and the map info on Sweden you requested:
The current merchant settings I used (from +DOC+) are:
3 MERCHANT "Trading Post, Merchant, Merchants Guild, Master Merchant" TRADING_POST "800, 1000,1200,1400" "2,4,6,8" "{CASTLE}, {CASTLE4, MERCHANT},{CASTLE7, MERCHANT2},{CASTLE10, MERCHANT3}," "Office Level 1, Office Level 2, Office Level 3, Office Level 4" "POVERTY_STRICKEN(210), DESPERATE_DEFENCE(5), CATHOLIC_EXPANSIONIST(80), CATHOLIC_NAVAL_EXPANSIONIST(110), CATHOLIC_TRADER(160), CATHOLIC_CRUSADER_TRADER(160), CATHOLIC_EXPANSIONIST_CRUSADER(80), CATHOLIC_DEFENSIVE_CRUSADER(100), POPE(60), CATHOLIC_DEFENSIVE(90), CATHOLIC_ISOLATIONIST(60), ORTHODOX_DEFENSIVE(90), ORTHODOX_EXPANSIONIST(80), ORTHODOX_STAGNANT(110), MUSLIM_PEACEFUL(110), MUSLIM_EXPANSIONIST(90), MUSLIM_DEVOUT(90), BARBARIAN_RAIDER(40), REBELS(110), CLOSE_TO_SUPPORT_LIMIT(210), POVERTY_STRICKEN(300), DESPERATE_DEFENCE(7.5), CATHOLIC_EXPANSIONIST(105), CATHOLIC_NAVAL_EXPANSIONIST(150), CATHOLIC_TRADER(225), CATHOLIC_CRUSADER_TRADER(225), CATHOLIC_EXPANSIONIST_CRUSADER(105), CATHOLIC_DEFENSIVE_CRUSADER(135), POPE(75), CATHOLIC_DEFENSIVE(120), CATHOLIC_ISOLATIONIST(75), ORTHODOX_DEFENSIVE(120), ORTHODOX_EXPANSIONIST(115), ORTHODOX_STAGNANT(150), MUSLIM_PEACEFUL(150), MUSLIM_EXPANSIONIST(120), MUSLIM_DEVOUT(120), BARBARIAN_RAIDER(45), REBELS(150), CLOSE_TO_SUPPORT_LIMIT(300), POVERTY_STRICKEN(435), DESPERATE_DEFENCE(11.25), CATHOLIC_EXPANSIONIST(142.5), CATHOLIC_NAVAL_EXPANSIONIST(210), CATHOLIC_TRADER(322.5), CATHOLIC_CRUSADER_TRADER(322.5), CATHOLIC_EXPANSIONIST_CRUSADER(142.5), CATHOLIC_DEFENSIVE_CRUSADER(187.5), POPE(97.5), CATHOLIC_DEFENSIVE(165), CATHOLIC_ISOLATIONIST(97.5), ORTHODOX_DEFENSIVE(165), ORTHODOX_EXPANSIONIST(142.5), ORTHODOX_STAGNANT(210), MUSLIM_PEACEFUL(210), MUSLIM_EXPANSIONIST(165), MUSLIM_DEVOUT(165), BARBARIAN_RAIDER(52.5), REBELS(210), CLOSE_TO_SUPPORT_LIMIT(435), POVERTY_STRICKEN(637.5), DESPERATE_DEFENCE(16.875), CATHOLIC_EXPANSIONIST(198.75), CATHOLIC_NAVAL_EXPANSIONIST(300), CATHOLIC_TRADER(468.75), CATHOLIC_CRUSADER_TRADER(468.75), CATHOLIC_EXPANSIONIST_CRUSADER(198.75), CATHOLIC_DEFENSIVE_CRUSADER(266.25), POPE(131.25), CATHOLIC_DEFENSIVE(232.5), CATHOLIC_ISOLATIONIST(131.25), ORTHODOX_DEFENSIVE(232.5), ORTHODOX_EXPANSIONIST(198.75), ORTHODOX_STAGNANT(300), MUSLIM_PEACEFUL(300), MUSLIM_EXPANSIONIST(232.5), MUSLIM_DEVOUT(232.5), BARBARIAN_RAIDER(63.75), REBELS(300), CLOSE_TO_SUPPORT_LIMIT(637.5), " "{PORT(150),SHIPYARD(75)},{PORT(150),SHIPYARD(75)},{PORT(150),SHIPYARD(75)},{PORT(150),SHI
PYARD(75)}" NO "1,2,3,4"
Shipyards have also been increased:
3 SHIPYARD "Shipyard1, Shipyard2, Shipyard3, Shipyard4" SHIP_PRODUCER "400, 600, 800, 1000" "4, 5, 6, 7" "{PORT,CASTLE4},{PORT,SHIPYARD},{PORT,SHIPYARD2,FOUNDRY2},{PORT,SHIPYARD3}" "Shipyard1, Shipyard2, Shipyard3, Shipyard4" "POVERTY_STRICKEN(5), DESPERATE_DEFENCE(5), CATHOLIC_EXPANSIONIST(80), CATHOLIC_NAVAL_EXPANSIONIST(200), CATHOLIC_TRADER(200), CATHOLIC_CRUSADER_TRADER(200), CATHOLIC_EXPANSIONIST_CRUSADER(80), CATHOLIC_DEFENSIVE_CRUSADER(80), POPE(80), CATHOLIC_DEFENSIVE(80), CATHOLIC_ISOLATIONIST(55), ORTHODOX_DEFENSIVE(80), ORTHODOX_EXPANSIONIST(80), ORTHODOX_STAGNANT(90), MUSLIM_PEACEFUL(90), MUSLIM_EXPANSIONIST(90), MUSLIM_DEVOUT(90), BARBARIAN_RAIDER(50), REBELS(90), CLOSE_TO_SUPPORT_LIMIT(0), POVERTY_STRICKEN(7.5), DESPERATE_DEFENCE(7.5), CATHOLIC_EXPANSIONIST(100), CATHOLIC_NAVAL_EXPANSIONIST(300), CATHOLIC_TRADER(300), CATHOLIC_CRUSADER_TRADER(300), CATHOLIC_EXPANSIONIST_CRUSADER(100), CATHOLIC_DEFENSIVE_CRUSADER(100), POPE(100), CATHOLIC_DEFENSIVE(100), CATHOLIC_ISOLATIONIST(62.5), ORTHODOX_DEFENSIVE(100), ORTHODOX_EXPANSIONIST(100), ORTHODOX_STAGNANT(115), MUSLIM_PEACEFUL(115), MUSLIM_EXPANSIONIST(115), MUSLIM_DEVOUT(115), BARBARIAN_RAIDER(55), REBELS(115), CLOSE_TO_SUPPORT_LIMIT(0), POVERTY_STRICKEN(11.25), DESPERATE_DEFENCE(11.25), CATHOLIC_EXPANSIONIST(130), CATHOLIC_NAVAL_EXPANSIONIST(450), CATHOLIC_TRADER(450), CATHOLIC_CRUSADER_TRADER(450), CATHOLIC_EXPANSIONIST_CRUSADER(130), CATHOLIC_DEFENSIVE_CRUSADER(130), POPE(130), CATHOLIC_DEFENSIVE(130), CATHOLIC_ISOLATIONIST(73.75), ORTHODOX_DEFENSIVE(130), ORTHODOX_EXPANSIONIST(130), ORTHODOX_STAGNANT(152.5), MUSLIM_PEACEFUL(152.5), MUSLIM_EXPANSIONIST(152.5), MUSLIM_DEVOUT(152.5), BARBARIAN_RAIDER(62.5), REBELS(152.5), CLOSE_TO_SUPPORT_LIMIT(0), POVERTY_STRICKEN(16.875), DESPERATE_DEFENCE(16.875), CATHOLIC_EXPANSIONIST(175), CATHOLIC_NAVAL_EXPANSIONIST(675), CATHOLIC_TRADER(675), CATHOLIC_CRUSADER_TRADER(675), CATHOLIC_EXPANSIONIST_CRUSADER(175), CATHOLIC_DEFENSIVE_CRUSADER(175), POPE(175), CATHOLIC_DEFENSIVE(175), CATHOLIC_ISOLATIONIST(90.625), ORTHODOX_DEFENSIVE(175), ORTHODOX_EXPANSIONIST(175), ORTHODOX_STAGNANT(208.75), MUSLIM_PEACEFUL(208.75), MUSLIM_EXPANSIONIST(208.75), MUSLIM_DEVOUT(208.75), BARBARIAN_RAIDER(73.75), REBELS(208.75), CLOSE_TO_SUPPORT_LIMIT(0), " "{},{},{FOUNDRY(150),FOUNDRY2(150)},{FOUNDRY(150),FOUNDRY2(150),FOUNDRY3(150)}" NO "2,3,4,5" "NONE, NONE, COMPASS, COMPASS"
The results of these changes have been uniformly good IMHO. The english have built a fleet equal to my own (Danish) one and a trade empire to boot (they're the other major world power now (it's about 1260) since I wiped out the Egyptian fleet after they attacked me). Game balance seems quite good overall. I've also increased the rebellion factor in early.txt to 1 for each province (except a few highly rebellious ones like Scotland). Rebellions now are more common and factions reappear with some regularity. The Aragonese just reappeared (after a 20 year hiatus) in Anjou. I believe that this gives greater faction longevity overall and leads to some interesting reversals of fortune for the AI factions
I should point out that Kraellin's new mod actually uses Merchant and Shipyard values much higher than this. I haven't tried it yet. Since I'm not sure what these values refer to and whether there is some internal game engine limit I'm probably going to increase all the factions Shipyard and Merchant preferences from the values here, but I'm not sure how much.
Here is the historical information you requested. I'm also posting this response to the forum so that others who may be interested can see where to go for historical research:
http://www.euratlas.com/time1.htm This is the link to the Periodical Historical Atlas, a great reference tool. You will note that the Danes controlled the southern portion of what is now Sweden from the 7th to the 17th centuries. While I admit that these maps are at 100 year intervals and not for any single date in between, by scanning the maps over a period of centuries you can judge generally when historical changes took place. If the Danes are shown as controlling southern Sweden for 1000 years or so, we can safely assume that they didn't lose control for any significant periods of time between the dates shown on the map.
BTW: I've also modded the game to make all the Christian factions be able to produce Crusader knights and Order foot soldiers. True, not all factions should be able to produce all of these knights, but some were available to any of these factions during the early period (and anyway it makes it more fun - their stats are the same as Chivalric knights, but they look "cooler" IMHO).
; ^ )
Order foot are a big improvement over the standard Chivalric Sergeants, making this mod well worth the trouble
Again, congrats on an excellent mod I'm going to have to give your Venetian mod a try next.
Thanks for sharing that Cugel. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...cons/smile.gif
Paladin,
I also increased the chances of ports being built in a similar way to those listed above by Cugel for shipyards and merchants. I might suggest increasing them slightly more than i originally did with these, however, only by play-testing will you reach a medium that you are happy with.
I'll email you with a more detailed explanantion including how to increase the likelihood of the AI building ships when i get a chance, really busy at the moment leading up to Xmas. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...cons/dizzy.gif
+DOC+ and cugel, thanks for the info. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...cons/smile.gif
I look forward to looking at the shipping building info as well. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...cons/smile.gif
Also, what's the way to make the AI more aggressive?
On land or on sea?
Both.Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
Paladin: You should check out the entries for the various ships galley, cog, etc., included in Kraellin's unit_prod11 file from his EarlyRussiaQ mod (available from the downloads section) as well the revised entries for shipyards, ports, and merchants from his crusader_build_prod file from the same mod. I believe that these values were partly supplied by +DOC+ and then playtested by Kraellin.
The idea is to increase AI play by:
1. increasing resources available to all factions,
2. increase AI build preferences for port, shipyard and ships, leading to,
3. increased AI seabourne trade (increasing values for the merchants in the build prod).
If it works as suggested, it would greatly improve the AI's overall strategic performance by generating much greater income for the AI factions as well as making it much harder for the player to simply build a trade empire, rule the waves and generate so much income that he can build any army he wants and take over the map with ease by seabourne invasion.
I've been playtesting after inserting some of these entries one at a time into my mod of your 1092 mod to see the results. It does seem that the factions do build more ships and merchants, but sometimes you can lead a horse to water. . . . (the AI doesn't always use it's ships in the most logical fashion) http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...s/rolleyes.gif. Still, it's worth a look. I will post my results here, and (I suppose if it's ultimately worth it) to upload the files as a mod to the downloads section.
paladin, i think bohemond made a good choice when he made all of the hospitaller, templar and teutonic units "creatable" (whats the word i want to use?)
i believe that these units should be able to be created at certain places after a certain amount of time passes and certain buildings are created
in his files, templar and hospitaller units are able to be created by any catholic nation who takes over palestine (for a high price after the respective buildings are made)
i would also allow the HRE to build teutonic units as well in prussia,lithuania and latvia, the papacy to build templars and hospitallers anywhere and the aragonese and castilians to build santiago knights (as well as temp/hosp). all of these units would be incredibly expensive of course (except for the papacy maybe who could have that advantage) but it would allow a more realistic feel to the game as the religious orders were very active outside of crusades at the time and held preceptories in almost every kingdom
after a certain point in history, the Spanish kings used to automatically become members (if not leaders) of the order of santiago - is it possible to make the royal troops santiago knights rather than royal knights? the could also be allowed to build royal knights as it would be NEAT-O
these are just suggestions cuz im not sure how to do this without crashing my game (not very good with even simple programming)
thanks - id really love it if someone was up for this, i use his crusade files with your game as it is right now and makes it pretty cool and pretty much the same as your game only with those units availabel
sorry for spam, but would it be possible to make the burgundians a playable faction as well? i think i heard that the textures are included in the game for some reason (they could hold the rebel provinces of province and burgundy)
AND ONE MORE THING - i cant figuire out how to make footknights available for spawn - ive checked the post about it but it doesnt work for them ergh - would it be possible for you to include them as well, im going to keep experimenting with the crusade file till i figuire it out, but all of those aforementioned things are a little overwhelming for me to put together myself
sorry if im being bothersome
Did you happen to change the Papacy's AI? I wonder, because since I've been playing this mod, the Pope has a tendency to conquer Europe. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif Well, he doesn't go after the entirety of it, but he's done a good job of eliminating the Sicilians, Italians, and HRE. Kind of funny; he invades them, then he excommunicates them.
Also, the Papacy suffered a rebellion by Catholic bandits?? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...cons/joker.gif Rome is back in the hands of the mob now.
Anyways, the mod has been fun so far, works great, other than the Pope's bad attitude.
Paladin: "thanks very much for the info. By the way, do you know how to make the AI more aggressive?"
Hmmmn. Paladin: I've been thinking about that one. From my obvservation, the AI is aggressive enough, generally speaking. It often doesn't have enough money to expand though. For example, in the standard campaign, the Danes were notorious for sitting around and doing nothing. Why? They were Catholic_Expansionist after all My guess is that they were always so close to their support limit that they couldn't build or train the troops needed to expand. In my last campaign I set all the factions on expert to 10,000 florins to start. This gives the AI money to play around with. I would suggest modifying the start amount to about 12,000 florins, maybe try 15,000 and see what happens. The human player can always generate that kind of income eventually anyway (if he tries to do it). I play tested the mod last night as the Sicilians, quickly built a trade empire and had about 36,000 florins in the bank by 1024 (32 years) plus a large army of knights and mercenaries in Naples to discourage attack. It's the AI that suffers from the credit squeeze the most. If it can't generate sufficient income to build large armies or improve its provinces it generally just sits there.
My idea is that the more money, the more the factions will expand, and thus come into conflict with each other (and the player as well). It would be well worth testing the AI performance with different starting florin figures.
Anyone of you tried this?
I think I'll start the AI off with 15000 fl. and let you know what happens.
BTW: I was pleased to see the AI (French) quickly build some Order Foot - I modded the game to permit all the catholic factions to build Order foot if they had the chapter house + the spearmaker's guild. Now I think that I'll have to watch carefully or I might get hammered by some seriously badass troops in the first 50 years - something that just doesn't happen in the regular campaign (in my experience).
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...icons/cool.gif
That's exactly what i do. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...icons/wink.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by [b
Quote (cugel @ Dec. 11 2002,22:14)
I think I'll start the AI off with 15000 fl. and let you know what happens.
That's exactly what i do.
Well, +DOC+ don't keep us in suspense Let us know how well it works http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...cons/flirt.gif
cugel:
Excellent, I will defintely start working on the changes. Thank you.Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
TuffStuffMcGruff:
I would be happy to take a look at doing it but where do I find those files to download?Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
Yes, but here is the question: HOW MANY PLAYABLE FACTIONS CAN WE HAVE BEFORE THE PROGRAM STARTS CRASHING? (I'm not yelling, just trying get my question to stand out more) http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...cons/smile.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by [b
I'm not sure, I would have to take a look at it.Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
RunAway:
No, I haven't done anything to the Pope. And, yes, I agree, he's been alot more aggressive.Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
cugel:
OK, that sounds good, I'll work on giving the AI some more Florins.Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
What did you do to make sure that all Catholic factions can build Order Foot Knights? I thought they could do it as it stands?Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
actually the mastermind who made the norman mod also included these things in his new crusade file - he is on the board - but not all of the things i mentioned were included.
he basically made all of the crusade units available to create
MAD FUN YO
What did you do to make sure that all Catholic factions can build Order Foot Knights? I thought they could do it as it stands?
Actually not. See the crusader_unit file entry for order foot: "ARAGONESE, ENGLISH, FRENCH, GERMAN_HRE, ITALIAN, SPANISH" See? No Danes or Sicilians, nor any other minor factions anyone might add to make playable (like the Burgundians or Swiss). I added all the catholic factions to the entries for order foot, knights of Santiago, Hospitaller and Templer. Yes, I know all those orders were'nt available to all those factions, but it really doesn't make much difference, since they are all similar to chivalric knights anyway (mostly just different appearance, but that is a nice change). http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...icons/cool.gif
I just added { SPEARMAKER3, ARMOURER3, CHAPTER_HOUSE } to their entry to make it possible for any christian faction to build them (order foot that is), and the French promptly did (without a crusade, unless I missed it). http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...icons/wink.gif
I've just started a new campaign as the Sicilians with 15,000 fl. for all factions. It looks (so far) as though they all build a lot more ships and expand their shipping network. We'll see. I had to restart because I forgot to take the Byzantines off of ORTHODOX_EXPANSIONIST to start and put them back on DEFENSIVE. they and the Turks immediately start grabbing all of Russia. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...cons/joker.gif
Okies then, here's the most obvious and noticeable improvements i've noticed since giving the AI more money. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...cons/smile.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by [b
1. The main reason why i gave them 16K instead of their starting 8K is the AI is less likely to go bankrupt in the opening stages. Quite often for the more minor factions with small starting incomes (e.g. Denmark, Novgorod and Poland) a couple of bad AI decisions or unlucky breaks with rebellions meant they went bankrupt and simply just stagnated in their home province. Eventually, many, many years down the line they'd make a stupid and failed attempt to attack an adjacent faction which has been developing productively since the start. A fine example of this is the Danes attacking the HRE in Saxony once the multitude of heirs had bankrupted them. However, probably more important than a large starting income for the Danes was to double the annual income that Denmark, the province, produces. This then gives them a basis from which to expand at a constant, albeit still slow, pace.
2. It makes the AI play more aggressively as they're immediately able to spend more money on improvements and units in quite a few provinces. The human is still fairly restricted.
3. As a result of 2, they'll also improve tech-wise better than they did before, bringing them in line with the better-planning human player.
4. Finally, it's the only real way of making the game significantly more difficult for the human player as the human will start off with substantially less money. Just make sure you don't start on the Normal difficulty level though, otherwise you'll get the increased money levels too http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...icons/wink.gif
That's it really. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...cons/smile.gif