Of Huscarles

[Durango]

I mentioned the patch only because the original release has some bugs and issues.

The Viking Huscarles are only available in VI and are not known by any other name. I cannot remember their requirements offhand because I've played a modified version of the game for so long.

May I ask what version you're playing? The Pocket Mod perhaps? I'm currently into the MedMod IV due to the more restricted and limited unit roster etc. compared to XL. I've considered modding the Huscarles to be slower, so that say a group of Javelins can skirmish against them.

[caravel]

Welcome Durango,

The Pocket Mod is my own mod, so yes that would be it.

Overpowered units are overpowered units. You can slow them and you can reduce their units size, but at their root they're very imbalanced. To balance the 1087-1453 campaign, Huscarles are best removed altogether. The generic "Viking" is one of the better units with just enough edge to make it very useful. Those introduced with the VI expansion are not needed and turn any campaign as the Danes into a farce.

[Durango]

Welcome Durango,

The Pocket Mod is my own mod, so yes that would be it.

Thank you! Ah, yes I recognize you know, you used to have another name before. I've read the Pocket Mod thread some time ago and I have to say, intriguing concept to say the least

Overpowered units are overpowered units. You can slow them and you can reduce their units size, but at their root they're very imbalanced. To balance the 1087-1453 campaign, Huscarles are best removed altogether. The generic "Viking" is one of the better units with just enough edge to make it very useful. Those introduced with the VI expansion are not needed and turn any campaign as the Danes into a farce.

How about stripping them down to their underwear in the battle mode, so that they become embarrassing to use... or put silly hats on them. Or, better yet, have them be only recruitable from a special province ala the Homelands? Norway should have the honor. This way, they become somewhat un-spammable.

Meh, I've never really liked them anyway. As you say, they play out the best when out of the main campaign. They were made for clashes with the Irish and Picts in the VI expansion.

[caravel]

I've moved these post to another thread as the other was in danger of straying off topic.

I've tried reducing their unit size and making them dependant on an unique Royal Palace and only available in the Scandinavian provinces. However when it comes down to it, the extra Viking units from VI should stay in VI.

[Durango]

I've moved these post to another thread as the other was in danger of straying off topic.

I've tried reducing their unit size and making them dependant on an unique Royal Palace and only available in the Scandinavian provinces. However when it comes down to it, the extra Viking units from VI should stay in VI.

Yeah, this discussion feels like it would belong in the Pocket Mod forums.

But yes, a few units from the VI campaign should never have made it into the big one. It's funny how you sort of gravitate toward a more restrictive structure when you realize just how much more balanced the game could be. Huscarles, Javelins, even Naptha throwers and Pikemen to a degree.

Not strictly due to those units necessarliy being overpowered, but redundant within the build of the game. Huscarles chop their way through most enemies being fast, armour-piercing, and armoured themselves. Javelins and Napthas demand a greater range due to the AI's inability to skirmish, but Napthas still almost always hurt your own troops when you get the oppurtunity to use them. Pikemen are too easy too wrap with Swords and Halbs etc.

But on topic, the Huscarles would after all make an interesting BG unit for the Scandinavian factions instead of regular heavy cavalry again like in the MedMod. IF they could be balanced, which they can't obviously. Maybe only have them as mercenaries in special places and buildings reqs?

Overall, I don't really like tactics that rely on storming in and swinging axes around like some drunkard fool

Too...wasteful. I don't like too much chaos. Chaos means that a commander has lost control. I prefer luring the enemy in and waiting for just the right moment to break their morale, and Huscarles are just the opposite of that in my mind. That makes it so satisfying to smash them with Kerns.

[caravel]

This is why STW simply worked because it had that pure simplicity that is important in such a game. Every faction had the same units and none had an advantage over the other. Also there were few duplicate units as with MTW where you can train several types of javelins, spears and swords at once. This array of unit choice confuses the AI and allows the play to exploit this. VI only made this problem worse. The English for example have Fyrdmen, Spearmen and Feudal Sergeants. This is pointless.