Viking Invasion III version 1.0 released!

[Leith]

Thanks dimitrios. Hmmm The guards look fine to me though. Here is another screen of the connacht guard fighting Manx spearmen:

[Leith]

Ok guys this is probably going to be my last screen and comment for a few days. I can only contribute effectively on Fridays since I don't have to work. Anyway, what I'm about to post is one of three potential candidates for the Chosen Fyrdmen and Butscarles units. Your opinion certainly matters. Here is the first one:

[dimitrios the samian]

Thanks dimitrios. Hmmm The guards look fine to me though. Here is another screen of the connacht guard fighting Manx spearmen:

sure ok , that's fine
but im almost certain the METW Mod they come from they represent a faction of dwarf type people

[Leith]

Hi everyone! I have a couple of skins to show although their exact role in VI 3 has not been decided yet.

A potential huscarle/armoured axemen unit


Norman infantry

[dimitrios the samian]

Nice work leith .... Great texture and color,especially on the Normans .

[Baron von Manteuffel]

Looking good Leith!

[Leith]

Thank you, friends! There are still a couple of touches I may add and there will certainly be more mail/helm variation. As for now, I am going to show you a skin I'm considering for the Butseacarls and Chosen Fyrdmen. The alternative to this skin is a heavily modified hellenic TW skin based on the Fyrdmen bif I posted on this thread.

Chosen Fyrdmen


Butseacarls

[dimitrios the samian]

Nice pieces Leith ....... both look great .
Hard to tell it was an original HTW bif .
Make nice Assyrians with a few more touches !

[Leith]

Thanks dimitrios but I may have worded my thoughts poorly. The above skins are based on the original MTW Viking bif but if it's not nice enough I could replace it with a hellenic-inspired skin, which is still work in progress. Anyway I want to show what I have done with the cavalry:

Armored horsemen (Notice the lance which is temporarily borrowed from Axalon's Redux)


Wessex knights

[dimitrios the samian]

Wow !!! Both bifs horse and rider look fantastic .

I wonder if the Ancients used horses this heavily armoured ?

Be nice if i could take on another project for macsen's upcoming Diadochi Mod .

Leith , would the Armored horses be suitable for the Succesor states ?

Cheers

ps ... my mistake , misread it

[Leith]

Hi dimitrios! I think the Armenians, the Seleucids and the Parthians used heavy cavalry (cataphracts) in Rome TW so perhaps they would be suitable after all.

[dimitrios the samian]

Hi dimitrios! I think the Armenians, the Seleucids and the Parthians used heavy cavalry (cataphracts) in Rome TW so perhaps they would be suitable after all.

Yesss ....
This is great news Leith ....
That skin looks so nice .
I would definitely like a bif please .
I want to begin working on making the "chariot duo" ... 2 horses side by side for in armoured form , for the heavy Chariot Units which is also realistic to the era .

[dimitrios the samian]

Yes Yan , The Hellenic Mod along with others that followed by Macsen , use the "twin horse duo" Bif created by the boys back then .... those beautiful chariots also deserve a mention .
We still are using those bifs till this day .
But for the upcoming Diadochi Mod , we possibly may use an armoured variety & Leiths bronze looking ones are perfect .

[Leith]

Hi guys! I have been busy with adding faction colours to some of my units as well as finishing up the Royal Hirth, the bodyguard unit for the Saxon factions, which I'm about to show here:

Royal Hirth


Ulster Axemen fighting Fyrdmen:

[Leith]

Here is the new Viking Huscarle!

[Axalon]

Not bad Leith...

These are based on the old Middle Earth units? Or am I mistaken? Personally, I would use a dark grey line around the lions rather then white, but that's just me... I like how the axes blend well with the armour in nuance. I would however thicken up the axes thou, as they look a bit thin to me - might I suggest you add a value or two in the relevant "weapons.txt" (the last number, for "broadness/thickness"). Anyhow, what is the overall plan here? I gathered that you will add new/alter units, but beyond that, what will it take for you to complete this update/version of VI3? Or have I missed something on that note?

- A

[Leith]

Thank you very much for stopping by and commenting, Axalon! The Huscarle bif and a few others are heavily modified versions of the METW bifs. However many other bifs are also heavily modified versions of the HTW bifs. But most importantly, some of my major bifs are modified versions of the original MTW units like the Viking Carls, Landsmen and Chosen Fyrdmen. Please have a look if you have the time and let me know what you think. My cavalry units are also based on the original MTW bifs. I have taken your advice about the Viking Huscarle and changed the white color into dark grey. They look better now. Thanks!

The plan for this mod is to upgrade the graphics and to create balanced, varied armies for all the factions. In this regard, the unit balance will be heavily based on Redux with a few modifications like costs and the number of soldiers for example. The highest number of soldiers is 80 and the bodyguard units have 60, with the exception of the cavalry units which have 40-50 riders. In addition, there will be at least two more factions, one of which will certainly be Irish so there will be two Irish factions.

My main aim here is to make the battles much more brutal and exciting, unlike the original Viking invasion which I found lacking in excitement and variety. To this end , I'm doing my best to create a lot of eye candy and unique units. I cannot state when the mod will be ready as I want to ensure I'm reasonably satisfied with the outcome, unlike the first release which was rushed.

[dimitrios the samian]

Great update Leith ...
I look forward to playing your Mod as it sounds like it will be a major improvement over the original .
Your philosophy on units numbers is , very interesting
Count me in please when you need a Beta Tester .....
Keep up the great work .
Cheers

[Cyprian2]

Great to see you back again, Leith! The new units look amazing -- such detail for an old engine! I also like the idea of adding another Irish faction to the campaign (Northern Uí Néill have my vote). As I said some years ago, it would also be nice to see two Viking factions -- one to represent the Norse and one to represent the Danes -- which would be clones of one another. Regardless of what you choose to do, I am looking forward to your release.

[Leith]

Thank you old friend! I have been wondering if you gave up on the org or not. Glad you're still around! No matter, you have guessed what my would-be-faction, the men of Ulster. I think we can afford to have two Irish factions but probably not two Viking factions due to space. I will consider it though. My other potential factions are the Manx and the East Anglians.

I'm going to post a screen of Feudal Swordsmen, one of the toughest units in the HIGH era! Yes, there will be three different eras just like the original MTW campaign. Feudal swordsmen could easily turn the battle in your favour if you survive long enough to get them due to their high defence and armor. Not all factions can get them.


P.S dimitrios the bifs have been sent and thank you very much for the kind words.

P.S.S Cyprian it is great to have you back on the forums!

[Leith]

Hi Yan! I know the map you speak of. I am planning to use it for my next potential project: the Norman conquest of Britain. Creating more provinces is not a priority at the moment. Getting the unit roster and the new factions in place come first. We'll see how things progress.

My first screen involves Feudal spearmen fighting Axe militia:


The Irish factions have access to Irish spearmen in the High era instead of Feudal spearmen. They are less armed and armored than their Feudal counterparts but are extremely brave:

[Leith]

Light Fyrdmen provide the Saxon factions with a versatile unit, capable of skirmishing and fighting in hand-to-hand combat in addition to dealing with light enemy cavalry. Availabe in HIGH era. In the next screen they are preparing their javelins to throw at the enemy:


Viking Raiders are the basic soldiers of a Viking Jarl in the HIGH era. They are superior to enemy units of comparable cost and can easily slaughter spearmen. They are equipped with a few javelins, swords and shields. They can chase down fleeing enemy due to their high mobility.

[dimitrios the samian]

Happy 100 posts Leith
Cheers mate ....

[Leith]

Thank you dimitrios! It coincided with my birthday too More units to show:

Herkledi Spearmen are a step up from the armoured Spearmen, better trained and equipped. These are longer serving soldiers, used to defending settlements and bolstering armies. Equipped with a spear, shield, and mail armour these troops will hold the line even against professional troops.


Axemen form the main battleline of the Pictish and Scottish armies

[dimitrios the samian]

"Happy Birthday Leitho !!

[Cyprian2]

I'll second that -- happy birthday!

I love the latest units. Those viking raiders are quite scary, and the little boys they are fighting don't stand a chance!

[Leith]

Thanks everyone! Your kind words mean a lot to me. Tonight I'm going to show just one screen, that of the new Saxon Huscarle:

[Cyprian2]

Fabulous work, as always Leith. Let me know if there's anything I can do with regards to text-editing. Pretty much my only strength.

[Baron von Manteuffel]

Your work is awesome Leith!

[Leith]

Thank you! I have been busy working on a couple of bifs, which is why there have been no screens lately. One of them is taking most of modding time. I have also been working on another MTW project but cannot give much detail now. Thanks for your support!