Mod vs Mod - TWS2 multiplayer campaign deatchmatch

[phonicsmonkey]

hey guys

Zim and I have begun a multiplayer campaign against one another for which we'll be posting an AAR here.

Please follow the game if you can stand to watch a pair of n00bs mudwrestle...

Be great to see some cheering / jeering fans...

[Kagemusha]

I will be watching this with interest.

[Gregoshi]

I'm putting my money on the AI.

[phonicsmonkey]

Everyone's a comedian

[Zim]

Sure, take the safe bet.

I'm putting my money on the AI.

[Monk]

I think this should be a common occurance. You could call it Mod Deathmatch, every couple months different moderators square off.

[Gregoshi]

Everyone's a comedian

You should see me play. That's even funnier.

[hamysho]

Is this like highlander and that the winner takes the power of the defeated moderator and in the end there can be only one? Because that would be awesome.

[Gregoshi]

Is this like highlander and that the winner takes the power of the defeated moderator and in the end there can be only one? Because that would be awesome.

I am Mori McGregor of Clan Mori...eh, McGregor...McMori?

[HopAlongBunny]

I think this should be a common occurance. You could call it Mod Deathmatch, every couple months different moderators square off.

Yes, they exist for our entertainment after all

[phonicsmonkey]

I'm putting my money on the AI.

based on my exploits today I think you might be on the money

[Zim]

Things are getting interesting and I think we are almost at a good point for the first updates.

In the meantime here's an example of what happens when two of the weakest ships in the game, commanded by two players who never played a naval battle in TWS2 or even the demo, go at eachother. I was playing the Myoshi ship.

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=276&id=8927

I highly recommend this as a sound track for the battle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJv5qLsLYoo

[phonicsmonkey]

I should have just run away - it would have been less embarassing

[Zim]

The naval battle? I honestly don't think that was a high point for either of us. I just got slightly luckier.

I should have just run away - it would have been less embarassing

[phonicsmonkey]

Ok I'm going to post the first update - this is from our first session of play a couple of days ago.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

First I must gather my chi:



Upgrade my farms:



Build a harbour:



Recruit some men for the Daimyo's army. You'll notice I'll be bow-heavy throughout...



And now it's off to bother the Kono.



Aha, my chi is now in place



A turn or two later, suitably bolstered by new recruits, the Daimyo lays siege to Iyo. No assault for now - let them sally if they dare.



I'm a bit worried about this large Sogo army which tracked me here - it might turn back and march on Tosa while I'm otherwise engaged.



So I'll try to make nice with them.



Success! This means that when I take Iyo that Sogo force will be bounced back to their border.



Mmm friendship peace and love with the Sogo.



Out come the Kono, all according to plan.



I got a bit too distracted to take screenshots here so there's just a couple.

And that's where the session ended for that day. Zim will no doubt post and maybe he can add some screenshots to that battle - he was spectating and might have taken a few.

[Zim]

Also from session #1.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

1545:
The Daimyo and family.


The territory of the mighty and feared Shimazu.


The Shimazu are an ancient and revered clan. However, it dawns on Daimyo Takahisa that perhaps they might receive some more reverence if they increased their territory, not to mention a better inheritance for his three sons. With that in mind he brings together all the forces of the clan and moves against Ito, first signing an alliance with neighboring Sagara to keep his capital safe.

Takahisa is slightly surprised to find Osumi defended by only a small group of local Samurai and archers.



His retainers tell him that he won a heroic victory that day, although he does not remember much of it, almost as if the battle were resolved automatically with no combat taking place...



Setting aside his foggy memories of the battle, he marches on towards the Ito capital only to be met by one of their armies. Perhaps these were meant reinforce Osumi?



The Shimazu army marches towards its enemy.



Perhaps fearing being whittled away by the superior Shimazu bowmen (which was exactly the Daimyo's plan) the Ito move forward to engage, and lacking other cavalry their own general charges the Shimazu bowmen. The archers back away behind a line of spears, only for the Ito general to change directions and mvoe on another group of bowmen.



At this point Takahisa's horse tripped and threw him off. He would be unconscious the rest of the battle, but his co-general tells him that his spearmen bravely charged the Ito commander, and the rest of the army also advanced. Before long the Ito dogs routed and were cut down.

[Zim]

Session 1, continued.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Encouraged by his victories thus far, Takahisa continues onwards towards the Ito capital. While in his encampment outside their last city, he is pleased to hear that research is going well back home. This is taken as an omen that it is time to assault the city.





Ashigaru archers are sent ahead to rain arrows from the defenders.



However, the Ito, cowardly as they are, prove remarkably adept at hiding behind walls. With the archer's ammunition expended and very few enemy troops killed, Takahisa decides that an assault on the castle would not be feasible and reluctantly withdraws to meet with reinforcements sent from home.

OOC: And with that rather pathetic display the first session ended for Shimazu. Battles are rather quick in this game. I'm going to have to work harder to take more pics, or maybe use the slow button more often.

Both clans have made their beginning moves to consolidate and do so quickly. Perhaps their progress might be stymied after taking out this beginning foes?

[Gregoshi]

I'm liking this Zimazu Daimyo. He's a great man I can relate to.

[phonicsmonkey]

No love for the Chosomonkey?

[Gregoshi]

No love for the Chosomonkey?

Sorry, you have yet to demonstrate a sufficient level of incompetence. Though from the hints you've been dropping, that is yet to come.

[Zim]

I think you'll like the next update on both sides...

Sorry, you have yet to demonstrate a sufficient level of incompetence. Though from the hints you've been dropping, that is yet to come.

[HopAlongBunny]

The spectators want popcorn!

[phonicsmonkey]

Ok, so here is update #2 from the Chosokabe, part 1.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

With the Kono vanquished, all that remains is to take Iyo.





Chosokabe Kunichika is developing his skills.



I like to move further.



And this sword looks cool so I'll have that...



Aha, those Sogo are now back on their own turf. Better fix up Iyo while I think of it.



And how about we build some stables here too.



Having mastered Zen (for the markets) I now turn to Bushido.



Then out of the blue comes the news that the dastardly Miyoshi have attacked my new-found allies the Sogo! I chose to go to war.



I'm an attacking kind of Daimyo.



Chosokabe Kunichika is on the move.



My first Metsuke, at Tosa.



And now to hire some trade ships and try to get some of the nodes.



Couple of turns later, off I go.



Here comes Kunichika. He's excited about marching on the evil Miyoshi.

[phonicsmonkey]

Chosokabe update #2, part 2

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Aargh, my trade ship, attacked! Curse you Miyoshi!



The resulting battle is somewhat cyclical...






And Zim (playing the Miyoshi) narrowly beat me. Curses!

Maybe I need a fleet escort.



Eeuww, Christians...



Chosokabe aren't I? May as well study the bow then...



Who are these helpful Shimazu that want to inject capital into my economy?




This time my trade ship has company...



The Daimyo plunges headlong into enemy territory.



But the Miyoshi conquer my ally the poor ill-fated Sogo, disrupting my trade in the process.




On the theory that my Shimazu rivals will already have grabbed the nodes to the west, I head north instead in search of imports.



Sorry, but there's just something really really cool about Ninja



I send him north after the Miyoshi.



Angered by my incursion into their territory, the dirty Miyoshi spring from their bolt hole and attack the honourable Chosokabe Daimyo.



This is my big chance to take out the Miyoshi! All I need to do is beat Zim in this battle and the road to their capital lies open to me.





Things get really really hectic here. Inexperienced in MP and keen to push the issue I bring my archers out of the cover of the trees, negating my advantage. Then, as their light cavalry run down and slaughter my archers and their yari approach, I utterly panic and throw my general(s) into the fray, losing most of their units, getting them killed and causing my army to rout en masse.

I really miss the pause button.



A disastrous result for the Chosomonkey. Instead of their capital being at my mercy, the roles are reversed and Tosa lies defenseless. My Daimyo is dead and his wife takes over. The session ends.

[HopAlongBunny]

Ouch!

Out-numbered and out-gunned :(

That would have been a tough battle against the AI let alone a MP pro.

I am curious though...did the Chosomonky remember to turn "Skirimish" on? It's default is Off. (not that it really works anyhow :p) Light cavalry tends to make a mess of archers unless you are very quick seeing the charge and reacting.

Has the makings of a good opera so far! Act1: Lands regained and sweet revenge; Act2: The Quixotic rush to new lands and flush of Victory!; Act3: Tragedy!!!...Act4: We're not dead yet!?

Good story so far :) and the seats are comfy

[phonicsmonkey]

I had skirmish turned off on purpose, but I don't remember why now...

[Zim]

In our brief test game I stopped your small horde of archers from firing several volleys by chasing them back with cavalry.

I had skirmish turned off on purpose, but I don't remember why now...

I hope that isn't in reference to me. I'm pretty hopeless in MP. Way back I think I played a couple MTW1 and RTW games with a friend against the AI. And when I say a couple that's meant literally.

Ouch!

Out-numbered and out-gunned :(

That would have been a tough battle against the AI let alone a MP pro.

I am curious though...did the Chosomonky remember to turn "Skirimish" on? It's default is Off. (not that it really works anyhow :p) Light cavalry tends to make a mess of archers unless you are very quick seeing the charge and reacting.

Has the makings of a good opera so far! Act1: Lands regained and sweet revenge; Act2: The Quixotic rush to new lands and flush of Victory!; Act3: Tragedy!!!...Act4: We're not dead yet!?

Good story so far :) and the seats are comfy

[phonicsmonkey]

By the way Zim and I are going to add pics to each other's battles (because we are both snapping away) - but we can't do it in here, only in the Throne Room thread where we have mod access. So we'll post here to let you know we did it and you can check them there.

[Zim]

And now for further adventures of the mighty Zimazu.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

When we left off Daimyo Takahisa had very wisely decided not to pursue the assault on Ito's last province. After meeting with some reinforcements heturned toward the city again only to find the cowardly dogs had dared to recruit more defenders from outlying village the brief time he was away. This could not go unpunished. The city was laid siege again, this time with the intent to let the Ito sweat it out a few months before attacking.

Surprisingly, the Ito decide to attack him next season.



Undaunted, the Shimazu forces array for battle.



During the upcoming battle Hyuga looms in the distance, reminding both sides of what was at stake.



Ito troops on the march, including the elite Samurai retainers of their daimyo.





The Shimazu prepare to face the Ito horde.



Unsurprisingly, the Ito break quickly after a few volleys of arrows and charges by the junior general's cavalry. The remainder of the Ito flee back to Hyuga.





Naturally the Daimyo decides to strike at Hyuga while the defenders are weak from the battle.



Brave man that he is, Takahisa decides to dismount and join the assault.





Ugh, legendary Daimyo he may be, but he's not as young as he used to be.



Of course, while Takahisa may be brave he isn't stupid. arhcers had whittled down the few defenders before he made his glorious escalade.



With the defeat of the last of the enemy bodyguard Hyuga was now a Shimazu possession.

[Zim]

Update 2, Mark 2.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Takahisa was quite perturbed to discover his ally Sagara had ringed him in by conquering all the provinces his lands now neighbored. Left with nothing to do he turned to that most unwarlike and therefore dull task, catching up on his nations economic, cultural, and diplomatic progress.

Hmmm, ally Sagara has accepted some strange foreign religion. Why couldn't they stick with the much more Japanese Buddhism? My advisors say that religion came from China, but still it was an old imported tradition. Completely different from this new one. Having been in Japan so long made it respectable.



A son comes of age. Surely he will be a great warrior like his father.



A trade deal with the "Chosokabe"? What clan is this? They sound barbaric. Well, no doubt they will bow in time to the Shimazu, might as well take their money by their consent for now until we can take it by force.



Way of the Sword? Maybe research is more valuable than I first thought.