Defender Advantage

[ichi]

Quote[/b] ]However in MP its mostly even teams with equal florins going at each other on a flat, featureless map.

While some folks play steppes, many battles occur on gentle hills, in woods, in the rolling sands of the desert, and occasionally, steep-ass mountains.

Quote[/b] ] This makes it almost even except the defender still posses a small advantage that their ranged units are in place and firing as soon as the opposing force comes into range.

Yes, but this first shot effect is minor; random events, some skill (such as when to switch between close and loose formation) can make a big diff.

It is true that there are times when the elevation effect and first shot effect persist, even increase, with the attacker running out of ranged men and/or missiles sooner than the defender. But tired/exhausted pavs shoot very slowly, and by the time you rush the defender pavs rate of fire is quite low, and their numbers reduced, so that the effect is marginal (usually).

Quote[/b] ] What I am advocating is perhaps two on ones with equal florins on a defensivly oreintated map or maybe two on two with the defenders with much less florins. Something along these lines would really flesh out battles and make them more realistic.

OK, so you are the attackers, and the two of you split 15K florins. That means that each of you get 7.5K florins. Split amongst 16 units that means any one of your units is likely to have only minimal upgrades to valor etc. Unless you reduce the number of units you have a distinct disadvantage unit for unit.

But with 32 units I will have a very hard time preventing you from flanking me, unless I'm on hill in the corner, and even then its hard. The whole game (IMHO) is about flanking, and imposing the morale penalties flanking gives to your opponent.

On some hills I can see reduced defender florins, especially in siege battles. Generally the appropriate reduction is only a few thousand florin (15K per army reduced to 14K). In the end, I find this empty. If I win, I think it is because the opponent had a reduced florin. I rarely defend under the reduced florin concept.

After many battles I have come to the conclusion that once the battle starts the concept of attacker and defender go out the window.

Although some will sit on a hill, waiting, most players will disregard the role of attacker/defender. Once the fighting begins, its just war.

And although I might lose a lot, that feeling of climbing a hill past an army of equal might is one of the best I can get from playing this damn game. Get in a game with Critter, my RW mate, and find out for yourself 'the joy of fighting uphill'.

ichi