Wishlist for new patch

[Amon_Zeth]

Here is my wishlist for the new patch. Feel free to add on whatever you would like to see as well.

Weaken chariots- They were not that effective at this time period thanks to cavalry. Their only advantage initially was their possibility for causing terror among enemy troops, but they move slowly, turned slowly, proved difficult for aiming for the few archers onboard due to motion, and were very unstable. Yet I see them rushing through infantry, whipping about, then rushing over them again. I send cavalry against them, but they all too easily circle around and turn them into dog food. They should only be used for causing terror to punch a hole through enemy lines, and, maybe, provide some covering fire.

Phalanx stepping right- This is especially annoying. Yes, it may be historically accurate, but it is irritating and makes it more difficult to defend against attackers. Plus, it's perfectly acceptable to drop a detail, especially a relatively obscure one, that's historically accurate in favor of enjoyment of the game.

Squalor- I don't understand why squalor has to increase when farms, sanitation, and trade facilities are built. It's completely illogical that a person would live in more filth with plumbing, baths, cheap consumer goods and plenty of food, and that there would be more crime because of the availability of these items. Temple squalor increases from growth should be increased, maybe, because temples don't really do anything about quality of life, unless they're charities (which I doubt.) Regardless, trade, sanitation, and farming should have a factor that lowers squalor, maybe in place of growth bonuses, but either way they should lower squalor in both the short and long term.

Otherwise, great game. :)

[Turbo]

Here is my wishlist for the new patch. Feel free to add on whatever you would like to see as well.

Weaken chariots- They were not that effective at this time period thanks to cavalry. Their only advantage initially was their possibility for causing terror among enemy troops, but they move slowly, turned slowly, proved difficult for aiming for the few archers onboard due to motion, and were very unstable. Yet I see them rushing through infantry, whipping about, then rushing over them again. I send cavalry against them, but they all too easily circle around and turn them into dog food. They should only be used for causing terror to punch a hole through enemy lines, and, maybe, provide some covering fire.

Phalanx stepping right- This is especially annoying. Yes, it may be historically accurate, but it is irritating and makes it more difficult to defend against attackers. Plus, it's perfectly acceptable to drop a detail, especially a relatively obscure one, that's historically accurate in favor of enjoyment of the game.

Squalor- I don't understand why squalor has to increase when farms, sanitation, and trade facilities are built. It's completely illogical that a person would live in more filth with plumbing, baths, cheap consumer goods and plenty of food, and that there would be more crime because of the availability of these items. Temple squalor increases from growth should be increased, maybe, because temples don't really do anything about quality of life, unless they're charities (which I doubt.) Regardless, trade, sanitation, and farming should have a factor that lowers squalor, maybe in place of growth bonuses, but either way they should lower squalor in both the short and long term.

Otherwise, great game. :)

I agree about the Phalanx stepping right, but I disagree about the chariots and Squalor. The right combination of tactics, 2-3 foot archers can cripple chariots. Squalor is a great feature of the game. Cities at this time were living cesspools, and this included Rome. "He who controls the mob, controls Rome", indeed!

[Colovion]

I wish that Phalanx troops had some kind of anti-cav when they're moving. It sucks when you march towards Cav and the Cav use their Nitro before you're ready - tell your Phalanx to stop, but it's too late - the Cav have already crashed through the pikes and slaughter half of your Hoplites. To have a good anti-cav with phalanx troops the Phalanx needs to be stopped AND have their shields in front of them - which takes a good 4 seconds for it to happen.

[Ktonos]

1. Give Spartans crested helmets...(minor)

2. Make all factions playable from the start...(average)

3. Slow down the running speed of light infantry and light cavalry...(major)

4. Make Diplomacy AI realistic...(MAJOR)

5. Make Diplomacy AI realistic...(MAJOR)

6. Make Diplomacy AI realistic...(MAJOR)

7. Make Diplomacy AI realistic...(MAJOR)

...

[The_Emperor]

Ktonos, I think many of those aspects are open to debate and are not really gameplay destroying bugs... Nor is it anything that is likely to be fixed by a patch.

You can easily play all the factions yourself by modding the game.

At any rate, this is my wishlist.

1) Fix the Squalor bug, this is getting irritating. I dislike having to commit genocide to keep the people happy, but sadly its neccessary to avoid revolts

2) Campaign Battle Replays. I know this is asking a lot, but I really miss this feature and wish for it to be back in.

3) Cavalry can no longer ride & jump through a Phalanx from the front and slaughter the Hoplites... It is very unrealistic that the horses can jump a wall of spears at least 3 spears deep and land in the middle of the formation, the anti-cav bonuses need improving.

4) Fix the protectrate cashflow bug, where the factions that is made your Protectorate steals all your money.

5) Weaken the Egyptian Axemen and Chariot Archers. These guys seem to be able to plow through everything without dying, make them like the Briton Chariots (vulnerable) and axemen shouldn't have the same armour rating as a Roman Legionnaire when all they wear is a skirt!

[Ktonos]

Well, the listed as major, are indeed m a j o r features to be fixed in the patch.

Diplomacy AI MUST get realistic. I am not talking to get less aggressive. If factions see that can benefit from a sneak attack then they must do it. If they would better benefit with an alliance with another AI faction or the player then they should try to avoid conflicts. Diplomats of foreign countries should conduct the player much more. Its like the player is the only one to care for diplomatic relations.

I don't think that enhancing Diplomacy AI is debatable.

[R'as al Ghul]

Squalor- I don't understand why squalor has to increase when farms, sanitation, and trade facilities are built. It's completely illogical that a person would live in more filth with plumbing, baths, cheap consumer goods and plenty of food, and that there would be more crime because of the availability of these items. Temple squalor increases from growth should be increased, maybe, because temples don't really do anything about quality of life, unless they're charities (which I doubt.) Regardless, trade, sanitation, and farming should have a factor that lowers squalor, maybe in place of growth bonuses, but either way they should lower squalor in both the short and long term.

I think this has been recognized by Jerome Grasdyke as a bug. He said iirc that it will be adressed in a 1.02 patch.

R'as