Sweet Realistic Medieval Combat (Mount and Blade)

**Kraxis** · 06-01-2005, 09:59

Indeed, there is no main quest or even a storyline. But there is a little indicator that there might be in the full release. It seems to me that there might be more to the war than meets the eye and there are also 'dark' forces out there (and they are strong)... Maybe they will work on that.

I don't mind much that the towns are so unfinished, only that the tavernkeeper is so far away in his building.

I agree with rabbit that the best equipment comes from battles. You just need to beat up big groups of enemies. So look around for caravans under attack. They are normally rather well protected and withyou and your buddies you should be able to win against even rather large groups of enemies.
Make sure you do missions for the merchants, they give you 700+ for just escorting a caravan to a nearby town, a lot more if it farther away. Some times you will even be charged with missions to deliver goods somewhere, again at a good price (I accidentally sold the goods the first time and ended up owing the merchants 18600 gold, no trade until that was paid with interest).
Beware of the Sea Raiders though... They are not as weak as their name suggests. When engaging them, be sure to have at the very least 2/3rds of their numbers, and if you feel you haven't got enough, just hire peasants in large numbers. They are bad fighters on their own, but I saw how they dealt with a number of Swadian deserter knights. The knights stormed in, but they were soon halted by the mass of men (and women) and before long they were either dead or their horses were dead. One poor knight actually survived and was ganged up on by 5-6 peasants, his HP and armour obviously helped him a long way as he took hits all the time, his shield splintered and he simply couldn't defend himself, he couldn't even retreat away. Eventually I had to step in and put an end to his misery. But the visage of pitchforks, sickles and clubs striking the defenseless man was impressive. And very good by the way. The knights charged headlessly in and suffered from it. The infantry that followed proceeded to make mincemeat of the peasants until I and my men rescued them.

MP? I can't see why this can't be made, it is perfect for it. The Tournament in Zendar is a perfect setting for it and almost looks like a test for future MP.

**zelda12** · 06-01-2005, 11:30

MP will not be coming out for M&B 1 but Amargan (One of the only two developers) has hinted that it might be included in M&B 2.

I've had the game for a week or so, and it is amazing. I'm currently lv 27 and with my band of Swadian Infantry. Having 20 crossbowmen in one place blunts any cavalry charge.

**Kraxis** · 06-01-2005, 14:59

I constantly run into trouble as soon as I have a nice army.
I had 3 knights, 5 sharpshooters, 4 crossbowmen, 7 men at arms and finally 7 Footmen.

A nice army that should be able to take on anything, especially bandits (you know those quest bandits). I ended up in a battle against 34 of those bandits. And yup, they managedto take out my entire army eventhough I dropped them like flies. Finally my crossbow ran out of ammo and my horse got knocked out from under me and I still faced some 6-7 enemies, of which 2 were mounted.
I got beat so bad.

Then it was simply goodbye army, one I had used so much time in building to a proper state (I had just handed over 5 knights and 6 men at arms for quests so this was the beginning of a new round of troops). RATS!

**zelda12** · 06-01-2005, 15:07

I travel with 53 men, I can quite easily take down Vaegir War Parties of 90 or more men. Quite Fun really being on my Spirited Charger, ordering my guys to hold a hill and then chraging into the melee as the hail of bolts flies from my men.

**Spino** · 06-01-2005, 17:04

Crazed Rabbit you bastard! Last night I was ready to hit the sack around 11:30 so I could catch some quality REM sleep that I missed the night before. However, just before shutting my computer down for the night I caught this thread here in the Arena and simply had to see what all the ranting and raving was about...

I didn't get to sleep until 2am!

This game is great! Talk about an impressive debut! At first you think it's some obscure 'ho hum' rpg but then you actually get to fight! I found myself yelling at the screen quite a number of times; I yelled at myself, yelled at the enemy and also found myself yelling at my comrades in and out of the arena to warn them or danger or come to my aid!

About the only thing I don't like is that the horse doesn't seem to impart any mass when it hits an enemy soldier. Sure, you can knock the bugger on his buttocks but at the same time your horse will stop and rear up on his hind legs. In the very least swiping a soldier with your horse should provide some kind of hit and run effect. Now I totally understand the realism/balance issue at work here. However it doesn't make sense that a very expensive, high quality warhorse couldn't knock over an enemy soldier (at least those without spears or polearms) while at a full gallop and keep going. In the very least each knocked over soldier could slow the horse down so as to not make mounted troops nigh invincible. The mounted AI also needs some work, horsemen in the arena or in constricted spaces will sometimes run their horses into a wall or obstacle, leaving them extremely vulnerable until they can turn around and ride in another direction. But these are amazing small quibbles considering the game is still a work in progress.

Originally Posted by zelda12

I travel with 53 men, I can quite easily take down Vaegir War Parties of 90 or more men. Quite Fun really being on my Spirited Charger, ordering my guys to hold a hill and then chraging into the melee as the hail of bolts flies from my men.

53 vs. 90!

I didn't know the battles could get that large! That's fantastic! I wonder if the developers programmed a maximum number of men per side in any given battle. How was your framerate during that battle and what CPU & 3D card are you using?

For the next version I'd like to see them add group formations to the orders menu. I see no reason why seasoned, higher tier soldiers cannot set themselves into a rudimentary formation.

The core of this game, the combat, is so brilliantly done that it would be an absolute crime if the developers changed gears and made it into a more 'traditional' rpg or worse, dropped the project altogether!

I seriously hope this husband and wife developer team is able to take this game/idea/engine to the next level. Hopefully they can get some additional artists and programmers on board and flesh out the existing game. Once the word gets out on this little gem I seriously doubt there will be a lack of modding type volunteers who are willing to help out!

**zelda12** · 06-01-2005, 17:14

Originally Posted by Spino

53 vs. 90! I didn't know the battles could get that large! That's fantastic! I wonder if the developers programmed a maximum number of men per side in any given battle. How was your framerate during that battle and what CPU & 3D card are you using?

When I say that much they do it in segments with around 15-20 men o each side. I imagine that you could probaly squeeze more men in but Amargan hasn't commented on it yet.

On the other subjects Amargan has been saying that he is going to get some more people on board to help him out. Here's hoping we are seeing the birth of one of the futures greatest game developers.

**Alexander the Pretty Good** · 06-02-2005, 00:19

About the only thing I don't like is that the horse doesn't seem to impart any mass when it hits an enemy soldier. Sure, you can knock the bugger on his buttocks but at the same time your horse will stop and rear up on his hind legs. In the very least swiping a soldier with your horse should provide some kind of hit and run effect. Now I totally understand the realism/balance issue at work here. However it doesn't make sense that a very expensive, high quality warhorse couldn't knock over an enemy soldier (at least those without spears or polearms) while at a full gallop and keep going. In the very least each knocked over soldier could slow the horse down so as to not make mounted troops nigh invincible. The mounted AI also needs some work, horsemen in the arena or in constricted spaces will sometimes run their horses into a wall or obstacle, leaving them extremely vulnerable until they can turn around and ride in another direction. But these are amazing small quibbles considering the game is still a work in progress.

If you're going fast enough, you will [sometimes] run right over the guy. Strangely, it doesn't do that much damage - less than I would expect. And I have to agree, it would be nice if some of the AI was better. But still...

How do you equip soldiers in your party? Do you have to have the equipment avaliable? Do newly hired people come with any weapons?

I think the engine is mostly done, and they just need to flesh out details (like a plot...). All in all very, very cool.