An easy way to make hoplites' phalanx realistic.

[Lentonius]

In ancient greece the phalanx generally didn't look like it did in RTW.

In descr_model_battle, to make your hoplites, or any other unit in fact, move and fight differently, there is just a couple of very simple steps to take.

1) Open up descr_model_battle

2) find any hoplite unit. I'm using hoplites for this example...


type greek_hoplite
skeleton fs_spearman, fs_swordsman ; combat spear
indiv_range 40
texture slave, data/models_unit/textures/unit_greek_hoplite_slave.tga
texture greek_cities, data/models_unit/textures/unit_greek_hoplite_greek.tga
model_flexi data/models_unit/unit_greek_hoplite_high.cas, 15
model_flexi data/models_unit/unit_greek_hoplite_med.cas, 30
model_flexi data/models_unit/unit_greek_hoplite_low.cas, 40
model_flexi data/models_unit/unit_greek_hoplite_lowest.cas, max
model_sprite slave, 60.0, data/sprites/slave_greek_hoplite_sprite.spr
model_sprite greek_cities, 60.0, data/sprites/greek_cities_greek_hoplite_sprite.spr
model_tri 400, 0.5f, 0.5f, 0.5f

The only thing you need to change here is this line:

skeleton fs_spearman, fs_swordsman

Then, find any javelin unit,in this case i'm using hastati:




type roman_hastati
skeleton fs_javelinman, fs_swordsman

Just copy this fs_javelinman and paste it over fs_spearman, so it looks like this...


type greek_hoplite
skeleton fs_javelinman, fs_swordsman


ONE WORD OF WARNING:

cavalry skeletons are different, and i personally wouldn't advise using them on non-mounted units...


Cavalry skeletons look like this:

fs_hc_spearman

HERE IS THE FINAL RESULT:






They have their spears like they should. I know they look far from perfect, but it is an easy way to make your hoplites look more historic...

ALSO, THERE SHOULDN'T BE MORE THAN 2 SKELETONS unless ITS A GENERAL, WHICH I HAVEN'T DONE A TUTORIAL FOR YET



MERRY CHRISTMAS

[Suraknar]

Very nice indeed! :)

This does certaintly add "distinction" flavor, of classical hellenic phalanxes, made up of Hoplites using the "Dori"(comming from Dorian Culture) versus the Alexandrian era Phalanxes made up by Phalangites using the "Sarissa".

The "Xyston" which is mentioned in game for the Armoured Hoplites was actually the spear used by Alexandrian Cavalry(Companions etc).

Just a small question, hoplites use both fs_spearman and fs_slow_spearman skeletons, however there is no fs_slow_javelinman skeleton, I supose we can safelly use fs_javelinman for both cases right?

Thanks

[MansaSakura]

Is there a way to make the spears shorter? Thnx in advance.

[wlesmana]

Your easier option is to use the short_pike attribute.
Another is to actually edit the pike model in 3dsmax and actually shorten it. However, if you do, then it would also affect the short_pike since they're using the same model, except the short one is forcibly shortened by the engine.

[MansaSakura]

thank you for your quick reply. how do use this "short_pike attribute". I'm new to modding but have learned a lot lately. is the short_pike attribute in a specific file? thnx again.

[wlesmana]

Check export_descr_units.txt. Find the entries for the units you want. The info at the top of the file is self-explanatory.

[Rino666]

In ancient greece the phalanx generally didn't look like it did in RTW.

In descr_model_battle, to make your hoplites, or any other unit in fact, move and fight differently, there is just a couple of very simple steps to take.

1) Open up descr_model_battle

2) find any hoplite unit. I'm using hoplites for this example...


type greek_hoplite
skeleton fs_spearman, fs_swordsman ; combat spear
indiv_range 40
texture slave, data/models_unit/textures/unit_greek_hoplite_slave.tga
texture greek_cities, data/models_unit/textures/unit_greek_hoplite_greek.tga
model_flexi data/models_unit/unit_greek_hoplite_high.cas, 15
model_flexi data/models_unit/unit_greek_hoplite_med.cas, 30
model_flexi data/models_unit/unit_greek_hoplite_low.cas, 40
model_flexi data/models_unit/unit_greek_hoplite_lowest.cas, max
model_sprite slave, 60.0, data/sprites/slave_greek_hoplite_sprite.spr
model_sprite greek_cities, 60.0, data/sprites/greek_cities_greek_hoplite_sprite.spr
model_tri 400, 0.5f, 0.5f, 0.5f

The only thing you need to change here is this line:

skeleton fs_spearman, fs_swordsman

Then, find any javelin unit,in this case i'm using hastati:




type roman_hastati
skeleton fs_javelinman, fs_swordsman

Just copy this fs_javelinman and paste it over fs_spearman, so it looks like this...


type greek_hoplite
skeleton fs_javelinman, fs_swordsman


ONE WORD OF WARNING:

cavalry skeletons are different, and i personally wouldn't advise using them on non-mounted units...


Cavalry skeletons look like this:

fs_hc_spearman

HERE IS THE FINAL RESULT:






They have their spears like they should. I know they look far from perfect, but it is an easy way to make your hoplites look more historic...

ALSO, THERE SHOULDN'T BE MORE THAN 2 SKELETONS unless ITS A GENERAL, WHICH I HAVEN'T DONE A TUTORIAL FOR YET



MERRY CHRISTMAS

Hi thanks for helping with the hoplites, If it's not too much to ask do you know anyone or anyplace where I can find the Parthian imortals skin. Thanks in advance.

[Marcus Furius Camillus]

giving barbarian generals a two hander is just a question of copying the
fs_2handed and paste it over the fs_dagger part, isn't it ???

and how about giving Barbarian, Roman and Greek generals a sword instead of a dagger ? Also a question of pasting fs_swordsman over
fs_dagger , I presume ?

O, yeah, couldt it be that there are some unit I can't use in those files ? Like an Barbarian Warguard and a Greek hypaspist, or are they EB units ?


MARCVS*FECIT

[Squid]

This would make them use the appropriate annimations, but it doesn't give them the correct weapon. Giving a unit that has a one handed sword a two handed animation doesn't change the sword to be two handed. To do that you need to edit the model.