Darth Mod?

[Tyfus]

Does any one know if Darth mod will work with EB?

[fallen851]

If you mean just his formations mod, yes, but it may not work well.

If you mean the entire mod, no. EB and Darthmod modify many of the same files.

[Tyfus]

Yeah I mean just his formations. I've been looking for something to improve the battle AI because I've been having problems with it doing stupid things.

[The Spartan (Returns)]

yeah go ahead. but EB already modded some formations and ai i think.

[Tyfus]

will it mess up the way EB runs because its changing files that EB modders have already worked with?

[The Spartan (Returns)]

i dont think so.

[Americanus Supremus]

If it works can u let me know your results, (meaning) do you like or dislike the change? Ive found that some of my bigger battles arent as good as I expect because of some lackluster generalship.

I remember my last games of rtr with Darthmod Formations the battle was more intense and it seemed the ai was using better tactics. Trying to flank and attack from the rear with more frequency and better results.

Thanks,
HC

[Simmons]

Changing the AI formation files Might work as far as I know the files only define which type of unit goes where not which specific "named" unit

I think the only stumbling block would be how the formations are assigned I've never modified the formation files but I know the Romans for example can deploy in their checker board formation how the games determines which factions can use which formations I don't know but I would guess its by culture that could be a problem with EB's culture swap.

But since I slept on my original RTW disks and now have RTW Gold which is 1.5 I can't really check

[Ludens]

will it mess up the way EB runs because its changing files that EB modders have already worked with?

EB has it's own formation files, but you can replace them with others without causing problems. However, I'd recommend not using the latests Darth formations: IIRC they use faction-slot specific formations and since EB juggled the faction-slots around it will give odd results. The old darth-formations for 1.2 (DF 8.0 or 8.5) will work however, they just won't be optimized for EB's style of play.

[The Spartan (Returns)]

and remember the latest DM Formations are for 1.5

[Tyfus]

Can you tell me which file(s) I should back-up before I try this in case it doesn't work properly?

[The Spartan (Returns)]

just download the DM formations you want. in the zip file there are files there to mod the RTW ones. the one there, just copy from the RTW folder.

[Tyfus]

Ok and one final question, this is what DARTH VADER said about his 8.5 version of Darth formations

"These formations are fully tested with my DarthMod_6.0 and RTR series (although they should work perfectly with any mod unless there are mods which interfere with unit types triggering in attributes files and so the proportion of unit types in game changes too much."

does EB do this or not?

[Ludens]

Can you tell me which file(s) I should back-up before I try this in case it doesn't work properly?

I don't know about the new versions, but the old ones changed descr_formation.txt and descr_formation_ai.txt in the data map.

"These formations are fully tested with my DarthMod_6.0 and RTR series (although they should work perfectly with any mod unless there are mods which interfere with unit types triggering in attributes files and so the proportion of unit types in game changes too much."

does EB do this or not?

I don't think so. EB still uses the old R:TW unit subdivisions (light/heavy/missile infantry/cavalry and artillery).

[Tyfus]

Awesome! I'll try it as soon as I get back to my home comp.

thanks and I'll update here about how it worked out.

[The_Mark]

I don't think so. EB still uses the old R:TW unit subdivisions (light/heavy/missile infantry/cavalry and artillery).

Plus skirmish.

[Tyfus]

Ok so I got some interesting results.

I installed Darth formations 8.5 which is the last version that is compatible with 1.2 mods.

There were some good changes but I'm not sure it worked exactly as it's supposed to. The units now do advance in a much more sensible formation and once engaged the AI makes more attempts to flank you. However in one of my battles there were still suicidal generals and archers, which I thought were supposed to be fixed. But a very big problem I had been having with reinforcement armies has now been fixed and that alone makes this a success. Now when an army is reinforcing my enemy or me it doesn't do the stupid "split up all the tropps and walk to random places on the map" thing. one of my first in game battles was my full stack against 2 makedonian armies. I got completely trounced but was very happy because both armies had attacked as though at least trying to work together. So While this may not have fixed everything bad about the AI in battles I feel it certainly improved my gameplay so for now I will be keeping it

[Ludens]

Interesting. Let us know more about your experiences.

[Tyfus]

So I've been playing for while with darth formations mod 8.5 installed so I thought I'd give a little update for anyone who's interested.

My biggest problem with the EB script for the ai was that reinforcing armies would just split up into small groups or single units and then walk kinda aimlessly all over the battle field with maybe 1 or 2 of the reinforcing army units actually attacking me.
So I tried Darth formations. It doesn't make everything better. Generals and missle infantry can still sometimes be suicidal. in the beginning the generals spawn far from the main body of the army generally behind and far to the left. Also the AI will still try to attack in really stupid ways sometimes. But the benefits have definetely outweighed the costs in this case because now with Darth formations the ai generally attacks/defends in a reasonably intelligent way and most importantly when I have a reinforcement battle the enemy armies make coordinated attacks even waiting to engage until they have both joined on the battle field.
The only real problem I've experienced was at a battle near the Brittish Isle province of Ynys-Mon. This province is technically on an island but there is a bridge connecting it with the main land. I was the Casse and I attacked a rebel force that was standing on the bridge. In the battle field though there is no bridge as it is really an island and the EB modders just put a bridge for armies to cross on the campaign map. SO what happend was that my deployment area was on one side of the channel and the rebels were on the other side with no way for me to attack. after trying to attack from several different positions I got a CTD my first ever in EB. I think it has something to do with the coastline bug? Other than that I've heard it's best not to fight near land bridges so I don't think this CTD had anything to do with my Darth Formations install.
So that's about it I've played with this using Casse and HK and it's worked great with both. So if you're having the same problem as I was then I would again recommend trying Darth Formations versions 8.5 or 8.

Have fun