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Thread: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

  1. #1
    Member Member IceWolf's Avatar
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    Default How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    While i'm still having tons of fun with vanilla I see in another forum here there are tons of mods out there. The one that gets the most talk on a different site is RomeTotalRealism. Y'all that have been playing for a long time do you still play vanilla or do you mod? if so, what mods would you reccomend and why?
    Thanks

    IceWolf
    "They shall know the power of thy sword" ManoWar

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    Chief Biscuit Monitor Member professorspatula's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    I play my own mod which nobody else can have because it's all mine! Mine I tell thee! (Aside from the occasional bit borrowed from elsewhere) It's basically vanilla RTW with numerous enhancements. I never really bothered with other people's mods because I like to mess around with the game too much myself. I gave RTR a brief go though and it was quite enjoyable.

    EB is another mod that appears to be becoming more and more playable and popular. Worth a look because it has an incredible variety of new units and factions and has a massive and dedicated team of modders so you know there's such attention to detail.


    Oh and for BI, I do have a public mod that is available to all that just adds extra hordes and unlocks factions. Although my copy is updated, I still haven't updated it fully for the public yet since the last patch. Sometimes I can be lazy.
    Improving the TW Series one step at a time:

    BI Extra Hordes & Unlocked Factions Mod: Available here.

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    Pincushioned Ashigaru Member Poulp''s Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    I play my own mod too, which is based on Barbarossa's VBM and that I have heavily modified. That mod contents me; I have customized the game to my own taste (or at least tried to...)

    I gave a try at XGM but stopped playing because the game was lagging so much that it was unbearable.

    EB does appeal to me, but I fear it will be the same story that for XGM.

    I know I could upgrade my CPU but there's a greater danger lurking, Oblivion.
    I know that if my CPU can handle that game, I'll turn again into no-lifeness...

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    Arrogant Ashigaru Moderator Ludens's Avatar
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    Lightbulb Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    I have spent many hours with vanilla, but ultimately it lacked challenge. Currently, I am playing Europa Barbarorum v0.81: it's a really great mod if you aren't afraid of a steep learning curve. I am also waiting for the releases of Athurian: Total War v0.7 and Rome: Total Realism 7.
    Looking for a good read? Visit the Library!

  5. #5
    Witch Smeller Persuivant Member Fate's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    At the moment, im enthralled in End Of Days for BI.
    In the past ive also played ATW, and HEAVILY played RTG (completed it as practically every faction).
    I'd love to mod up my own version, but as i know nothing about modding, i dont think it'd be very good
    Quote Originally Posted by Slug For A Butt
    Hmm... if the AI was programmed to emulate the most stupid Generals in history, that would explain a lot.

    "Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say "Ni" at will to old ladies. There is a pestilence upon this land! Nothing is sacred. Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress at this point in time."

  6. #6
    RTW V1.5 & BI V1.6 Member Severous's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    Hi

    RTW vanilla for 12 months.
    BI vanilla for last 3 months...with some RTW during that time as well

    Only mod was to unlock the Celt faction in BI.
    Regards
    (RTW Eras: RTW V1.5 and BI V1.6 No Mods)

    Currently writing a Scipii AAR (with pictures)
    https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=91877

    Barbarian Invasion. Franks hold out against the world.
    https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=77526

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    The Aspiring God Of War Member Lysander13's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    I also play Europa Barbarorum...It's an amazing mod...To any fan of the RTW time period who is looking for a challenge as well as being at risk of perhaps learning a thing or two... i could not recommend it more...

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    Senior Member Senior Member econ21's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    I found RTW quickly became unchallenging. I also disliked the speed of combat and the way that missiles and cavalry were overpowered compared to heavy infantry. I've played a lot of RTR Platinum Edition, which goes a long way to fixing these things to my taste - it also adds gorgeous graphics and a lot of historical detail.

    EB is very comparable; that's what I will play in future when I play RTW.

    I did enjoy BI though - especially with Goth's All Factions Mod. The WRE campaign is a blast.

  9. #9
    Now sporting a classic avatar! Member fallen851's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    Vanilla is lame. With well over 500,000 in the bank, and making 50k a turn I don't think I ever used a spy, or diplomat. I just made a big armies and easily, so very easily overran the map. I lost only two battles (both very small engagements) and won well over 300. And it only took me to 200 BC to get in that situation.

    Worst thing about it is, that was my first ever campaign... on hard/medium...

    Sigh.

    Now I enjoy getting my butt kicked in EB, as well as being mocked on the EB forum.
    Last edited by fallen851; 03-20-2007 at 03:41.
    "It's true that when it's looked at isolated, Rome II is a good game... but every time I sit down to play it, every battle, through every turn, I see how Rome I was better. Not unanimously, but ultimately." - Dr. Sane

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6eaBtzqqFA#t=1h15m33s

  10. #10

    Thumbs up Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    if ya don't have mtw or mtw2 for one rason or another and wanted to get a feel of the period check out Chivalry mod. it's a total conversion of RTW 1.5/1.6 and nearin' final public release out of beta stage.
    I've been playin' Chivalry myself.

  11. #11

    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    I play mods for the bigger maps. I don't fight on battle maps cause it takes forever and I always lose more men than if I had gone automatically. So I like the big Campaign Maps.

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    Member Member dimitrios the samian's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    Hi Guys ,, Its probably not the right thread to ask this but along the sames lines .... Which mod provides the best AI on the battlefeild ? because Im like econ21 & fallen851 " un-challenging .. lame " Darths or Sinuhets ? ,, cheers DTS

  13. #13

    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    hy ...
    the original patched game (1.5) whit unit size to largest (160) and one single change by me... the game is playable from 270 bc to 230 AD - 500 years -
    love to turtle a lot build watch towers and forts. AI likes to attack forts a lot.
    And recently added the bug fix - cant remember the name sorry !!! - that changes the texture of some units which appeared incorrect - still the roman generals shoulders are red not the silverish plate armor -, but now at least the senate is roman not 2 macedons and 3 romans. No mod.
    I have Europa Barbarorum but not played it yet.
    "One who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be in danger in a hundred battles.
    One who does not know the enemy but knows himself will sometimes win, sometimes lose.
    One who does not know the enemy and does not know himself will be in danger in every battle."

  14. #14
    Senior Member Senior Member econ21's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    Quote Originally Posted by dimitrios the samian
    Hi Guys ,, Its probably not the right thread to ask this but along the sames lines .... Which mod provides the best AI on the battlefeild ? because Im like econ21 & fallen851 " un-challenging .. lame " Darths or Sinuhets ? ,, cheers DTS
    Mods cannot change the battlefield AI. I know some people rave about Darth's formations etc, but I am not sure how big an impact they have.

    Mods can change the way battles play out. Realism mods like RTR and EB weaken cavalry and missiles to a greater or lesser degree. They also tend to raise the morale and lower the kill rates. These changes tend to mean the AI sticks around on the field for longer and that you have to slug it out for a while before they rout.

    Mods also affect the strategic layer. Both RTR and EB change the way buildings work to make it much harder to recruit men in captured settlements. This tends to slow down player expansion. We played an RTR PBM for about a year of real life in the Throne Room and at the end could only recruit soldiers in Italy. They also tend to make the economy tighter - especially EB.

    If you find RTW too easy, you may find the challenge of EB more to your taste; RTR maybe imbetween the two.

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    Member Member dimitrios the samian's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    Thanks for your insights econ21 ,, Looks like MTW will be getting re-loaded very very soon ,, cheers ...

  16. #16
    Arrogant Ashigaru Moderator Ludens's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    Quote Originally Posted by econ21
    Mods cannot change the battlefield AI. I know some people rave about Darth's formations etc, but I am not sure how big an impact they have.
    I've been using formation mods on and off, and I must say that their effect, while not big, is still noticable. The A.I. advances in a more carefully laid out formation, and seems more able to carry out flanking moves or respond to your tactics. However, like you say, it won't do a miracles, and nothing can stop the A.I. from running its units to exhaustion.
    Looking for a good read? Visit the Library!

  17. #17

    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    I recently downloaded EB as a stop-gap and have been very, very pleasantly surprised. More challenging, more deep and much more addictive.

    Rabbit heartily recommends these EB AARs.
    Dreams of An Empire --- History Channel Presents: the Histories of Timaeus --- Battle for the Silk Road
    ...but he's a newb, so don't listen to him.

  18. #18

    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    I've played and worked on EB for more than the last two years. Don't have much time for other mods, but I can't imagine playing vanilla for sure at this point. If it wasn't EB then it would be RTR or Rise of Persia or something else like that. One reason I keep working and playing on EB is that I want something that I can keep playing as all the different factions for years to come, and I fully expect to do so.

  19. #19
    Senior Member Senior Member econ21's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ludens
    ...nothing can stop the A.I. from running its units to exhaustion.
    Following Puzz3D's recommendation, I switch fatigue off. It's annoying not having fatigue for my own men, but I never find it a big issue for them anyway. Exhaustion does tend to totally gimp the AI when it attacks though, so switching fatigue off makes for more tense defensive battles.

  20. #20

    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    'if anyone could recommend me a good mod that will make the game more challenging and dynamic.

    I was told Rome Total Realism mod was the best one there is for that.
    "I am the Flail of God. If you have not committed such sins would God have sent me to punish you?" -Genghis Khan

  21. #21
    Arrogant Ashigaru Moderator Ludens's Avatar
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    Lightbulb Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Durian
    'if anyone could recommend me a good mod that will make the game more challenging and dynamic.

    I was told Rome Total Realism mod was the best one there is for that.
    You should have a look at Darth Mod, Arthurian Total War and Europa Barbarorum as well.
    Looking for a good read? Visit the Library!

  22. #22
    Is A... Member Quintus Of Pompeii's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    Hi, I am still playing RTW vanilla and a mod used on BI. The Crusades to be exact its great fun, there is lots of different units and I like units I am still enjoying vanilla RTW but modded it to play as the Greek Cities in the campaign.

    -Q
    "Acta est fabula"
    The Story Is Complete
    -Augustus' Last Words

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    Member Member YENKO's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    I am still fairly new to RTW, so i am playing the 'vanilla' game. The only modification i did, was to make the Brutii faction red, just like the Julii was.Now the Julii are green and my Brutii are red. I hate to see my legions look green! Green is good for locusts and the pesky Gauls maybe, but MY Romans have to look red! :)

    BTW, is it possible to make the game last longer? I mean, i love to conquer the whole map, which i can do only after i conquer Rome, and then give it to the rebels. then i can sit back and continue to poke at the last few nations still alive.
    I would like the game to last after AD 14, if possible. I remember a small proggie back in M:TW where i could play all the way to Napoleonic era lol!

    Thanks..
    Y.

  24. #24
    Member Member Yun Dog's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    Eb Rulz 11111111
    Quote Originally Posted by pevergreen View Post
    its pevergeren.

  25. #25

    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    Until quite recently I played with vanilla with some modifications of my own. Now however I play EB. Great fun.
    We have this almost mythical tree, given to us by the otherwise hostile people in the east to symbolize our friendship and give us permission to send caravans through their lands. It could be said to symbolize the wealth and power of our great nation. Cut it down and make me a throne.

  26. #26
    Ossie The 1st Member Ossie The Great's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    I always use to make my own little mod for myself but only now have i started on a major public mod .

  27. #27
    Member Member Celt Centurion's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many play vanillla and how many use mods?

    I've been playing the XGM mod for the past week or so. It has the feel of Vanilla, but the factions are changed a bit. It also has night battles, and more Generals are able to start them. I have actually been attacked at night which never happened in BI. I prefer to sally out on night battles. Using arrows at night with no flames seems to be more terrifying to enemies than if they see the flaming arrows coming.

    A drawback to it is that there is a heavy AI economic bonus which gives them tons of money to train tons of full stacks to throw at you. I would recommend disabling that part during installation. The only way that I was surviving the times I played against the AI economic bonus I had to "add_money 40000" so often that by the time I won, I was adding 40,000 up to 5 or 6 times every turn just to maintain. In order to build and repair, it was substantially more. That's why I prefer not to add money with the cheat code.

    I presently have a Ptolemaic campaign going on, with a settlement up in Side (just East of Halicarnassus) which is taking most of my money and attention as my former ally, Pontus, has betrayed me and besieged the city every turn for over 30 turns. It's just a minor city needing 12,000 to get to the next level, but backfilling the garrison every turn has reduced it to 400. I actually bring over 240 nubian spearmen from Salamis every turn, which I discharge in Side, and train up Phalangists and backfill other units. I'm beginning to wonder if it's worth the effort, and should I simply evacuate and destroy everything inside the walls. It's certainly drain in people and money.

    Pontus is also at war with my primary enemy as well though, the Selucids. After I win the short campaign, (if I win it) Pontus will be the victim of Punic wars.

    I do enjoy the XGM mod however, and find myself in it far more than BI or basic RTW.

    I shall be looking for the ATW though, it looks interesting.

    Strength and Honor

    Celt Centurion

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