Thoughts on EB 1.0

[J.Alco]

I've been taking a look at the teaser trailers, new skins, and reading on the changes that will befall Europa Barbarorum in version 1.0. With the new patch apparently so close already, I find myself waiting with anticipation and anxiety. That's right, I'm of two minds on the upcoming 1.0, as I imagine other people here may be.

First of all, the good stuff: I LOVE EB, and I LOVE what I've seen to so far in the previews. The Barbarian (sorry, Celtic) improved wooden wall, the trailers on YouTube, the titles given to Diadochoi generals, the new Marian/Post-Marian Roman Centurion skin. I love it all. It's exactly what makes EB great, and when I look at that I can't wait for the game to come out.

But then I've been reading that the EB team is trimming down the total number of units to make the game more user-friendly and less complex. While I don't initially disagree with that, I was dismayed when I learned of the units that'd be done away with: Namely the Argrayaspidai, Thorakitai, Heitairoi, most of the Gallic units, and even the Roman Camillan and Polybian units are being trimmed down. Now I'm not sure if the EB team is serious about doing that much trimming, but if they are, I'll admit I'll be dismayed. EB's variety, colour, and attention to rich detail has always been one of its fortes. In RTW Vanilla I preferred playing as Rome. In this game, I don't have any preferences, because all factions are done so well (Saba and Saka exempted, of course. They still need work) and have so much variety. If EB loses some of that variety, that richness, then it just won't be the same for me.

I read that the Gallic units are being 'killed' because they were overwpowered. I personally have never had that problem, thus furthering my 'of two minds' stance about the coming 1.0.

Of course I understand, and am happy, that the developers insist that EB 1.0 is still a work in progress, and that's why I'm still waiting with anticipation for the patch to come out. I just hope it won't lose too much of the complexity that makes it stand out amongst other mods I've played. Obviously, when 1.0 comes out I won't download it without reading up on what's different, what's new, what's improved, and what's lost/gained. I did the same before downloading this current version.

I'm additionally comforted by the fact that we're not obligated to download v1.0, and will always have the choice to stick to our rusty, creaky old 0.81 if the new stuff is too much for us (In much the same way that I'm sure there are people in this community who didn't download v0.81 immediately when it was released...right?? ).

Anyway, that's my two cents on the matter. My doubts and anticipation aside, I continue to wait with baited breath (to be clichéd about it) for 1.0. Here's to hoping my fears are unfounded! Hope the EB team keeps up the good work!

P.S I took a look at the re-skinned Augustan legionaries. I'm not crazy about the plumed helmets. But then, I'm not crazy about the spiked helmets in 0.81 neither.

[Bootsiuv]

That's why the words "appeal to a wider audience" always make me nervous. One of the best things about EB was it's complexity IMO.

I wouldn't worry too much about it though....they know what they're doing.

[Zaknafien]

uh, that get rid of units thing was a joke, dude..

[abou]

But then I've been reading that the EB team is trimming down the total number of units to make the game more user-friendly and less complex. While I don't initially disagree with that, I was dismayed when I learned of the units that'd be done away with: Namely the Argrayaspidai, Thorakitai, Heitairoi, most of the Gallic units, and even the Roman Camillan and Polybian units are being trimmed down. Now I'm not sure if the EB team is serious about doing that much trimming, but if they are, I'll admit I'll be dismayed. EB's variety, colour, and attention to rich detail has always been one of its fortes. In RTW Vanilla I preferred playing as Rome. In this game, I don't have any preferences, because all factions are done so well (Saba and Saka exempted, of course. They still need work) and have so much variety. If EB loses some of that variety, that richness, then it just won't be the same for me.

What are you talking about? We're not doing any of that.

I read that the Gallic units are being 'killed' because they were overwpowered. I personally have never had that problem, thus furthering my 'of two minds' stance about the coming 1.0.

No, they aren't.

[Bootsiuv]

I was just about to say that....after reading it over, there obviously screwing with us.

This is the first major release I've been through.

Must be the EB teams favorite time of year. Like christmas for the mentally depraved. :P

[Zarax]

You could always come and play XGM (j/k, although it won't kill you to try it)...
Other than that, I can't wait to play with the bosphoran dragon slayers!

[Spoofa]

lol wow, what a failure to identify a joke

[Bootsiuv]

XGM=r0x0rs

[abou]

Personally I think you people should be more worried about the Grond hammers we're putting in game for the steppe tribes. Wicked weapons those.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Here's a hint: If it isn't in the first post of a preview, take everything the team says about the next release with a grain of salt.

The only units being removed are the Germans, which were completely redone. Any other unit that was removed was just changed or replaced with something better. Though there are a couple insignifigant ones that you probably won't even know are gone.

[Foot]

The OP is one of the best things I've ever seen. Either the guy is a master at winding people up, or he really missed the obvious lies inherent in the other thread. I mean "spear-warband" and "sword-warband" as the only unit for the gauls, thats so obvious its like a brick wall with the words "brick wall painted in neon yellow.

Foot

[Zarax]

Foot, I'd say it's the first option, look at the smiley at the very start of the post...

[Tellos Athenaios]

And here's another hint: if the sticky doesn't explicitly read either FAQ or Preview in post #1 you may want to doublecheck its credibility. EB members like messing with your minds.

"Very sad news regarding EB 0.8", anyone?

[Tarkus]

The OP is one of the best things I've ever seen. Either the guy is a master at winding people up, or he really missed the obvious lies inherent in the other thread. I mean "spear-warband" and "sword-warband" as the only unit for the gauls, thats so obvious its like a brick wall with the words "brick wall painted in neon yellow.

Right on, Foot...couldn't agree more...!!!

[Bootsiuv]

That thread was very deceptive.

It was the first one I read when I woke up....and my brain didn't click on it right away, and I didn't read it all the way through.

My eyes naturally gravitate towards foots posts because I know he's one of the heads, and he usually has good info for us.

I think the OP could have genuinely mistaken that.

Regardless, the sentence about lumping all horse archers together into one unit should have gave it away right there.

Like EB would have a unit called horse archer for every faction with horse archers....

I'm slow before my first cup of coffee...

[Karo]

What you guys are not making it simpler, that's a shame lol
Can't wait till you guys are ready to release it but try to choose a better time than last big release, just before the exams it was a hard time not to play Eb and go studie

[J.Alco]

Heheheh. well, as they said in the old days, I've been had, good n' well.

Sorry about the paranoia-fest. I withdraw my earlier misgivings about the 'units being withdrawn' from the game. Consider them the foolish ramblings of an idiot.

Note to self: Learn to spot irony in posts in the future

Sorry again for the ramblings. That said, I do feel better about the fact that I was being led on (But if I'm being led on about being led on, then you people are cruel and sadistic beyond measure)

Although this doesn't mean that I'm changing my opinion with regards to the Augustan legionaries plumed helmets (I know, I know. Work in progress, but still)

[Zaknafien]

Well, sorry, but that's how they were, so that's how they will be in EB.

[NeoSpartan]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!

I wasn't the only one who got scared by Foot's comment on that thread. That guy had me for 2mins.

[Anastasios Helios]

Same...I almost threw a fit...I need the Thorakitai.

Sometimes, I do feel that the Kelts are severely overpowered and the Sweboz underpowered though.

[mlc82]

I must have missed the joke as well, cause that first post here had me terrified... "Streamlined to appeal to a wider audience" has been the death knell of most of my favorite game series (Deus Ex, Ghost Recon, Elder Scrolls, most likely Fallout next). I was honestly almost ready to cry :(



I can't wait for version 1.0, I will not be doing anything besides playing EB the first week that's out!

[J.Alco]

I just want to add this note, due to Zaknafien's response to my comment on not being crazy about the Augustan Legionaries plumed helmets. (i.e: 'Sorry, but that's how they were, and that's how they'll be in EB')

I realise there have been some past problems on the EB forum regarding trolls and people who have flamed the team for the changes to units to make them more historical. I am not one of those people. I say that I am not crazy about the plumed helmets, but if they're based on historical, archeological facts, they're fine by me, and won't prevent me from loving EB any less, and in fact I would probably be a bit dissapointed if they weren't included now!

The only reason why I'm reluctant to the new image is that I'm still getting over the idea I have in my head of the 'Lorica Segmentata Legionary' which I accepted and absorbed since I was, well, like 7.

I'm just the nit-picky kind, but please, don't think that this means I'll make mountains out of molehills. I love EB, and I think that what the team is doing is nothing short of magnificent work. You know a helluva lot more than me when it comes to making a mod, and I know that what you show on EB is probably as close to the truth as one can get with regards to the period. That's why I play EB to begin with: To get as close to the truth of the period as I can.

So, in short, don't get the wrong idea of me. I'm just a natural whiner and nit-picker, but I really do love the mod and wouldn't change a thing about it, or about what's to come. I continue to look forwad to v 1.0

Keep the great work, EB!

[CountArach]

uh, that get rid of units thing was a joke, dude..

Thank God! This was the first place I read about it and I nearly had a heart attack... DON'T MESS WITH ME LIKE THAT!!!

[mlc82]

Thank God! This was the first place I read about it and I nearly had a heart attack... DON'T MESS WITH ME LIKE THAT!!!

Hey CountArach, just for the record, my plan to glorify your AAR (by linking to the EB site) on an upcoming website of my own, is still in the works, I just haven't done much work on it lately... I've been lazy over the past two weeks ;)

[Meneldil]

Sometimes, I do feel that the Kelts are severely overpowered and the Sweboz underpowered though.

Want to discuss that ?

[The Celt]

Dude, you honestly thought that was a legit statement? Geez, I thought the mention of axing the Polybian Romans was obvious enough! Always wait for another member of the team to clarify before you fly off the handle.

Same...I almost threw a fit...I need the Thorakitai.

Sometimes, I do feel that the Kelts are severely overpowered and the Sweboz underpowered though.

Sweboz? Underpowered? Maybe unit stat wise yes, but in the campaign they make up for that in sheer population size!
I had to constantly keep watch over the Rhine in my Arverni campaign. For five-to-seven full stack Sweboz armies would cross and assault one of my towns every time I pressed end turn. I managed a raid into thier lands every once and awhile but they'd drive me back every time! And now, Bliztkrieg is saying they're getting better units in 1.0?! Gah! Ve vill all submit to zeh Sveboz!!!!