What do we need to make E.B better?

[Pontius Pilate]

Actually it does play an important role, game mechanics-wise. Before, often it was the case that Parthia would find itself in a large part of the Arabian peninsular as it was the only suitable (and it wasn't suitable) faction to have those provinces rebel to. We also felt that it was important to represent that important part of the world that played an important role in trade to and from India. Compared to the Alex Mission, the inclusion of Saba was a wise choice. There was no chance that the Senate as a faction would make an appearance, so I don't even understand why that choice is even being considered as an alternative to Saba.

Foot

I didn't say I want the senate to be included.

[Foot]

I didn't say I want the senate to be included.

Ah, so the inclusion of the Alexander Mission is of far more import than a powerful faction from Southern Arabia with strong trade links to both Egypt and India. Just so I'm clear.

Foot

[ludwag]

thats a good point. I have never liked saba, and they are no threat to anyone. I dont think anyone finds them intresting or plays as them. But there is a good point that there couldnt be only elutheroi there. Trade are important, and having someone dominating there.

[Divie]

I find them great fun to play, and also to play against, the realm that alexander never got to invade is currently in my seleucid sights

[Hax]

thats a good point. I have never liked saba, and they are no threat to anyone. I dont think anyone finds them intresting or plays as them.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the common Western thought of pre-Islamic Arabia!

[Kromulan]

What's all this bagging on Saba? They're one of the more unique factions in the game.
Certainly better, from a flavor standpoint, than yet another greek or gallic faction.
Better, from a realism standpoint, than another roman faction.

What do we need to make EB better?
Certainly not eliminating existing factions, especially the ones that provide very different play challenges on both strategic and tactical levels. . . even if their best troops are dolts with sticks!


Hax & Divie got in there before I finished typing.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Yeah, they are just a pain in the ass after all. Who needs Saba? But Saba is not the only faction that is totally superfluous. Who needs Aedui and Arverni? One Gallic faction should be more than enough. Who needs Epeiros? We all know that Pyrrhos, the Epeirote of some importance, was killed just a few turns into the game's start... Who needs Baktria? Aren't they just a Seleukid satrapy? They should be removed! The KH - just rebels... Makedonia? They got annihilated just 110 years into the game and never played an important role... All these backwater factions are only taking away precious space for the Romans. Without them, we could have a senate with funny missions, and, most important, three instead of just one Roman faction, so that we would be able to play out epic civil wars, with lots of lorica segmentata! Yeah! We would have much unit space free, so we could include the real important units: western Roman legions, eastern Roman legions, western Roman evocati, eastern Roman evocati, western Roman Antesignani, eastern Roman Antesignani, legions with lorica hamata, legions with lorica segmentata, Praetorians with lorica segmentata, early Roman archers, middle Roman archers, late Roman archers, auxiliary Roman archers with lorica hamata, auxiliary Roman archers with lorica segmentata, Praetorian cavalry, Praetorian cavalry with lorica segmentata, urban cohortes, urban cohortes with lorica... ah you get what I mean! ROMA VICTOR! ROMA VICTOR! ROMA VICTOR!

[anangryelitist]

rofl

[Lovejoy]

Saba is great fun! one of my favourite factions. Very unique. You learn to love skirmishers!

And for the topic of the thread:

Not much can be done better... different but not better. AI expansion is pretty good but could be improved for a few factions. Hm...
I think ships should be made cheaper. The AI dont build any ships(I guess because of the price), you get pretty lonely on sea besides the pirates. I want some sea action! :D

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

In my current game, the Romani and Karthadastim build plenty of Navies and ship around troops frequently, especially the latter ones. Even the Lusos have a navy.

[Pontius Pilate]

Yeah, they are just a pain in the ass after all. Who needs Saba? But Saba is not the only faction that is totally superfluous. Who needs Aedui and Arverni? One Gallic faction should be more than enough. Who needs Epeiros? We all know that Pyrrhos, the Epeirote of some importance, was killed just a few turns into the game's start... Who needs Baktria? Aren't they just a Seleukid satrapy? They should be removed! The KH - just rebels... Makedonia? They got annihilated just 110 years into the game and never played an important role... All these backwater factions are only taking away precious space for the Romans. Without them, we could have a senate with funny missions, and, most important, three instead of just one Roman faction, so that we would be able to play out epic civil wars, with lots of lorica segmentata! Yeah! We would have much unit space free, so we could include the real important units: western Roman legions, eastern Roman legions, western Roman evocati, eastern Roman evocati, western Roman Antesignani, eastern Roman Antesignani, legions with lorica hamata, legions with lorica segmentata, Praetorians with lorica segmentata, early Roman archers, middle Roman archers, late Roman archers, auxiliary Roman archers with lorica hamata, auxiliary Roman archers with lorica segmentata, Praetorian cavalry, Praetorian cavalry with lorica segmentata, urban cohortes, urban cohortes with lorica... ah you get what I mean! ROMA VICTOR! ROMA VICTOR! ROMA VICTOR!

oh shut up. you see, now this crap right here, this is a fine example of SPAM.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

oh shut up. you see, now this crap right here, this is a fine example of SPAM.

I say what I deem fit, especially if it's on topic like my post you quoted.

[Hax]

And especially when, y'know..it's sarcasm.

[Pontius Pilate]

I say what I deem fit, especially if it's on topic like my post you quoted.

really, what you said has alot to do with this thread? It is obviously a bunch of spam. You go on to name like every Roman unit in the game and you mention LS, which is in no way related to this thread. Also, what you mentioned that is not related to this thread: Urban cohort, roman auxillary archers with LS(which wasn't even in Vanilla), Roma Victor multiple times, etc. I mean, come on, since when do people post 10 smilies in a single post???

The point was that the Saba faction has a purpose in the game even in a thread about something else, and even if one doesn't play them personally.

As for the link leading to a single post, at least I keep to the topic of the thread and post something relevant, rather than injecting OMG Romanz roxors LS ROMA VICTOR into any thread no matter the topic.

Did I inject "OMG Romanz roxors LS ROMA VICTOR" into this thread? no I didn't, and if you have a problem with my signature, there is a reason it is in spoilers, don't click on the spoiler if you don't want to.

[Intranetusa]

thats a good point. I have never liked saba, and they are no threat to anyone. I dont think anyone finds them intresting or plays as them. But there is a good point that there couldnt be only elutheroi there. Trade are important, and having someone dominating there.

I wouldn't say they're not a threat. In my current campaign, Pontus, Baktria, Parthia, and Saba and taking turns dividing and conquering the mighty Silver Death.

[Celtic_Punk]

you know what, I cant even think of a way to improve EB that wouldnt be hardcoded. If only the AI was amazing EB would be the most perfect game ever.

[anangryelitist]

personaly saba was my first choice even though i didn't play them for too long

[Nobo]

thats a good point. I have never liked saba, and they are no threat to anyone. I dont think anyone finds them intresting or plays as them. But there is a good point that there couldnt be only elutheroi there. Trade are important, and having someone dominating there.

just curious... have you ever played as saba?

[a completely inoffensive name]

I have never played as Saba, and probably won't until EBII comes out and I start browsing through every faction again to see any changes. That being said, I recognize its importance in Arabia and preventing weird things happening in that region with the Parthians. Besides, the new way that they said are utilizing scripts in EBII makes me believe for some (weird and probably not backed by any factual evidence) reason that any stuff left out (Alexander's tomb) due to using the senate faction can be included even if all the faction slots in EBII are used. If I am wrong about that, please disregard this post because I am idiot.

[Pontius Pilate]

I have never played as Saba, and probably won't until EBII comes out and I start browsing through every faction again to see any changes. That being said, I recognize its importance in Arabia and preventing weird things happening in that region with the Parthians. Besides, the new way that they said are utilizing scripts in EBII makes me believe for some (weird and probably not backed by any factual evidence) reason that any stuff left out (Alexander's tomb) due to using the senate faction can be included even if all the faction slots in EBII are used. If I am wrong about that, please disregard this post because I am idiot.

You are an idiot.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Nah, I'm just kidding, seriously.

I really don't know the answer to what you said, post it in the EB II forum or just wait for someone to come along.

[Atraphoenix]

You could always get rid of unimportant factions like rome, parthia or armenia to make room for the mighty senate [/joke]

Repent or I will send you my cataphracts

forgot to re-edit done now...

[johnhughthom]

I dont think anyone finds them intresting or plays as them.

Blasphemy. I wonder if some people don't like Saba as it takes some thought on the campaign and battle maps to be successful with them?

[Majd il-Romani]

I like saba fine

but to improve EB I REALLY want better-looking roman Cohortes. I mean, look at all the beautiful units Baktria and all the factions have, and the great looking units if the romans, and then you see the cohortes reformata and it just kinda gets ruined. I'm not saying theyre ugly, but the face definatley can be done better. Maybe some stubble or something on the face like the late Hastati, and coolus helmets. and foot dont take this the wrong way because I am in no way insulting the EB team. Bit of constructive criticism, is all

(if there is a minimod like this, please tell me)

[Pontius Pilate]

I like saba fine

but to improve EB I REALLY want better-looking roman Cohortes. I mean, look at all the beautiful units Baktria and all the factions have, and the great looking units if the romans, and then you see the cohortes reformata and it just kinda gets ruined. I'm not saying theyre ugly, but the face definatley can be done better. Maybe some stubble or something on the face like the late Hastati, and coolus helmets. and foot dont take this the wrong way because I am in no way insulting the EB team. Bit of constructive criticism, is all

(if there is a minimod like this, please tell me)

yes I agree that the post-marian legionaries could be done in a different way and I also think that the imperial legionaries could use a little bit of resizing and skinning. but they aren't horrible and I still like them. also the faction as a whole is well done and complete, so I shouldn't be complaining about it.


watch out about the constructive criticism thing, it is not very welcome by this forum or the EB team. that's why so many people get flamed for it.

[Atraphoenix]

It just needs MTWII Kingdons engine!!!!!!

I agree with you. I look forward to play Pergamon and with other German Factions if available in EB2.
BTW, what is the hardcode for Kingdoms for faction numbers we can play; 10 more?

[Gleemonex]

What people sot often do not understand is that there are priorities, hardcode limitations, impracticalities, and limits to how much work can be done on a single faction (i.e. Romani - everyone wants everything for their good ol' Romans).

Slightly off-topic, but this bears mentionning: priorities! There are so many things that we could (eventually) do with the RTW engine to satisfy a solid 75% [1] of everyone who ever complained about or suggested even the slightest thing on these entire forums -- and by the time it would finally be ready for release, we'd be distributing it as a brain chip for your grandson's third-generation holo-neural interface.

So the stonewalls some of you get for your "potentially reasonable" suggestions or assertions are often HR-related.

Anyhow, enjoy EB1.2, and we'll get back to working on EBII

-Glee


==========================
[1] official EB totally random guess

[Pontius Pilate]

Ah, so the inclusion of the Alexander Mission is of far more import than a powerful faction from Southern Arabia with strong trade links to both Egypt and India. Just so I'm clear.

Foot

Are you kidding me, I said I DO NOT like the Senate and I DO NOT want them to be in the game.

[ziegenpeter]

I mentioned this already somwhere else but here we go again... ;-)

+ Other Skins for Spies, Agents & Diplo (and if they will be used the priests an merchants Of course)*
They still look a bit fantasy- and vanilla-like.
+ Capitals Start almost fully developped. AFAIK Most of the factions were actually able to recruit Elite troops at 272 BC, or did Alex conquer persia with peasants?
+ The ringing bells when the message of a marriage celebration appears. Please switch them off or replace them

[Grriffon]

Ah, so the inclusion of the Alexander Mission is of far more import than a powerful faction from Southern Arabia with strong trade links to both Egypt and India. Just so I'm clear.

Foot

Sorry for the double post, but after reading back through the thread I wanted to reply to this.


Yes. Pretty much any of the senate "missions" would be more important, for me, than Saba.

Until this thread, I have NEVER seen anyone defend Saba. Their family member bodyguard is very weak, and their unit selection is very limited. I don't say this just to infuriate whoever designed the Saba faction, but if you are asknig for ways to improve EB, then either scrap Saba and reintroduce some fun missions that a variety of factions could take advantage of, or improve the Saba faction unit selection and bodyguard.

I was just stunned how many people are defending Saba in the thread here, when I have never seen a pro-Saba post before this.


edit: and yes, I have played Saba. I didn't conquer the world as them, because I found them rather weak and boring, but I did try playing them.

edit2: again, i hope this post doesn't come off as offensive to the EB team. I love your game. Just offering opinions on ways to improve it.

[MerlinusCDXX]

Sorry for the double post, but after reading back through the thread I wanted to reply to this.


Yes. Pretty much any of the senate "missions" would be more important, for me, than Saba.

Until this thread, I have NEVER seen anyone defend Saba. Their family member bodyguard is very weak, and their unit selection is very limited. I don't say this just to infuriate whoever designed the Saba faction, but if you are asknig for ways to improve EB, then either scrap Saba and reintroduce some fun missions that a variety of factions could take advantage of, or improve the Saba faction unit selection and bodyguard.

I was just stunned how many people are defending Saba in the thread here, when I have never seen a pro-Saba post before this.


edit: and yes, I have played Saba. I didn't conquer the world as them, because I found them rather weak and boring, but I did try playing them.

edit2: again, i hope this post doesn't come off as offensive to the EB team. I love your game. Just offering opinions on ways to improve it.

Ummm...gonna have to disagree with that statement. This post, while not particularly lengthy or eloquent, was meant as a type of "defense" or endorsement for having the Saba as a faction. They serve a great purpose for me, as I usually play AS, Pontos, Hayasdan, and Pahlava. If they did not exist, playing the diplomacy game in the Levant would be impossible, since you can't have diplomatic relations with Eleutheroi (rebels/independents/bandits). If I didn't take them on as a "junior partner", I'd be spending my turns fighting off repetitive Ptolemaioi stacks that can't beat my armies, but clog up my turns so that it takes hours just to play 2 turns or so. I like long campaigns, but there's just a limit on how many times I can stomach fighting the same boring-ass stack in the same boring-ass desert. As any of the factions I play, other than the AS, there would be no interest or historical plausibility for taking their lands. So there is another defense for the Saba.

PS. Have you read either of Berkeley Boi's Saba AARs ? Just that alone blows out the notion that "no one defends or cares about the Saba".