Getting around in Empire

[Sir Beane]

I can definitely answer the admiral question. Yes we will definitely have admirals, with traits, command, loyalty etc.

As for transitions, who knows? I guess they will probably be boxes of sea, some of which are trade theatres. CA haven't really said anything much about them.

I also hope transitions will not take a turn. Boats have been far too slow in previous games.

[Fisherking]

I can definitely answer the admiral question. Yes we will definitely have admirals, with traits, command, loyalty etc.

Do you have a source, or is this super secret inside information?

I’m not saying I couldn’t have overlooked it , ‘cause I could. I just don’t recall seeing it in any thing that I have read.

[batemonkey]

I was wondering if they are going to include the trade winds, so if you sailed the way you would in real life your ships get there quicker than if you just, say, sailed in a straight line across the atlantic?

Using them would mean you get there quicker and they act like the terrain in the land campaign map and help create points in the oceans where your more likley to be found/find the enemy rather than randomly sailing up and down the map untill you bump into someone

[Sir Beane]

I was wondering if they are going to include the trade winds, so if you sailed the way you would in real life your ships get there quicker than if you just, say, sailed in a straight line across the atlantic?

Using them would mean you get there quicker and they act like the terrain in the land campaign map and help create points in the oceans where your more likley to be found/find the enemy rather than randomly sailing up and down the map untill you bump into someone

That is an extremely good idea, but sadly one that is probably too 'complicated' for CA to consider including. If tacking wasn't included in naval battles because people found it confusing then trade winds certainly won't.

On the campaign maps ships will probably act like they have engines, able to sail wherever they want, whenever.

[Sol Invictus]

CA definately mentioned a Transition Zone between the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans.

[pevergreen]

I think it will be just a genereic off screen thing, your ships enter, and travel the distance, but you can't see them. when they have passed the distance, they will appear on the edge of the map you sent them to. It takes out micromanagement and streamlines vast distances. If two opposing fleets use the same area, I believe there will be an option to attack or avoid.

[Polemists]

Well my understanding is your merely move your fleet to the edge of the map and then they go to wherever. At least last I read.

So I don't think it's everyone sail to this specific corner, rather you just sail in that direction and then at a certain point you'll probably be asked where you want to sail.

As for speed, sailing has to take a turn, CA has no other time frames. There are no in between turn actions. I guess they could make ships able to move twice or three times in a single turn but I doubt that.

CA has stated countless times that travel in this game is much faster. So while it's not instanteneous obviously or every nation would be attacking every other in a heartbeat, I think travel may be 2x or 3x faster.

Admirals do have traits and stats, just like generals. It was in a article, I can't remeber which one tho, read through some of the recent previews.

[batemonkey]

That is an extremely good idea, but sadly one that is probably too 'complicated' for CA to consider including. If tacking wasn't included in naval battles because people found it confusing then trade winds certainly won't.

On the campaign maps ships will probably act like they have engines, able to sail wherever they want, whenever.

Too true, thats what i thought as i composed my message

shame though as capturing the leewards was going to be one of the first things i did!

still the transition stages will see some a lot of action

[Fondor_Yards]

Well admiral wise, there is this. In the 3/5 trailer, you can see in the french navy before it attacks the british one, are 3 units. 2 are SOL I think, or some I don't know. But the 3rd is the admiral *why isn't he at the front of the stack that he's leading like a general? very odd* by the name of Antoine-Laurent de Costentin. He has 2 stars, which I assume are his total command rating. He has 47 men in his unit, compared to the 37 of the other two.

And now that I'm looking at a big screen of it, you can also see the left side hull health, right side hull health, and sail health of all three units right there on the campaign map. So apparently specific damage done to a ship will carry over between battles.

[Megas Methuselah]

*why isn't he at the front of the stack that he's leading like a general? very odd*

You can probably pick which boat you want to put your admiral on. There's probably more units in his boat 'cuz it's a bigger boat than the other two.