February Preview!

[JMRC]

Those Hoplitai got me thinking though... how distinguishable will each factions units be with all this variation? [...] I couldn't distinguish the Macedonian from the Ptolemaioi ones. [...]

Then how did the Hoplites distinguish friends from foe? The ancient problem of 'friendly fire'.

Let me complement what Martelus Flavius already explained: this "battlefield confusion" is exactly the kind of feeling that we want players to have. In fact, I will encourage players to enhance that feeling by removing the green markers and the factional flags hovering above the units. This basically turns the battlefield into a gigantic "mess" when units break through the enemy ranks and attack from the rear. Then, not even the overall heading of the units will be enough to distinguish them. Just like a "real" commander of those days, ordering a retreat from the melee may not be an easy task and probably will be costly in terms of casualties. Of course, you can turn the green markers and the flags and everything will be easier...

The interested players will learn to distinguish the factions by the shield designs and (in some cases) by the different coloring of linothoraxes.

However, there will be some cases where factions share the same unit and skin (normally in low class units, where a peasant and his "equipment" would be common throughout a large geographical area). In those cases, the confusion will be enormous, yes.

[ray243]

Let me complement what Martelus Flavius already explained: this "battlefield confusion" is exactly the kind of feeling that we want players to have. In fact, I will encourage players to enhance that feeling by removing the green markers and the factional flags hovering above the units. This basically turns the battlefield into a gigantic "mess" when units break through the enemy ranks and attack from the rear. Then, not even the overall heading of the units will be enough to distinguish them. Just like a "real" commander of those days, ordering a retreat from the melee may not be an easy task and probably will be costly in terms of casualties. Of course, you can turn the green markers and the flags and everything will be easier...

The interested players will learn to distinguish the factions by the shield designs and (in some cases) by the different coloring of linothoraxes.

However, there will be some cases where factions share the same unit and skin (normally in low class units, where a peasant and his "equipment" would be common throughout a large geographical area). In those cases, the confusion will be enormous, yes.

I mean historically, how does a hoplite separate a friend from foe then?

[Ibrahim]

I mean historically, how does a hoplite separate a friend from foe then?

they just said.

[runner3434]

I am fixed on it now, no banners and general cam only, that way i will have the hardest possible EB2 expeirence, something that might just make up for the ai.

Thanks

[JMRC]

I mean historically, how does a hoplite separate a friend from foe then?

Imagine yourself in a long hoplite formation, with your well-known farming neighbors in front and behind you, heavy helmets which prevent most of your hearing and a lot of the visual field; there's another line several meters ahead, with shield designs that you know belong to the rival city-state.

Then the guys behind you start pushing, so you push the guy in front; all the way until the actual clash. Then, a bloody mess of arms, metal clashing, shouting, screaming. You just look ahead and you see the metal mass of the front guy's helmet. And you pray to keep seeing it until the enemy line breaks and runs. That should take a couple of hours, probably less if under a scorching afternoon. If you get to be the first in the rank you'll keep behind the shieldwall and hit everyone that faces you.

If the shieldwall is broken and you have to turn back to run, pray that the guys behind you also turn and run, otherwise you'll feel a spearhead or worse hitting your back.

I hope this answers your question.

[Gaias]

Sweet Gebus! Those are some fantastic looking units.

Can't wait to see them covered in their own blood when my good roman steel runs them through.

[Baldamundo]

Let me complement what Martelus Flavius already explained: this "battlefield confusion" is exactly the kind of feeling that we want players to have. In fact, I will encourage players to enhance that feeling by removing the green markers and the factional flags hovering above the units. This basically turns the battlefield into a gigantic "mess" when units break through the enemy ranks and attack from the rear. Then, not even the overall heading of the units will be enough to distinguish them. Just like a "real" commander of those days, ordering a retreat from the melee may not be an easy task and probably will be costly in terms of casualties. Of course, you can turn the green markers and the flags and everything will be easier...

The interested players will learn to distinguish the factions by the shield designs and (in some cases) by the different coloring of linothoraxes.

However, there will be some cases where factions share the same unit and skin (normally in low class units, where a peasant and his "equipment" would be common throughout a large geographical area). In those cases, the confusion will be enormous, yes.

You really are evil, aren't you?