What are the point of those balloon things on the back of calvary?

**Emit Remmus** · January 20, 2011, 11:39 PM

I've seen it in almost all the videos, the men have flags on each individuals back which is cool, but then the calvary have those big ball things, to anyone who knows a bit of history ==> what are those? what was the purpose of those? thanks, - EMIT

**Daria** · January 20, 2011, 11:46 PM

Its called a Horo. It's purpose is to defend against arrows by snagging them or slowing the arrow down to the point where it no longer has the force to penetrate armor. It also distorts the silhouette of the Samurai making them harder to hit.

Additionally thats not what it was originally designed for. Early on it was worn by important messengers and bodyguards to distinguish them from the other mounted soldiers. In fact the horo was really only something that elite warriors wore. They were also brightly decorated with distinct colors and patterns. For example Toyotomi Hideyoshi's personal bodyguard all wore gold horo.

If CA is accurate, most of the horo will be on elite units, such as generals and daimyo bodyguards....but knowing them we will see. ;D

I hope this helps! ^_^

**losttimefound** · January 24, 2011, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by Daria

Its called a Horo. It's purpose is to defend against arrows by snagging them or slowing the arrow down to the point where it no longer has the force to penetrate armor. It also distorts the silhouette of the Samurai making them harder to hit.

Additionally thats not what it was originally designed for. Early on it was worn by important messengers and bodyguards to distinguish them from the other mounted soldiers. In fact the horo was really only something that elite warriors wore. They were also brightly decorated with distinct colors and patterns. For example Toyotomi Hideyoshi's personal bodyguard all wore gold horo.

If CA is accurate, most of the horo will be on elite units, such as generals and daimyo bodyguards....but knowing them we will see. ;D

I hope this helps! ^_^

Got to play the early beta at the community day and asked Kieran about these when I saw them. In the game, only the general's bodyguard had them (but we didn't have the full unit choice). Kieran explained some of this but Daria, you really added some detail! I think it's really interesting that this game has so much to teach about the era.

Another cool fact about generals that made it into the game: There's a 'final stand' action the general can take. He'll dismount and get a stool and sit down on it in the middle of battle, and his bodyguard will also dismount and surround him in a square. They'll then fight to the last man. The general cannot be moved after this action is taken - it's a last resort. In history, apparently the general would sit there while his bodyguard fought, and only get up and fight when a gap was made in the line.

Pretty amazing. Not as great as the 'slicing my own head off' trick, but still pretty neat.

**emotion_name** · January 25, 2011, 03:29 AM

Cool, that "Last Stand" sounds like a novel idea. Although, if you worked hard on your MP general im betting thats the one thing you never want to have to do!

@ Daria - You seem to know a fair bit about this time in history, any chance you could recommend any material for an amateur historian to delve into feudal japan? I only got into history after playing RTW, i loved it so much i went and studied the romans as much as possible. Then i did the same with medieval europe when i started playing M2TW, and i have just finished reading about Napoleon and his life and what he achieved etc.

Anyways, the more i here about the traditions and what not of the Japanese, the more curious im getting and would love to learn some more. Only thing that concerns me is the names of things, for some reason my brain slows right down when reading Japanese names and stuff!

**Furious Mental** · January 25, 2011, 10:21 AM

^ Has not been thought through properly. I have a feeling that we will now many ridiculous instances where the AI obstinately activates the last stand feature and the player comfortably sits back and wipes out the static bodyguard with point blank gun fire.

**MemnonOfRhodes** · January 25, 2011, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by Furious Mental

^ Has not been thought through properly. I have a feeling that we will now many ridiculous instances where the AI obstinately activates the last stand feature and the player comfortably sits back and wipes out the static bodyguard with point blank gun fire.

Only the player should have that option..

**Maizel** · January 25, 2011, 10:44 AM

It's a backpack, it carries lunch for the general.

**Erwin Rommel** · January 25, 2011, 08:19 PM

From the historical sub-forum

Originally Posted by Erwin Rommel

The question is. Will players whine the seemingly absurd situation that arrows at the back are not killing hatamoto and will cry foul because they don't know what horo are for.

**Comrade_Rory** · January 26, 2011, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by emotion_name

Cool, that "Last Stand" sounds like a novel idea. Although, if you worked hard on your MP general im betting thats the one thing you never want to have to do!

It's the end of 300 all over again!

The general and his small group of men will sit there ready to fight to the death and the enemy army will blot out the sun with arrows!

Apart from a man with 1 eye... who will tell the tale of what happened there...