Difficulty Question

**Galeo Deus** · December 30, 2007, 01:41 PM

Sorry for the length for a simple question, but I am a thorough person.

I have not played Medieval since about March 2007 with Lands to Conquer, Darthmod, and The long Road mods. I just got the expansion and of course am looking for a good mod. Vanilla is always too...Vanilla.

The problem I always have with the Total War games games even with these great mods, as much as I love them, they are WAY too easy on VH/VH. It's always the same: by about 1/5 the way through a game, I have obscene amounts of money and steamroll all opposition, then I get bored and stop playing.

I've never tried Stainless Steel. Is this a challenge? How does it compare in difficulty to other mods? I don't want to play for a week, then realize how easy it is.

Or should I just try Deus Lo Vult? I don't like the idea of the field script costs only for the player, and all sorts of money subtractions that are not shown in the end of turn report, but if that's the only way to make this game challenging, so be it. I only ask because SS seems to have many more of the features that I want than DLV, as much as I like the looks of the micromanaged royalty thing.

Thanks for your suggestions in advance.

**delra** · December 30, 2007, 01:46 PM

AI is much smarter in SS. It really is.

**Landwalker** · December 30, 2007, 01:49 PM

I dunno about smarter, but the AI is more capable, even if it's only because they always have hundreds of thousands of florins and can field limitless armies. They aren't a pushover, in any case.

Cheers.

**delra** · December 30, 2007, 01:50 PM

They don't block my ports. This is a significant improvement.

**Galeo Deus** · December 30, 2007, 08:02 PM

So the idea here is that because the AI is more capable the whole campaign is more challenging? Or is it because the AI is fed more money?

**delra** · December 30, 2007, 08:26 PM

What I like the most in Lusted's AIs, AI can actually defend. This means there's no blitzing or at least not after the first city or two. They just block you with big stacks of theirs and you have to fight epic battles to even get close to the walls.

AI is also (but not only) fed enormous amount of money so expect armies to be really capable. KK intervened in their army composition so don't count on ballistas-militia stacks.

This improves things. It does a lot... Try it, see if improves enough for your pleasure.

**Fenix_120** · December 30, 2007, 09:08 PM

yes it is much more difficult.

I invaded Spain as the moors recently.

Vanilla: large stacks of nothing but spear militia and Jinites

SS: huge well balanced armies including pavise crossbows, knights, men-at-arms and Jinites who skirmish and flank you, not charge into you like heavy calvary and get killed.

Much more difficult.

**cheqmate** · December 30, 2007, 09:24 PM

I'd say definitely give SS a try. It's the perfect balance of challenge versus playability in my opinion.

And if you find yourself owning SS on vh/vh then go try Sicilian Vespers. They go way over the top in terms of challenge in my view, but it might be what you're looking for.

Good luck!