Play Vanilla or Mod the game?

[JavierLQ]

Hi all,

First off I did try doing a couple of searches, and read the FAQ...but could not find anything.

Anyway, here is my question: Should I play M2TW vanilla (and kingdoms when I buy it in a couple of days) or are there mods that will make it better/more enjoyable?

I bought M2TW when it came out, but because my PC was sub par I quickly uninstalled it after it began to have bad slowdowns. Now that I have my new PC, i booted it back up and its been fun so far.

I plan on buying Kingdoms in a week or so, maybe after I get through my current campaign ( a short English campaign to unlock the factions). However my question comes from the fact that most games are best played as vanilla version first, then there are usually mods that are recommended to make the game play better and fixes bugs.

So that is what I am here asking. Should I just continue playing M2TW and Kingdoms vanilla...or are there mods that fix bugs/etc without changing the game too much? I understand most mods are preferred based on personal preference, that is why I am looking for one that changes the game play the least amount until I decide what I like/would want.

Thank you

[miccofl]

Play it vanilla until you really start to notice the flaws and then go out and get yourself a good mod or three.

[Legionary Jezza]

i still play vannila patch 1.3 and im alright with it.

[alqaedaarmy]

AI improvement alone worth installing mod.

For RPG element, go for DLV mod.

[NobleNick]

I know that mods improve the game; but I enjoy seeing how it plays as it came from the hands of the original creators.

Call me a stick in the mud, if you wish, but I play 1.2 vanilla. Haven't even graduated to loading Kingdoms, yet. I will get around to a mod... eventually...

[BlackBart213]

I still play Vanilla. I'm too afraid to try a mod, rofl

[Dane324]

um it depends on your preference, after i had played a campaign with every faction i got bored of the vanilla 1.3. i started to play the SS mods, ive been hooked ever since, but vanilla offers a great experience regardless

[HANDsolo]

Like it was said before, improved AI is worth getting a mod for. Not to mention to remove the 'feature' that allows you to train units just by having walls. Its like playing Starcraft and being able to train most of your units from your command centre

Personally, I have only played vanilla for less than a day. I went back to playing a modded Rome until mods for M2TW came out. But, if you are new to TW then you should play 1.2 vanilla just to start with. You will then appreciate the mods more when you start using them.

[-Traiano-]

Play MOD and nothing else!!

You can play retrofit+ battle AI and Campaign AI + unit addon and texture, like a multipack of fixes and addons to your vanilla or play directly one of the grat mod that you find around here: DLV, SS 5.1, Brocken crescent, Darthmod ecc....

[Elite Ferret]

I agree with the guy above me, mods make the game so much more enjoyable.

[King Yngvar]

I never play vanilla anymore, too few factions.

Go with Stainless Steel or Pro Deo et Rege...

[Grimmy]

My opinion?

If you are enjoying your game in vanilla, play it in vanilla until you don't enjoy it so much any more.

Then add Kingdoms and play through the main scenarios that come with that until you've played them enough so they're not so much fun anymore.

Then start with the mods. Pick a mod and play it until the shiny wears off, then pick another, and then another, and then another.

Why race to the end of the process when it's all about your own bang for your own entertainment buck? The longer you can make the bang last, and the more variations you can then add onto the bang, the better your buck got stretched.

Mods I personally enjoy are (in no particular order):
DLV.
Stainless Steel.
Lands to Conquer.
Broken Crescent.

When you get Kingdoms, there is one mod you might want to add right away. That's the retrofit. There are also some specifically targeted bug fix mods too.

The ones I recall off the top of my pointy head are the America campaign bugfix that addresses the Apachean armor progression and trainer teepee issues. And, the Teutonic campaign fix that addresses the Kalmar Union and various other broken bits.

The bugfixes shouldn't be considered mods, imo. Those are more about covering for a lacking in attention and respect to the purchasers by the devs, rather than making personally motivated changes to the game look, play or some such.

[MyNameIsGreat]

I'm usually very stubborn when it comes to mods, but I finally caved in and tried DLV/BC. Usually I want to play a game as the developers intended, but according to my games recently the developers wanted it to be... crap!

Playing as Kievan Rus with DLV, and wondering why I ever tried a vanilla Russian campaign! Russia finally has neighbors... . Too bad I'm losing and only have two family members remaining...

[NobleNick]

My opinion?

If you are enjoying your game in vanilla, play it in vanilla until you don't enjoy it so much any more.

Then add Kingdoms and play through the main scenarios that come with that until you've played them enough so they're not so much fun anymore.

Then start with the mods. Pick a mod and play it until the shiny wears off, then pick another, and then another, and then another.

Why race to the end of the process when it's all about your own bang for your own entertainment buck? The longer you can make the bang last, and the more variations you can then add onto the bang, the better your buck got stretched...

When you get Kingdoms, there is one mod you might want to add right away. That's the retrofit. There are also some specifically targeted bug fix mods too.

The ones I recall off the top of my pointy head are the America campaign bugfix that addresses the Apachean armor progression and trainer teepee issues. And, the Teutonic campaign fix that addresses the Kalmar Union and various other broken bits.

The bugfixes shouldn't be considered mods, imo. Those are more about covering for a lacking in attention and respect to the purchasers by the devs, rather than making personally motivated changes to the game look, play or some such.

Wow, Grimmy! Nice post. If you didn't have rep disabled, I would rep you right now.

[Allu X]

Stainless Steel



T'is 'Stainless' o.o

[TiTiTimmy]

I tried Deus lo Vult it destroyed my Kingdoms expansion. I mean I can't play it because of that and I prefer Kingdoms and Medieval 2 more than Deus lo Vult. I have tried reinstalling but the same problem is still in game. So I would say NO mod.

[King Yngvar]

I tried Deus lo Vult it destroyed my Kingdoms expansion. I mean I can't play it because of that and I prefer Kingdoms and Medieval 2 more than Deus lo Vult. I have tried reinstalling but the same problem is still in game. So I would say NO mod.

Deus lo Vult is perhaps not the best choice for a first time try on mods, due to various issues including having to wait 5 minutes between turns.
I'd recommend Stainless Steel(best faction selection), Pro Deo et Rege(more difficult) or Broken Crescent(unique).

[TiTiTimmy]

Deus lo Vult is perhaps not the best choice for a first time try on mods, due to various issues including having to wait 5 minutes between turns.
I'd recommend Stainless Steel(best faction selection), Pro Deo et Rege(more difficult) or Broken Crescent(unique).

I have also tried Broken Crescent, and I don't like it because the thing I likes most about medieval isn't in it, I'm talking about armor upgrades. I don’t know what to download to get Stainless Steel.

[masterbaker]

May I ask why my post was deleted? Are only the ones promoting mods allowed to stay or something?

[pwijnands]

May I ask why my post was deleted? Are only the ones promoting mods allowed to stay or something?

I've had several occasions where I tought I had posted a reply, but couldn't find it afterwards. As far as I know I didn't break any rules and I usually reply on-topic. I've never received a warning or message from moderators as well.
I always tought I imagined posting those replies, but now I'm starting to doubt it.