Unit Descriptions Need Update

[Marie Louise von Preussen]

Even though I should be posting my request to volunteer for RS in the appropriate thread, I feel creating a new one for discussion is better. Anyways, now I have some free time and I began to dug RS 1.5 again, and I noticed the unit descriptions are pretty much outdated. We can discuss them here and I'll write them, if nobody else wants to do that, but first let's discuss the particular units:

Light Spear Warband (Barbarian)

This one contains the vanilla desc for the Warband unit, which pretty much sucked back then, but on topic I find it a very cheap and cost effective unit for a horde to throw at my enemies.

Perhaps we can rename it to "Militia Spear Warband", to better reflect their status. "Light Spear Warband" would reflect some kind of specialized status, IMO, like an auxiliary unit to drive out cavalry and conduct ambushes, when in fact, let's face it, they're just plain militia. I think one good description would suit them:

"Militia Spear Warband are levies who are called to serve during war or critical momments. They are usually composed of the younger and poorer members of a tribe, and receive little, if any training and no equipment besides a spear and a shield. They are expected to stay behind their shields and thrust their spears when they can, mainly to drive off cavalry from the flanks or serve in the first line to fill gaps or wear down the enemy for crack troops. Their lack of training and equipment is somewhat balanced with their great numbers and low costs, but against most enemy units of better quality they'll be slaughtered in droves."

Comments or suggestions?

[Nick_Since_1985]

I don't like your last sentence. Besides I find wardbands very effective in the early game if you know how to use them...

Conclusion: Sry I don't agree...

EDIT: But I do agree with you about the fact there is still some work on certain unit descriptions, some units don't have any at all...

[icydawgfish]

I like it and I agree that the un-updated factions could use a bit of a face lift in terms of unit descriptions. But I'm not sure if it's worth the effort when RS2 will be here in a couple of months.

[Octavius-Augustus]

Yeah, 'slaughtered' doesn't fit in the overall description you came up with. How about 'but are no match against most enemy units of better quality'. Standard RTW descr phrase, lol

I also think the descriptions are outdated and although I doubt anyone seriously cares, the undertaking is admirable. If you just find the units that need new descr I believe we can come up with some good stuff.

[Nellup]

The problem is, if you redo them all, your work will become obsolete when RS2 comes out, which will have all new unit descriptions.

[HMonk]

The problem is, if you redo them all, your work will become obsolete when RS2 comes out, which will have all new unit descriptions.

I Agree fully With Nellup,2.0 will be a hole different game.

[Octavius-Augustus]

1.5 will still be played, I'm sure. For instance, I can barely play 1.5 on my computer and since I won't be getting a new one anytime soon, I will stick to 1.5a even though RS 2.0 will be out

[Nellup]

1.5 will still be played, I'm sure. For instance, I can barely play 1.5 on my computer and since I won't be getting a new one anytime soon, I will stick to 1.5a even though RS 2.0 will be out

I believe the plan (or at least it has been discussed) is to release two versions of RS2 - a high end one with the new textures and things, and then a low end one for people without computers able to handle the new stuff.

[Octavius-Augustus]

If this is so, I would rejoice! I was just trying to say that 1.5 will not go into history easily.. Even when RS 2.0 comes out. I also doubt that RS 2 will be that much demanding than 1.5. My crappy videocard is the issue... I guess pretty much everyone else will be able to enjoy RS in all it's splendor.

[Nellup]

I agree, I'll certainly keep 1.5 on my computer even after RS2 is out.

[Nick_Since_1985]

I agree, I'll certainly keep 1.5 on my computer even after RS2 is out.

Me to, I wouldn't want to lose all the mod's I my myself for it...

[icydawgfish]

So in the low end version, will the units look like crap? I can handle my units on medium graphics and large unit size, I just can't handle the grass and such on my PC.

[Nellup]

So in the low end version, will the units look like crap? I can handle my units on medium graphics and large unit size, I just can't handle the grass and such on my PC.

No, I believe the main difference will be the textures used on the battlemap and also the grass and trees used. The units ought to be the same, except for perhaps a couple of high-polygon units.

[Gotthard]

Well... I play RS on the absolute lowest settings, and I think it looks fine... they're not going to look like crap. If you play it on lower settings, of course they're not going to look like the screenshots, but I'm highly doubtful that Tone would let any unit look bad.

[dvk901]

If you want to update unit descriptions...I'm all for it. It's just one of those things that never got done well because we rolled over into RS2. And I'm with you guys as far as RS1.5 goes......I like it. I like the factions. I like the way it plays. I like the focus on the Greeks and the Romans. And all the landscape improvements I've made so far will easily work in RS1.5. When we get into more complicated things like trees and stuff..probably not.....but grass and ground textures will vastly improve the look even on lower settings.

[Marie Louise von Preussen]

Regarding Light Spear Warbands, I did not tell they're "useless" but they're just what they are, cheap fodder to put in the first line so they absorb the brunt of the enemy charge and attack. In all my games as barbarians in RS 1.5 I had units that were either completely exterminated (I'm a fan of massive frontal assaults, it's fun, even more with barbs) or had to be constantly retrained.

Now, with RS 2.0 coming out, if there is some work needed regarding Unit Descriptions, then I'll be glad to help and discuss.