Faction Updates

[Kylan271]

This thread is predominantly for BARBARIAN factions

In doing an AAR(Baktria for TE Gold) I found some deficiencies in some areas which I seek to address. With the update TE Extreme Mod also not working sadly,I have had to decide to update TE somehow within my limited moddling knowledge. The purpose so each of the factions can be enjoyed and not just a select few. This is to flesh the factions out,fix what errors I can and make the game more enjoyable(which it already is as is!). This is also a personal thing,to say thanks to the various Modders since the 2004+ era that have left now,as I have enjoyed their work since finding RTG and TE mods,my gaming starts in RTW.

Best TE Mods so far:

TE 5.1 Candelarius's TECAM

TE 7 Beta (sadly updated TE Extreme crashes)

If successful with this,there are thoughts of BI or ALEX porting(rolling the eyes..work lol..),then perhaps this concept with Lusted's approval will form a basis of a TE 8??? I was hoping Darth Divus would be here to have fixed TE Extreme as that was hoped to be a TE 8 type. Where are you Bro??? Because several mod attempts here seem to have fallen apart,I am being cautious.

Today 24/8/9 update
Consent CATW team for units given
Consent RTR team for units given
Consent RCB(DC) team for units given
Consent Arbaces models via RG(SH) team given
Consent SoR models given
Consent TA models given
Consent SPQR team for units given-LT,At discresion of individual Model creators.

Appreciated guys.^_*

Things to Do

#ALEX porting discussed,helps with game engine and DMB limits-if I can work it??? Not sure on target Line to use(TE Gold).

#UI is problem,not sure how to do yet??? Acquired 3dS max vers 6(please don't chuckle...).,wanting Uranos type UI(he uses brown background) & Lusted's UI types-more clearer image.

#Unit data is headache as must calculate proportional costings using rough guidelines from Lusted's Stat Cost calculations. Not everything proportionalfor some reason in TE??? Discussions with Aradan about this.

#Special Abilities buggy in RTW,as you can't use more than 1 on unit,so if general is in warband then you can't use Warcry as slot is used for Rally function. Have to alter units so Special Abilities are not wasted.

#Chariots have prob as does RTW,in that only 2 weapons slots are allowed,so on chariots you can't have a rider use sword & missile as chariot uses 1 for its weapon,so when out of ammo,riders can't do anything!!! Trick then is to add 'officer' with sword and hopefully his attack aids the missile chariot types!!! Standards don't work though,hmm musician on chariot? Hmmm.

#Animation types looked at to allow Elephant Javelin (and Chariot Javelin also),animations help determine speed of a unit on campaign map also. So alter animations to allow unarmoured units to move faster than armoured ones,which is not always the case! Have list of animations,now working on fixes.



Ancient Army art(to help with ideas): http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://community.imaginefx.com/fxpose/johnny_shumates_portfolio/images/94546/304x425.aspx&imgrefurl=http://community.imaginefx.com/fxpose/johnny_shumates_portfolio/picture94546.aspx&usg=__2d1hATQ94dZ12U_Cha4RFaOy1Os=&h=425&w=304&sz=21&hl=en&start=5&um=1&tbnid=r_nA_AbXs5XbRM:&tbnh=126&tbnw=90&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpydna%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26um%3D1

DACIA:http://www.dacia.org/Dacian_Virtual_...e_dacians.html

Lusted has done a superb job in designing the Mod,albeit BETA(there was a computer crash before and he lost a lot of work also),but still it is a good Mod. I will try to fill faction voids which I feel are needed,these include the following ideas:

1. Balanced Militias for each faction,that is civilians armed with little armour in lieu of the old peasant rosters. Currently Greeks have Militia Hoplites as example,but these are too advanced to be considered 'militia' to me in comparison to Carthage Milites and Roman Roroi(spelling heh),and new units would be cheaper so as to help with garrison units.
2. Peltast rebalanced for Barbarian units so they have some horsed and foot types.
3. Scythians given new unique units care of Webbird rather than using same base barbarian models.
4. Barbarian 'Legionaries' triggered by Marian reforms,just an idea(from Webbird) for faction balancing.
5. Sword hoplites added to Greek factions so less stress in siege battles with hopeless phalanx units on walls etc. I also like Troy..and old B&W greek movies so nostalgic add on,and less emphasis on having Legionaries for all factions. Trying to make units unique if possible.
6. Tweaking Spear units as care of advice from Aradan,there are problems in how to set your spear data for units in EDU,ie Light-Spear/Spear/Short&Long pikes. New units to reflect this to balance combat. Combined text and model update.
7. Archer units,adding more archer-forester and archer warband to barbarians whilst taking away 'chosen' types more. Barbarians(except Scythia) are not advanced archers like the Scythians & Eastern factions,so downgrading with others more better suited added-ie 'huntsmen'.
8. Slingers are absent from some factions,but a base unit so adding to each where possible.
9. Siege weapons are scattered in factions,and although it says barbarians can't sap some units are listed as able..so doing overhaul(text files). Model wise,adding siege weapons to each faction to balance things(game is non-historical so a game play balance issue),consider captured weapons or rogue siege engineer help from another faction-which happened historically.
10. Women in game,ahem...Thrace had them in their armies,lol something I did not know,so Barbarian add on for them and others. ^_*
11. DMB limit work around here: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=209039
12. SignifierOne vs8 if OK and required as not sure what version this game uses?

BACTRIA (Basilius Diodotus-I & Queen Caenis)

Persians(AR models)
#Helmet designs denote religion,as the Zoroastrians did not want to soil the sacred earth or fire with dead corpses,and therefore exposed their dead to the vultures and dogs,but bronze greek helmets are for Greek faith and burning. It caused much trouble for Alexander,so I left it in game.
1. Thanvabara,Persian Archer elite-as Iranian Infantry albeit better equipted.
2. Thanvabara,Persian Archer,superior to normal archers,equipped with greek Lineothoorax and xiphos.
3. Takabara,dreaded axe peltast from the mountains of Iran.
4. Arstibara,persian spear & phalanx
5. Kontophoros,persian-hellene spear militia(mixed any race with hellene faith)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

DACIA (Zyraxes,son of Coson(an unknown King),a son of Dromichaetes& Lysimachus' daughter Eurydice would be better,but his age does not match).

1. (Arbaces via RG mod help)Peltasi Rhomphoroi
2. In battle from rear(poor Carthage militia,ouch...)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

THRACE (King Sautes(son of Seuthes III)of the Odrysian kingdom)


1. (Arbaces via RG mod help)Thrakioi Rhomphoroi-these units are akin to Thracian infantry at Pydna,with Rhomphoroi,Javelin and thureos

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

GAUL

1. (TE unused unit,I think WEBBIRD)LongShield Peltast.
2. Slave LS peltast(deciding).

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Britania(Barrivendos of the Trinovantes,High King of the Picts,Gaels and Britons,and Queen Barita(matrilinial))

Latha math/Lá maith/Laa mie/Good day..to you all!

"He (Claudius) sailed into an unknown sea
And into Britain Island strode,
He battered down the shields, did he,
Of the Brigantians, blue with woad."

Pics courtesy of Webbird. #Shield motiff of 3 circles,represents the life-death cycle in Celtic lore,and the 3 nations of the Isles(as there is no Scottish or Irish factions,I have merged them as with the 3 roman families in Vanilla,albeit with language and cultures unique). For Irish,Scottish and even Manx kin etc it gives them input into playing the British Isles faction which is Briton centric-due to Boudica if nothing else,and the faction limits problem. I have managed to change some units to axe for Britons-using German Night Raider base model,but as not a modder and not given consent fully to Webbird models yet(except already in this Mod),I can not do all details yet. Webbird models mainly. Four circles are of theTuatha Dé Danann from the four island cities Murias, Falias, Gorias and Findias, from where they originated before arriving in Eire.

[Kylan271]

I am waiting for unit consents so data will be finalised when accepted. Unit costings and upkeep give me a headache though,anyone with ideas?

Oh I am a Webbird fan...^_* . A cool touch to TE Gold would be to have a faction Unit Card as with in attachments(courtesy Webbird).

#Current issue Conquistador is being discussed with Moderators,have to wait until then. We have to follow protocol out of respect to the artists involved as it is for Mod to share with the community,not personal use.

#Warrior women follow in the tradition of the great Scathach.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sc%C3%A1thach

[Conqistador]

cool units! you have my consent to put them in!

[Hopit]

are you going to give chariots good defence/attack and hp's? they are way to weak in vanilla (not in auto)

[Kylan271]

I am looking at this yes,but overhauling costs(as they are not proportional or using same calculations-here a stat cost calculation made),defence yes..hmmm Settlement level required for unit(1-6,as 'village' used also in EDB)as base defence,so Pretorians have a better 'parry' than peasants,horses-light +6,medium +5,heavy +4,general +5(best steeds),elephants +3(as in game);and armour-horse 1,camel 1,elephant 10(in game but should be 5-6 about leather)as examples. Many things within reason,as the game is Ok as is,only some tweaks to do. I only delay in waiting for unit permissions.

My helper Conquistador has computer virus lol and may lose all data..no back up oopsie.

Horses for Briton changed to 'barb' types,much better than 'bare' type. Did not know this before sheesh.

Waiting reply regards historical data from Arthurian TW mod team...

[Kylan271]

Today dodging my wife on computer..heh,I managed to do some work ^_* . I did not know until now about 'png' screen saves better than jpg...oh sheesh. Using bmp seems better looking,but I have had to slowly download to 'photobucket' and link from there,which is very demanding,so I will try attachments straight from my computer and see if OK???? JPG has been easier,but with loss of quality. I have work out edit on 'picture' to crop as been using photobucket so far.

Update:

BRITONS

Have developed Axe etc,using Webbird&Warspite models,but in experiment. Barbarians as a warfare rule have bare chest as a symbol of warrior prowess from my understanding,so a bare chest unit given missile is an anathema??? So I have changed 'bare chest/woad' models to combat,and were possible clothed models to missile by default. Changing units has cost me UI changes,and as not a skinner I have to use default peasants..lol. If anyone can help with UIs I would be very greatful! The Chosen models range are darn right ugly,like 'Toads' so I am changing this also,the 'Armoured War Guard' is a development of this. And yep..I found a way to get better horses..change Briton 'bare' horse for the gaul like 'barb' types,which is far more pleasing on the eye!

[Kylan271]

Germans Infantry

These are the Axe variations. I do not have 3dS to alter to sword etc,on the Warbands. Using Webbird models to give variety to German unit roster is hard..as no leather types,only clothing,bare and chain?? And Germans are limited to small shields also. I have tried to match shield types between horse and infantry if you notice?

[Kylan271]

Germans Missile

Peltast(could not fit all in attachments)

I managed to find several clothed Webbird models and changed the existing bare model into the clothed ones,for both cavalry and infantry. Bare model is for combat,ie axe or spear.

[Conqistador]

the little shields usually go for horses, aik...

[Kylan271]

I use same thought,but for axe and peltast it seems OK with infantry. Small shield and sword or spear,don't mix for me though. I found how to edit darn picture now,lol-only right and right bottom off screen(solid blue squares)are adjustable for cropping,lol. Using png seems better.

Update: images cropped(yihee).

Collecting suitable units for factions,then unit details and hopefully UIs also(rolling the eyes..as not sure how to do it???).

[Conqistador]

heh, peltasts with wicked thracian shields and romphaias look ok too

[Kylan271]

heh, peltasts with wicked thracian shields and romphaias look ok too

TA has given me consent to use his peltasts and other models,so it is cool. So with Thrace it is:

1. TA's Peltast (light peltast)
2. Arbaces Peltast(heavy peltast)-consent is via support from RG mod team. Has dacian unit also,featured above.
3. DiiWarrior-converted to 'pilum' use.

[Kylan271]

Dacia Infantry

Dacia does not have a good range of coloured textures,basic browns. Body types are Hair with,no braids. If you know the Warband models you will understand(braid,non braid,& germanic hair knot are types).

Units are expanded upon are Dacian peltast-referenced in RTW vanilla,Arbaces beautiful Peltasi Rhomphoroi and Infantry-Webbys,Village Militia and Town Levy,TA's Chosen Swordsmen replacements,and Webbird's WarGuard to liven things. Infantry here.

[Kylan271]

Dacia Missile

I have tried to increase the unit roster for Dacia. I have paired some units with other factions to help reduce DMB slots,so some units I like,ie the Arbaces type peltast-seen in RG mod,I do not use,as my peltast is paired to Scythia's. The Arbaces PR (named Heavy Peltast here)model is tied to Thrace also-diff textures,so useful.

An interesting thing I did not know,is that the Barbarian Horse Archer has no sprite listed in DMB,but it works in game as seen in pic for Dacia HA. God knows how this works??? Sheesh.

[Kylan271]

Gaul Melee

Here some unit variations for Gaul warbands,ie Axe types and new Sword & Spear units.

[Kylan271]

Gaul Missile

Variations of peltast and archer. Warband archer added to roster.

[Kylan271]

Working on Stats and ideas from Aradan. UIs and sprites,well ahem....

Trying to individulise units is hard when you have a model limit in DMB,so you have to bunch up models for factions to save space. So some units which are really cool,using one slot have to be put aside for multi faction models. Stress mode as I am no modder per see,so hard to work this out. Sorry if anyone reading this please bear with me,trying to work this.

Text data: Barbarian peltasts. Red data is for unit Stat Cost(which Lusted sort of uses),and blue is for Building level-6 in RTW-Village/Town/Large Town/City/Large City/Huge City. A units stats are based mainly around this,so units from Huge Cities have more cost and higher bonuses than a Village one. It is a game balance platform. Hopefully it works???

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

type te barb peltast gaul
dictionary barb_peltast_gaul ; Skirmisher Warband 512/LT3+.5x
category infantry
class missile
voice_type Light_1
soldier barb_peltast_gaul, 40, 0, 0.9
mount_effect elephant +6, chariot +6
attributes sea_faring, hide_improved_forest, hide_long_grass
formation 1.6, 2, 3.2, 4, 3, square
stat_health 1, 0
stat_pri 7, 2, javelin, 50, 6, thrown, archery, piercing, spear, 25 ,0.75
stat_pri_attr thrown
stat_sec 4, 2, no, 0, 0, melee, simple, piercing, knife, 25 ,0.75
stat_sec_attr no
stat_pri_armour 0, 3, 2, flesh
stat_sec_armour 0, 0, flesh
stat_heat 2
stat_ground 2, -2, 3, 2
stat_mental 8, low, untrained ;(4 RTW vanilla)
stat_charge_dist 30
stat_fire_delay 0
stat_food 60, 300
stat_cost 0, 256, 140, 30, 40, 256;(RTW vanilla=1, 220, 130, 30, 40, 220;TE= 0, 496, 170, 30, 40, 310 )
ownership gauls, britons

type te barb peltast dacia
dictionary barb_peltast_dacia ; Skirmisher Warband
category infantry
class missile
voice_type Light_1
soldier barb_peltast_dacia, 40, 0, 0.9
mount_effect elephant +6, chariot +6
attributes sea_faring, hide_improved_forest, hide_long_grass
formation 1.6, 2, 3.2, 4, 3, square
stat_health 1, 0
stat_pri 7, 2, javelin, 50, 6, thrown, archery, piercing, spear, 25 ,0.75
stat_pri_attr thrown
stat_sec 4, 2, no, 0, 0, melee, simple, piercing, knife, 25 ,0.75
stat_sec_attr no
stat_pri_armour 0, 3, 2, flesh
stat_sec_armour 0, 0, flesh
stat_heat 2
stat_ground 2, -2, 3, 2
stat_mental 8, low, untrained
stat_charge_dist 30
stat_fire_delay 0
stat_food 60, 300
stat_cost 0, 256, 140, 30, 40, 256 ;0, 496, 170, 30, 40, 310
ownership dacia, scythia

type te barb peltast german
dictionary barb_peltast_german ; Skirmisher Warband
category infantry
class missile
voice_type Light_1
soldier barb_peltast_german, 40, 0, 0.9
mount_effect elephant +6, chariot +6
attributes sea_faring, hide_improved_forest, hide_long_grass
formation 1.6, 2, 3.2, 4, 3, square
stat_health 1, 0
stat_pri 7, 2, javelin, 50, 6, thrown, archery, piercing, spear, 25 ,0.75
stat_pri_attr thrown
stat_sec 4, 2, no, 0, 0, melee, simple, piercing, knife, 25 ,0.75
stat_sec_attr no
stat_pri_armour 0, 3, 2, flesh
stat_sec_armour 0, 0, flesh
stat_heat 2
stat_ground 2, -2, 3, 2
stat_mental 8, low, untrained
stat_charge_dist 30
stat_fire_delay 0
stat_food 60, 300
stat_cost 0, 256, 140, 30, 40, 256 ;0, 496, 170, 30, 40, 310
ownership germans

RCB Mod team given the approval for use of models today,yihee.

Thrace in action(Arbaces model)



Dacia in action

[Kylan271]

Update 11/8/9

King Arthur unit consent given
Peasants removed from DMB and EDU,and learnt models in descr_lbc_db must be changed also!!! Reduced DMB limit now by about 17 I think from this?

[Kylan271]

I have been discussing Celtic issues with Bro MulletThrasher(sorry Aussie play on words) at: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...90#post5772790 It has been bugging me how to bridge a gap between Celtic/Gaelic armies in 280BC and use of 2H swords as seen in BI???? With CATW team help,I got this using both data-Celtic Champions with Kessel/Lith type swords. The BI berserkers are beautiful models(most models in BI quite ugly sadly),so to put in use makes me happy-and Conquistador cry ^_* . I use png format. In order Merc(Spain???),Britons and Gaul. The models are 'casse champions' by my CATW friends.

I am trying for up to 32(limit)units per faction if that is possible???? I found diversity of a faction more interesting than a select few high end models. So if I can get multi faction units from one DMB slot I try with that model. My inspiration is from EB mod on this,being honest.


Casse Champion,Merc&Spain(?) http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/8/...%20Battles.wma

Casse Champion,Britons http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/8/...03%20Herne.wma

Casse Champions,Gauls http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/8/...oi%20Croga.wma


#Now able to add music here,click on above links.

[Kylan271]

Today..oh I lie 3 days nah..trying to find replacements for Barbarian cavalry types,which I feel are 'toads' on mounts sorry. Noble cavalry in game is OK,but I don't like the Gothic types at all,so decided maybe there is a way to make them look better in game? I have tried to use all wbb/warspite type models possible and found help from RCB Mod team instead which covers more factions than I hoped. I hope this is an improvement without altering the game too much?

Credits to RCB team for this,Topus,DavideCool,Riczzu etc,yihee!!!

Scythian Noble Cavalry


Germans Noble Cavalry


Germans Gothic & Warlords Cavalry(altered from RCB gauls)


Gauls Noble Cavalry


Gauls Gothic & Warlords Cavalry(these were Germans,I swapped)


Dacian Noble Cavalry


Dacian Gothic&Warlord Cavalry


These replace the soldier model barb_noble_cavalry & gothic type.

I will do a spoiler around the pics to reduce size later.