Night battles and other questions

[Sitalkes]

Hi, I'm playing Gondar in v. 1.2 and am astonished by the sheer beauty of the map and everything else in this game. I played MTW 1 a lot but not MTW II. I'm playing on normal difficulty and have had some really exciting battles - I think it's hard enough trying to defeat the Mordor hordes when I have to run back to Minas Ithil after only a couple of bruising battles - in a battle of atrittion Mordor must win, it's like being on the Russian front!

1. night battles
I have selected to play a few night battles and now my faction leadeer has the night fighting attribute. I have not noticed that there is any benefit to choosing a night battle - I thought maybe it would help in a siege? Is there any benefit to choosing a night battle? I notice that the minions of Mordor get a morale benefit when fighting at night so is night fighting just an option for them?

2. 1.3 and 1.4 upgrades
The TATW 1.4 patch advice says that it is not save game friendly. Does that mean that I install this patch I have to start a new game? If I install the 1.3 patch will I also have to do that?

2. newbie question - forts
I have been allowed to build watchtowers but what have I got to do to build a fort? I never seem to get the option.

3. Bodyguards - another newbie question
One of the problems with MTW 1 was rebuilding bodyguards early in the game when you hadn't got the necessary buildings. I notice that in this game bodyguards seem to rebuild themselves, which is great for me but rather annoying when you keep having to beat up the same enemy general! Is there any way to speed up the process? Does being inside a settlement or castle help?

[Baron Samedi]

1. night battles
I have selected to play a few night battles and now my faction leadeer has the night fighting attribute. I have not noticed that there is any benefit to choosing a night battle - I thought maybe it would help in a siege? Is there any benefit to choosing a night battle? I notice that the minions of Mordor get a morale benefit when fighting at night so is night fighting just an option for them?

The most notable advantage you get when fighting night battles, is that you don't have to fight enemy armies who are led by captains or generals without the night battle trait.

2. 1.3 and 1.4 upgrades
The TATW 1.4 patch advice says that it is not save game friendly. Does that mean that I install this patch I have to start a new game? If I install the 1.3 patch will I also have to do that?

In order for the effects to take place of the new installed patch, you would need to start a new game.

2. newbie question - forts
I have been allowed to build watchtowers but what have I got to do to build a fort? I never seem to get the option.

There is nothing you can do in-game, but there might be a way for you to mod TATW, so that it becomes available for you in-game.

3. Bodyguards - another newbie question
One of the problems with MTW 1 was rebuilding bodyguards early in the game when you hadn't got the necessary buildings. I notice that in this game bodyguards seem to rebuild themselves, which is great for me but rather annoying when you keep having to beat up the same enemy general! Is there any way to speed up the process? Does being inside a settlement or castle help?

I'd say this feature it is pretty damn convient (think of full stacks only consisting of generals) As for the restoration-rate, im not pretty sure whether there is a difference. I guess not, but feel free to correct me.

[Sitalkes]

Thanks, so if I make a night attack the enemy army might be led by some unknown captain istead of the ten star general who would normally lead it in a daylight attack??? I suppose that means that the ten star general was asleep and if you defeat the army he gets away (hopefully as the only survivor)?

[trueblaze]

No the general still apears, but your general has a slightly higher command rating.

There are also two other advantages to night battles:

1. Arrows have less accuracy at night. While this is true for both sides if the enemy has more archer units or artilary it can be usefull. As well I think the side without a night general has a higher arrow accuracy decress.

2. Re-enforcements cannot particapate in the battle unless they too have a general with night fighting skills. This is good in that if your facing multipul stacks you can attack at night and face them one at a time. This however, can be a double edged sword as your own re-enforcements cannot participate unless they too have a night fighing general.