Some help for someone new

[eXistenZ]

I've heard much about two mods: Broken Crescent and Stainless Steel. (so i'm posting this also in the other forum)

However it's all a bit big to start searching here, so i have a few questions regarding SS:

-What does it add, in short summary, to the gameplay, aside from new factions, units, and map?
- Where do i find the things to download and install it, and any supplementary things?
- Is there a problem if you have multiple mods installed?

Thanks

[Khosrau]

Welcome to one of the most awesome mods of M2TW!

1: well, indeed new factions (Aragon, Cumans, Kievan Rus, Khwarezm, Ireland, Teutonic Order, Knights Templar, Crusader States...), new units and a great brand new map. But that's not all: many factions are reskinned, there are lots of new events and new AI. Basically it represents what M2TW should have been in the first place. It's a huge upgrade from vanilla M2TW.

2: See this thread for more features and download links for the main mod (SS 6.0 and 6.1 patch): http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=159996

I also highly recommend patch 6.2 by Gracul plus Battle for the Baltic submod. Both are in the submod subforum, but here some links:

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=204562
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=323155

Another (even better imo) option would be to install Point Blanks Real Combat/Real Recruitment compilation. Above far more realistic game mechanics (mainly for combat and recruitment, AoR etc.) it combines a lot of other mods and submods (incl. 6.2 patch, new Byzantine roster and much, much more) in one big, great package. See it as SS Platinum or something like that

HIGHLY recommended!

Link: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=300716
Latest patch here: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=336450

refer to the RR/RC subforum and threads for more info (yes, it has its own sub-sub forum: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=1397). Installation is a breeze, just follow the instructions in the main thread.

3: SS is modfoldered, you can use it safely alongside vanilla and other mods (among BC, which I have installed too)

Enjoy! I know you will

[sbroadbent]

And if you do decide to install Stainless Steel, you can check out the Stainless Steel 6.X Install Guide (now on the third page...) to figure out exactly what files you need to download for the particular variant.

As has been mentioned, most mods install in their own folder so there shouldn't be any conflict, so you could indeed install both SS and BC and decide which you'd like to play.

With that said, do you want to play within Europe with an expanded map to the east (SS), or play more centered around the middle east (BC)?

[eXistenZ]

Thanks both, i'm now installing 6.1

I only have selected Real recruitment, and bigs grim thingy, is that ok?

What do the other two do?

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

eXistenZ...

SS6.2 is the current updated version of the mod. there's an increase in difficulty, but I highly reccommend it. {easy = meduim, meduim = hard, etc. } Those two additional things you installed add detailed imersion to the game. For simple guys like me it's too much to keep up with.

Some one else in the know can better answer your specific questions though... Broken Crescent offers deep immersion into the East and I also highly reccomend it. It's an absolutley wonderful mod.

Get Stainless Steel 6.2 here http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=302184

[eXistenZ]

Thanks guys but now i have a new problem:

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?p=7012388

I posted it in the right section.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

Ya sure did, Folks in the know should be along in a bit. They'll get you squared away...

[j4k3]

Thanks to all the post here especially Justinianus! I'm playing M2TW again after like 3 years. Going to have to DL a LOT of mods (don't know which ones yet but the recommendations here will surely be downloaded) and do a lot of installing!

Hope it all works together!

[eXistenZ]

All problems solved, thanks everybody.

Last questions about campaign difficulty levels:

-what do they exactly do?
-What do you recommend for an average player? I like playing on medium/hard campaign difficulty level in vanilla.
-I've heard that some factions are nearly impossible on higher difficulty levels. which?

[Kaledon]

On higher campaign difficulties, AI factions are more aggressive towards the player. They also have larger amounts of troops. The factions that can be considered to be quite difficult on VH/VH would probably be Lithuania, Templars and possibly the Cumans(Which I have never played). As Lithuania everyone near you hates your guts(Prepare for the possibility of being crusaded against.), and you can't use diplomats for quite a while. As well, most of the territories in that area are rather poor. Templars can be quite difficult, as they start off incredibly weak and once again, surrounded by enemies. I'd imagine the Cumans would have some problems once the Mongolians appear ^_^.

However, if you're up for a challenge Lithuania is an amazingly fun faction.

[Peteriscoolz]

Wait does stainless steel 6.1 improve graphics or do you have to download a seperate sub mod?