Please Satiate My Appetite for War

[Phoenix Rising]

Ok, at the risk of sounding arrogant, I think perhaps I am too good at Total War. I've played Rome, Greeks, Macedon and Carthage on RS2 and I find them all simply too easy. I can master the economics and have great technological advances and prospering economy whilst being able to defeat virtually any army by deploying my forces in simple defensive tactics.

I need some way of really challenging myself, something that will keep me driven to build an empire, something that will keep me on the edge of my seat as much as possible. RS2 has been the ONLY game to give me such a feeling, with the first 5 turns of the Rome campaign - and that was scripted.

Could someone please suggest a faction to play as and/or any house rules I could use to make my game harder, but still within the limits of realism? Would be much appreciated

Also, a couple of suggestions to the Dev team; maybe add an Army Supply system to the game? I've seen it done with a M2:TW Mod, and it worked relatively well. I know you guys are ambitious little barstewards so perhaps this could be implemented? Cheers

[sithlord447]

well first what diffuculty are you playing? and how far are you getting? as i too find most of the beginings fairly easy but later on when your money has dried up from supporting your new provinces and fighting a 4 way war thats challenging

[saxdude]

Play the seleucids, they should give you a run for your money.

[tone]

Excuse me, you've done what?

[RANT] Mate, you're here to beta test. Where are you reports of your campaigns with details of battles you've fought, economics, etc, that are going to help us make the game tougher and more challenging and tighten up any issues? Basically what you're saying is you've taken the beta, done nothing to help us, then you're here whingeing about why you don't find it tough enough. Have you not seen all the posts I've made sometimes literally begging people to make reports? To be honest, this stinks. [/RANT]

OK, now please at least supply us with some details of which campaigns you've played with screenshots, breakdown of the economy.

How far have you got with the Roman campaign?
Did you get as far as the big rebellion?
What was so easy about playing as the Romans?

[Phoenix Rising]

Excuse me, you've done what?

[RANT] Mate, you're here to beta test. Where are you reports of your campaigns with details of battles you've fought, economics, etc, that are going to help us make the game tougher and more challenging and tighten up any issues? Basically what you're saying is you've taken the beta, done nothing to help us, then you're here whingeing about why you don't find it tough enough. Have you not seen all the posts I've made sometimes literally begging people to make reports? To be honest, this stinks. [/RANT]

OK, now please at least supply us with some details of which campaigns you've played with screenshots, breakdown of the economy.

How far have you got with the Roman campaign?
Did you get as far as the big rebellion?
What was so easy about playing as the Romans?

I think thats a very unprofessional comment and I find it offensive.

And, for your information, I have already submitted two reports on these forums, I repeatedly asked what I should look for/what to test, and got either a very vague or no reply, so your argument is flawed and I think you owe me an apology, but I doubt I will get one so for the interests of maintaining a pax romana I will let it slide.

@ Irishguy, sorry I thought this was a beta not an arse-licking competition? My post was also non-offensive as far as I am aware. Sorry If you did find it offensive, but Im trying to give imput into this beta.

Anyway, yes I am playing H/H Difficulty as recommended, and I find VH/VH just too unrealistic personally and I lose enjoyment. I usually play 20 turns of a campaign then I simply get bored, and no I have never reached the Roman Rebellion because of this reason. The Romans were easy because all of the allied Roman towns make at least 10,000 out of taxes, so I can raise huge armies incredibly quickly without damaging my economy, and I was doing this literally every turn and still making between 60 and 110k, whilst maintaining at least 7 operational legions and another 3 in garrisons or support units, and fighting on several different fronts (North Africa, South Iberia, North Iberia, North Italy, Central Macedon, South Macedon, Syracuse and Massillia).

My suggestions for this is to raise Unit Upkeep and lower the amount of Tax Generated, just my two cents.

[|Sith|Galvanized Iron]

Wouldn't the logical thing to do in order to give the Romans a harder game to further beef up the veterancy of Hannibals forces? Losing most of Italy to Hannibal ought to make it more difficult for the Romans to recover

[Phoenix Rising]

Wouldn't the logical thing to do in order to give the Romans a harder game to further beef up the veterancy of Hannibals forces? Losing most of Italy to Hannibal ought to make it more difficult for the Romans to recover

I agree totally.

[|Sith|Galvanized Iron]

Yes and as far as I remember, Northern Italy wasn't yet completely loyal to Rome at this point in time, so it wouldn't be implausable that the cities of North Italy would spawn Carthagian stacks if they were liberated by Hannibal.

[Irishguy]

@ Irishguy, sorry I thought this was a beta not an arse-licking competition? My post was also non-offensive as far as I am aware. Sorry If you did find it offensive, but Im trying to give imput into this beta.

now THAT is offensive.....

EDIT: after reading your post while awake and not tired and angry I realise I was just cranky, and although I would never post like you posted I'd like to offer you my apology

[dvk901]

Ok, at the risk of sounding arrogant, I think perhaps I am too good at Total War. I've played Rome, Greeks, Macedon and Carthage on RS2 and I find them all simply too easy. I can master the economics and have great technological advances and prospering economy whilst being able to defeat virtually any army by deploying my forces in simple defensive tactics.

I need some way of really challenging myself, something that will keep me driven to build an empire, something that will keep me on the edge of my seat as much as possible. RS2 has been the ONLY game to give me such a feeling, with the first 5 turns of the Rome campaign - and that was scripted.

Could someone please suggest a faction to play as and/or any house rules I could use to make my game harder, but still within the limits of realism? Would be much appreciated

Also, a couple of suggestions to the Dev team; maybe add an Army Supply system to the game? I've seen it done with a M2:TW Mod, and it worked relatively well. I know you guys are ambitious little barstewards so perhaps this could be implemented? Cheers

I really had to 'pass over' these comments and gather my thoughts because, unprofessional or not, this strikes me as a 'flippant' observation when it hasn't be backed up with a lot of good reporting, screen shots, suggestions, and\or ideas on how to make things better. Your desires ARE in fact our desires, but you have to understand that neither Tone or I have the time to actually PLAY this thing......we are 'captives' of the input we get from you guys. So it means a great deal to me if someone says, "This is too easy, and things need to change, and here's why....", with associated screen shots, assessment of the economic situation, input on the battles and why they are too easy or too hard, or in general a detailed analysis that gives us some idea of how we could make YOUR desires, and ours come to fruition.

I realize it's a pain to post screens, and maybe it's a bother to put one's thoughts out in writing if you have a feeling no one is paying attention....but I assure you that I pay very close attention to everything that gets posted in here.....I just may not have the time to respond to all of it. I have begged lenience in this respect before, because I am very busy in RL, and the time I have is spent fixing not only all the problems that are in my area in the SVN version of RS2, but also in the installer. So I just CAN'T respnd to everyone. But I will guarantee that if someone posts and idea of how to make something better, and it is within the realm of what can be done, I WILL respond.

I guess, from what you have previously posted, I didn't sense that the 'challenge' of RS2 was as weak as you are saying here. So I would ask that rather than just saying, "The challenge is missing, where can I go to find it?", please offer input into what exactly causes the lack of challenge for you. I am asking this from everyone, and comments on how great the units are, or the environment, or the graphics in general really don't matter...because we already know they are great.

The army supply system, unfortunately, just isn't workable in RTW. It has been tried with traits (Repman in BareBones Wars), and simply causes too many unwanted issues. There just isn't a good 'mechanism' in RTW for doing it. I added a building requirement in RS2 to at least 'simulate' the need for this, but it is only a 'shell' of what would really be nice if it could be done.

[Irishguy]

Ahum.. How can you say the Rebellion is easy?! For sure like sithlord447 said, you must play until you get a bit further on! if you get to the rebellion, you'll make some different noise! I think you're being very rude and not very nice to the people that have put an effort in this mod, you should be worshipping tone for his beautiful battle environments, you should be worshipping apple for his wonderful music (do you know how hard it is to write a song? And then it also has to fit with game!), you should be worshipping dvk for all his attention and pure for thinking this whole mod up! Really.....

Sorry if I offended any one.

[Aurelius_TL]

Start another Play_Rome campaign (Select Rome and not Test Campaign from the launcher, to be sure). Play through more than just 20-turns and post some screenshots of your finances, army composition, etc. - basically showing what your empire looks like. This helps with beta testing believe it or not, because a simple screenshot can show alot of interesting things... Current focus AFAIK is getting the big roman rebellion (late empire) to initiate and see how that pans out (economy, battles, AI-rebel army composition, etc.).

I've read some of your reports and while it's informative, you didn't provide any screenshots... It helps.

As far as the economy, I think it's a toss up Tone. It really depends on the playstyle of the player. For me, I usually don't blitz and destroy any non-roman buildings when I conquer new territory (if it's destroyable, of course). Then the rebuilding process begins and my finances take a hit, slows down my campaign pace. Keeps me from gaining huge momentum and steam-rolling the AI. The roman units upkeep is decent for me as I can maintain several legions while having enough to build infrastructure in my cities. I usually end my turns with less than 1k in the bank. Since I had to restart my campaign, I'm not far into it yet. I will post my report soon.

[rory o'kane]

Northern Italy may not have been - i.e. Cisalpine Gaul. Ariminum and Arretium didn't, however, defect to the Carthaginian side, so there's no reason for this Spawning.

[Espadas:Benson]

Well, in my Roman campaign, i have very large problems by around turn 30. I have regions which i just conquered, rebelling, I have a random mass drop in treasury due to increased troops and lower taxes,; I have the common carthaginian invasion of my northern iberian provences; and Sparta has managed to put up a fight in greece. You either are too good or your AI is to bad OR (which is most likely) you got bored of nothing happening in the first couple turns, and didnt let the AI develop itself, and gave up on it entirely, if turn based RTS games arent your thing, then ok.

When you say how unchallenging the game is, and providing no positive input from THIS post, it hurts the developers feelings. Tone has tried everything in his power to try to tell people like you to post these comments, AND post something informative with it. When he ranted, he was venting from EVERY SINGLE PERSON who has done that. You offered a little information, but certinly not enough. Please post screen shots, and act a little less like a diva so eat a snickers (if you have seen the comercial for the snickers, lol); with all due respect ofcourse.


Also try somethings new, play it historically, just up a nation for the hell of it, its a game.

[Espadas:Benson]

in MTW 2 a mod called "Stainless Steel" Is able too do a supply system, and do many a thing you havent. I know there two different games, but maybe a new dog can teach an old one new tricks ^^

[Phoenix Rising]

now THAT is offensive.....

EDIT: after reading your post while awake and not tired and angry I realise I was just cranky, and although I would never post like you posted I'd like to offer you my apology

Fair enough, I admit I probably over-reacted and my reply was hardly tactful. Apology accepted and I extent my apologies to you as well. *Offers hand*

When you say how unchallenging the game is, and providing no positive input from THIS post, it hurts the developers feelings. Tone has tried everything in his power to try to tell people like you to post these comments, AND post something informative with it. When he ranted, he was venting from EVERY SINGLE PERSON who has done that. You offered a little information, but certinly not enough. Please post screen shots, and act a little less like a diva so eat a snickers (if you have seen the comercial for the snickers, lol); with all due respect ofcourse.

That's fair enough I guess, and from his perspective I could understand the sheer frustration from having people sign up for the beta and then never report back, Im going to PM him in a second with an apology and a few tactful suggestions which may prove mutually beneficial. Thanks for your comments mate.

Start another Play_Rome campaign (Select Rome and not Test Campaign from the launcher, to be sure). Play through more than just 20-turns and post some screenshots of your finances, army composition, etc. - basically showing what your empire looks like. This helps with beta testing believe it or not, because a simple screenshot can show alot of interesting things... Current focus AFAIK is getting the big roman rebellion (late empire) to initiate and see how that pans out (economy, battles, AI-rebel army composition, etc.).

I've read some of your reports and while it's informative, you didn't provide any screenshots... It helps.

Thanks for the info, I have Fraps on my PC but my problem is that it can stall the FPS when I play as my laptop is total crap, but I'll give it a shot.

I really had to 'pass over' these comments and gather my thoughts because, unprofessional or not, this strikes me as a 'flippant' observation when it hasn't be backed up with a lot of good reporting, screen shots, suggestions, and\or ideas on how to make things better. Your desires ARE in fact our desires, but you have to understand that neither Tone or I have the time to actually PLAY this thing......we are 'captives' of the input we get from you guys. So it means a great deal to me if someone says, "This is too easy, and things need to change, and here's why....", with associated screen shots, assessment of the economic situation, input on the battles and why they are too easy or too hard, or in general a detailed analysis that gives us some idea of how we could make YOUR desires, and ours come to fruition.

I realize it's a pain to post screens, and maybe it's a bother to put one's thoughts out in writing if you have a feeling no one is paying attention....but I assure you that I pay very close attention to everything that gets posted in here.....I just may not have the time to respond to all of it. I have begged lenience in this respect before, because I am very busy in RL, and the time I have is spent fixing not only all the problems that are in my area in the SVN version of RS2, but also in the installer. So I just CAN'T respnd to everyone. But I will guarantee that if someone posts and idea of how to make something better, and it is within the realm of what can be done, I WILL respond.

I guess, from what you have previously posted, I didn't sense that the 'challenge' of RS2 was as weak as you are saying here. So I would ask that rather than just saying, "The challenge is missing, where can I go to find it?", please offer input into what exactly causes the lack of challenge for you. I am asking this from everyone, and comments on how great the units are, or the environment, or the graphics in general really don't matter...because we already know they are great.

The army supply system, unfortunately, just isn't workable in RTW. It has been tried with traits (Repman in BareBones Wars), and simply causes too many unwanted issues. There just isn't a good 'mechanism' in RTW for doing it. I added a building requirement in RS2 to at least 'simulate' the need for this, but it is only a 'shell' of what would really be nice if it could be done.

Fair enough mate, and I did try to post my findings as to why it dosen't challenge me that much, although I did compliment you, Tone and the other guys in that RS2 has been the only Total War game or Mod that has delivered (First five turns of Rome campaign, me!)

Anyway, I apologise if I came accross as tactless, I was trying to be constructive and gain insight onto how I can make my gameplay more entertaining. As I said above, I will send Tone a PM with some personal comments and suggestions to patch things up.

Sorry if this thread has caused any spectators any distress.

[Irishguy]

Good to know I haven't started an internet fight hope to see your reports soon!

[sithlord447]

yes this mod gets really ing hard about 570,580 you just have to keep with it

[tone]

Thanks dvk, and thanks too Soldier of Fortune for your PM, which I replied to including an apology for taking out my frustrations on you.

[Espadas:Benson]

Yay happy endings, and soldier, thanks for being a good sport