Dúnedain Beastslayers [Arnor AP unit for TATW 2.1] ~ Released!

[Louis Lux]

Description

These men represent the veteran rangers who have mastered the manufacturing and handling of the famed Númenórean steelbow after the technological and cultural changes brought about by the reforging of Arnor. Men used to long periods of time in the woods and facing all kinds of perilous creatures, including mostly trolls, their weapon of choice is a two handed axe that is swung with great might. These powerful Rangers are quite used to individual heroics and have chosen a new role and tactics over fitting into reformed Arnor's new, more formation based, military doctrine, so becoming powerful flankers but vulnerable to missiles and cavalry charges.


Credits

KK and DG - original models and textures
Berengar - original concept
Yarrum - new models
Louis Lux - new textures
Jean=A=Luc - coding, description, balancing

Installation

Extract the file to your Third Age folder
Delete Map.rwm located at world/maps/base

[Yarrum]

It looks great but he's still holding that bow upside-down. You need to rotate it one hundred and eighty degrees. Also, I'd suggest the name 'Hollow-Steel Marksmen'.

One question: will they get damage bonuses against elephants as well?

[Jean=A=Luc]

I need help with including the unit to the campaign, making their stat numbers, and I'll need a decent description.

I can help with these though it would seem you've already written a description more or less.

But where are you planning on releasing this? The compilation mod, vanilla, independent sub-mod?

Agree with Yarrum on the name.

[Louis Lux]

I didn't want to make new renders, but the bow is already fixed.

'Hollow-Steel Marksmen' seems a bit pompous, I'll see what other people think about it.

I'll need help balancing and testing but my wish is for them to be effective against elephants.

This will be an independent very small mod.

J=A=L, I'm glad you are willing to help. I'll make the final adjustments to the unit and send it to you in the next few days. Descriptions are not my strong suit so feel free to modify it or make a whole new one .

[Jean=A=Luc]

J=A=L, I'm glad you are willing to help. I'll make the final adjustments to the unit and send it to you in the next few days.

If it's no trouble could you please include the EDU, EDB and modeldb you're intending to use? I assume it's vanilla but all my files have been tempered with and I'd rather not have to reinstall or install to another place as I always struggle with HD space. I guess you could add the export_units for the description as well. Not even that one's "clean" in my installation.

'Hollow-Steel Marksmen' seems a bit pompous, I'll see what other people think about it.

Oh c'mon!

[Jackie Treehorn]

Troll Hunter might be the best name. Dunedain isn't required.
The Unit looks really great. Will the arrows/bolts have the animation of Ballista Bolts?
Another idea for such a unit would be, that they use heavy javelins instead of a bow, I know it's not possible, because of the animation, but a spear-thrower (like the Aborigines had) would makes sense against Trolls and other huge beasts.
Or, they could also throwing axes..... All, bows are also Ok, though there are many hooded archers in TATW, so they are not more special. Nevertheless I have to commit your unit is really well done.

[Yarrum]

I think I can help with unit stats, and perhaps campaign implementation. I know enough about the coding of this game to do basic things like adding new units.

Now for my comments about the unit. I think my favorite thing about this is the attention given to the small details and variations. I love the way they alternate between the bedrolls and the drawstring sacks (reminds me of the informants in Assassin's Creed), the modeled straps, and the fact that you even made it possible for the knife to be held in two different directions. It just adds so much to the visual flair of the unit. The only thing I could really recommend would be to have one or two variations for the axehead, but that's just minor nitpicking.

[Louis Lux]

I think I can help with unit stats, and perhaps campaign implementation. I know enough about the coding of this game to do basic things like adding new units.

Now for my comments about the unit. I think my favorite thing about this is the attention given to the small details and variations. I love the way they alternate between the bedrolls and the drawstring sacks (reminds me of the informants in Assassin's Creed), the modeled straps, and the fact that you even made it possible for the knife to be held in two different directions. It just adds so much to the visual flair of the unit. The only thing I could really recommend would be to have one or two variations for the axehead, but that's just minor nitpicking.

Thanks man, since the general look of the unit is not that different from other rangers units I tried to portray their uniqueness through the details.

About the axe... You are the modeller here so if you can make something I'll skin it in no time. I was considering giving the unit a mace, or perhaps an axe made completely of steel . Tell me what you think and we can arrange something for the first release or a future update.

[Yarrum]

About the axe... You are the modeler here so if you can make something I'll skin it in no time. I was considering giving the unit a mace, or perhaps an axe made completely of steel . Tell me what you think and we can arrange something for the first release or a future update.

Draw me a quick concept or two and I'll see what I can do.

[Incan]

have you shown kk this? it looks great and well done and with its lore background and well done units i think it would be a great addition to Arnor. I would love to see this as vanilla

[Scorpius Centaurus]

They look great LL. + rep And I voted Dunedain Troll Hunters. The name "Beastslayers" brings to mind for me someone like Conan the Barbarian.

[Deedlit]

Dunedain Beastslayers tbh. It's more universal for a name. You get the impression anyway with Beastslayers that they're slayers of tough beasts including trolls etc. Is it me or is the bow abit big? I'm gonna suggest an idea which is why not put a small scar on the dude on the left around his eye area? looks like a beast scratched him then. And gives the impression they're vets in slaying beasts of the wild.

[Odenathus]

I was hoping for Hollow Steel Marksmen as well actually.
Since they are not supposed to wear plate mail or anything and their armour should be resistent to clubs and such, wouldn't it be more logical to let them wear scale armour? That type of armour protects more against bludgeoning, whereas chain armour is more effective to resist piercing weapons. I know, against trolls it won't matter all that much but if I were in their shoes I'd go for scales anyway.

Odenat

[Louis Lux]

Dunedain Beastslayers tbh. It's more universal for a name. You get the impression anyway with Beastslayers that they're slayers of tough beasts including trolls etc. Is it me or is the bow abit big? I'm gonna suggest an idea which is why not put a small scar on the dude on the left around his eye area? looks like a beast scratched him then. And gives the impression they're vets in slaying beasts of the wild.

If I have some time I'll do it but it will probably be done for a second release. The first release will be more to get feedback of the balancing, both in the campaign and in battle. The second release will have a more balanced unit with probably some weapon variation and unique faces.

[Anibal at portas]

in spanish Dunedain Beastslayers does not good sound.
i prefer Dunedain Troll Hunters.
ah yes,Dunedain Beastslayers is more generic.
i have translated to spanish Dunedain Beastslayer again and it sound good.

[Deedlit]

If I have some time I'll do it but it will probably be done for a second release. The first release will be more to get feedback of the balancing, both in the campaign and in battle. The second release will have a more balanced unit with probably some weapon variation and unique faces.

Cool, these guys should be battle hardened beast slayers make em look like it good job so far anyway.

[muller227]

I really like this unit concept, it is one I incorporated into my game with the Heavy Elven archers, albeit without the slowed rate of fire which I will certainly do as it makes perfect sense. I also envisioned these Elves being hybrid line infantry unit, who take up firing as soon as the lighter archer units which are already excellent start to redeploy, tactically I think it represents a change from them being more of the same just a little better. A bit I picked up from FotR movie. I did shorten their range though. Very fine work

[AgentGB]

Looking forward to fielding such a unit!! A specialised unit that can counter bigger foes if used correctly, but are still fragile to the ordinary enemy is a great idea!!

Also you seem to have got the balance worked out in theory just right! Glass cannonball units! That can't be spammed, but can allow atleast one fast moving army the capabilities to fight off elephants! (thanks for considering them to be effective against mulks) I think i remember seeing some variations of cloakless models too which look pretty cool! Some variation in weapons could also be pretty cool! sorta displaying a preferance in there own personnal weapon outfit, although i understand you would have to either choose between 2 handed or 1 handed weapons. I actually don't mind tbh! but mabey single handed weapons, may be better, witgh a range of oversized 1 handed axe weapons, maces, swords, and double dueling swords like one of the harad units. But just an radical idea

But if you guys wanna keep it simple or within reason to how a weapon should compensate for felling a bigger foe, i can see why 2 handed weapons would be ideal.

But a surperb looking unit! I think the Steel Hollow marksmen would be a better name, but i atm i can't think out of the box for a btter alternative, but can see why you don't wanna go with a direct approach name. In the write up/description would be nice to say somthing like, they are rumoured to use the Steel Bow, as i would imagine the humble Arnorian men at arms would have very little knowledge of such a unit being used, and would explain there rarity in campaign, so a rumoured "nickname/myth" for them may be the way forward? Which could also give another trait? surrounding morale boost for nearby troops to have such a unit accompanying them in there army?

[Mathieu Of Belgium]

a realy nice unit + rep

[Anibal at portas]

exquisite and great work as always mate.
that great modder.
louix all your units are welcome.
a desire is to see more orcs and uruks units made for you and that king kong add in a future patch.
is necessary that all your work are in patchs for the third age,a work of great quality.