Stakes. Shouldn't more units have them?

[ColdBlo0d]

I mean it makes sense for most units to be able to deploy these in Real life so why so few are able to deploy them in game? And those that do are only archers And for some weird reason regular archers cant deploy them. And why cant crossbowmen deploy them as well? Hell, even Melee infantry would deploy them IRL if there being attacked by a enemy with lots of calvary.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

agincourt archer

Heck yeah!!!!! But... but.. it's an exploit. So...player preference. You don't want to use them, then don't...

[ColdBlo0d]

agincourt archer

Heck yeah!!!!! But... but.. it's an exploit. So...player preference. You don't want to use them, then don't...

How is it an exploit???? Werent they in the original game? It seems like common sence if your archers and dont want to get mauled by calvary.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

How is it an exploit???? Werent they in the original game? It seems like common sence if your archers and dont want to get mauled by calvary.

When folks block the gatehouse with stakes as a cav-killer. Like I said, to m* that's a player preference call....{imma little chicken, so I would us* stak*s...all-day-long...}

[Ichon]

It is actually more rare... archers were for a long time not central to western armies and used as skirmishers or raiders before battle or as small contingent during a battle to soften enemy lines. In the east archers were more mobile and not about to place stakes.

English employing large amounts of archers relative to other infantry was rather unique for a western army and was on the cusp of more professional armies and wars becoming a series of battles rather than a single large pitched battle deciding a war. Even then it took time to set up defense with stakes and other small fortifications.

Finally the way stakes are portrayed in the game is rather unrealistic. I'd be fine if they were removed completely. Better would be to form a barrier but not an instant kill line against cavalry. As it is they were a part of warfare for a limited amount of time in regular use. Limited to a few elites makes more sense.

Crossbowmen should probably also get stakes, or at least a few units as there are reports of wooden field works in some battles with crossbowmen.

[Ichon]

Because AI cavalry are quite stupid and will impale themselves into the stakes and the stakes wipe out every cavalry along an entire line. In real battles some cavalry would make it through if they didn't see the stakes or slowed too late.

[ColdBlo0d]

Because AI cavalry are quite stupid and will impale themselves into the stakes and the stakes wipe out every cavalry along an entire line. In real battles some cavalry would make it through if they didn't see the stakes or slowed too late.

Anyway to get them to not charge the stakes if they see them? And how does the AI determine if it "sees" the stakes? (or maybe it doesn't and never sees them...........)

And how can i make it so crossbowmen have the stakes ability?

And would it be save game compatible?

[bɑne]

Anyway to get them to not charge the stakes if they see them?

None afaik.

And how does the AI determine if it "sees" the stakes? (or maybe it doesn't and never sees them...........)

It just never sees them - stakes aren't factored in for the AI. Hence why many feel it is an exploit.

[Amaranth]

Anyway to get them to not charge the stakes if they see them?

Let's assume it was possible, then AI would try to avoid stakes everytime, and it'd be pointless to keep the ability in the game don't you think ?

So if it feels like an exploit for some people, they can simply choose not to use the option.

[RollingWave]

yeah, if it's possible to make stakes into a non-fatal (or at least much less fatal) barreir then it make sense. but I'm fairly sure that's hard coded. more over as pointed out. stakes and onfield barriers weren't THAT common in the medieval era for a variety of reasons.

[ColdBlo0d]

yeah, if it's possible to make stakes into a non-fatal (or at least much less fatal) barreir then it make sense. but I'm fairly sure that's hard coded. more over as pointed out. stakes and onfield barriers weren't THAT common in the medieval era for a variety of reasons.

I dunno..... For some reason when i use the roman empires archers ( the ones you get in Greece ) and set up stakes they never get charged......

[Angrychris]

they avoid open combat stakes but run into gate house placed stakes. Ill stick to schiltrom to fuc-k em up any day

[Spoon]

I don't really care. Like said before, it feels like an exploit so I never use them

[Liandro]

Strange, I always see enemy cavalry go out of their way to avoid stakes, they walk right through them or go around and behind me.

[AWombat]

I'm not sure, but I think reallybadAI makes them avoid stakes on open field battles. Before using it I would rape cavalry with just setting a few of them and now I rarely even kill anything but my own cavalry, but they're still useful for securing your flanks.

[Ichon]

Germanicus AI helps but doesn't always work. AI cavalry often still run into stakes though rarely in frontal charge. At city gates though sometimes the AI will walk through instead of charge. I haven't seen his latest version in action but if its improved then stakes aren't as bad but reading the changelog I don' think he changed anything to do with stakes.

Let's assume it was possible, then AI would try to avoid stakes everytime, and it'd be pointless to keep the ability in the game don't you think ?

I use them in battles very occasionally to channel enemy cavalry away from front if having masses of missile troops or to protect flanks so they can still be useful even if AI never runs into them. I'd say with Germanic that away avoids them about 60% of the time where before never used to but that is pretty low percentage.

[Angrychris]

it helps to redirect ai calv and protect archers so stakes are still worth while especialy when you have horse archers.

[k/t]

The AI can't use stakes, so it gives the player an unfair advantage (like he needed more of those). Once the new RR/RC version comes out, I will remove stakes from everyone (PB will take them away from a bunch of units anyway).

"And how can i make it so crossbowmen have the stakes ability?

And would it be save game compatible? "

Give it to them in the EDU and yes.

[Angrychris]

ive seen ai use stakes in open combat.

[Ichon]

I think he meant in cities. AI never uses them in cities but they do sometimes use them in field battles if enabled. I have mixed feelings... I've seen AI deploy stakes and wipe out its own cavalry before the armies even met so even if it can use them it does not use them well.

Germanicus made some improvements with stakes but he did much bigger difference in other areas of how BAI can work.

If stake use and avoidance by AI can improve a bit more then maybe keep them in but very limited otherwise I agree it k/t and I'll likely remove the ability from all units.