RS 2.5 for/by a complete noob

[SenniTreborius]

Playing Rome in RS2.5 – An idiot's Guide

First I decided to write this guide as I found the proliferation of information for this mod quite confusing. One of the problems that I find as a noob is experienced posters unconscious use of technical posting language e.g. I know what mod-foldered is, but have no idea how it works. Just found this excellent thread for new members on posting how to etc. I hope that more experienced players will chip in with advice as necessary (or just for fun).

Intended game: Roma Surrectum 2.5; Playing with: RTW.exe; 0-turn recruitment; Large unit size; Faction: Rome; Difficulty: H/M

Downloading the mod:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I used this link: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...ink-for-RS-2-5 as it took 50 minutes to download so went to the pub, which explains the later disaster:http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...correct-folder Note: if you rerun the installer it will attempt to install in the previous launcher file, so delete the launcher file in the RSII folder and check where it is installing. Best to run a registry cleaner before attempting this to prevent problems. Even better to get it right first time.

Having then successfully installed the game to C:games\Roma Surrectum II, I decided to add the following submods: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...-fix-Hillforts which worked, and this: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...native-texture which didn't work as I wished (no provincial borders) - and was therefore removed (actually I did a complete reinstall of RS 2.5 +hillforts).

Before I began I read the Aristotle's Folly guide. This was interesting, but unfortunately out-of-date with RSII 2.5 being more restricted financially than earlier versions. Still +rep to her. Wish I had her posting skills!

Launch the game:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

For an explanation of the launcher see: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?386559. I use the following switches: -show_err -nm -movie_cam -ne, I keep these in a convenient text file next to the launcher. Please note you will have to enter these each time that you use the launcher, as it does not save these, despite what the launcher seems to say. The default is ok if you just want to play the game without recording battles. Just choose the faction and press play Roma Surrectum II.

Sit venatus incipiunt. (let the game begin)

Tomorrow, the first turn!

Question for an experienced poster, how do I continue this post? Do I just reply to myself. Or is there a preferred method?

Summer 536 AUC - So lets look at the situation:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

From this we can see I need to loose some units! Will raising taxes help? If we look at Emporiae we see: not alot!

Taxes Med VH
Farms 221 221
Taxes 821 1243
Publius Cornelius Scipio Ad 105 146
Totals 1147 1610

The cost of his army is crippling:

2 Roman Eqvites Extraordinarii @295 = 590
8 Polybian Roman Cohorts @758 = 6064
2 Roman Legionary Velites @223 = 446
3 Roman Triarii @856 = 1712
Total = 8812

I'll be getting rid of them then!

Setting all taxes to VH I find (ignoring governors)

City	Farming Income	Trade Income	Taxes	Minning	Total
Carali	221	144	4351	0	4572
Aleria	221	480	4531	0	5220
Arretium	221	782	4211	1620	6935
Roma	662	1202	3414	0	5278
Arminium	221	318	4557	0	5096
Lilybaeum	221	260	4549	0	5030
Akragas	221	143	4365	0	4729
Capua	368	1053	3761	1080	6262
Messana	221	415	4527	0	5163
Cannae	221	369	3800	0	4390
Rhegion	221	648	4407	0	5276
Crotona	221	475	4492	0	5188
Taremtum	221	451	4192	0	4864
Dyrrhachium	221	510	1267	0	4864

So all the cities are contributing about the same amount, regardless of size.

My actions in the next posts:
Turn 1 http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...1#post12683142
Turn 2 http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...1#post12693366
Turn 3 http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...1#post12699284
Turn 4 http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...1#post12713121
Turn 5 http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...1#post12713484
Turn 6 http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...1#post12723996
Turn 7 http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...1#post12726468
Turn 8 http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...1#post12726910


Edit: Any errors I make in the advice below will be corrected in red like this.

[Post Hoc]

Use the "edit post" function on the lower right hand side of your post.

[SenniTreborius]

Use the "edit post" function on the lower right hand side of your post.

Thank you for that. +rep for a helpful reply

[ur-Lord Tedric]

Use the "edit post" function on the lower right hand side of your post.

Thank you for that. +rep for a helpful reply

It won't, however, alert anyone that there are new posts/information unless you actually also post a new message and point out where things have changed. Keeping it all in the one post, however, can be very convenient if the additions are obvious, but there will come a point where the post will get too large. There's a balance to be drawn.

If there are a few discrete topics to be kept up to date, then an editable first (or even several) post can be used, but if you intend to run a long diary entry then separate posts may be useful - perhaps the ideal is a combination of the 2. Many people will start a thread and then reserve the next 2-3 posts for later additions (make 'place holder' posts). It all depends how organised you are.

[SenniTreborius]

It won't, however, alert anyone that there are new posts/information unless you actually also post a new message and point out where things have changed. Keeping it all in the one post, however, can be very convenient if the additions are obvious, but there will come a point where the post will get too large. There's a balance to be drawn.

If there are a few discrete topics to be kept up to date, then an editable first (or even several) post can be used, but if you intend to run a long diary entry then separate posts may be useful - perhaps the ideal is a combination of the 2. Many people will start a thread and then reserve the next 2-3 posts for later additions (make 'place holder' posts). It all depends how organised you are.

Thank you for that. +rep for a helpful reply
I assume a place holder post is just an empty reply.

[SenniTreborius]

On another matter. pictures. Having looked at the free version of fraps I wasn't very impressed so I'm using snipping tools on my windows 7 laptop (Asus X53E), after moving the toolbar to the left of the screen. And uploading them to photobucket.
1. Any other suggestions for taking screenshots?
2. Any other suggestions for storing pics.
​Actually I later change my mind and started using the free version of FRAPS which works fine.

[SenniTreborius]

Here's a strange thing. The switches I loaded into the launcher have been preserved this time. Whereas they were not in the first couple of investigative playthroughs.
Possibly because I inserted and saved them on the first launch of a fresh install. Just thought I'd mention it for the mod team.

[SenniTreborius]

Summer 536 AUC Actions:
Disbanding the spanish legions, Cornelius moved outside the town to avoid riots and await transport to Rome by Admiral Tiberius and the fleet.
Postumus with the allied cohort continued to govern Aleria, and Sempronius held Caralis with 2 units of greek slingers, the allied units being disbanded.
Caecilius road to Roma travelling between the mines ouside Arretium to avoid Hannibals outriders. There he took over the governorship. The Polybian cohort garrisoned Arretium, where the populous were very unhappy due to the high taxes.
Aemilius took most of his forces to Cannae, leaving an allied cohort to defend Arrminium.
A Cohort of Triarii from Rome relocated to Capua to help maintain order.
Servilius rode from Rhegion to Tarentum to calm the population. While Vibius became governor of Crotana, and Terentius took over the governorship of Rhegion, dispatching an allied cohort to aid Vibius.
Meanwhile in Sicily Decimus Fabius Maximus road to Messana to take charge of the small force assembling there. Whilst Publius Cornelius Scipio the younger garrisoned Lilybaeum with 2 units of greek slingers and an allied cohort, dispatching the 2 Trairii to Messana to join those sent by Marcus Claudius Marcellus. Claudius received the rest of Scipio's army and retired them to Akragas swelling the population to 1614, keeping one allied cohort for garrison duties. He further reduced the very high taxes to promote growth in the local economy.
Hearing of this Aemilius in Cannae did likewise, allowing him to dispatch a unit of Roman Eqvites Extraordinarii to help in Capua. This allowed Sextus Fabius Maximus to send a unit of Campanian cavalry to Rome for reequipment.
Quintus Fabius Maximus ordered the reequipment of the forces in Rome plus the raising of a new Polybian Cohort.

[SenniTreborius]

Tried to post a table but the tabs went all funny.

[ur-Lord Tedric]

Thank you for that. +rep for a helpful reply....I assume a place holder post is just an empty reply.

You're welcome and Yes.

.... pictures. ....

I simply take screenshots, save them from dear old Paint as .jpeg's and upload them - they they are stored here

Here's a strange thing. The switches I loaded into the launcher have been preserved this time. Whereas they were not in the first couple of investigative playthroughs....Possibly because I inserted and saved them on the first launch of a fresh install. Just thought I'd mention it for the mod team.

That's interesting and I shall hope Paedric sees this - I've had problems too with the 'check' boxes and the Command Line since a later version of the Launcher (that we're testing); but Paedric (who makes it) doesn't and that makes it very hard for him to even start tracking down the problem. Certainly, however, I've never had a problem with the Launcher in 2.5.

Tried to post a table but the tabs went all funny.

Again, I use Excel to make it pretty and then do a screenshot - tables and forums have never had a happy co-existence!

[SenniTreborius]

You're welcome and Yes.



I simply take screenshots, save them from dear old Paint as .jpeg's and upload them - they they are stored here



That's interesting and I shall hope Paedric sees this - I've had problems too with the 'check' boxes and the Command Line since a later version of the Launcher (that we're testing); but Paedric (who makes it) doesn't and that makes it very hard for him to even start tracking down the problem. Certainly, however, I've never had a problem with the Launcher in 2.5.



Again, I use Excel to make it pretty and then do a screenshot - tables and forums have never had a happy co-existence!

First, how do you do that, multiple quotes and quoting a specific reply. Haven't got an idea. (do you just cut and paste and add specific quotes?)
Second,

I simply take screenshots, save them from dear old Paint as .jpeg's and upload them - they they are stored here

Where's here? Do you run in windowed mode to use paint or <alttab> out to access paint. I am assuming that you have to access paint immediately on taking the screenshot.
Third,

Again, I use Excel to make it pretty and then do a screenshot - tables and forums have never had a happy co-existence!

wonderful idea!

Forth, in my first battle of this campaign I am having continuous CTDs in the battle. Haven't had this before running in windowed mode. Before they started happening I was pausing the game to take good screenshots with snipping tools. The first happened after continuing, after a pause. Thereafter they happen sooner in attempts to rerun the battle (by myself going back to the campaign save and re-initiating the battle), before I even get the chance to use snipping tools.
see below for screenshots so far:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Nepos attacks Hannibal

1Nepos deploys his men

2A Gap opens in Hannibals Centre

3but closes as the Romans charge forward

4The armies close

Also I've noticed a strange thing with formations. If I charge in a second unit to reinforce a combat sometime the units only advances until a corner of the unit is in combat leaving the rest of the unit standing about. Is this a formations thing, I don't remember this happening in vanilla (which I haven't played in over 5 years).

[Leftenant Moore]

I've noticed a strange thing with formations. If I charge in a second unit to reinforce a combat sometime the units only advances until a corner of the unit is in combat leaving the rest of the unit standing about. Is this a formations thing, I don't remember this happening in vanilla (which I haven't played in over 5 years).

I've noticed this as well. However, I usually catch it before major harm is done and just order the units to move past wherever I want them, then give the attack order again. It can be hazardous though. Surely it will be addressed in 2.6.

[SenniTreborius]

Decided to reinstall to investigate game problems.
I followed the following procedure:
1.Uninstalled RS II with uninstaller.
2.Deleted the contents of the Roma Surrectum II folder. (which still contained some RS II files).
3.Installed RS II unto a completely new, empty, folder. This was wrong see later posts. Do not do this.
4.Ran Wise Registry Cleaner.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

with this result. The 77 issues were just with the uninstall!Actually they weren't all from the uninstall, but many were.

5.Copied the contents of Rome - Total War folder to C:games\Roma Surrectum II folder.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

6.Copied the contents of Roma Surrectum II install folder to C:games\Roma Surrectum II folder.
Again wrong, just run the RSII installer into C:games\Roma Surrectum II folder.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

7.Confirmed folder replace. Should be unnecessary.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

8.Confirmed copy and replace. Should be unnecessary.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

9.Copied new shortcut to my games startup folder. Still do this as it seems to improve how the switches are applied. It seems that the switches saved on the first use of the launcher are the ones saved and changes must be added each launch.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

10. started launcher and applied appropriate choices and switches.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Ran the game, no more CTDs (Got that wrong see below). Did reduce the graphics games window size, so might have been that (mea culpa).
Still wondering about how to take good screenshots for the campaign though.

[SenniTreborius]

Wonder if copying the install from a separate folder may be causing the problem (rather than using the installer exe)?
Or maybe its is because I'm trying to take screenshots (and don't really know how to)? Never had a problem on earlier trial run-throughs (of several years). Just when I tried taking screenshots. By the way, tried opening paint after last CTD, nothing. Actually it did, please don't use the smart alex idea I picked up from some other post (I forget where) just run the installer it works a treat, and isn't much slower than copying files anyway. This less space is used. Wander what the installer actually does?

[SenniTreborius]

Wonder if copying the install from a separate folder may be causing the problem (rather than using the installer exe)?
Or maybe its is because I'm trying to take screenshots (and don't really know how to)? Never had a problem on earlier trial run-throughs (of several years). Just when I tried taking screenshots. By the way, tried opening paint after last CTD, nothing.

Copied rtw then used installer for rs2.5. Game ran ok. no ctd. Can't remember where I found the advice to use rs2 into a seperate installer folder then copy into rsII folder. Must have been an old thread. Only problem, it didn't offer to save the battle replay. Does one have save the switch every game?

[BrokenLantern]

I am loving your thread so far, even though I don't play RSII very much. (It confuses me greatly)

Keep it up!

[SenniTreborius]

I am loving your thread so far, even though I don't play RSII very much. (It confuses me greatly)

Keep it up!

Thank you.

[SenniTreborius]

The last thing to do was copy my campaign saves from my games shortcut folder to c:games\Roma Surrectum II\Play_Rome\saves

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

which worked!

[SenniTreborius]

As an aside do skinners (that sounds ominous like they skin noobs or something) ever use resources like The armies and enemies of Imperial Rome: Organisation, tactics, dress and weapons : 150 BC to 600 AD (A War Games Research Group publication)

Just a random thought
When TWCnet went down last night had a trawl through the web and found this http://www.wrg.me.uk/. Didn't realise figure gaming still went on. Nor that one could play games using the tabletop wargames rules online http://www.dbaol.com/ Of course their emphasis is on generalship rather than the minutiae of how troop types inflict casualties.

[SenniTreborius]

Now here's something interesting for the modteam. I changed the switches to run in windowed mode, but didn't save them. But the next time I launched RS II.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

It seems that the switches used on the first launch are the one preserved in the launcher.
It preserved the switches although I hadn't pressed save?