What game versions do i need for multiplayer?

[Nathaniel]

Hey,

[Nathaniel]

i've decided to purchase Shogun 2 only now and specifically with multilayer in mind. I wanted to ask what game versions i need to buy to play with the most part of the community. I still remember how in Rome the whole population switched to IB for a while, then was going back, so the question may be not trivial. Can anyone help me if i need the vanilla version, FoTS, some specific DLCs or some combination of it, to have fun online?

Thanks in advance

P.S. i'm sorry it splitted into to posts, no idea how.

[zaript]

Vanilla S2 seems to be more popular than FotS, but in prime-time it still takes seconds to find a 1v1 MM game in both games.

[Man o' War]

If you're going to MP Shogun 2 then buy the vanilla game and all DLC.

Rise of the Samurai expansion will give you invaluable cheap units like Naginata Attendants and some great retainers.

Fall of the Samurai expansion will give you extra avatars and allow you to battle against S2 and FotS armies.

[Nathaniel]

Thanks, i'll start with the vanilla versions and DLC then.

Could someone please additionally briefly explain, if there are significant tactical/gameplay differences between vanilla and FoTS?

[Man o' War]

FotS is primarily gunpowder based. Marines, sharpshooters and the like, gatling guns etc although traditional units are still available.

S2 is more traditional with some gunpowder units but these guns being older I don't think they're as good statistically as those in FotS.

I've not really MP'd FotS as it's so difficult to get a foot on the ladder having no decent units to start with.

Zaripts channel is probably a good place to study the tactical differences between S2 and FotS armies and battles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvxn...0Xo5Tvf_LFcDno

This post may also be helpful. http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...lytics-attempt

[Nathaniel]

Ok, thanks a lot, so i should probably stick to Vanilla if i hated Empire

[Man o' War]

You may well be the greatest FotS MP player of all time. :-)

Anyway, best wishes with your playing online and if I can make any recommendations it would be to make friends with the chaps from the RTK clan and TWR clan who, whilst being highly skilled, really are the most friendly and helpful bunch of blokes you're liable to encounter in the competetive world of S2.

GLHF.

P.S. Fall of the Samurai is in effect a stand alone game.

If you so wish you never need purchase FotS, you can still MP S2 and fight against FotS armies even though you can't field FotS units. Usually though you will disable the oppositions ability to field FotS armies and so fight S2 Vs S2 armies.