The Ease of this Version

[HandofJaime]

I know this may be an old topic, but I have just returned to this game after a long hiatus (used to play earlier versions like mad). I have to say that, for the "Good" factions, I find 3.0 (and subsequent updates) to be incredibly easy compared to the prior versions. On VH/VH in 2.0, Mordor/Harad would always overrun Gondor, Isengard would beat Rohan in very short order, and Harad would conquer Dale if all were left to their own devices. If you were any of the latter three, the game was a great puzzle because you were constantly shifting your forces back and forth to deal with massive threats. It was also extremely challenging to play as either the HE or FPoE because by the time you were finished dealing with the Orcs (Gundabad or Misty), you were left with the titanic task of dealing with massive evil empires to the south and east.

With the new version, the Evil factions for some reason have either become neutered or are just extremely inept on the campaign map. I played multiple campaigns as FPoE and sometimes I am literally stopped from winning the long campaign because every Good faction annihilates their Evil neighbors. I can actually leave most of my realm defenseless to save on costs throughout most of the game because I am never attacked. Gondor is still somewhat challenging, but not nearly as much as it used to be because Isengard no longer overruns Rohan early in the game. I don't know why this is the case. The game is actually less fun if I am playing aggressively because it is just not challenging. The Evil factions remain very tough, but that's half the playable options.

Has anyone else experience this? Is there an explanation? I know that in some other mods they actually recommend lowering the difficulty setting because the AI improves its decision-making.

[Macilrille]

Try MOS, it is all the rage- and by far the most difficult TW game or mod I have tried.

[HandofJaime]

BTW - I meant to say that "Rhun would conquer Dale..."

[Stodul]

I'm playing my first MOS campaing for Harad, at H/H. At turn 50, Mordor conquered half of Gondor, east Rohan and Lorien too. I've activated all scripts (except Arnor from beginning). I'm holding all south provincies. I was surprised, how easily Mordor crash Gondor. I had almost nothing to do. Is it becouse of scripts, or Mordor is really that strong in every campaing?

[Macilrille]

Yes, see the MOS Thread and the poll I made in the Submods section to see more.