EB for Med II Era?

[Brihentin13]

Hello, friends. If you're on this particular forum, then you probably agree with me that EB is *the* go-to game for historical accuracy and fun with regards to the time period it covers. What I was wondering was, is there anything out there that brings the same level of immersion(and more importantly, fun) to the medieval period? I know a lot of you will probably point me towards Stainless Steel, but that mod, unfortunately, did not suit my tastes. No disrespect intended towards what was obviously a very well done mod, but I just did not enjoy the combat as much as EB or even vanilla. Different strokes for different folks, right?

So, is there anything else out there that might suit me? As fun as tramping Romans is, variety is the spice of life. I've looked around the internet a little already. Broken Crescent looks promising, but its always good to have more opinions. Enlighten me, if you please.

[Cohors_Evocata]

I'd like to point you to Dominion of the Sword, here at the TWC kingdom forums. Unfortunately, that mod is still in the alpha stage and far from playable at the moment. (So I guess my first sentence should read 'I would've liked...') Here's to hoping it'll get finished someday. I can recommend 1648 though, if you're interested in the time frame between M2:TW and ETW. I can't comment on the historical accuracy, but I personally was sold just by the setting (Thirty Years War) alone. I apologize for not really being capable of offering the advice you asked for

[Antiokhos Euergetes]

I would have said Broken Crescent, especially when they complete next version. Plus side the amount of historical based immersive submods.

[Dago Red]

Broken Crescent. No question about it.

[_Tartaros_]

Try Deus lo Vult - best suited for Roleplay or "Das heilige römische Reich dhRR".
If you try vanilla dlv6.2 you´ve got alot of interesting scripts, but there also a immense Submod called BB, which totally redone the mod in a different experience (including uptodate units). dhRR is on hold since a couple of years, but version 0.8 covers a very detailed campaign in europe (titlesystem, roleplay etc)

[Goffredo85]

Try Bellum Crucis 7, a very well done italian mod. But truth be told simply there isn't a medieval time frame mod with the same level of quality and historical accuracy as EB right now.

[Dago Red]

Try Bellum Crucis 7, a very well done italian mod. But truth be told simply there isn't a medieval time frame mod with the same level of quality and historical accuracy as EB right now.

I'm guessing you are not acquainted with Broken Crescent.

[demagogos nicator]

I'm guessing you are not acquainted with Broken Crescent.

Brolen Crescent might be fine but for me it lacks the gaographical area I am most interested in (underestand most of the Europe).

[Goffredo85]

I'm guessing you are not acquainted with Broken Crescent.

And i guess you're not acquainted with Bellum Crucis...beware that useless "this mod is better than that" kind of discussion bring to nothing. Broken Crescent is a wonderful mod with very good looking units and funny campaign, but it is very lacking on the historical accuracy side. Not that this is a problem per se. But the whole point of this discussion is: is there a mod set in the medieval period that is similar to EB regarding the fun AND the historical accuracy aspects? The sad and true answer is NO. Chances are that the only mod that can loosely resemble a medieval EB is Bellum Crucis. How can i say this? Historical characters with accurate biographies at start date, ineritable (father to son) ancillaries representing real noble houses, regional titles, interegional titles, year in history messages, new economical buildings representing middle age economy, aor system, representation of monastic orders via traits for priests and "guild" like buildings for castles, possibility to inherit regions via marriage, antipope and catholic schism, new religions (shia islam, sunni islam, tengrism etc.), tecnologies, field supply system, season effects etc etc. Besides all this, Bellum Crucis still has some very evident historical inaccuracies . Some units are available too early, others wear equipment that should be available at a later date, some factions rosters are inaccurate, there isn't a government system etc. So, no there is not a true medieval time EB. Unless Dominion of the Sword would be eventually finished...

[Brihentin13]

And i guess you're not acquainted with Bellum Crucis...beware that useless "this mod is better than that" kind of discussion bring to nothing. Broken Crescent is a wonderful mod with very good looking units and funny campaign, but it is very lacking on the historical accuracy side. Not that this is a problem per se. But the whole point of this discussion is: is there a mod set in the medieval period that is similar to EB regarding the fun AND the historical accuracy aspects? The sad and true answer is NO. Chances are that the only mod that can loosely resemble a medieval EB is Bellum Crucis. How can i say this? Historical characters with accurate biographies at start date, ineritable (father to son) ancillaries representing real noble houses, regional titles, interegional titles, year in history messages, new economical buildings representing middle age economy, aor system, representation of monastic orders via traits for priests and "guild" like buildings for castles, possibility to inherit regions via marriage, antipope and catholic schism, new religions (shia islam, sunni islam, tengrism etc.), tecnologies, field supply system, season effects etc etc. Besides all this, Bellum Crucis still has some very evident historical inaccuracies . Some units are available too early, others wear equipment that should be available at a later date, some factions rosters are inaccurate, there isn't a government system etc. So, no there is not a true medieval time EB. Unless Dominion of the Sword would be eventually finished...

Thank you for such a detailed response. This is exactly the kind of info I'm looking for!

[Dago Red]

is there a mod set in the medieval period that is similar to EB regarding the fun AND the historical accuracy aspects? The sad and true answer is NO. Chances are that the only mod that can loosely resemble a medieval EB is Bellum Crucis. How can i say this? Historical characters with accurate biographies at start date, ineritable (father to son) ancillaries representing real noble houses, regional titles, interegional titles, year in history messages, new economical buildings representing middle age economy, aor system, representation of monastic orders via traits for priests and "guild" like buildings for castles, possibility to inherit regions via marriage, antipope and catholic schism, new religions (shia islam, sunni islam, tengrism etc.), tecnologies, field supply system, season effects etc etc. Besides all this, Bellum Crucis still has some very evident historical inaccuracies . Some units are available too early, others wear equipment that should be available at a later date, some factions rosters are inaccurate, there isn't a government system etc. So, no there is not a true medieval time EB. Unless Dominion of the Sword would be eventually finished...

I respect your opinion on the mod since I've only read about it, but I can tell you've not played much Broken Crescent either. It has many of the aspects you mention in this same list! It's definitely not as thorough on every historical detail as even EBII is already, but it is feature rich. Furthermore, anyone who's not a scholar on the time period is going to learn far more playing BC (Broken Crescent from here on) than they ever will playing another mod set with a more euro-centric arrangement. Haven't we all played a lifetime of that... perhaps its time to broaden our horizons hmm?

There is an immensity of historical information in BC, including a wonderland of unit descriptions (all the units look amazing), unique buildings, scripted historical events and triggers, etc. There's also a governor's title and trait system, as well as a royal title and trait system.

And most importantly, the battle mechanics are realistic and historically accurate -- because I'm only going to read a bio once, but I'm going to play battles hundreds of times.As any mod based on a total war engine there are hiccups, but I've not found a more satisfying battle experience. I wish the edu could be teleported into EBII right now. Tons of work was put into the EDU and overhauling the weapon characteristics. For example the missile system was early to be based on the accuracy of the projectiles, with 4 classes of accuracy and different flight profiles for longbows, composite bows, crossbows, and horse archers. Along with range these three factors greatly enhance battlefield tactics where any missile units are present.

The sieges are excellent, second to none in dynamism and AI response -- also made more fulfilling with the aforementioned detail given to missile weapons. The AOR is extensive, but more importantly each faction feels truly different, with some offering gameplay like no others. The music is also magnificent, and lots of work was put into making regionally correct, historically believable (or actual period) music for each faction on campaign and battle map.

[Yayattasa]

I respect your opinion on the mod since I've only read about it, but I can tell you've not played much Broken Crescent either. It has many of the aspects you mention in this same list! It's definitely not as thorough on every historical detail as even EBII is already, but it is feature rich. Furthermore, anyone who's not a scholar on the time period is going to learn far more playing BC (Broken Crescent from here on) than they ever will playing another mod set with a more euro-centric arrangement. Haven't we all played a lifetime of that... perhaps its time to broaden our horizons hmm?

There is an immensity of historical information in BC, including a wonderland of unit descriptions (all the units look amazing), unique buildings, scripted historical events and triggers, etc. There's also a governor's title and trait system, as well as a royal title and trait system.

And most importantly, the battle mechanics are realistic and historically accurate -- because I'm only going to read a bio once, but I'm going to play battles hundreds of times.As any mod based on a total war engine there are hiccups, but I've not found a more satisfying battle experience. I wish the edu could be teleported into EBII right now. Tons of work was put into the EDU and overhauling the weapon characteristics. For example the missile system was early to be based on the accuracy of the projectiles, with 4 classes of accuracy and different flight profiles for longbows, composite bows, crossbows, and horse archers. Along with range these three factors greatly enhance battlefield tactics where any missile units are present.

The sieges are excellent, second to none in dynamism and AI response -- also made more fulfilling with the aforementioned detail given to missile weapons. The AOR is extensive, but more importantly each faction feels truly different, with some offering gameplay like no others. The music is also magnificent, and lots of work was put into making regionally correct, historically believable (or actual period) music for each faction on campaign and battle map.

True all that. I must say I got much more interested in non-eurocentric history after playing Broken Crescent, and I learned to respect diverse cultures and have more interest in them. People need to leave their confort zone sometime.

[demagogos nicator]

And i guess you're not acquainted with Bellum Crucis...beware that useless "this mod is better than that" kind of discussion bring to nothing. Broken Crescent is a wonderful mod with very good looking units and funny campaign, but it is very lacking on the historical accuracy side. Not that this is a problem per se. But the whole point of this discussion is: is there a mod set in the medieval period that is similar to EB regarding the fun AND the historical accuracy aspects? The sad and true answer is NO. Chances are that the only mod that can loosely resemble a medieval EB is Bellum Crucis. How can i say this? Historical characters with accurate biographies at start date, ineritable (father to son) ancillaries representing real noble houses, regional titles, interegional titles, year in history messages, new economical buildings representing middle age economy, aor system, representation of monastic orders via traits for priests and "guild" like buildings for castles, possibility to inherit regions via marriage, antipope and catholic schism, new religions (shia islam, sunni islam, tengrism etc.), tecnologies, field supply system, season effects etc etc. Besides all this, Bellum Crucis still has some very evident historical inaccuracies . Some units are available too early, others wear equipment that should be available at a later date, some factions rosters are inaccurate, there isn't a government system etc. So, no there is not a true medieval time EB. Unless Dominion of the Sword would be eventually finished...

Very good explained, I agree with everything above said. However, I think that regional titles and noble houses are much better implemented (in the term of gamplay as well as respecting the historical reality) in das Helige Romischen Reich mod, they really rock in this field.

Just to clarify my previous statment I have nothing against Broken Crescent or any other non-eurocentric mod. I like the fact that such mods are being developed (for instance Rise of Persia is one of my favourite mods) and I am willing to try Broken Crescent once when I would be in a mood for that and find time and comsidering the possitive reactions on it I am almost sure I would enojoy it. I just wanted to pointed out that Broken Crescent or any non-europeancentered mod for the moedieval era is no for me a substitude for historically accurate high medieval game with classical european settings.

[HarkonRules]

I'm guessing you are not acquainted with Broken Crescent.

The . Broken Crescent has absolutely nothing of what he asked for.

[tobymoby]

^Yes Bellum Crucis easily takes on most other Med2 mods in sheer detail and work in the campaign. I know version 7 is out, but there is no English translation for it yet.

[WhiffOfGrapeshot]

Bellum Crucis and Deus Lo Vult are probably your best options for a full EB-like experience. They're a bit different from each other, sort of like EB and Roma Surrectum back on the Rome engine. Give both a try, see if you like either.

[Theo]

If you go for DLV be sure to download Sandy's Western Unit Overhaul. First mod to actually make feudal/European armies look medieval (something about the vanilla models just looks... wrong). It's unfortunate that it wasn't until 2014 that a mod like that was released.

[demagogos nicator]

I am affraid there is currently no such mod released. The mods which are IMO closest to EB experience are Das Heilige Romichen Reich 0.8a and Bellum Crucis 7 (I have not tried yet Deus lo Vult mod). But while DHRR provides amazing gameplay experience both on the campaing and battle map it lacks a little bit on the graphical site (still it is signiffical overhaul in comparation with vanila).

Bellum Crucis on the other hand has amazing strat map models and even better battle map units but it lack in terms of stat balance on the battle maps (generally if you want to defeat equally strong army you have to count that you will loose 35 to 50 % of your army dufing the battle) also some units appears earlier then it would be historically appropriate in BC.

All in all, both mods are good and bring a lot of interestring new features. Chivalry Total War mod for RTW also worths a try.

[tobymoby]

Bellum Crucis excels with traits and campaign events along with nice looking units. I personally preferred to BC because I could roleplay with it much easier.

[Darkan]

Having never played neither Broken crescent nor Bellum Crucis, I guess the only way Brihentin13 can make sure is to actually try them both.