Auto resolver

[MrJekyll]

Hi all. Just picked up Medieval 2, and this is my first post here. This seems like a really great community, and M2 is definitely a great game. *grin*

Over the past few days, I've enjoyed reading through the various posts here in the TWC, and I've even tried out some of the mods (/hug big map). One thing I've noticed is that a lot of people really want the most realistic experience possible. I'm one of these as well - I love the thought of playing a 'historical simulator' as opposed to a 'video game loosely based on history'.

So it's with that in mind that I say the following -

The most UNrealistic thing about M2:TW is that the player can control every battle.

Not all generals are created equal. Some battle field commanders were geniuses, and others were incompetent egomaniacs that snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. The problem with Total War is that this will never happen to the player faction (if they are a decent player that pays attention). Once you know the fundamentals of battle, and have fought through a few wars, then in the Grand Campaign, it matters not if your general is a 16 year old momma's boy or a 45 year old grizzled veteran of countless wars ... you are controlling the army and the tactics.

Thus, my hope; and I'm not sure if my abilities will be a match for my reach; is to create a modification that completely revamps the auto resolver so that it provides a 'realistic' result based on as many factors as possible, so as the experience of the general, the experience of the units in your army, as well as the makeup of your army compared to the enemy are factors in if you win or lose, and how many casualties each side takes.

Obviously this wouldn't be a mod for everybody. After all, the battle mode of the game is pretty damn fun as it is. A thought I also had is that the player can control the battle if the general has a certain level of experience. But limiting the players control on the battlefield will make for a more balanced and realistic Grand Campain, in my opinion. Imagine the pain of expanding your empire with a truly brilliant general, only to have him fall in battle and have your faction left with plodding, uninspiring heir that proceeds to lose everything his precedessor gained through battle incompetancy. How's *that* for realism.

Anyway, just looking for some feedback on what people think about this idea. And for experienced modders, is this possible? (once the unpacker is released, of course)

[Trajan]

Moved to The Gathering.

[Premaximum]

I love this idea.

As it is, I typically auto-resolve battles for realism. However, sometimes a general will lose every single time in a battle that I could win -easy-, and these are high-star generals I'm talking about. In these circumstances I simply have to fight on the battle map.

Something that more realistically calculated auto-resolves would be completely awesome.