Originally Posted by
Arabian
I just want to say that I actually prefer your submod (and MOS, which I played a lot of) by far to DaC. I know a lot of people enjoy the expanded map and the new factions, but I really do not like the wide liberties it seems to take with Tolkein. A lot of the stuff is based off very vague hints and unfinished concepts that Tolkein had (or never really intended to flesh out). The games we play based on his work already draw extensive liberties for reasons of gameplay as is, and even I personally would LOVE to have a greater variety of special units and similar things than what a "normal" Gondorian or Isengard or what not roster would provide, DaC seems to take too many liberties for my preferences. Nothing against anyone who chooses to play it, of course, and I have played it myself, but it's a little too loose for me. I will say that it has gotten very, very professional in the quality of the work done, especially compared to its early days or the the old PCP mod which was similar.
My main gameplay problem with DaC is actually how they decided to do Dol Amroth. They made it fully independent to let you play as Dol Amroth, but that design decision kind of forces you into eventually declaring war against Gondor or trying to establish a foothold across the sea. For me, it's also irritating lore-wise, considering that the fact that Dol Amroth was (despite its relative degree of independence) still a vassal of Gondor. Seems odd to be placed at odds against Minas Tirith. If this was Crusader Kings, a powerful Dol Amroth principality would work better, but in Total War, you can't do that. It also makes their roster a bit forced, as the devs had to pretty much invent some units (albeit mostly sensable ones, like your classic pikemen/swordsmen/archers) and give them colors that they guessed at. Now, don't get me wrong, the units look good and are plausible, but it seems to me that Dol Amroth works better as being represented in Gondor's roster with a few more lore friendly units than an entire roster of mostly plausible non-canonical units.
Leo is basically 100% right when he says that the Alternative Patch is closer to the "unofficial" patch or next version of the main mod, and DaC is more like an expansion. MOS is somewhere in between. It is older than the latest versions of DaC or the Alternative Patch, however. It does add a few new units to the rosters, and several new scripts that flavor gameplay. If you're looking for something newer, for for either the Alternative Patch or DaC. If you want MOAR, so to speak, go for DaC. If you want more lore friendly, go for Alternative Patch.