An era I don't know much about but am very willing to learn :D
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?700199-Charlemagne-DLC-Incoming
Hrmmm...
That could possibly push me to installing Attila again, despite my severe dislike of how they intentionally screwed up Diplomacy by giving penalties for researching stuff.
Sounds Loin-Moistening enough to me.
Quote from: Gusington on October 10, 2015, 02:54:16 PM
An era I don't know much about but am very willing to learn :D
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?700199-Charlemagne-DLC-Incoming
It's nice that they are expanding the game without necessarily including large fantasy items. The bit about leaping from one "big name" historical personage to
another makes some sense. There was mention of Heraclitus (the emperor from 610-641 IIRC)...perhaps not as big a name as Charlemagne, but relatively large
on a time line from 451 to Christmas Day 800.
Though this is all a bit skewed since if you mention anything related to Mohammed and company somebody might come and shoot up your office.
So, if you stick to Western Europe (and drop Heraclitus), who is there between Attila and Charlemagne? Arthur? Pope Gregory the Great? We're talking serious Dark Ages here.
So Jump to the Carolingian Renaissance! sounds fun!
Gus, if you want a quick intro to Charlemagne's military, see if you can find a Strategy & Tactics from about three years ago.
Most historical works gloss over his military accomplishments and why he was so successful. The article is nicely focused.
^Thanks Bes. Looking for some texts on Charlemagne too...there are a lot to choose from on Amazon but it's hard to tell how good any of them are.
BTW my apologies to any who stumble upon that link only to bear witness to the endless sniping and whining that is TWC.
Meng I saw some mention of Charles Martel and the Battle of Tours (earlier 8th century IIRC). That may be another possibility.
Not sure how legit this is as TWC is the only place I have seen it discussed/whined about.
Quote from: Gusington on October 11, 2015, 01:41:18 PM
^Thanks Bes. Looking for some texts on Charlemagne too...there are a lot to choose from on Amazon but it's hard to tell how good any of them are.
BTW my apologies to any who stumble upon that link only to bear witness to the endless sniping and whining that is TWC.
Meng I saw some mention of Charles Martel and the Battle of Tours (earlier 8th century IIRC). That may be another possibility.
Not sure how legit this is as TWC is the only place I have seen it discussed/whined about.
Getting the Carolingians out of the Merovingian sacred kingship thing (as Mayors of the Palace -- Charles Martel being one of those) and then back into the sacred kingship thing (Christmas Day 800 AD) could be interesting. At least there is some potential for an interesting internal Frankish dynamic there.
Now wait. Are you guys wanting to learn about Charlemagne or play a Total War game? Because in the game when he gets the option to marry El Cid, I think it's called, Artistic License. :2funny:
Quote from: Sir Slash on October 11, 2015, 11:04:33 PM
Now wait. Are you guys wanting to learn about Charlemagne or play a Total War game? Because in the game when he gets the option to marry El Cid, I think it's called, Artistic License. :2funny:
Or time travel or advanced necrophilia? Maybe you mean Roland?
As suggested by the Charles Martel stuff, by the time you get to Charlemagne, the Franks and their allies are extremely powerful. Running the game from say 680 (starting with late and degenerate Merovingians) and pushing the good climate changes around 700 as driving some massive changes might be fun.
Degenerates always make for good gameplay.
^Totally.
Haven't played Attila in a long while, but with the latest DLC campaign dropping today, going to try again....really interested in how this campaign appears to promote doing other things besides just going to war.....like the sounds of the new War Weariness feature.....
Age Of Charlemagne - What is it?
The world lays in tatters, exhausted, bleeding, scarred and burnt, the people desperate. But even after the apocalypse there are men willing to give everything to return to light, to knowledge, to civilisation. Whatever the cost, and whatever the means... It is the age of a chosen few, an age of greatness, when the first true kings built vast kingdoms from the ashes of past empires... it is the Age of Charlemagne.
The year is 768AD and, after the death of his father, Charlemagne is to share the Frankish throne alongside his brother. A situation that ill-befits a man of his vision, and their relationship clouds as he feels the fiery blood of his grandfather, Charles Martel, stir in his veins. Friends, enemies and opportunity populate a continent tired of conflict, the people eager for peace. Charlemagne finds himself at the head of a new age of education, religion and warfare, and sees all as tools to unite, stabilise... and expand.
The Saxons, the Saracens and the Vikings will all have something to say to a man of such ambition.
It will take guile, charm, intelligence and ruthlessness to succeed above all others.
Charles the Great, King of the Franks, the Father of Europe. Will you make your mark in his image, or will you become your own king?
Age Of Charlemagne is out on December 10th 2015
New Campaign Map
The brand new Age of Charlemagne Campaign map is focussed in on Europe from the year 768AD. With 52 conquerable provinces, it provides a detailed and vibrant geopolitical starting position, offering hundreds of hours of potential gameplay.
The User Interface is now resplendent in a style inspired by the art of the Middle Ages. Influences ranging from illuminated manuscripts and early stained glass work will lend colour and atmosphere to your campaign.
A Unique Campaign with New Gameplay Mechanics
Age of Charlemagne is an epic expansion for Total War: ATTILA, set in the Middle Ages on an sprawling new campaign map of Europe.
There have been kings and kingdoms before, but this is a time where truly great men united entire nations, built lasting legacies and defined what it meant to be a king. Can you be counted amongst them?
You'll face a new age, but an exhausted world, weary of conflict and battle. New technologies and new ways of waging war will only get you so far. A good king is a shrewd man, who knows precisely how far his people can be pushed. Do not mistake a reluctance to go to war as a sign that a nation is unprepared for it. Europe remains a melting pot of conflicting ideologies and long held distrust. While the old Empire is now a fading memory, the threats and consequences of its passing echo, resonating in new dangers and pressures for fledgling nations.
Opportunity presents itself in tying together vast new kingdoms, powerful new states that can be marshalled under a banner of civilisation drawn from ashes. Greatness awaits you, if you have the steel and vision of Charlemagne.
Playable factions
Age of Charlemagne includes a diverse selection of playable factions, each one featuring its own faction traits, unit roster and unique and challenging conditions under which they can be named a 'kingdom' in their own right.
Each will be exclusively revealed in the weeks up to release day on www.twitch.tv/totalwarofficial, stay tuned for details or check back here just before release.
The Kingdom Of Charlemagne
The Kingdom of the Danes
The Kingdom of the Lombards
The Emirate Of Cordoba
The Kingdom Of Mercia
The Kingdom Of Asturias
The Avars
Westphalia
New Units
Age of Charlemagne includes all new units to better reflect the advancing warfare of the period, characterised by more heavily armed and armoured infantry and an increasing prevalence of cavalry of all categories, especially the emergence of knights in the Norman style for the first time. With over 300 new units, you will have the opportunity to recruit iconic military forces of the period, such as Thegns, Fyrd Axemen, Scola Knights, Berber Jinetes, Gazehounds and the feared Seax-armed Saxon warriors.
War Weariness
The sign of a great true king is in knowing how far your people can be pushed. Wars are significant and dramatic events between kingdoms, and should not be undertaken lightly. The fewer wars you wage the better your people will respond, as frequent and drawn out conflict will rapidly damage morale and your armies' integrity. A shrewd ruler will seek to bring peace quickly and decisively.
Unique Kingdom and Story Events
Each playable faction has a unique set of challenging 'Kingdom' requirements to meet for the dedicated and shrewd player. Once achieved, you will be able to declare a new Kingdom name for your faction, reflecting or altering history in your wake. In addition, each faction will receive tailored narrative Story Events, offering you distinct challenges and dilemmas as your Campaign unfolds. Historically-inspired, some choices will lead you further to that faction's original destiny, or you may choose to carve a new path of your own.
New Technologies and Buildings
Age of Charlemagne features many technologies and buildings that reflect the new period; significantly, you'll encounter and leverage those that inspire the emerging ideas of Feudalism and Chivalry as your campaign progresses. Many buildings also now give bonuses to adjacent provinces as well as their own, allowing for more specialisation within the different geographic areas of your kingdom and chaining combinations of benefits across your lands. In addition, while conflict will always dog you, victory conditions that reward a less military-focussed approach are achievable; testing your mettle as both a compassionate and cunning ruler.
Agents and Skills
You will find Agents more specialised than before, with Assassins, Spies and Priests (or Imams) focused on a more powerful but specific ability set rather than being more useful in all situations. Alongside your Generals, Agents also receive all new skill trees with more variation in the branches available to them. This provides greater choices in how you develop and specialise them over time. Finally, the new Army and Navy Legacies will focus on bonuses that reward distinct playstyles.
A little odd to introduce a war weariness feature in a TW game, but I dig it anyway. GIGGITY
Quote from: Gusington on December 10, 2015, 08:26:45 AM
A little odd to introduce a war weariness feature in a TW game, but I dig it anyway. GIGGITY
That's the new feature that got me to purchase it:) I am guessing it won't be any great thing and still a lot of war to go around....but we'll see.
The inclusion of Westphalia as a faction moistens my loins.
I think that's one of the new units in the game, the Westphalia Loin-Moistened Men-At-Arms. :coolsmiley:
Well now of course I am torn as to what to gwke this weekend...do I stay in the Victorian/Edwardian/Great War era or do I nose dive right into 8th century Westphalia?
A lot of forumites over at TWC complain about too many Germans but Westphalia looks like The Money.
I'm going to wait six months for Chuckles to go on sale for half price. That should also be enough time for any significant bugs to be worked out.
In the meantime, speaking of hot, bitchy girlfriends, there was a substantial Atilla download on Steam today. Does any of that have anything to do with the base game ?
Paradox always seems to update the base game with a patch whenever there's a new expansion. Does Creative Assembly do something similar, or is this just new material that won't unlock until I pay for it (in six months when Chuckles goes on sale).
Quote from: Philippe on December 10, 2015, 12:02:17 PM
I'm going to wait six months for Chuckles to go on sale for half price. That should also be enough time for any significant bugs to be worked out.
In the meantime, speaking of hot, bitchy girlfriends, there was a substantial Atilla download on Steam today. Does any of that have anything to do with the base game ?
Paradox always seems to update the base game with a patch whenever there's a new expansion. Does Creative Assembly do something similar, or is this just new material that won't unlock until I pay for it (in six months when Chuckles goes on sale).
Here ya go........
Total War: Attila – Age of Charlemagne FreeLC and Patch details
To complement Age Of Charlemagne, we're adding a free update to the ATTILA Grand Campaign that features a new free faction, The White Huns, an overhaul to the Alans unit roster, and a number of important balancing changes.
Contents
[hide] •1 Free LC
•2 Campaign Balancing
•3 Battle Balancing
•4 Known issues
Free LC
The White Huns
Sweeping down from the bleached slopes of the Hindu Kush mountains, the White Huns represent a Horde faction who start in a position to directly threaten the Sassanid Empire. Alongside a revised Hunnic unit roster featuring new units and the Hunnic cultural trait Scourge of God, they also enjoy a new Faction Trait, Scourge of The East.
Scourge of The East:
•Income +100% from sacking, looting and raiding
•Integrity +1 for every war being prosecuted
•Immune to desert attrition
•Morale +20% versus Eastern Empires
White Hun unit roster:
White Hun armies are an exotic and fearsome blend of Hunnic, Eastern and Gupta Indian fighting styles. As such, they offer an incontestable counter-argument to cavalry-heavy armies.
The White Hun roster features a mixture of existing Hunnic units, new White Hunnic units, and notable additions from the Persian unit roster.
New units:
•Kindred of The Sun: General's unit, Khanda swords, heavy precursor weapon, good armour.
•Xionite Spears: Heavy spear infantry, high missile block chance, precursor weapon.
•Yanda Spearmasters: Heavy spear infantry, heavy armour, large shield, low attack, rapid advance, precursor weapon.
•Khingila's Khandas: Khanda sword infantry, low attack, high block chance, medium armour, high melee defence, inexpensive.
•Guardians of the Hindu Kush: 2H axe infantry, good armour, excellent melee defence, precursor weapon.
•Hephtalite Chargers: Melee cavalry, high missile block chance, precursor weapon.
•Spet Xyon Archers: Elite bow cavalry, high attack, high spear damage, light mass.
Persian unit additions:
•Sogdian Warriors.
•Sogdian Camel Raiders.
•Indian Elephants.
Alans Unit Roster Overhaul With the removal of certain units, visual and stat tweaks to those that remain and a slew of new units, the Alans unit roster has changed in a number of significant ways. Firstly, it's no longer based on the Germanic core roster, and is unique in that the only infantry are melee infantry; crossbowmen, archers, spear and pike infantry have all been removed. There's a greater focus on cavalry overall, and the Alans can field some unique pure anti-cav focused cavalry, plus a monstrous new anti-infantry steamroller in the shape of the insanely expensive Sarmatian Cataphract Lancers.
New Alans Units:
•Alani Warriors: Aggressive melee infantry, medium armour, sword and large shield, frenzied advance.
•Alani Swordsmen: Defensive melee infantry, medium armour, sword and large shield.
•Sarmatian Band: Inexpensive basic melee infantry, sword and shield.
•Sarmatian Mounted Skirmishers: Skirmisher cavalry, Javelin and sword, low attack, high damage, ideal anti-missile/mopping up.
•Cavalry Raiders Cavalry: Skirmisher cavalry, Javelin and sword, low attack, high damage, ideal anti-missile/mopping up.
•Mounted Sword Raiders Cavalry: Skirmisher cavalry, Javelin and sword, low attack, high damage, ideal anti-missile/mopping up.
•Chosen Raiders Cavalry: Skirmisher cavalry, Javelin and sword, low attack, high damage, ideal anti-missile/mopping up.
•Mounted Bows: Inexpensive horse archers.
•Alani Horse Archers: Standard horse archers.
•Alani Cavalry Warriors: Spear-wielding basic melee cavalry.
•Alani Mounted Tribesmen: Unique anti-cav cavalry, flying wedge formation (bonus vs cav), medium mass, no charge bonus.
•Alani Mounted Veterans: Unique anti-cav cavalry, flying wedge formation (bonus vs cav), medium mass, no charge bonus.
•Alani Heavy Cataphracts: Excellent vs infantry, poor vs cav, v slow, high health and armour, small charge bonus.
•Sarmatian Shock Cavalry: Elite shock cavalry.
•Sarmatian Heavy Cavalry: Elite heavy cavalry.
•Sarmatian Cataphract Lancers: Extreme charge bonus, very high cost, frenzied charge, excellent armour, High health.
•Sarmatian Cataphract Archers: Very heavily armoured horse archers.
Campaign Balancing
Grand Campaign Balancing Changes Below is a list of balancing changes made to the Attila Grand Campaign:
•Reduced the chance of non-Hunnic factions razing settlements.
•Most Roman units now take 1 turn to recruit instead of two.
•Reduced Sassanid income bonus from Puppet States from 200% to 100%.
•Reduced base income for non-playable factions from 4000 a turn to 3000 a turn.
•Changed corruption formula so it is much more of a curve with less severe jumps, and now caps off at 60%.
•Reduced settlement and army zones-of-control.
•Fixed public order effects from food.
These changes have had a big cumulative effect on the balance of the campaign. With less razing by AI factions, more regions are owned and contested over the course of a campaign, and less razing also means less migration and public order problems so the Roman Empires survive for longer, though their lands are still fought over. The Roman Empires are further strengthened by the changes to their unit recruitment times.
In the East the reduction of the money the Sassanids are getting from their puppets, the reduction in the income of non-playable factions (which means a double hit in the money the Sassanids are making), and the introduction of the White Huns means the balance is completely different now. Faced with a threat from the East, a strong Eastern Roman Empire to the West, and with less cash, the Sassanids are no longer the completely dominant force they were.
The changes to corruption makes expanding your empire more rewarding, and also has an impact on the Western Roman Empire at the start of the campaign, as they have less corruption throughout their provinces and more income to use to be stronger.
Changing the zone of control size for armies and settlements frees up some more room for manoeuvre on the campaign map.
Public order effects from food weren't properly working before, so more attention must be paid to the impact of food shortages on public order in your provinces.
Battle Balancing
There are also some changes to the balancing of battles that apply across all campaigns:
•Increased the reload time of arrow towers so they fire less often.
•Reduced collision damage multiplier.
•Adjusted the flanking and outnumbered penalties in melee combat.
The change to arrow towers means lone units can more reliably capture and destroy arrow towers on their own, and more emphasis is placed on the defending force's strength.
Reducing the collision damage multiplier has a big impact on cavalry, making their charge bonus and other stats more important in combat which helps balance combat.
Tweaking the outnumbered and flanking factors in melee combat helps balance out some areas of combat, and certainly helps with some of the balancing aims we had for Age of Charlemagne.
Known issues
•Western European Christian nation voiceover occasionally refers to Rome when referencing themselves/their enemies.
Maybe this will contain a fix to let me run it.
Quote from: Philippe on December 10, 2015, 12:02:17 PM
I'm going to wait six months for Chuckles to go on sale for half price. That should also be enough time for any significant bugs to be worked out.
Dude, we're only talking 15 clams here...not life-changing money. ::)
I'm downloading the patch and the DLC right now.
pics, big boy
And hot, juicy details.... please.
Got it myself.
Decent so far. The Carolingian starting situation is pretty crazy, lots of pressure from two fronts and not enough troops to deal with them.
Unit skins are awful, lots of direct 1:1 import of Attila levy unit skins over.
Good map. It lacks the East but it's zoomed in pretty heavily on the west.
War weariness has been added, first time in a TW game.
I like the UI changes, very early medieval feel.
I'll put more time in with it tomorrow. Seems to be a big improvement over the Last Roman DLC, which I didn't really like.
It's a quicker, dirtier, more levy/militia oriented experience with shakier morale and a good emphasis on mercenaries and your general. At least from first glance. We'll see how it goes along.
Only had a few minutes with it myself perusing each faction description and their goals. Gotta say each of these factions look like a lot of fun to play, including Westphalia, Avars, Umayyads and of course the Carolingians themselves.
Quote from: Toonces on December 10, 2015, 05:21:16 PM
Quote from: Philippe on December 10, 2015, 12:02:17 PM
I'm going to wait six months for Chuckles to go on sale for half price. That should also be enough time for any significant bugs to be worked out.
Dude, we're only talking 15 clams here...not life-changing money. ::)
Yeah, but I'm a couple of thousand hours of gaming behind schedule, and don't see the point of jumping Chuckles to the front of the queue. Besides, there's a Viking Conquest patch coming out in the next day or two, and that's going to eat up a lot of time. Good thing Barbarossa is out of beta.
Dammit. No luck...still get the "failed to initialize steam! Are you running steam?" Doesn't matter if I launch Attila or use the Rome launcher and self Attila from there. I even tried replacing the Attila launcher with a copied Rome 2 launcher...no dice. Looked at compatibility modes, running as admin..everything. Sucks because i really loved this game and one day, it just stopped working
Didn't you come close to solving the issue a while back?
I was sure my drivers were up to date.
They weren't.
Modern computers use an awful lot of drivers when they're running. Human memory is quite fallible when it comes to remembering when you updated what.
What I try to do every three months is to install and run iobit's Driver Booster. The program is free, it updates drivers I didn't even know I had, and it's easy to uninstal (have to uninstall it or they'll hit me with ads to buy their other products every time I boot up my computer).
The shocker came when I thought I had updated three months ago, and it turned out it was more like five or six.
There are a lot of weird (legit) things flying around in computer land these days: Microsoft's attempts to get me to convert to Windows 10 actually prevented a couple of programs from running for any length of time. Everything cleared up when I read up on how to disable their very invasive adware -- even when it wasn't running out in the open where I could see it it was gumming things up.
I mention all of this because it might have some bearing on the problems you're having.
The hot bitchy girlfriend feels pretty resource intensive, and if your memory is only adequate, things like old drivers or Microsoft adware might be enough to bring your system to its knees.
Gus: nope. Someone else had the issue and solved it but that didn't work for me
Yeah, I'm going to mess around with it some more but not sure why Rome2 would work and not atilla...same engine and launcher. No idea. Oh well. Carry on. Have fun without me.😥
Quote from: mikeck on December 10, 2015, 09:17:57 PM
Dammit. No luck...still get the "failed to initialize steam! Are you running steam?" Doesn't matter if I launch Attila or use the Rome launcher and self Attila from there. I even tried replacing the Attila launcher with a copied Rome 2 launcher...no dice. Looked at compatibility modes, running as admin..everything. Sucks because i really loved this game and one day, it just stopped working
I've seen this one mentioned before and to fix the person did the following...might be worth a try for both rome and Attila...
Go to your C:\Users\<insert user name>\AppData\Roaming\The Creative Assembly directory.
Within this directory, there will be a Rome and Attila folder....delete them both (unless Rome is already working, then just Attila)
Restart your computer
Start Rome and Attila
**If you have any important save games, you will want to go into each of the save game folders under each directory and back up...and then after you can start again, copy the save games back.
Hopefully this might work for you...typically folders in the appData director doesn't get uninstalled when you uninstall/reinstall programs, so that might be why it never got fixed with reinstalls...can't hurt to try:)
Actually, I did delete that file but I have not restarted my computer. So I went back make sure it was still deleted and I'm trying now
Edit: thought it was going to work but nope. I always get the sega box that asks if it's ok for the program to make changes. Never used to get that. On other games I do but didn't used to for Attila. Just frustrating starting the game on steam and then your computer asks if your sure your running steam...
I have seen a similar problem as yours solved by using a different desktop shortcut to get to the game launcher but you mentioned you already tried that, as well as a clean install...don't know what else could help.
I also can't play Attila from the previous update. The problem I'm convinced is my processor which is at the minimum end of the specs because while the game ran fine before, my processor fan ran a lot while playing it. So still trying to finagle a little to see if I can squeeze out some more juice to run the game. Thought the new patch would help but alas no. :-\
Quote from: Sir Slash on December 11, 2015, 11:26:05 AM
I also can't play Attila from the previous update. The problem I'm convinced is my processor which is at the minimum end of the specs because while the game ran fine before, my processor fan ran a lot while playing it. So still trying to finagle a little to see if I can squeeze out some more juice to run the game. Thought the new patch would help but alas no. :-\
The last couple TW titles have been very demanding on the CPU, especially AMD. I also thought I read somewhere that hyper threading on the i7's actually made the game run a bit slower. Creative Assembly needs to ditch the warscape engine doe something more efficient.
That's interesting as I have an i7 too and while I found Rome 2 runs pretty slow, Attila is the first TW game I've had that's basically unplayable. It's a shame as the Warhammer game looks great.
I read a few posts yesterday at TWC saying that the new patch and DLC are better optimized and have the game running better than before, so take that as you will.
Quote from: Gusington on December 11, 2015, 03:45:30 PM
I read a few posts yesterday at TWC saying that the new patch and DLC are better optimized and have the game running better than before, so take that as you will.
My frame rates are very clean in 40 on 40 battles. Much better than Rome II.
^How about the campaign map with clouds, etc?
Quote from: Gusington on December 11, 2015, 05:52:05 PM
^How about the campaign map with clouds, etc?
Nothing noticeable for me, but I never had issues with those prior.
My rig is pretty obscene and very effectively powered through Rome II's horrific optimization. The fact that I had slowdowns at all in battles is a testament to how poorly it ran.
I have an i7 and when it was running it ran smooth as butter
On both my old and new rig the campaign map was a but stuttery, if that's a word. Applying the no clouds mod helped but it's out of date now, IIRC.
I've played around with this one a little, haven't gotten deep into it yet.
Holy cow, the Charlemagne, Westphalia, and Danish campaigns look crazy hard. I definitely want to tackle them, but don't think I'm ready yet. For the moment, am sticking to my comfort zone and have started a Mercian campaign. (Gotta deal with those bloody Welsh first...) Am enjoying it so far.
Question: Is the ability for all factions to abandon a settlement in the base Attila game as well, or was that introduced in the Chucky DLC here? Either way, though, it's nice to see it as an option.
^IIRC every faction had the ability to abandon specific buildings in a settlement, but only specific barbarian factions could abandon whole settlements outright.
Bought and installing!
Gus, did you ever settle on any good books about Charlemagne?
Dumb question.....is there anywhere you can see all the faction details prior to actually starting a campaign with the faction? For example, I want to see how they are staring off with allies, at war, etc. So far, could not find that information on the faction selection screen and seems like I have to start a game with each faction to find that detail information out.
I've got some historical fiction titles queued up to read while playing, and some histories in my Amazon cart yet to be purchased to go along with the Charlemagne DLC. I'll post them here tomorrow - I'm on my ancient Apple laptop right now and not near my reading stack.
So I finally booted this up for a few minutes.
Before I started the game there was this big exclamation point on the Start button warning me to update my drivers. Whatevz says I, I don't need to update no sticking drivers!
As the intro is spanning around the campaign map it's not vertically synched very well. Hmmm, that kinda looks like shit. Then I click on a city, get this weird little stutter thing and then CTD.
Well, can't say I wasn't warned! So I updated my drivers, the exclamation point is gone, and now when I get done "family time" in a few hours I'll be able to dive in. I think I may try Mercia to start.
OK Commander, here is what I already own and have queued up for companion reading for Charlemagne:
The Inheritance of Rome by Chris Wickham
The Wake by Paul Kingsnorth
Enoch's Device by Joseph Finley
Note none of those deal with Charlemagne directly but all deal with the early medieval period in Western Europe. The first one is a history, the other two are historical fiction.
Here's what I may purchase:
The Normans: From Raiders to Kings by Lars Brownworth
1066: The Year of the Conquest by David Howarth
Charlemagne by Derek Wilson
Gah, those pernicious Welsh!
The kingdom of Gwynedd launched a surprise raid on Chester and sacked the town before my king and his army could reinforce it. My garrison there fought bravely and well (I made those bastards pay, dammit), but it was a doomed effort from the start.
At about the same time, Powys (who in hindsight was obviously working in concert with Gwynedd) sent an army after my king to try and prevent him from relieving Chester. I defeated their army fairly soundly, but my king's army took heavy losses in the process and will need to bring in reinforcements.
Nice to see the campaign AI not just sitting around waiting for destruction, while at the same time teaming up against me in a way that doesn't feel "gamey". O0
On the other hand, the battle AI seemed a bit wonky, although not terrible. In its invasion of Chester, Gwynedd wasted its two cavalry units by having them attack my fyrd spearmen without any support. Given I was defending a chokepoint (the one street leading up to the lord's hall), I defeated both units easily. Only when the enemy AI then brought up its infantry -- including the all-important Welsh archers -- were they able to eventually wear down (and effectively assault) my formation. It should've just kept the cavalry out of combat entirely (seriously, doesn't it know by now to not attack spear units head-on???), and just let the foot soldiers handle the battle. Of course, given the AI was smart enough to invade with 3-to-1 odds to begin with, I suppose it didn't have to be *that* careful with it's troops, but still. As I said, however, its overall performance wasn't bad.
(Sidenote: Ordering your men to form a shield-wall is pretty damn cool to watch, and quite effective to boot!)
Random observation: Playing Mercia is fun so far; it reminds me somewhat of the
Viking Invasion campaign from the original
Medieval TW.
It's of course too early to say anything definitive, but at least for the moment, I'm encouraged by the
Charlemagne DLC. I'm liking the features/mechanics, the AI isn't a complete idiot, and it's got loads of atmosphere. (Regarding that last point, it maybe isn't that different for those of you familiar with vanilla Attila -- I wouldn't know -- but for a newbie like me, it's definitely something of a delight.)
Quote from: Gusington on December 12, 2015, 03:02:24 PM
^IIRC every faction had the ability to abandon specific buildings in a settlement, but only specific barbarian factions could abandon whole settlements outright.
Well I believe all the factions can do so now, at least those in the Chucky DLC. In fact, I wish I'd remembered I could do that when Chester was attacked (oops!)... :-[
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on December 12, 2015, 05:56:15 PM
Dumb question.....is there anywhere you can see all the faction details prior to actually starting a campaign with the faction? For example, I want to see how they are staring off with allies, at war, etc. So far, could not find that information on the faction selection screen and seems like I have to start a game with each faction to find that detail information out.
Not that I've seen so far, no. I suspect you'll probably just have to start an actual campaign as whatever faction you're interested in playing as to discover all the details of their initial strategic situation.
^ That is exactly how my Mercia campaign opened up. I just took back Chester and am about to lay some serious hurt on Wales.
I hate the food mechanism in these new TW games.
So to illustrate just how silly things can get, I'm looking up Gus's book recommendations on my library's e-library portal, but can't find any. But plugging in "Charlemagne" by itself pulls up one book- an ebook of part of Bulfinch's Mythology called Legends of Charlemagne.
I'm looking at it and I think, "Wait, don't I have that book?" And sure enough, I had bought a hardbound copy at B&N about 3 years ago but never read it!
So, I have something on Charlemagne after all. And, to sweeten the deal, the Kindle version of the book is free (for now at least) on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bulfinchs-Mythology-Thomas-Bulfinch-ebook/dp/B018HS7ODW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1450050812&sr=1-1&keywords=bulfinch%27s+mythology
So it's win all around tonight!
for the love of god someone post some screenshots!!!
Yeah seriously everyone has it on Steam...hit that F12 key like it just insulted your mother.
I've never been very good at Total War games and this one is no exception. I am chasing enemies around like it's nobody's business.
I'm not going to lie...I have almost no idea what the hell is going on. :-\
I suck at Attila. No other Total War game has given me trouble like Attila has. No matter which faction I choose, I can never gain a foothold and never feel like I'm making forward progress. I just don't understand the new mechanics and strategies required to succeed. Its very off-putting.
^Welcome, I've been waiting for both of you. Shogun 2 and Attila remain the two TWs I've never won. The mechanics are different for Charlemagne though, so I am hoping for a victory here. Thinking of playing my first campaign as the Lombards.
Quote from: Gusington on December 13, 2015, 08:36:01 PM
^Welcome, I've been waiting for both of you. Shogun 2 and Attila remain the two TWs I've never won. The mechanics are different for Charlemagne though, so I am hoping for a victory here. Thinking of playing my first campaign as the Lombards.
Shogun 2 is very challenging, as well, but I have managed to succeed by expansion and building a powerful Clan. In Attila, not so much. I think your entire manner of thinking must change. Its not always a matter of seizing and holding as much territory, as possible. Your strategy really needs to factor in the strengths and weaknesses of each faction.
The key to Attila is survival. If you hold just one province until the end of a campaign but make it to the end and meet the other issued objectives (money made, units recruited, buildings constructed) you will have earned a minor victory. I have yet to do that :(
I was a hair away from winning a Shogun 2 campaign when the fleet I was counting on for off shore bombardment support (this was Fall of the Samurai) was attacked and sunk. Thus my siege of the final city I needed to take to win failed. Man, that hurt bad.
Quote from: Gusington on December 13, 2015, 08:08:11 PM
Yeah seriously everyone has it on Steam...hit that F12 key like it just insulted your mother.
I don't know why, but that's not been working for me for some reason. First time I've had trouble taking screenies for a Steam (or any) game. ???
Quote from: Gusington on December 13, 2015, 08:36:01 PM
Thinking of playing my first campaign as the Lombards.
Along with the Emirate of Cordoba (and Mercia), that's the other faction I most want to play.
F12 not working ? :(
As always, I regard Fletcher's The Barbarian Conversion to be essential textbook reading on strategic (though not operational) and political progress across all portions of any Dark Ages strategy-game map. Charlemagne along the way, of course, but so much more.
Admittedly it's kind of dry, but it's also cheap: a hardback on Amazon can go for as little as a penny plus shipping.
Quote from: Gusington on December 15, 2015, 08:39:09 AM
F12 not working ? :(
Hmm, I just realized I don't think I've ever used the F12 key to take screenshots before; pretty sure I've just always used the PrtScn key instead (for all my games, not just Steam games). Where do I find screenshots taken with the F12 key? That might be useful to know...
buried wayyyyyyy deep in the steam folders
Okay. So after dinking around on Steam and the web, looking for help on how to find my bloody screenshots and upload them, I'm coming to the conclusion that the F12 key does not, in fact, work for any of my Steam games. I'm not find any screenies where they're supposed to be located, nor do I experience the little audio/visual effect you're supposed to get when you hit the F12 key.
In addition, the PrtScn key doesn't work for taking screenshots on my newer Total War titles (Shogun 2, Rome II, and Attila). I therefore have no way of posting any screenies from my Mercia campaign in Charlemagne. Sorry guys. :(
Before I make this comment I need to point out that I subscribe to the voodoo school of computer management, so take anything I say with a huge grain of salt.
I used to think my F12 key didn't work for any of my Steam games either. I was wrong.
One day I right-clicked on a game in my game library and clicked on Properties.
Then I made sure that there was a check-mark in the Steam overlay box of the first screen that comes up after after you click on properties.
It took me about a year before I figured out how to post Steam-based screenshots in a Steam thread, but I had to do a lot of it a few months ago when I was posting about bugs on the Viking Conquest bug forum (most Steam forums aren't worth the time of day because of the underage screamers, but there are exceptions). If needed I can poke around a bit until I remember how it's done.
What I've never done (because I haven't needed to do it) is to take Steam-based screenshots and post them into the real world. [Did I really just suggest this the real world ?] But I'm sure it's possible.
(The key to uploading Steam screenshots to a Steam thread involves clicking on the small word 'view' that appears in the upper left-hand corner of your Steam screen, and thinking about what is written there).
they are not where you think -
my ck2 ones are here
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\61814060\236850
Well hot damn, Philippe saves the day. O0 Never knew about any of that. Thanks!
So here's a shot of poor under-defended Chester right before it got raided by Gwynedd:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.akamai.steamusercontent.com%2Fugc%2F387671891525415048%2F518B25BE19AE05D8F25227099AB3758277D6A5E3%2F&hash=7621dafa6e82a43c67d36547cfd27e7afc6bfae0)
To the west, you can see Gwynedd's army about to ship out on their pillaging mission from Degannwy. (I was a little surprised they didn't simply march to Chester overland, but I suppose they figured, hey why not?) To the east, the Mercian King Offa and his army helplessly sit at the edge of their current movement range, unable to reach Chester in time.
Success! I like. FWIW my Steam screenshot process is rather automated. After I take a series of shots in game, Steam asks me which I would like to upload and view. Then I get links to each image to post into HTML for viewing.
(Image not related to thread)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F1B6Oruh.jpg&hash=f26713abf500496169ef0d3c450eb7a5c86f4e70)
Is there a way to do this without going through an image hosting site?
(But apart from the extra step, the resolution seems pretty good).
(What game or mod is that from, Ang? Late 19th, early 20th setting in winter... Russia?)
You can always attach screenies to post in the Groghead forum itself. There's a memory-size limit per post, and it'll be at the end so you can't do running commentary (unless you supply it in the screenshot itself), and they'll start as small thumbnails but anyone wanting a closer look can click once on them and poof.
Hey man...nice shot.
Steam is basically its own image hosting site with user generated images...it creates links for images that users upload for use in HTML, in forums, etc.
Quote from: JasonPratt on December 15, 2015, 02:59:05 PM
(What game or mod is that from, Ang? Late 19th, early 20th setting in winter... Russia?)
Fall of the Samurai unmodded. One of the historical battles from a down in the weeds view.
Fall of the Samurai is the best TW game of all time.
^ Whoa. Them's fightin' words. Better than M2TW:Kingdoms:Crusades? :knuppel2:
Well...it's only drawback is that all the factions are Japanese obviously. But there is some good fleshing out of the factions that exist and the tech tree is bonkers (in a good way.) Nothing quite feels as good (in gaming anyway) than completing a steam railway from one end of 1870s Japan to the other. And the units are great (even if they don't vary much) and the AI is sinister (in a good way). Great art, great PC optimization, great streamlining. Not many mods though...because FOTS is pretty close to perfect as is. It's just beautiful technically and artistically.
BTW M2TW - Crusades was my easiest TW win ever...IIRC I won the campaign in under 20 turns, and that's saying something from me.
I have yet to play Charlemagne but I have seen a few posts from people comparing it to Shogun 2 so fingers crossed. Already downloaded some mods to tweak it a little but FOTS calls to me...I may cave and play it first, then Charlemagne.
Quote from: Gusington on December 15, 2015, 09:01:44 PM
Fall of the Samurai is the best TW game of all time.
Gets my vote too
I am just about to start a Fall of the Samurai campaign...it's been too long since I've played it.
My all-time favorite TW campaign. Shogun or Emperor?
Blargh. Was hoping to play some more of my Mercian campaign today, but ending up being too pissed off (at first), and now too drunk. I like spoons.
More scotch is the answer. O0
Quote from: Toonces on December 18, 2015, 06:11:10 PM
More scotch is the answer. O0
Definitely. Especially if we're talking single malt...
That's a two-hour trip for me. I didn't have that kind of time. ;)
For those who are interested (I was):
So according to Jack Lusted (longtime modder-turned-CA developer), apparently Westphalia has the most difficult campaign. I would think the Lombards have gotta be up there as well, though, as they get tag-teamed by both Chucky and the Pope early on.
I hadn't seen that posted before. Thanks Martok.
Yes thanks Martok...watching now.
I am torn. Not sure whether to play Charlemagne or Fall of the Samurai next...
Charlemagne! Charlemagne! Charlemagne! O:-)
One (of several) things I liked in that video was how the devs apparently worked to make imperium more achievable by both researching technology and building/upgrading infrastructure in your settlement/province. Thus, one doesn't need to conquer as much territory (unless they wish to), which is always nice.
If you've already done FotS once before, I don't know why you wouldn't give Charlemagne a go this time around. ???
Because I was a hair away from victory in FOTS last time and I'm in more of a 19th century mood right at this very second. But that could change and in fact started to while watching the above video.
BTW if you just recently reinstalled or purchased Shogun 2 and are having crashes after the initial splash screen, check to see if you have McAfee Webadvisor installed. If you do, uninstall it, it interferes with the in-game encyclopedia and crashes the game every time. Took me about a half hour to discover this last night :)
Another vid:
Even though I'm sure he gets paid by CA (I believes he also works for them as an historical consultant on their games), I still think it's kinda cool they let him talk about the subject material and give these little history lessons (even if it is the Cliff Notes version).
I realize this is the wrong thread, but I am having a blast with Wrath of Sparta. It has one month turns, which is cool, and a very tight map. I don't know who anybody is on the map except Athens and Sparta.
From my reading, and apparent in game, Athens has one hell of a Navy with some kick-ass Marines. I've gone toe-to-toe with Athens twice (as Sparta) and just got my ass handed to me. I suppose it doesn't help that I have no idea how to handle these types of ships in combat, nor in game.
Super fun, though. I'm still pretty noobish at Total War games, despite all the years I've been playing them, but I'm really enjoying this campaign a great deal. O0
Yeah, I love the WoS campaign pack. With the possible exception of MTW's
Viking Invasion, it's my favorite DLC/expansion for any Total War game to date (I haven't played enough of
Age of Charlemagne to comment yet). I really enjoy the tighter focus, as well as the smaller map (even if it is missing Sicily).
Quote from: Toonces on December 22, 2015, 08:48:22 PMFrom my reading, and apparent in game, Athens has one hell of a Navy with some kick-ass Marines. I've gone toe-to-toe with Athens twice (as Sparta) and just got my ass handed to me. I suppose it doesn't help that I have no idea how to handle these types of ships in combat, nor in game.
On the flip side, I can verify that battling the Spartans on land is (unsurprisingly) simply suicide if the opposing forces have anything approaching parity. When taking on the boys in the crimson cloaks, you'd better have at least a 2-to-1 advantage in numbers -- more like 3-to-1 (or better) if you don't have terrain on your side, and/or can't out-maneuver them. Their infantry is f-ing tough!
Back to the main topic, does anyone know yet if Attila can segue into the Age of Charlemagne, or are they completely separate campaigns?
I guess it would be too much to hope for Rome 2 itself to segue into Attila and thence into Charlemagne; although I hope the Barbarorum team or someone else like that will figure out how to connect them. :)
Quote from: JasonPratt on December 24, 2015, 12:52:06 PM
Back to the main topic, does anyone know yet if Attila can segue into the Age of Charlemagne, or are they completely separate campaigns?
Pretty sure they're separate campaigns. I believe Attila's grand campaign only lasts something like 70 years (280 turns), which wouldn't bring the player to anywhere near the period of Charlemagne.
Quote from: JasonPratt on December 24, 2015, 12:52:06 PM
I guess it would be too much to hope for Rome 2 itself to segue into Attila and thence into Charlemagne; although I hope the Barbarorum team or someone else like that will figure out how to connect them. :)
I imagine that would only be possible with some sort of "overhaul" mod, using either
Rome II or
Attila -- not both. The two games are essentially incompatible, as Attila boasts added features & mechanics that Rome II lacks.
^Sounds like you want a continuous campaign through different TW games chronologically a la Paradox. I've been wishing for that forever. But in lieu of that I will pick a faction at some point and play its equivalent through Rome 2, Attila, Charlemagne, and M2TW...could do it through Empire and Napoleon too if I enjoyed those more.
Quote from: Gusington on December 24, 2015, 03:20:38 PM
^Sounds like you want a continuous campaign through different TW games chronologically a la Paradox. I've been wishing for that forever. But in lieu of that I will pick a faction at some point and play its equivalent through Rome 2, Attila, Charlemagne, and M2TW...could do it through Empire and Napoleon too if I enjoyed those more.
The only faction that could possibly have remained active through all of those time periods would be the Clan of Tax Collectors.
You could play as the Celts in Rome 2, then a Celtic faction in Attila, then Mercia in Charlemagne, then England in M2TW...you get the idea.
Quote from: Gusington on December 24, 2015, 05:34:07 PM
You could play as the Celts in Rome 2, then a Celtic faction in Attila, then Mercia in Charlemagne, then England in M2TW...you get the idea.
Yeah, but then you would be more Viking (and Norman) and Saxon than Celt.