Rome 2 Total War

[Gelston]

So this was recently announced and is set to release in 2013 sometime. I am excited. Pretty good run down here:

http://www.pcgamer.com/previews/total-war-rome-2-preview-every-detail-about-the-new-engine-naval-combat-multiplayer-and-mods/

Here is the current official trailer... It is live action which sucks, but still neat.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdVzRrJoqEs

[Kuyuk]

I like the total war games. I suck at their combat, and usually just let the AI do it, but the gameplay is usually fun.

[Gelston]

A sweet, sweet, gameplay trailer.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ9M_GGuko4

[Atlanteax]

I loved the 'Rome Total Realism' mod for Rome: Total War (I) ... this would be the 6.0 version for the mod (*not* 7 or the later versions) ... as I was far more into the Campaign map mode.

The RTR mod made it so that you had to gradually build a long logistic chain from your home region and slowly 'Romanize' (or equiv for a different faction) as you expanded.

Which made the game far more engaging and challenging vs 'build new top-of-line units in newly captured city' (in RTR, you could only do that in Rome and Capua at start, and otherwise would have to ship them to Carthage / elsewhere if you want to use them as garrisons).

Generally, TW series have been all about the 'epic' battles, but you quickly get to the point where you either auto-resolve (so you can 'skip' the battle) or employ tried-and-true tactics that easily outsmarts the AI (flank flank flank attacks, and defensive position on hill and just wait out timer).

[Sean of the Thread]

I absolutely love the TW series.

I've been playing the shit out Shogun lately.

[Gelston]

I loved the 'Rome Total Realism' mod for Rome: Total War (I) ... this would be the 6.0 version for the mod (*not* 7 or the later versions) ... as I was far more into the Campaign map mode.

The RTR mod made it so that you had to gradually build a long logistic chain from your home region and slowly 'Romanize' (or equiv for a different faction) as you expanded.

Which made the game far more engaging and challenging vs 'build new top-of-line units in newly captured city' (in RTR, you could only do that in Rome and Capua at start, and otherwise would have to ship them to Carthage / elsewhere if you want to use them as garrisons).

Generally, TW series have been all about the 'epic' battles, but you quickly get to the point where you either auto-resolve (so you can 'skip' the battle) or employ tried-and-true tactics that easily outsmarts the AI (flank flank flank attacks, and defensive position on hill and just wait out timer).

RTR was probably the best mod out for RTW. I like the SPQR the most though. And yeah, it DOES get to the point, especially on the older engines, where you could just autoresolve. I think Shogun 2 and especially FotS have gone far to make a better AI. There are some nice mods for it too that ensure the AI doesn't spam 2 unit stacks to just be annoying.

[Taernath]

I love the Total War series, even the red headed stepchildren Empire and Napoleon. Definitely looking forward to a reworking of RTW, there's just something about bringing the light of Rome to barbarian profligate scum.

*edit* I really wish I could have gotten the Third Age mod for Medieval 2 to work. :(

[Gelston]

http://uk.gamespot.com/total-war-rome-ii/videos/carthage-battle-gameplay-walkthrough-total-war-rome-ii-6398557/?tag=Topslot;TotalWarRomeIiExclusive;TotalWarRomeI iGamepl

Video just went up showing about 8 minutes of battle gameplay. I creamed my pants.

[Jarvan]

I love Shogun.. so fun.

[Sean of the Thread]

I love Shogun.. so fun.


Know of any great mods for it?

[Warriorbird]

I love some Shogun 2.

[Gelston]

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/index.php

That basically has a repository of all the best mods created for every Total War game. Go to the Hosted Modifications section for the particular game. As for Shogun 2, I like the Rights of Man 3 - Road to Kyoto. It covers the base game and both expansions.

Another great one is the Sekigahara Campaign. It is basically an expansion in it's own right. A different time period completely and multiple different factions and units.

[Jarvan]

Know of any great mods for it?

I generally don't mod my games. Sorry.

[Delias]

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/index.php

That basically has a repository of all the best mods created for every Total War game. Go to the Hosted Modifications section for the particular game. As for Shogun 2, I like the Rights of Man 3 - Road to Kyoto. It covers the base game and both expansions.

Another great one is the Sekigahara Campaign. It is basically an expansion in it's own right. A different time period completely and multiple different factions and units.

I usually go to total war heaven. Also a pretty good site.

[Sean of the Thread]

I don't until I've played the original 50,000 hours.

TW series is great with it's mods and support of them.

[Gelston]

I don't know if any of your have seen this yet...

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=548136

It is one of the developers periodically answering questions about the game. Some pretty exciting stuff being talked about there.

[Atlanteax]

I don't know if any of your have seen this yet...

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=548136

It is one of the developers periodically answering questions about the game. Some pretty exciting stuff being talked about there.

I hope they're not attempting to reach their goal of "700 unique units" by including asinine units such as 'war dogs' and 'screaming woad females' and the like, which the RTR mod wisely got rid of.

[Delias]

I hope they're not attempting to reach their goal of "700 unique units" by including asinine units such as 'war dogs' and 'screaming woad females' and the like, which the RTR mod wisely got rid of.

Why are war-dogs an asinine unit?

[Atlanteax]

Why are war-dogs an asinine unit?

Because it is totally plausible to organize multiple units of 15 'war-dogs' in an army and move them about in a flanking attack on the battle-map.

[Showal]

Because it is totally plausible to organize multiple units of 15 'war-dogs' in an army and move them about in a flanking attack on the battle-map.

How many types of wolves do they have?

[Gelston]

From what he said, they were going to have some very rarely used units in there, but I think the goal is to make every faction be differentiated. This makes me happy, as in Rome 1 all Barbarians were basically the same, all Middle Easterners were the same, etc.

[Atlanteax]

How many types of wolves do they have?

Normal Unit Size setting in R:TW-1 was a War Dog unit had 15 dogs.
Armies can have up to 16 units, so you could make 1 army out of 16 x 15 = 240 war-dogs.

This is a very lazy way of adding 'flavor' to a game in differentiating factions.

In the RTR mod, iirc, most factions have their own version(s) of heavy, medium, light-armor troops, as well as unique auxiliaries.
Which was far more effective in ensuring that each factions were distinct across multiple unit times, while ensuring that game-play was overall *plausible*.

[Delias]

Normal Unit Size setting in R:TW-1 was a War Dog unit had 15 dogs.
Armies can have up to 16 units, so you could make 1 army out of 16 x 15 = 240 war-dogs.

This is a very lazy way of adding 'flavor' to a game in differentiating factions.

In the RTR mod, iirc, most factions have their own version(s) of heavy, medium, light-armor troops, as well as unique auxiliaries.
Which was far more effective in ensuring that each factions were distinct across multiple unit times, while ensuring that game-play was overall *plausible*.

I suppose you could do that... but I find 16 trained war dogs in a force to be totally plausible. No one would go to the trouble of training 240 for one attack. And who would go to the trouble of fielding them? I don't recall them being particularly effective, just useful vs. routing units to make sure they didn't regroup.

[Gelston]

Wardogs were better than flaming pigs!

But no, they said they are going to try and be a lot more realistic this time. Like Egypt will be Ptolemaic Egypt instead of Middle Kingdom Egypt.

[Atlanteax]

Wardogs were better than flaming pigs!

But no, they said they are going to try and be a lot more realistic this time. Like Egypt will be Ptolemaic Egypt instead of Middle Kingdom Egypt.

Good to hear.

[Gelston]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fqb3cPPfuM

New video!

[Gelston]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFs3g1fQQ8Q

Another video, about Egypt this time. Game is out on 3 Sept. Can't wait!

[Gelston]

http://www.gamestar.de/videos/specials,20/total-war-rome-2,71178.html

Couldn't find it on Youtube, but that is the Intro for Rome 2. Yeah, you have to watch a German ad to get to it as it is a German website, but the video is awesome.

Also, here is a pic of Rome 2's Campaign map with its two different administrative divisions of provinces and regions.

http://cdn.totalwar.com/web/rome2/interactivemap/web_assets/images/map/main-map.jpg

[Atlanteax]

I was concerned that the "Let's Play" videos did not seem to offer much new/engaging about the game, contrary to expectations, despite the clear additional depth in buildings/etc.

[Taernath]

What more were you expecting? If it's basically Rome TW with updated graphics and the interface improvements from Empire onwards I think I'll be happy.

[Gelston]

Quite a few New things. Most noticeably the cap on the number of Armies you can have, each army requiring a General, and armies gaining traits.

[Gelston]

New trailer!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWZCfdDW4NQ

[Latrinsorm]

Um that's not even what the Italian flag looks like... I'm all for suspension of disbelief but that level of verisimilitude is disappointing.

[Gelston]

Um that's not even what the Italian flag looks like... I'm all for suspension of disbelief but that level of verisimilitude is disappointing.

Italy didn't exist as a nation for another 2000 or so years from the starting time period of this game so.. Yeah.

The city of Rome has that SPQR stuff all over the place though.

[Latrinsorm]

I'll be the bigger man and agree to disagree on how wrong you are, which is a lot.

[Lord Orbstar]

She correctly used verisimilitude in a sentence. This argument is over and Latrin is the winner.

[Gelston]

She is a he. Stop trying to hook up with him.

[Tisket]

Don't crush his dreams.

[Gelston]

http://www.4players.de/4players.php/screenshot_list/PC-CDROM/31807/Screenshots/0/0/Total_War_Rome_2.html

Like, 85 screenshots. 2 more weeks!

[Gelston]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZt2BkutcYs

Heh, the dev's CE unboxing while being attacked by a dog.

[Taernath]

Are there any of them getting attacked by greased up Amazons?

[Gelston]

New video created for Rome 2, showing how the Roman Legionaries used their equipment and such. Pretty neat history dealio.

ZOMG ONE WEEK FROM NOW I WILL BE PLAYING ROME TWO


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_fpOUQcAac#t=60

[Gelston]

Yea, preloading it now! Preloading is such a fucking tease.

Soooooon...

http://cdn3.steampowered.com/v/gfx/apps/214950/ss_8ebcca60e3cf2fe367d97c42214b40c3f7293856.1920x1 080.jpg

[Delias]

I pre-ordered it but not sure when I'll have the chance to play it. I have been waiting so long.

[Gelston]

I'll be playing it at 2AM on Tuesday morning, as that is what time it unlocks on steam for CST. I think I'm going to skip school on Tuesday also.

[Delias]

I'll be playing it at 2AM on Tuesday morning, as that is what time it unlocks on steam for CST. I think I'm going to skip school on Tuesday also.

I wish I could, but it's not an option for me.

[Latrinsorm]

I'll be playing it at 2AM on Tuesday morning, as that is what time it unlocks on steam for CST. I think I'm going to skip school on Tuesday also.Welfare queen!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Next you'll want a fountain on every corner, but who's going to pay for those aqueducts? The patricians, that's who. Go ahead, keep taxing them, they're all going to move to Parthia, and then where will you be?

[Gelston]

http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsaqrfDbgW1qd1azko1_500.jpg

[Taernath]

I thought about skipping, but I've only one class that day.

[Gelston]

Eh, I just have French and some Asian History bullshit. I'm totally skipping them!

[Taernath]

Always a fun read:
http://www.pompeiana.org/resources/ancient/graffiti%20from%20pompeii.htm

Note: they signed their neg rep.

http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p712/dtbrown082/1373240373705_zps4354cdf4.jpg

[Gelston]

lolz, I remember looking at some of the nice graffiti when I visited Pompeii about 2 or 3 years ago.

Hahaha...

VII.12.35 (Vico d’ Eumachia, small room of a possible brothel); 2145: Gaius Valerius Venustus, soldier of the 1st praetorian cohort, in the century of Rufus, screwer of women

http://thedapperlad.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/6m.jpg


Also...

VIII.2 (in the basilica); 1820: Chie, I hope your hemorrhoids rub together so much that they hurt worse than when they every have before!

[Stanley Burrell]

...but who's going to pay for those aqueducts?...

http://www.polishtheconsole.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ezio_Auditore_Brotherhood.jpg

[Stanley Burrell]

Yo, also, since this is a thread about Grand Strategy games, how come I can't use the CK2 converter to EU4 where I have a Greek barbarian Manichean dynasty in Spain <----- with the same exact culture, religion and region filters into EU4?

[Gelston]

Did you get the converter? If you didn't preorder EU4, it costs like 10 bucks.

I'm still playing a CK2 campaign where I restored the Roman Empire and killed all the muslims... Well, and the Catholics too I guess. Orthodox yo!

[Tolwynn]

If you haven't tried games like these and are looking for a cheap way in, Humble Bundle is running a weekly sale featuring Paradox Interactive. $6 or more gets you Crusader Kings II, Europa Universalis III Complete, War of the Roses: Kingmaker, and 5 other titles.

Humble Bundle weekly sale (https://www.humblebundle.com/weekly)

Also of note is the Big Kahuna bundle, 48 Paradox titles on Steam for $125, pretty crazy price.

[Gelston]

Total War titles are a tad bit different from those Paradox titles in that they have Real Time Tactical battles when armies meet. Paradox titles also go a lot more in-depth as far as management. I love both types of games, of course. I'd like them to make a new EU: Rome.

If you've never played a Total War before, you can get Napoleon Total war for 14.99 on Steam or Total War: Shogun 2 for 29.99. The Shogun one will be more similar to Rome in that it is mostly Melee whereas Napoleon is all gunpowder.

[Stanley Burrell]

Did you get the converter? If you didn't preorder EU4, it costs like 10 bucks.

I'm still playing a CK2 campaign where I restored the Roman Empire and killed all the muslims... Well, and the Catholics too I guess. Orthodox yo!

Er, I have the converter, but it makes my guys Andalusian Christians, when they are Greek Manicheans (with vassals/hometowns + landed titles over most of Spain) and after selecting my save file, it imports the rulers but their ethnicity and religion get fubar'd.

[Gelston]

Er, I have the converter, but it makes my guys Andalusian Christians, when they are Greek Manicheans (with vassals/hometowns + landed titles over most of Spain) and after selecting my save file, it imports the rulers but their ethnicity and religion get fubar'd.

Hmm... And you don't have any Andalusians porking their way into your dynasty?

What it probably is, is that while your RULING class is Greek, the majority of the population isn't, so it is doing it based on that. See if you can convert the provinces to Greek with console commands and then convert that.

[Stanley Burrell]

Hmm... And you don't have any Andalusians porking their way into your dynasty?

lol. I don't think so, but I don't pay enough attention to claimants. I'm notified of usurpers and pretenders. Not sure what's going on.


...What it probably is, is that while your RULING class is Greek, the majority of the population isn't...

Yeah. I used the ruler designer for my main dude from the get-go.


...See if you can convert the provinces to Greek with console commands and then convert that...

Uggh.... everyone has multiplied. A lot. I think I'd have to manually go to each court and change the char IDs. Ffffght.

[Gelston]

Yeah, I'm certain it is what I put in my edit :P EU4 is a game based around nations, where CK2 is based around people... It sees the stuff and says like "Hm, 10% Greek, 90% Andalus, the country is Andalus"

[Gelston]

HOLY FUCK IT RELEASES IN 4 HOURS ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG SCREEN SHOTS SOON

[Delias]

HOLY FUCK IT RELEASES IN 4 HOURS ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG SCREEN SHOTS SOON

Preloading now. I had hoped to finish X-com by now but damnit, too much homework.

[Gelston]

So far, Metacritic has it at an 85, which isn't bad. Most of the complaints are about things that should be expected. I'm optimistic.

[Taernath]

I.2.20 (Bar/Brothel of Other Games); 3932: Weep, you girls. My penis has given you up. Now I play video games. Goodbye, wondrous femininity!

[Gelston]

Man, I can't believe I created this thread July of last year. Time has really gone by fast.

[Delias]

Man, I can't believe I created this thread July of last year. Time has really gone by fast.

I wonder if I will be able to abuse the greek phalanxes for city defense as utterly as I did in the original. Nothing like four units of weak hoplites to defend your cities from full stacks of heavy infantry.

[Taernath]

RE: that Joystiq review. What the fuck? He spent 9/10ths of the article praising it, didn't list any cons except for stuttering at max graphics, yet gave it a 70 (3.5 stars, fucking Metacritic weighting) after saying the historical concept was silly and it's hard for beginners.

Now I'm going to go to bed a little annoyed.

[Gelston]

Yeah, I read that review too. It is like someone else rated it.

[Taernath]

I've got a few hours logged and I've been enjoying it so far. The biggest issue I have right now is how different the UI is compared to previous titles.. the minimalist buttons are really confusing the hell out of me. I'm pretty sure CA also did away with the 'march forward' button, which sucks because I used that thing every battle and the formation lock that replaced it isn't really cutting it for me.

[Taernath]

Also I haven't run into any slowdowns or bugs yet. The game defaulted to Exxxtreme Grafix on my Intel Core i7 930, HD 7850, and 12 jiggawatts of RAM.

[Gelston]

I'm loving it. Haven't seen any graphics issues yet, and yeah, mine defaulted to extreme.

http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/613902430183729345/F86146587EA8A0151566380F974D3DF166495B70/

[Gelston]

I've got a few hours logged and I've been enjoying it so far. The biggest issue I have right now is how different the UI is compared to previous titles.. the minimalist buttons are really confusing the hell out of me. I'm pretty sure CA also did away with the 'march forward' button, which sucks because I used that thing every battle and the formation lock that replaced it isn't really cutting it for me.

They did away with the button, but you an still ctrl + click and it does the same thing. I think it is ctrl + click.. It is something + click.

I don't like how the default movement is running now though. You can still make them walk, but you know, there was always something awesome about watching a bunch of legionaries in line marching slowly to close with the enemy.

[Gelston]

Why did I make an army full of Praetorian Guard? Because I could.

http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/617280195740938024/B880D6B0FB959BE26CB5AC36E6B3823FE03EAC15/

[Latrinsorm]

Actually, the technical name for that unit is the Mississippi National Guard. You can tell by the sideburns.

[Gelston]

Actually, the technical name for that unit is the Mississippi National Guard. You can tell by the sideburns.

Roman legionaries, especially Praetorians, didn't generally have sideburns.... Especially not in 167 BC (That is what year I'm at right now.), although the actual Praetorian Guard organization we all know and love from the Imperial Period didn't exist yet either. Hey, my Rome, I advance in the techs I want!

[Gelston]

http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/617280195743314765/23F38A57DFFF483608B02CBC412E326ADC213CBD/

And my Praetorian Guards kicked some Brit Tribal ass!

[Taernath]

Have you noticed a range discrepancy between your velites/slingers and other ranged units? Both should be 80, but enemy ranged are firing over houses and even up hills (where I should have an advantage) to hit my guys who can't fire back. Am I missing something?

[Gelston]

Have you noticed a range discrepancy between your velites/slingers and other ranged units? Both should be 80, but enemy ranged are firing over houses and even up hills (where I should have an advantage) to hit my guys who can't fire back. Am I missing something?

Slingers have a range of like 150, so they will outrange everyone else, they are best against light infantry and other ranged. Velites will eat up anyone though, especially elephants. As for bugs, I haven't noticed it... I generally immediately hit ranged dudes with my cavalry so I never really have many skirmisher battles.

BTW, I found the command for the formation forward, back, left, right stuff... Use the actual arrow keys on your keyboard.

[Taernath]

Bizarre... looking through the TW encyclopedia I see some slingers have 150 range, while others don't (mine). I swear the Gallic slingers I was up against the other day didn't, either, but they do now. I guess slingers are basically worthless to Rome.

[Gelston]

Bizarre... looking through the TW encyclopedia I see some slingers have 150 range, while others don't (mine). I swear the Gallic slingers I was up against the other day didn't, either, but they do now. I guess slingers are basically worthless to Rome.

Rome is crap for ranged. Local Auxilia are good though. Invade up to Magna Germania and you can get archers. They shoot 125, but they are great for armor piercing. Kind of middle ground between slingers (who suck at piercing armor) and javelins (who pierce elephants.)

[Gelston]

Finally hit the Roman civil war at 89 BC. Time crush me some senators!

[Gelston]

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/613902676580368835/390AC99BFDBA7017AE246092C7EDAE92BFBDE473/

The Senate Loyalists were crushed, I have established the Empire. Current look at my most awesome Empire in the year 72 BC.

[Latrinsorm]

There's literally no one in Parthia, or is that a fog of war thing?

[Gelston]

There's literally no one in Parthia, or is that a fog of war thing?

Fog of war

[Gelston]

Got a couple mods in that enhances the game a bit.

First up is the Radious mod. It reduces that annoying Squalor mechanic, increases food production and decreases food use, lowers melee skill on all units, but increases defense (Makes battles last longer) and tons of other slight balance and graphical tweaks.

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?618817-Radious-Total-War-Mod-(Updated-8-9-2013)

Next is GEM (Graphical Enhancement Mod) and it does exactly what it says... Enhances the graphics. Makes the game even more beautiful.

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?618115-R2-TW-GEM-Graphic-Enhancement-Mod-(Color-Update-amp-Brightness-fix)

Here is an example of the how GEM made my game look now, compare to previous screenshots I've posted.
http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/613902883916078601/0AA96B0A80E9079F0816BDF8C01BBCE42B699A27/

[Atlanteax]

The Senate Loyalists were crushed, I have established the Empire. Current look at my most awesome Empire in the year 72 BC.

Looks like just as easy to steamroll as the original.

I wonder if there will be an RTR-like mod that slows down expansion.

[Delias]

Looks like just as easy to steamroll as the original.

I wonder if there will be an RTR-like mod that slows down expansion.

Just for the record Rome achieved most of its important territorial expansion in what, 53 years? It took Gelston 200 to achieve empire.

[Gelston]

Just for the record Rome achieved most of its important territorial expansion in what, 53 years? It took Gelston 200 to achieve empire.

Hey, still hit it before RL Rome!

You can steamroll the AI as Rome pretty damn easy, seeing as you have the best infantry in the game and early. It is quite a bit harder with other nations. My Parthia Campaign isn't easy, for instance, I can't really expand to the South without going to war with the Seleucids and their satrapies. They are rebelling one by one though, then I swoop in, but it is still not a guarantee of victory with them. I imagine it'll get a little more difficult when I go west with them and start fighting the Greek City states and such. My Parthians are pretty much all cavalry.

[Delias]

Hey, still hit it before RL Rome!

You can steamroll the AI as Rome pretty damn easy, seeing as you have the best infantry in the game and early. It is quite a bit harder with other nations. My Parthia Campaign isn't easy, for instance, I can't really expand to the South without going to war with the Seleucids and their satrapies. They are rebelling one by one though, then I swoop in, but it is still not a guarantee of victory with them. I imagine it'll get a little more difficult when I go west with them and start fighting the Greek City states and such. My Parthians are pretty much all cavalry.

I remember late game parthians in the first rome... my armies were nothing but cataphracts and spies to open the city gates.

[Gelston]

My Parthian composition right now, still early game, I have like 2 provinces, is 1 Cata (My general), 3 Median Cav, 6 ranged cav units, and then like 10 Eastern Spearmen that I just sit in a line in reserve. I usually just whittle the enemy down into tiny units with my ranged and then charge them one at a time with my shock/melee cav.

[Taernath]

How does the civil war work? I remember in the first Rome the other Roman factions you shared Italy with basically just turned on you at a certain time, but in Rome 2 there aren't separate/autonomous Roman factions. Is it just a bunch of enemy legions pop up or do you actually lose territory? I'd hate to have to reconquer all of Europe again.

[Gelston]

How does the civil war work? I remember in the first Rome the other Roman factions you shared Italy with basically just turned on you at a certain time, but in Rome 2 there aren't separate/autonomous Roman factions. Is it just a bunch of enemy legions pop up or do you actually lose territory? I'd hate to have to reconquer all of Europe again.

You'll lose a village and they'll pop up with a bunch of legions of Praetorians and Armored Legionaries. Mine was about 6 legions of Praetorian Guard, Armored Legionaries, and Eagle cohorts, in the middle of Germania. They took about 3 settlements before I was able to stop them. Pretty much, I saw them appear and I had one legion near them, I ran until I could bring in 4 other legions to deal with it.

It triggers based on influence. If you get too much, civil war. If it drops too low, civil war. BTW, all your generals will stay loyal, you don't lose any troops at all, which kinda.. Well, sucks. I'd have preferred that to a bunch of elite infantry legions popping up magically.

[Gelston]

Also, I think there is a bug in the game after you go Empire, because my family isn't producing generals anymore. There is a Gaius Julius Caesar even, but he is house of Cornelia.

[Gelston]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_QK-lcW8a8

About 40 minutes long, but it is hilarious. I've never run into most of the problems he has mentioned but I have read of them on the TW forums. The game is far from perfect to be sure!

[Tgo01]

That guy is annoying and funny, but slightly more funny than annoying.

[Taernath]

Yeah I can only take about 5-10 minutes of Angry Joe. I do agree that there's something missing. The politics lack depth and the battle AI can be atrocious at times... other TW games had/have similar AI problems though not really to this extent. Ultimately I'm still enjoying it though.

[Gelston]

The entire politics system seems a bit gutted, no doubt due to a rushed time schedule from Sega. The game is definitely an amazing base to build upon, and I'm curious to see how the final product will turn out once they fix all the issues it has. I imagine the first expansion will make this game turn into my expectations. Don't get me wrong though... I uhh.. Have 109 hours played into the game, so obviously I like it.

[Delias]

The entire politics system seems a bit gutted, no doubt due to a rushed time schedule from Sega. The game is definitely an amazing base to build upon, and I'm curious to see how the final product will turn out once they fix all the issues it has. I imagine the first expansion will make this game turn into my expectations. Don't get me wrong though... I uhh.. Have 109 hours played into the game, so obviously I like it.

To me, overall, it feels too much like shogun 2 (which makes sense) and not enough like the original.

[Gelston]

Have you played any of the Greek States or Parthia yet? It definitely feels a bit different with them. IMO, anyways.

[Rethius]

Total War in general is a pretty nice series of games. Haven't gotten around to this yet but things look really positive from what I'm seeing.

My only gripe with the series (not so much a gripe as a nerdy pet-peeve) is that I can't create a character/general. Namely because I like seeing the name 'King Knockers' as I kill my way through history.

[Gelston]

Total War in general is a pretty nice series of games. Haven't gotten around to this yet but things look really positive from what I'm seeing.

My only gripe with the series (not so much a gripe as a nerdy pet-peeve) is that I can't create a character/general. Namely because I like seeing the name 'King Knockers' as I kill my way through history.

You can name your armies in this one. The game is mostly revolving around armies, as opposed to characters now.

Also... Just got out of this battle, friggin nuts... Probably the most lop-sided victory I've ever had. Started my Iceni campaign and just invaded into Gaul from the north.

http://cloud-3.steampowered.com/ugc/613902883955824953/136A9BB205064CBC906AC34B4B6E60B07077F6AE/

[Gelston]

Total War in general is a pretty nice series of games. Haven't gotten around to this yet but things look really positive from what I'm seeing.

My only gripe with the series (not so much a gripe as a nerdy pet-peeve) is that I can't create a character/general. Namely because I like seeing the name 'King Knockers' as I kill my way through history.

Oh, and btw, I'd probably hold off on getting it for a month. It still has a bunch of bugs and crap on some people's setups. On others it won't run at all. I'm lucky in that it works perfectly on mine, except for a few CTDs every so often, but even people with brand new i7s and Titans have been saying the game has been giving terrible performance. I'd say in about a month everything should be worked out on it, or you can get it now and see!

Next month they are releasing the Seleucid faction DLC for free, and another faction pack(Scythians and some other dudes) which will cost money.

[Delias]

You can name your armies in this one. The game is mostly revolving around armies, as opposed to characters now.

Also... Just got out of this battle, friggin nuts... Probably the most lop-sided victory I've ever had. Started my Iceni campaign and just invaded into Gaul from the north.

http://cloud-3.steampowered.com/ugc/613902883955824953/136A9BB205064CBC906AC34B4B6E60B07077F6AE/

I used to keep kill stats for armies in the original rome. I think my best victory was 1200 kills and 11 dead using nothing but cataphracts vs. rome. It was fucking insane. I used to just hit them from two sides on one flank and I could just roll the entire army.

[Gelston]

Iceni chariots are insanely OP. You'd think spears would be a bad thing for them to get caught in melee with, but apparently not. I think their only counter is melee cavalry, well, and they also only come with 20 per unit. I swear though, I could just spam armies full of nothing but chariots and never lose.

Well, I also have level 3 horses, weapons, and armor on them too, so that likely helps a bunch. Heck, the dudes have a ranged attack and can throw fire javelins, so they could take on elephants too.

I'm so glad they didn't have a bunch of Chariots when I conquered Britain in my Roman campaign.

[Gelston]

Got bored with being a bunch of Barbarians, so I decided to play as Sparta instead. This is at the year 202 BC (So, 70 turns in.) Kinda sucks that you have a limit of 20 Spartan Hoplites for all of your armies. That number should really go up with Imperium. Before long I should be able to make Royal Spartans and Heroes of Sparta though, which I guess will make up for it.

http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/617280783158281670/1D78716B5B2F597AF73ED4AA8E1EAFD54602B7DC/

I currently have a military alliance with Athens and a Non-Aggression Pact with Macedon.. I plan to take out Macedon soon, but I'm trying to free Athens from them first, as they are a client state of Macedon. In the mean time, I've been building up my power base by kicking around Barbarians to the North. Soon, I will be taking on the Dacians.

[Taernath]

I love how all the Celtic armies have fukken metal names.

"The Swords of Power"
"Harbingers of Desolation"
"Shriekers of Doom"

[Gelston]

I love how all the Celtic armies have fukken metal names.

"The Swords of Power"
"Harbingers of Desolation"
"Shriekers of Doom"

There are tons of Easter Eggs in there too. A few army names from GoT and stuff. One of my Roman Generals wore a wolf pelt and in the description it said "Winter is coming"

[Gelston]

Thread: Rome 2 Total War
um in the roman era wolves were considered a sacred animal and the punishment for killing one was being thrown up the capitoline hill then down the vesuvian hill then up the capitalita hill again and then getting kicked in the balls, REALLY HARD. -me

Lolz, wolf pelts were worn by Velites, Signifers, Aquilifers, and many other people in the legions.

http://www.miniatures.de/reenactment/legio-VI-Victrix-cornicen.jpg

REAL PICTURES FROM 2000 YEARS AGO!!!

[Latrinsorm]

Hope they had all the kids they wanted to already, a skirt provides little to no protection to gkicks... from what I've heard.

[Gelston]

Hope they had all the kids they wanted to already, a skirt provides little to no protection to gkicks... from what I've heard.

Hard to kick the groin through a Scutum.

[Gelston]

The Beta for Patch 2 is out. Changes the game a lot, for the better. You have to start a new campaign to really see it, but AI turn times are a LOT faster now. The CAI and BAI are smarter now too.

[Gelston]

Sweet, just got the achievement for killing 1,000,000 enemies in battle. I am one of the .6%!

[Taernath]

http://cloud-3.steampowered.com/ugc/634169281871842974/1B141D41F910B9D7E512086DEA65BCA9C8881E54/

"Go away or we shall taunt you a second time!"

http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/634169281871834490/F386996BF9B26DEFC35FE1E29E090AD4ADAF3A9E/

"OH GOD NOT AGAIN!"

[Gelston]

I love beating up on the Averni.

Also...

SUMMON THE KRAKEN!!!!

http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/617280783274110078/E5E0E9F9E1C11E876B9D506FA92E552C1C0A5169/

[Gelston]

http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/617280783368904091/11B7E81D9A886CFA2EB6429986F62E8617B25096/

Fun battle I had. My 2000ish men against 7500 Averni. They so out numbered me that they encircled me and wiped out my artillery. My general even had to fight. My legionaries broke through their center, however, and I had them fold around and wipe out the remaining. It was probably the largest army I have face as one unit (as opposed to one enemy army and then another coming in to reinforce).

[Gelston]

Patch 4 BETA is out. I'd say the game is worth buying now.

[Atlanteax]

Thoughts on this?

http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/total-war-rome-ii/user-reviews

I was surprised to see TW:R2 to be rated a red 3.8 by users, and that were some (honest) critics that marked it in the red themselves.

I came across this after reading the EU4 Lead's Dev post on Paradox forums about thanking the players for making EU4 successful. In his post, he cited a 8.9 user score for EU4 on metacritic ... which prompted me to check it out, and then check TW:R2's.
For comparison, EU4's page: http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/europa-universalis-iv/user-reviews

Guess it is a matter of waiting to see if there is a player mod like Rome Total Realism to 'save' TW:R2 like it did with R1. I *loved* how RTR 'fixed' TW:R1.

[Gelston]

I don't trust any metacritic score, user or professional. Metacritic is the worst thing to ever happen to the gaming industry. The thing with user scores, people will hit something with a 10 or a 0. Very few people actually rate the game objectively. A lot of the lower scores are there due to a bad launch, with people having problems playing the game. A lot of people expected differently and they didn't get what they had hoped for. I'd say a brand new player, just starting Rome 2 as their first TW game with Patch 4, would rate it probably an 8.

[Taernath]

Meatcritic user scores are notoriously fickle. If there's a single issue in the game, or if someone's toaster can't run the game on ultra, the usual suspects won't hesitate to give it a 0. That being said, there ARE legitimate issues with Rome 2, like the AI, some design decisions (tech trees) and poor implementation of politics. I personally can run everything on ultra with a 3 year old rig and a 7850, so I don't know why a lot of people seem to be having technical issues. The averaged 78 score from the professional reviewers is a lot closer to the mark.

[Atlanteax]

The thing with user scores, people will hit something with a 10 or a 0. Very few people actually rate the game objectively.

I saw that too, but when you look at the total # of user 'votes' ... kinda speaks volumes. SimCity was a lowly user 2.0, unsurprisingly.

I did not buy TW:R2 as I had a hunch that EA would completely botch what I would consider critical ... AI & Campaign Map.

Seriously hope EA starts putting some serious development into their games after how SimCity & TW:R2 played out with poor starts.

[Taernath]

You mean CA, Creative Assembly, right?

And holy shit, CoH2 is at 1.7 user review. Wow.

[Gelston]

Yeah, EA has had nothing to do with Total War for a while now. Sega is the Publisher. And honestly, the game is great. It was just rushed, most likely by Sega.

[Latrinsorm]

Patch 4 BETA is out. I'd say the game is worth buying now.Oh man I remember when Link to the Past patch 4 went live, it was awesome.

[Gelston]

You mean CA, Creative Assembly, right?

And holy shit, CoH2 is at 1.7 user review. Wow.

I liked Company of Heroes 2. I don't play Multiplayer much though, so I guess that is where it is weak.

[Latrinsorm]

Meatcritic user scores are notoriously fickle. If there's a single issue in the game, or if someone's toaster can't run the game on ultra, the usual suspects won't hesitate to give it a 0. That being said, there ARE legitimate issues with Rome 2, like the AI, some design decisions (tech trees) and poor implementation of politics. I personally can run everything on ultra with a 3 year old rig and a 7850, so I don't know why a lot of people seem to be having technical issues. The averaged 78 score from the professional reviewers is a lot closer to the mark.It's not just hardware. Given the incredible array of operating systems, anti virus software, drivers, it's a miracle a computer game ever works for more than 3 people (Bill Gates, Steve Jobs' frozen head, and Terrence Gunderson Olivier).

[Gelston]

It's not just hardware. Given the incredible array of operating systems, anti virus software, drivers, it's a miracle a computer game ever works for more than 3 people (Bill Gates, Steve Jobs' frozen head, and Terrence Gunderson Olivier).

That is why computer games ALWAYS have patches after release. There are literally millions of different combinations of hardware and software out there.

[Taernath]

I liked Company of Heroes 2. I don't play Multiplayer much though, so I guess that is where it is weak.

Yeah, I enjoyed it too, though the DLC route they went is very COD-esque. I'm reading through the reviews to see what the major issues are but they're not well articulated and very fanboyish.

[Gelston]

The DLC for CoH2 is dumb, but I'm kinda glad it is all aesthetic.

[Gelston]

http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/577876801576570387/928E47EA495623E8405DB686F6319F3A4F796810/

My Parthian Army hitting some city in the desert. Elephants are awesome.

[Gelston]

Looks like the Seleucid DLC (A free one) is being released tomorrow, along with Patch 5.

http://forums.totalwar.com/showthread.php/104317-Latest-update-from-Mike-Simpson-and-CA-%2817.10.2013%29

Claimed to be the largest patch yet. The rest of the patches, they say, will be towards adding features, adjusting gameplay, and working on the AI.

[Gelston]

Patch 5, Seleucids, and Steam Workshop Mod support released. The changes for patch 5 are pretty awesome.

I think the game is now at 100% playability.

So, time to once more conquer the ancient world, but as the Seleucids this time. They have armored elephants. :)

[Taernath]

Pretty cool they threw in a free faction. I wonder if it was because of low scores or if they planned it all along?

[Taernath]

Nomadic Tribes Culture pack came out today for the incredible price of.... FREE.


The Nomadic Tribes Culture Pack enables ROME II players to take on the ancient world as the ruthless Roxolani, the independent Massagetae and the proud Royal Scythians. Accomplished raiders and legendary horsemen, the Nomadic Tribes are poised to sweep from the steppes and strike at the soft, sedentary targets of more established empires.

Defined by their independence, their excellence on horseback and their ability to swiftly assemble large armies, The Nomadic Tribes bring an entirely new cultural flavour to ROME II.

The Roxolani gain wealth from their skills as migrant traders, and as committed conquerors, fight harder when in enemy territory; the Royal Scythians are experts with the bow, and enjoy increased wealth through their high degree of craftsmanship; and the fierce independence of the Massagetae leads them to fight harder when defending their territory, while their expertise in animal husbandry means increased income from livestock.

[Gelston]

Seleucid was planned as free since a little before release. Nomadic was supposed to be paid though. Nice they are tossing it out free.

[Gelston]

Ah! if you grab your copy before the 29th Oct, it will be yours to own forever for FREE (normal cost £5.99/$7.99/€7.49).

So it is also an incentive to get more copies sold.

Make sure to go install it though from the steam store page. It isn't an auto-update.

[Taernath]

Good catch. You also might have to install in manually from the store page. It wasn't automatically associated with my account.

[Gelston]

Good catch. You also might have to install in manually from the store page. It wasn't automatically associated with my account.

It worked for me when I went to the store page. Installed it and it shows up in my purchased DLC for the game now.

I want an Iberian culture pack though. I'd love to play a game starting in Spain... Without being Carthage.

[Gelston]

Well, I think I will now go unleash my vast hordes of nomads to be the scourge upon Europe now!

[Gelston]

http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/579003433545776213/5692D061D76544CEE0117F9FBFFE1DD5803463E7/

Cantabrian circles!

[Taernath]

Started a new game as the Iceni to celebrate the bloodbath DLC. Holy fuck, are chariots really that useless? They come to a complete halt whenever they engage a target, whether it's clicking on the unit to attack, or clicking behind it to try and get the chariots to charge through. They couldn't charge through a moving Roman slinger formation. This must be a bug.

[Gelston]

You know, I never had problems with chariots, I always clicked past the enemies for them though. The animations for them suck but they do a lot of damage.

[Taernath]

Even set to melee mode, in a wedge and using the whip they're only killing 5 guys then immediately getting swamped and cut down. I replaced them with heroic cavalry and am doing much better. Really wish I could figure out what's going on. Some topics on the official boards say you should follow their charge with cavalry to add 'weight' but I feel like I might as well just use 2 cavalry.

On the plus side, ally AI has been improved quite a bit, and they actually help you out significantly once you set a target for them... you just have to make sure you arrive at the settlement first so they don't take it.

[Gelston]

What are you charging into? Heavy Infantry/Spears will bog them down if you hit from the front, but they are great for medium and light. I think you just have to make sure to push through them and then turn them around to hit again. I haven't played chariots since before patch 2 or something though, so they could well have screwed them up.

Historically the Iceni didn't use the chariots to charge with anyways, they were more used as a dragoon type force. They'd have a driver and a rider, they'd pepper the enemy with javelins a little bit at first, then circle back. one would dismount and charge into the fight on foot while the driver waited until the rider returned, or if he was injured he'd rescue him. I don't think you can dismount in R2 with chariots though, so you can't use them for their actual purposes.

[Gelston]

Oh, I just came across this screenshot... I bet his computer shortly exploded afterwards.

http://cloud-3.steampowered.com/ugc/577878070335996505/27F55AAB34FB29D8241B6EB6502C6EA30E8CE927/

[Gelston]

I was looking around at the buildings and stuff, I haven't noticed the graffiti before.

http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/505821122968687943/9A68DA2A587BC01140D992F68EBACB730F378871/

And I always just love to watch my Eagle Cohorts march around.

http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/505821122911400411/C4B23EDA8B4996981D14F9BC71C4AD7E8D961B59/

[Gelston]

Patch 7 Beta is out. It is pretty awesome. If any of you had FPS issues, they should be mostly fixed now as well.

[Gelston]

New faction announced.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qge7_F4VoM0

[Gelston]

Expansion coming out. Caesar in Gaul.

Description:

Caesar in Gaul is a standalone campaign pack for Total War: ROME II covering Julius Caesar’s war of expansion against the Gaulish tribes. Players can choose from four playable factions in this conflict: the Gallic Arverni, the Germanic Suebi, the Belgic Nervii and Rome, in a campaign inspired by Caesar’s Commentarii de bello Gallico (Commentaries on the Gallic war).

Offering a tighter scope in terms of time and geography than Rome II (58-51BC), the Caesar in Gaul Campaign Map is an expanded, more detailed vision of Gaul and the south coast of Britannia.

Compared with ROME II’s map of Gaul, Caesar in Gaul contains more regions and provinces, more factions (both playable and non-playable), and a series of famous generals and statesmen from history which the player will employ or fight against depending on their chosen faction.

A war of great profit and glory for Caesar, this conflict made him extremely popular with the people of Rome… though less so with the senators, who saw him gathering power to himself in a series of events that ultimately lead to his ascension to Dictator.


More info here: http://forums.totalwar.com/showthread.php/113376-Caesar-in-Gaul-Expansion-Campaign-Pack-for-Total-War-ROME-II

Can't wait!

[Taernath]

Mite be cool. Looks like they (re)added seasons, which is something I really think should have been in the base game. Hopefully modders can transfer that to the workshop. Beyond that there don't seem to be any major changes to factions, units or mechanics, so I don't know if I really want to get it.

[Gelston]

Mite be cool. Looks like they (re)added seasons, which is something I really think should have been in the base game. Hopefully modders can transfer that to the workshop. Beyond that there don't seem to be any major changes to factions, units or mechanics, so I don't know if I really want to get it.

Seasons couldn't fit in the base game due to 1TPY. The area Rome 2 covers has many different seasons.

[Taernath]

Turns per year is actually pretty easy to change and was one of the first things to get modded in the workshop. Obviously I'm not saying it should start snowing in the Sahara during winter, but maybe remove the desert heat penalty during winter, and add cold penalty in northern Europe, that sort of thing.

[Gelston]

Turns per year is actually pretty easy to change and was one of the first things to get modded in the workshop. Obviously I'm not saying it should start snowing in the Sahara during winter, but maybe remove the desert heat penalty during winter, and add cold penalty in northern Europe, that sort of thing.

Yeah, TPY is easy to change, I do a 4 TPY mod myself. I'm saying for vanilla though, their decision was 1TPY because they wanted to cover a set period of time. I imagine this DLC will give modders the ability to put it in the main game a little.

[Jarvan]

I almost bought it during steam sale.. but I already have to many games to play so as it is.

I will buy it next time it goes on sale. I liked the first one, and this thread is like a huge tease.

[Thondalar]

I almost bought it during steam sale.. but I already have to many games to play so as it is.

I will buy it next time it goes on sale. I liked the first one, and this thread is like a huge tease.

Almost bought it too, but I read a bunch of bad reviews about it and ended up getting Europa Universalis 4 instead...not sure I made the right decision. Don't get me wrong, EU4 is a great game...it's just SO detailed. You really have to plan, and keep track of everything...it's like Total War for people who don't actually want to fight that much and would rather spend hours sorting through various diplomatic options to a hundred other kingdoms.

I don't mind admitting I'm more of a Total War kinda guy. I can get shitfaced and still do great with Total War...I tried to play EU4 drunk once and my entire kingdom collapsed...and I was playing as Castille...

[Gelston]

The game has changed a LOT since release, which is what the reviews are based on. Most of the issues have been addressed, though the siege AI is still a little lackluster.

[Taernath]

I tried to play EU4 drunk once and my entire kingdom collapsed...and I was playing as Castille...

You don't have to be drunk for that to happen.

[Gelston]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSU1aWtgGew

Caesar in Gaul released today.

[Gelston]

Oh, and happy Saturnalia!

[Gelston]

Patch 9 is officially out. Got a mod called Divide et Impera... Changes a LOT. The battles are a lot slower, maneuvering matters a lot more, especially with pikes/hoplites. AND! I can make a proper triplex acies!

http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/468675294738209496/6C86D6C6E8D70CD444D7D22D76DB3A202D04403F/1920x1080.resizedimage

Hastati in the front(Screened by velites), Principes in the center, Triarii in the rear. Scipio would be proud.

[Gelston]

http://cloud-3.steampowered.com/ugc/468675294739279105/0509CCCCB0AAEF7E4EDC366B6A078DA4D33420CD/1920x1080.resizedimage

Heh, nothing like charging up a hill against a bunch of barbarians with superior numbers and still winning.

[SHAFT]

Heh, nothing like charging up a hill against a bunch of barbarians with superior numbers and still winning.

Obviously you cheat. Some kind of code. Like LSU.

[Gelston]

Obviously you cheat. Some kind of code. Like LSU.

Nah, I just have better troops. Like LSU.

[SHAFT]

Nah, I just have better troops. Like LSU.

Hehe, good comeback. Carry on.

[Taernath]

I finally got around to playing Caesar in Gaul. I was NOT expecting winter attrition to be so goddamned deadly, or for winter to last like 5 turns.

[Gelston]

I finally got around to playing Caesar in Gaul. I was NOT expecting winter attrition to be so goddamned deadly, or for winter to last like 5 turns.

Haha, yeah. I remember saying "Fuck winter" and marching an army through and it going from like 3000 men to 100 or so.

[Taernath]

Rome is crap for ranged. Local Auxilia are good though. Invade up to Magna Germania and you can get archers. They shoot 125, but they are great for armor piercing. Kind of middle ground between slingers (who suck at piercing armor) and javelins (who pierce elephants.)

Late reply but it's actually sort of different (maybe they changed it since you wrote this):

Slingers have long range (150), average armor piercing, but light damage. They also can't really arc their shots over formations so you have to work at either putting them on the front line or maneuvering them. They have no special ammo, but lots of it. Best against light-medium troops.

Archers have medium range (125, some specialized ones have up to 150), low armor piercing but medium damage. They can arc their shots, fire flaming arrows and tend to have super light armor, so they work best behind a front line against light troops, and in sieges when you can burn stuff down with their fire damage. Medium amount of ammo.

Javelins have short range (80), high armor piercing, and high damage. They can't arc their shots, but can use flaming ammo which will cause rekt status all around if you can maneuver them well. They work well against heavily armored infantry and are a hard counter against elephants. Small amount of ammo, so make those shots count.

[Gelston]

Late reply but it's actually sort of different (maybe they changed it since you wrote this):

Slingers have long range (150), average armor piercing, but light damage. They also can't really arc their shots over formations so you have to work at either putting them on the front line or maneuvering them. They have no special ammo. Best against light-medium troops.

Archers have medium range (125, some specialized ones have up to 150), low armor piercing but medium damage. They can arc their shots, fire flaming arrows and tend to have super light armor, so they work best behind a front line against light troops, and in sieges when you can burn stuff down with their fire damage.

Javelins have short range (80), high armor piercing and high damage. They can't arc their shots, but can use flaming ammo which will cause rekt status all around if you can maneuver them well. They work well against heavily armored infantry and are a hard counter against elephants.

A few things did change. Rome can get Balearic Slingers and Creten Archers now. :P

[Taernath]

Yeah, you gotta conquer the Greek city-states though, which I never get around to.

I finished my last campaign as Rome, now I'm looking for a good culture to play a second one as. Any recommendations? I started Macedon and Egypt campaigns and they both feel pretty decent so far, but I'm wondering how Parthia or one of the all cavalry cultures are. Celts seem a little boring, except for maybe the Suebi.

[Gelston]

Yeah, you gotta conquer the Greek city-states though, which I never get around to.

I finished my last campaign as Rome, now I'm looking for a good culture to play a second one as. Any recommendations? I started Macedon and Egypt campaigns and they both feel pretty decent so far, but I'm wondering how Parthia or one of the all cavalry cultures are. Celts seem a little boring, except for maybe the Suebi.

Parthia is fun. Do it!

[Latrinsorm]

Late reply but it's actually sort of different (maybe they changed it since you wrote this):

Slingers have long range (150), average armor piercing, but light damage. They also can't really arc their shots over formations so you have to work at either putting them on the front line or maneuvering them. They have no special ammo, but lots of it. Best against light-medium troops.

Archers have medium range (125, some specialized ones have up to 150), low armor piercing but medium damage. They can arc their shots, fire flaming arrows and tend to have super light armor, so they work best behind a front line against light troops, and in sieges when you can burn stuff down with their fire damage. Medium amount of ammo.

Javelins have short range (80), high armor piercing, and high damage. They can't arc their shots, but can use flaming ammo which will cause rekt status all around if you can maneuver them well. They work well against heavily armored infantry and are a hard counter against elephants. Small amount of ammo, so make those shots count.The fire damage is also really helpful against Dacia's ice elementals.

[Gelston]

Just had a pretty epic battle. I was playing as Rome and invading Gaul, fighting the Arverni. I marched in with two legions (I had a mod that increases units size), so about 8000 troops all told. I hit a Gallic army outside Bibracte, and it is reinforced by 3 other Gallic armies, totaling around 15,000. The battle lasted about 20-30 minutes, I used up all the artillery and velite ammo I had and still had a lot of fighting to do. I lost about 1,000 men, they lost about 7,000 before they went into a full retreat, clearing the way to their capital city. It is just so awesome fighting the barbarian hordes like this.

Oh, and this was with a Pre-Marian army, so Hastati in the front, Principes in the second line, and Triarii in the third line. I love Pre-Marian armies because they make the Triplex Acies formation look so much better.

[Androidpk]

Anxiously awaiting for Creative Assembly to announce Total War 40k

[Gelston]

Anxiously awaiting for Creative Assembly to announce Total War 40k

They have the license for Warhammer fantasy, not 40k, unfortunately.

[Androidpk]

Sega got rights to make WH/WH40k games. Sega owns Creative Assembly and made a multi-game deal with them, the first being total war WH. It's rumored that TW:40k would come afterwards. If not there is always Relic and Dawn of War 3 which is confirmed.

[Gelston]

Sega got rights to make WH/WH40k games. Sega owns Creative Assembly and made a multi-game deal with them, the first being total war WH. It's rumored that TW:40k would come afterwards. If not there is always Relic and Dawn of War 3 which is confirmed.

Slitherine has the Wh40k license. Sega didn't manage to get it. Sega DOES have the Dawn of War licensing, so we can pretty much only expect those coming from them.

Even if Sega did toss Dawn of War to CA, it wouldn't produce anything anytime soon, since they've been working with a Warhammer Fantasy license for the last 2 or so years.

Judging by Slitherine's record of games, it'll likely be a fully turn based strategy.

Also, Dawn of War 3 is no longer confirmed. It was confirmed by THQ, but they went belly up and Sega hasn't come out and said it is going forward with it.

There are 8 Wh40k games set to come out between now at 2016 though, across multiple styles... So we have something to look forward to at least.

[Androidpk]

> There are 8 Wh40k games set to come out between now at 2016 though, across multiple styles... So we have something to look forward to at least.

Yeah, that's the thing, no single one development company has sole rights to the 40k ip. Slitherines game, based on the second war for Armageddon is indeed turn based strategy. They've shown a few screenshots and it looks like a cheap movie game.

Dawn of War was indeed published by THQ, developed by Relic Entertainment. Relic is now owned by Sega and they confirmed that it is being worked on. Larger scope/scale and more persistent game world.

Deathwing is being made by Streum On Studio and Eternal Crusade by Behaviour Interactive.

[Gelston]

Sega is still not talking about whether or not they have a Wh40k license. They may have just not renewed it. They grabbed Relic for Company of Heroes I believe.

[Androidpk]

Bah, I could have sworn I just read a new-ish article last night with Relic talking about it but it now appears that was just me being drunk and not reading the dates correctly :(

[Androidpk]

I'll find out one way or another. An old friend of mine used to work for Relic and did some programming on the first DoW game. Going to see if he knows.

[Androidpk]

So I just spent too much time watching this interview (from last week) and the guys from Relic never come out and say anything about DoW3 but if you add up various answers and information they give it's rather telling that they are continuing the work they started under THQ. They are currently going through the previous DoW games and updating them to keep working online since Gamespy is shutting down. My money is on an announcement for DoW3 this fall which marks the tenth anniversary of dawn of war.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKO8nEuuqlM&amp;feature=youtu.be

[Taernath]

Slitherine is the one who made that battle simulator program used by Deadliest Warrior, and Streum On are those batshit insane Frenchmen behind E.Y.E. Divine Cybermancy, correct?

This is a grimdark day for the Imperium of Man.

[Gelston]

50% off in the Steam sale, so $30.

[Gelston]

Patch 14 made the game so much more awesome.

So, I had one of my legions marching into the province south of Egypt. My legion had a typical amount of troops, around 4-5000. The village I saw had the full garrison and an army of around 5-6000, so I was facing 10,000. No problem, I attacked it with typical Roman arrogance when dealing with barbarians. Especially with it being a village as I usually beat the crap out of them with skirmishers and my ballistae before sending in my legionaries to cut the rest down. Before patch 14, this always worked. It was boring.

This time was different. I sent up a unit of cavalry to get eyes on so I could fire my ballistae and began maneuvering my velites up, when I saw their entire army empty out of the village and charge straight at my Legionaries (who I had arranged in Triplex Acies). Their cavalry manage to catch and wipe out my skirmishers, and then their line expanded, so I was forced to drop the triplex acies into a double line. I barely had enough time to for all my guys to get into formation before the enemy just swarmed into my first line. It was fucking hectic. I managed to get save my cavalry and swing them around the line and wipe out their cavalry, before slamming my cavalry into their left and right flank. Once those areas were cleared I was able to fully envelop my enemy. It was one of the most epic battles ever... Except now ALL the village based battles require more thinking then just parking some artillery and skirmishers outside of melee.

Siege battles? Well, the AI doesn't just sit there and die while throwing torches at the gates anymore either. They use ladders, and not just for one unit. They will effect multiple breaches. The game has really, really improved.

I also found this mod, which is superb if you ever wanted to start as a large Rome or if you wanted to fight a large Rome.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=251797814&searchtext=

[Androidpk]

FRAPs? Twitch? Youtube??

[Gelston]

FRAPs? Twitch? Youtube??

I don't do that shit!

[Gelston]

Oh, and has for how I can have such large numbers in one unit, I have a mod that increases the number of men in a unit. It totally fucks up amphibious assaults though.

[Androidpk]

I don't do that shit!

How else are you going to capture epic battles? Do you think LSU skips watching films for training??

[Gelston]

How else are you going to capture epic battles? Do you think LSU skips watching films for training??

Hey, a Roman Legatus didn't have a reply feature, so neither do I. (They also couldn't control dudes in real time and didn't have an aerial view.)

[Androidpk]

(They also couldn't control dudes in real time and didn't have an aerial view.)[/QUOTE]

Allegedly.

[Androidpk]

Seriously though.. fraps and YouTube are free, son. Get 'er done

[Gelston]

Twitch is actually installed into the game.

[Androidpk]

You can probably get a free copy of fraps pro. I can check if you want.

[Gelston]

You can probably get a free copy of fraps pro. I can check if you want.

No need, I never plan to fraps, youtube, or twitch anything! I PLAY FOR ME!

[Androidpk]

But what about all those people in the world without a gaming computer who are forced to play chess on a kindle fire and get entertained by naming the sides after Roman generals and enemies.? I'm sure they exist and I'm totally not one of them.

[Gelston]

But what about all those people in the world without a gaming computer who are forced to play chess on a kindle fire and get entertained by naming the sides after Roman generals and enemies.? I'm sure they exist and I'm totally not one of them.

There are tons of other people who do this!

[Androidpk]

Scipio is currently waging war in Gaul (medium difficulty)

[Gelston]

I always like the post Marian legions more.

[Gelston]

Just had an odd battle. I mean, it was super, super realistic and all..

I had a full legion arrayed in battle formation, and the berber enemy sallies out to fight me. I have a full legion and they have a bunch of dudes that had been starving and crap, so they are numbering around 500 soldiers. I march my legion up to the in battle formation, and you see them start to lose morale quick the closer my guys march up. When I stop with them just out of the range of my archers, three of their units tuck tail and rout. I then run my legion forward, but still just short of firing range, and the entire rest of their army just melts away and routs. I didn't kill a single one of them, but they all ran just out of fear of my awesome Roman legion.

[Androidpk]

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

[Gelston]

http://cloud-4.steampowered.com/ugc/29590272715233634/B801E49B15FA7D8DE42592D15521030D638AF915/

Trying to goad these bitch ass Picts into attacking me up hill. Not working too well. :(

[Gelston]

http://cloud-4.steampowered.com/ugc/29590272715562864/C37F5AE4171F54BE63492C63E2C920C3DD912328/

Guess they'll just stand here and talk shit at each other.

[Gelston]

http://cloud-4.steampowered.com/ugc/29590272715713462/ED0312A60E93B8313C4E0843AA6244474E5522B4/

So they charged their light melee cav into my lancers and routed them. Looks like I go to them.

[Sean of the Thread]

fraps is free nowadays? I did not know this.

[Gelston]

Rumors abound that an Augustus campaign DLC will be launched and also the return of the family tree. CA has only said "Sometimes retailers get things wrong" but have been pretty closed mouth on the subject. This all first started appearing on German websites, then French, and now a British one has it up.

http://www.mmoga.co.uk/Steam-Games/Total-War-Rome-2-Emperor-Edition.html

[Gelston]

Huge changes to the game. Politics and Civil War is completely reworked. I think this is the game they wanted to release a year ago, but just ran out of time to do. Also, a free Campaign will be released on the 16th.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYnEDqb_cN8

Changes listed here: http://wiki.totalwar.com/index.php?title=Total_War_ROME_II:_Patch_15

[Atlanteax]

FYI ... apparently Rome 2 is *FREE TO PLAY* until 1pm PST this Sunday due to the Steam special weekend.

So if you've been considering the game, but reluctant to buy it... go ahead and do the free trial version, as I will be doing this weekend, to see if it will be worthwhile purchasing.

[Taernath]

I've been playing the Augustus campaign, and halfway through giving Lepidus' Rome some of the old in-out in-out a civil war triggered despite being in the middle of the political chart and no warning. The rebels even acquired half my carefully organized, upgraded and trained legions! OCTAVIAN REBELS, GIVE ME BACK MY LEGIONS!

I guess it's bugged.

[Gelston]

I've been playing the Augustus campaign, and halfway through giving Lepidus' Rome some of the old in-out in-out a civil war triggered despite being in the middle of the political chart and no warning. The rebels even acquired half my carefully organized, upgraded and trained legions! OCTAVIAN REBELS, GIVE ME BACK MY LEGIONS!

I guess it's bugged.
The meter is. They are working on a fix.

[Taernath]

Oil up those eromenoi, Wrath of Sparta announced:
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/12/07/its-a-parta-the-plan-total-war-rome-ii-wrath-of-sparta/

[Androidpk]

Oil up those eromenoi, Wrath of Sparta announced:
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/12/07/its-a-parta-the-plan-total-war-rome-ii-wrath-of-sparta/

I'm keeping my bolter oiled up for when they announced WH40k Total War.*

*Shut up, Gelston.

[Gelston]

So, I just noticed something on Raptr for my Rome 2 stats....

Congratulations! You are the #1 player of this game!

Yes, on this very PC forum you have the #1 Rome 2 player on the planet. You should all be so blessed.

[Jarvan]

So, I just noticed something on Raptr for my Rome 2 stats....

Congratulations! You are the #1 player of this game!

Yes, on this very PC forum you have the #1 Rome 2 player on the planet. You should all be so blessed.

What the hell is raptr.

[Taernath]

Facebook for "gamers".

[Androidpk]

So, I just noticed something on Raptr for my Rome 2 stats....

Congratulations! You are the #1 player of this game!

Yes, on this very PC forum you have the #1 Rome 2 player on the planet. You should all be so blessed.

OH GERSTON YOU MAKE US HORNY LONG TIME

[Gelston]

What the hell is raptr.

it is this dumb program that AMD installed on my computer.

[Gelston]

Decided to do a campaign as Ptolemaic Egypt. I'm doing good so far I think. Friggin Syracuse beat me to Carthage though.

http://cloud-4.steamusercontent.com/ugc/31856754848566512/62B03FBA7F3ED701F7CC886FB651DA24E9C9395B/

[Thondalar]

So, I just noticed something on Raptr for my Rome 2 stats....

Congratulations! You are the #1 player of this game!

Yes, on this very PC forum you have the #1 Rome 2 player on the planet. You should all be so blessed.

Only because I haven't picked it up yet. Way too much on my plate already atm...but its day will come.

[Gelston]

Only because I haven't picked it up yet. Way too much on my plate already atm...but its day will come.

Well, on 17 Feb I'll likely be done with Rome 2 and onto Attila, so you have your chance. According to steam I currently have.... 2838 hours in.

[Taernath]

Well, on 17 Feb I'll likely be done with Rome 2 and onto Attila, so you have your chance. According to steam I currently have.... 2838 hours in.

Has Rome 2 even been out for 2838 hours?

[Gelston]

Has Rome 2 even been out for 2838 hours?

Yes.

[Androidpk]

http://kotaku.com/total-war-warhammer-accidentally-announced-1679351292

[Gelston]

http://kotaku.com/total-war-warhammer-accidentally-announced-1679351292

It has been known they were doing Warhammer for a while. It still isn't known if it is going to be a proper Total War or not though.

[Androidpk]

It has been known they were doing Warhammer for a while. It still isn't known if it is going to be a proper Total War or not though.

It's titled Total War Warhammer: Hammer of Chaos.

[Gelston]

Should just be called Total Warhammer.

A few unit names leaked back in 2013 though. They were interviewing devs working on Rome 2, and you could see the units on their computer behind them.

Still, having Total War in the name doesn't mean it is a proper Total War. There is Total War: Arena and Total War Battles: Kingdoms... Both of which are not Total War games.

[Androidpk]

I won't really care one way or another until they do 40k. Titans, knights and baneblades oh my :D

[Gelston]

I won't really care one way or another until they do 40k. Titans, knights and baneblades oh my :D

Never gonna do it!

[Androidpk]

Never gonna do it!

They'd be crazy not to.

[Gelston]

Wh40k is pretty niche. Total War is also fairly niche. Niche in a niche? We'll have to see how Warhammer fantasy goes first.

[Taernath]

Remember when their games used to be GAME: TOTAL WAR and not TOTAL WAR: GAME? Pepperidge Farm remembers.

[Androidpk]

Wh40k is pretty niche. Total War is also fairly niche. Niche in a niche? We'll have to see how Warhammer fantasy goes first.

But 40k is more popular. Why they decided to do fantasy is beyond me.

[Gelston]

But 40k is more popular. Why they decided to do fantasy is beyond me.

It fits 100x better with how Total War is.

[Gelston]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hh0UyJMYdw

Fucking insane. Dude made an accurately sized Roman Manipular army. He says it is 30,000 men, so around 5 full strength legions.

[Taernath]

They are doing that Make War Not Love thing again this weeked, but what DLC are they planning on giving away? I already own them all and I'm pretty sure they're not planning on releasing anything new for Rome 2.

[Warriorbird]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hh0UyJMYdw

Fucking insane. Dude made an accurately sized Roman Manipular army. He says it is 30,000 men, so around 5 full strength legions.

Rome was amazing. Really amazing.

[Androidpk]

Someone needs to revive the Roman empire.

[Taernath]

Someone needs to revive the Roman empire.

I did in Crusader Kings 2.

[Androidpk]

I did in Crusader Kings 2.

Is this you?

http://www.polygon.com/2015/2/14/8038745/one-person-has-played-more-than-10000-hours-of-crusader-kings-2

[Taernath]

No, I'm pretty sure that's also Gelston.

[Gelston]

No, I'm pretty sure that's also Gelston.

My CK2 hours are around 1000. I have revived the Roman Empire, imported it to EU4 and conquered Earth though.

[Warriorbird]

My CK2 hours are around 1000. I have revived the Roman Empire, imported it to EU4 and conquered Earth though.

I need to do that again in Iron Man after I pick a simultaneous Aztec Mongol war with my Moors. I want the achievement.

[Taernath]

My CK2 hours are around 1000. I have revived the Roman Empire, imported it to EU4 and conquered Earth though.

I have yet to get a fully-functional Roman Empire to successfully transfer to EU4. I took over all of Europe, most of Africa and the Middle East but the save bugs out in the converter even with older versions of EU4, and my 1200s save is missing a good chunk of my territory.

[Warriorbird]

I have yet to get a fully-functional Roman Empire to successfully transfer to EU4. I took over all of Europe, most of Africa and the Middle East but the save bugs out in the converter even with older versions of EU4, and my 1200s save is missing a good chunk of my territory.

I converted but pre Iron Man, so no achievements. It'll be fun to redo.

[Androidpk]

I converted but pre Iron Man, so no achievements. It'll be fun to redo.

Deus Ex HR has forever turned me off from game achievements.

[Taernath]

Deus Ex HR has forever turned me off from game achievements.

How's that? Trying to get Foxiest of the Hounds/Pacifist on the last level?

[Androidpk]

How's that? Trying to get Foxiest of the Hounds/Pacifist on the last level?

Those are the only two I don't have. I had a flawless game, didn't get them. Played through again, a mother fucking ninja. No detections. No lethal kills. No achievements. Hair pull.

[Warriorbird]

Those are the only two I don't have. I had a flawless game, didn't get them. Played through again, a mother fucking ninja. No detections. No lethal kills. No achievements. Hair pull.

You can get it for stuff that happened unrelated to you. Deus Ex/Metal Gear both do some shady stuff with achievements that many other games don't do though, I agree.

[Latrinsorm]

Rome was amazing. Really amazing....

...

...for me to poop on.

[Gelston]

...

...

...for me to poop on.

You're a Latrine. You don't poop on anything.

[Warriorbird]

...

...

...for me to poop on.

Okay Nero.