Mages on Horseback?

[Wyrmhero]

Just playing a game as the Hippus yesterday, and I thought that, since they are all about a mobile force, what if their mages were mounted units?

I thought it would be useful for the Hippus if these were. They could either be mounted or arcane unit-class, but either way, they would also require horseback riding, and be able to get Nightmares as steeds. (evil Hippus mages on near-feral mounts?)

They would most probably need a higher cost than other mages, since they are more versatile, and would add to the unique-ness of the Hippus, since they don't really have any UUs currently.

 

[Grey Fox]

If anything, would be cool if hippus had a special air spell that increase mobility of land units.

 

[Randolph]

Hippus was probably the biggest loser from cutting war chariots, and this (and/or other mounted versions of "normal" units) would be an flavorful addition.

 

[the343danny]

Well about the nightmares, wouldnt it be better so that once you get them, all of your horses that go into a city w/ access to one would get the promo? Kinda like the weapon promos?

Well anyways, that would be cool... but slightly imba hit&run tactic with raider mages (frex: fireball mages run up to a city and fireball it to death and they can still run back without being threatened by enemy assassins)

Reminds me of my oblivion game where I had my horse (the brotherhood one), and I rode around casting fireballs, lighting strikes, meteors, etc... with mods btw

 

[Annex]

Hippus was probably the biggest loser from cutting war chariots, and this (and/or other mounted versions of "normal" units) would be an flavorful addition.

I agree. In my opinion every Hippus unit should get a horselord promotion at the very least, to simulate the fact that even if it is not a mounted unit, it travels very fast by horseback to get around.

But it would have preferred if they kept the War Chariots as a UU.

As far as mounted mages, I think that is a good idea.

 

[MagisterCultuum]

I'm not so sure it nerfed the Hippus at all. Their hero comes sooner, and they can get City Raider III on their mounted units now.

I don't really think that they should get so many mounted UUs.

That said, it could be pretty cool to add a Hippus-only promotion that added +1 movement and changed a unit's unitcombat to mounted. Xienwolf said a while back that this is possible with some fairly simple SDK changes, but I'm not sure if he made those changes yet.

 

[Ekolite]

If the Hippus mages were getting animprovement I'd prefer to see them on Chariots. It doesn't seem particularly practical trying to cast spells while riding a horse at the same time.

But on the other hand, I don't think the Hippus are particularly well known for their mages, which is shown in game by them only starting with two mana sources, just like the Khazad.

I think a mounted or in some other way speedy settler/worker could be good though.

 

[MagisterCultuum]

Their settlers used to be (well, look) mounted.


In a conversation between Rhoanna and Falamar it is said that the Hippus have some very good Air mages who helped the fleet move faster.


You know, there was a time when Hippus Knights ("Wind Knights") had the Air III promotion. (I think that Air magic was actually unavailable to arcane units at the time.



I personally prefer changing the Hippus Palace to give free stables in all cities instead of horses, as I think that the Hippus should really start with Mind mana. Horses aren't that hard to find, and their benefits don't stack like mana does. Although they are of the Air sphere, it is implied that they are mostly unknowing worshipers of Mammon.

 

[Annex]

I don't really think that they should get so many mounted UUs.

They only have one as it is, and they require the guild of the nine.

 

[MagisterCultuum]

I didn't mean that they need fewer than they have now, I meant that we shouldn't try to give them too many more UUs just to make them all mounted.

(Actually, I'd much prefer it if mercenaries were completely changed, probably by making a spell trigger an event like from Beneath the Heel.)

 

[civ_king]

It wouldn't be that hard to cast on horseback... provided you had stirrups

 

[Merddyn]

Except for the movement of the horse throwing off your gesturing, making it harder to speak, et cetera...

 

[Zechnophobe]

Except for the movement of the horse throwing off your gesturing, making it harder to speak, et cetera...

The whole reason stirrups are awesome is because you can stand in them, and use your legs like hydraulics so your body remains relatively unmoved. I'd imagine it being as useful to spell casting as to archery .

 

[Annex]

These are the horselords we're talking about here, people. They grew up on the backs of horses.

 

[Merddyn]

Valid points, however... People are complaining about the Hippus being a pain as it is... Give them mounted mages, and... Yeesh, don't even want to have to think about that.

Besides, just getting Mages mobility would be enough.

The stirrups point isn't entirely accurate, though... Ever been in a car without shocks? Technically, the wheels do the same thing as what you say for your legs. Alternatively, stand up on a moving bus for a trip. That's the kind of thing you'd have to deal with for moving on a horse.

If the horse is standing still, I'd agree with you, though. Even archers on horse-back have to adjust for the movement of the horse, though, and I've fired a bow before, I practiced twice a week for several months (so as not to bring up the whole only fired it once argument), and it's a lot easier than what I'm sure the somatic components for spells are. Especially if one wrong gesture could spell the doom of your entire army, for example.

 

[MagisterCultuum]

I imagine that some spells are probably a lot easier to cast while in motion than others are. Earth and Nature spells might require staying still either with you feet firmly planted in the ground or touching the ground with all you limbs. Air and Chaos spells by contrast might require lots of wild movements which being on horseback could actually help.

 

[rocklikeafool]

I have a solution for you, Wyrmhero. Mod your idea...yourself. It's a good idea but unless you can get someone else (not me, I'm a workin stiff now) to mod it...

 

[KillerClowns]

As neutral as I am to this idea... wouldn't a mounted mage likely be like mounted infantry? Travel on horseback, but cast on his own two legs, that sort of thing...
I wouldn't want to be the one trying to train a mage's horse if said mage was intended to cast while riding. Granted, I know horses can be trained to keep their heads about them in the roar and din of battle. But even the most level-headed animal might get a bit nervous if their rider was, say, channeling the unspeakable energies of Hell. Then again, I'm no expert...

 

[Fenboy]

On an unrelated note, I was thinking about Calabim Adepts/Mages the other day. Perhaps they could be Hags. I have no idea if or how that would affect gameplay, but graphically it could be cool

 

[Mesix]

If Ganfolf the Gray can ride a horse and cast spells in LOTR, why not a mounted mage in FfH?