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Medieval European Mod II 2016-10-05

embryodead said:
If you need timber when playing as the English, trade with Novgorod, Sweden, possibly Lithuania and Poland.

Nah, just take it from the French ;)

@Kai - I thought you were scottish, can`t remember why :)

Son of Dido said:
[Really though, if you had an ancient and famously wealthy city sitting on the chokepoint of an international trade route, and a massive invading horde turned up at your city walls, and they claimed they were "just passing through" wouldn't YOU be at least a bit skeptical? I get suspicious if even just one AI warrior wanders one tile into my borders, imagine how the Byzantine Emperor reacted when every armed man in Western Europe popped up right outside Constantinople one afternoon... ]
:lol:
 
Yoda Power said:
Is that Abbasids in Hungary? :dubious:

Yes! :crazyeye: Scotland conquered England, Burgundy conquered France, Denmark and Lithuania kicks ass... Muslims are too strong :(
Well... thats what happens when Serbia is Huge (I think) :lol:
 
I must say that this mod has been so addictive that it's been occupying most of my free time as of late. I like the way building dependencies were made; you can't simply plop things anywhere like in standard civ. Clever restrictions too - this is also the first time I've actually been forced to use the Feudalism government in its pure form (meaning not something like the artificially beefed-up "Feudalism" gov in the Sengoku scenario).

Anyways, I'm currently playing as Cordova at the second-easiest level (forgot what the name is) to get a feel for things. Ravaged the Armenian Empire, locked horns with the Portuguese, and managed to play the Sicilians, the third most powerful faction in my current game, against the Portuguese. I'm preparing a second invasion of the Portuguese empire with several "Stacks of Doom" containing Saracen Knights to sweep over the lightly-defended frontier towns. Although the Armenians pretty much lost terribly in a war against my empire, even losing their capital and access to resources, they stubbornly refused to make peace and the war pretty much dragged on for 40 turns or so with them losing big. Too bad there's nothing that can be done to make the AI weigh options better...
 
I must say that this mod has been so addictive that it's been occupying most of my free time as of late. I like the way building dependencies were made; you can't simply plop things anywhere like in standard civ. Clever restrictions too - this is also the first time I've actually been forced to use the Feudalism government in its pure form (meaning not something like the artificially beefed-up "Feudalism" gov in the Sengoku scenario).

Anyways, I'm currently playing as Cordova at the second-easiest level (forgot what the name is) to get a feel for things. Ravaged the Armenian Empire, locked horns with the Portuguese, and managed to play the Sicilians, the third most powerful faction in my current game, against the Portuguese. I'm preparing a second invasion of the Portuguese empire with several "Stacks of Doom" containing Saracen Knights to sweep over the lightly-defended frontier towns. Although the Armenians pretty much lost terribly in a war against my empire, even losing their capital and access to resources, they stubbornly refused to make peace and the war pretty much dragged on for 40 turns or so with them losing big. Too bad there's nothing that can be done to make the AI weigh options better...


you sure your not getting armenia and aragon mixed up? :lol:
armenia would be a hell of a travel from iberia :crazyeye:
 
I'm playing on a random map. The mod came with two files for Euro maps and one for random.
 
This was the third mod I picked up having not played civ3 for a loong time; problems with a dvd drive killed my civ4 addiction last year and have been passing spare time with other games since. The other 2 mods were each twice as big as this one, file-wise, but nowhere near as ... intricate. MEM2 really is much more involving and cleverly designed, it seems. The simulated vassalages is a great concept and the civ-/culture-/religion-unique wonders add rare flavour instead of being the game-breaking, uber-unit-spawning neccessities that are so common in other mods.

I first chose Italy on the small map on emporer difficulty. I couldn't get settlers out fast enough so I was soon surrounded by the AI who had of course met the rest of Europe quite expansively and were several techs ahead already. Scratched that. Then I chose Ireland on the large map on monarch settings. I would have gone for my native England, but I liked the Irish traits better. This game is going much better. It started off pretty scary: the second town I settled actually restricted any further expansion. In retrospect, it's easy enough to have 3 towns on the Irish landmass, although half the city radii would have been coastal. So I was scared because I only had 2 towns, no contacts except glimpses of Scottish and English borders, and seafaring was still 2-3 techs away.

However, that turned out to be a good thing. All I could do was stock up on Kerns (roughly a dozen) then Currachs (2 or 3) then ship them slowly over to the Welsh coastline where William and Robert were already racing a settler each. The rest, as they say, is history. Anway, really loving this game. It's obvious the guys who created this have not just thought of what they could put in, but also what could be left out. All the units and buildings are useful in flavour and gameplay. I just can't wait to finish this game and try an Islamic civ next.

If you like, here's an SS where William Wallace makes a last stand for freedom, not against the pompous English, but, in a quirky twist of fate, against their Celtic cousins, the Irish.
Spoiler :
c3.jpg
 
I think that scotland are overpowered compared to the english. Although here is a question to anyone who has played as england; where do you put your cities, I recon I figured it out only missing two tiles alltogether and all my cities being able to grow beyond cize one, but then the one in cumbria culturally flipped to the Irish!
 
This game is going much better. It started off pretty scary: the second town I settled actually restricted any further expansion. In retrospect, it's easy enough to have 3 towns on the Irish landmass, although half the city radii would have been coastal.

I managed 5 metros :p

Spoiler :
Ireland.JPG


Emly only produces around 12 shields though but Tara and Dun Laoghaire both produce 30+
 
@ Kumquat......how did the moderators let you in with that name? :rolleyes: welcome btw.
 
Thanks for all the reports and comments.

Regarding England and England vs. Scotland - civs in itself have nothing unbalancing, but starting locations on the provided maps are obviously very different. Island nations are generally easy to play, and Britain is a great location. England has all strategic resources nearby except for timber (which can be easily bought), which is really good compared to many other startlocs (1-2 strats). As far as the English vs. Scots go (at least when it's AI vs AI) it's mostly a matter of initial settling, so it's pretty random - whoever manages to build more cities will likely claim the island. If you want to make Scotland purposedly weaker, it's easy to fix - remove cattle from their starting location. It just won't be fair, IMO ;)

My England has normally 6 cities, in similar pattern to Retro V's screenshot, give or take a square. I've been building a living wall in the north myself, who can resist that? :D

Regarding the Irish - I've usually built 4 cities when playing with them. Coastal waters aren't so bad with fishes, whales and the Royal Port wonder!

Colours
There was a discussion about possible colour changes, and here's the proposed result. I've posted another screenshot earlier in the main forum asking if the difference between Sweden and France is visible, and IIRC 3 out of 4 people said yes ;)

So here are the possible changes:
- Germany switches colours with Khazars so that Germany is black and Khazars yellow; alternatively Germany can get the golden/darker yellow from Castile, while Castile would get yellow. This is a nice explanation of HRE's flags/colours: http://fotw.fivestarflags.com/de_roman.html I'm still not sure what is best: yellow, gold/dark yellow or black (and if Castile can switch).
- France gets blue, pink is out. To allow this, Sweden's blue becomes darker and slate, and other blues are adjusted as well. Again I'm not sure if this is really a good idea and if a clearly distinct pink can't just stay with France.

memcolorz.jpg
 
i think pink is a very reasonable color for france :p

but i do prefer the color changes you made.
 
Ha, that's quite interesting considering I have already updated the colors for the mod myself...and coincedently, I came to many of the same changes as you.

For my new color arrangment, I reassigned as follows:

Denmark - Light Olive
Novgorod - Flourescent Yellow
Germany - Gold (nothing better suits them, trust me)
France - Blue
Italy - Dark Purple
Portugal - Light/Lime Green
Castille - Yellow
Cordova - Tan/Light Brown
Almohads - Tanish Gray
Abbasids - Light Grey
Armenia - Light Pink/Purple
Turks - Brownish Yellow
Byzantium - Dark Orange
Tatars - Dark Olive
Sicily - Pink (yeah, the color nobody likes, however, I still need to replace this with something more aesthetic)

I'll be posting up some screenshots soon so you can see what it looks like on the world map. I tried to appoint colors according to a certain scheme, for instance France, Burgundy, Germany, and England were all allocated with the color that their troops wore into battle; alternatively, all Islamic civs were grouped by similar brownish, tan, or gray hues to represent some kind of "Islamic brotherhood". The others were all simply then chosen due to personal preference and taste (i.e. what I associate with the civ and/or what looks the best).

I'll be posting some screenshots of my conquests of today, in this thread tommorow...but for now, I better get some sleep. Damn exams always getting in the way! :sad:
 
While I was yet not far removed from my youth, I was called by the Boyars and the Posadnik of proud Novgorod. Hearing of the might of my arm, the strength of my shield & sword, they asked of me, yea, they did beseech, that I deign to be Kniaz’ and lord over them. For the timid merchants were in no-wise able to protect their commerce from the marauders that sought booty, fey denizens of the north and fearsome riders from the south and east. So being stout of heart and longing to claim my rightful place in history, I didst gird up my loins, mount my great charger and rode forth to answer the siren call of fate. So begins these annals, penned by mine own hand, Aleksandr, named Nevsky, Grand Prince of Novgorod.

Once I had planted my flag and gathered my warriors ‘round, I sent forth my brave men to search out the land and see what spoils lay there in. It was a good land, an honest land. A land of tall trees, high hills and deep valleys, a land of flowing rivers and still waters. The people of fair Novgorod hearty and strong. They brought to bear the axe, the shovel and the pick. And we didst subdue the land and make it produce. Rich it was, full of honey and horses, cattle and game. Great timbers we did fell, and gold we did mine. And we grew.

Soon we sent forth some of our own, to plant new dwellings in the wilderness, to expand our greatness and set our mark on the land. We were lords of all we surveyed. And we knew peace and contentment. Much did we do to improve that with which we had been blessed. Like Adam in Eden we did tend our garden. Great farms did we make. Bending the mighty rivers to do our bidding, we irrigated the land. The increase of our bounty knew no bounds. And we grew.

Not many years had passed before we had reached a great body of water to the west. Salt it was, with great waves that crashed on the land as if doing battle. We met others and didst proclaim to them our greatness. Farmers much like ourselves to the south. Horsemen of yellow skin to the east. Great bearded warriors to the west. As we expanded, ever searching greater wealth, ever seeking greater sway over the land and our neighbors, we learned of others that lived beyond. We heard tales of great cities with streets of gold beyond the south, and legends of great ships in the form of dragons to the west. But we didst not tremble in our towns and villages. Nay, for we knew that providence shone brightly upon our fair land. We dreamed of conquest and glory, planning for the day when we would break forth. And we grew.



I must say, this is one superb mod! The choice of civs, units, buildings & wonders, the level of detail are of a caliber surpassed by none on these forums. The scope is epic, the polish smooth; it is as if Firaxis released a successor to Conquests. It is the game I always wanted Conquest to be. Well done.

If you will allow my indulgence, I will post subsequent details of Aleksandr’s campaign to secure peace & prosperity for the beleaguered citizens of Novgorod.
 
^ That was a truly epic post man! :D

And as promised, "the Chronicles of Germany's Conquests":

It all started with the establishment of the mighty Holy Roman Empire of Germany. Beating my eastern Polish neighbour in the race to gain the church's favor by a mere hair's width, I claimed the title for myself and was proclaimed 'Rex Romanus et Germanicus' in the year 1046 A.D..
HolyRomanEmpire1.png


At the time, the German territories were small and few. Not even controlling the whole of modern Germany, it was a timid little kingdom ready for expansion. But one big problem standing in the way of expansion was the lack of armies and troops. At this point, quite possibly anybody could have eradicated the German Empire for good.
HolyRomanEmpire3.png


However, the capital of Germany, Aachen, presented the greatest economic and productive power center in Europe, and would therefore be an essential tool in forging my everlasting empire.
HolyRomanEmpire2.png


In 1064 A.D., a mere 18 years after Friedrich I. Barbarossa's rise to emperordom, the German armies were large and power-hungry, and more than enough to crush the fledgling nations bordering on Germany's great empire. The first nation to experience 'Germanization' would be Bohemia.
HolyRomanEmpire4.png


BUT, even the Venetians were ripe for destruction. The German war-machine present in the south was not merely enough, however, and the invasion would have to wait for the training and recruitment of more chivalrous German knights.
HolyRomanEmpire5.png


As per a plee for help from the Greek city of Sparta, a small task force was sent southward (actually, I had the troops already stationed there because they were previously used for scouting) due to the emperor's great love for the valoursome Spartan warriors of past. After liberating the city from the tyrranous rule of Venice, Spartan generals were exported to the German mainland in mass quantity to be integrated into the German military juggernaught...they brought lots of olive oil with them as well. :D
HolyRomanEmpire6.png


A mere two years after Germany's invasion, the Bohemian city of Jihlava had been besieged, conquered, and integrated into the German holdings. The city was renamed Brandenburg and would be the site for the future political center of Germany.
HolyRomanEmpire7.png


In the year 1076 A.D., Germany's political spectrum was redefined and established in the form of the Reichstag, a governing body at which all lords, dukes, and upper class members of the land would frequently be present to discuss the empire's politics. This was the first step towards a moderate transition to Democracy (and I mean MODERATE)...but before this, it would be a hint of the Bourgeoise dominance to come.
HolyRomanEmpire8.png


In succession of only a few years, Germany was able to conquer vast majorities of land, raising their economic and productive prowess to be number one in the world, as well as expanding their territories to establish the biggest nation in Europe and gaining the largest populous and population density to date.
HolyRomanEmpire9.png


By 1106 A.D., Germany's national borders had tripled in size, and were unquestionably the largest in the world. Bohemia, Denmark, and Venice had all fallen to the Germanic giant. It is the eve of the next phase; Germany shall secure the holy city of Rome and declare its unquestioned papal might unto the world. Thereafter, the Iberian peninsula as well as eastern Europe shall all be saved from the impending Islamic threat to Christianity. The Holy Roman Empire of Germany, protector of Europe and the faith.
HolyRomanEmpire10.png


Just as a small note for those who actually care (can't blame you if you don't :blush: ), the Iberian peninsula is engulfed in the flames of war, with Aragon, Portugal, and Cordova waging war against the infadel Castillans who sought to question mighty Germany's power, and as a result felt the swift pimp slap of the red bearded man (I made everyone on the peninsula declare war on them haha).

Lithuania is equally knee deep in the sh!t and is having to defend against all its neighbours, and then some. The muslims have kept quiet for the most part up till now and have been quite friendly towards me (could be due to their being behind in technologies and military might, but who cares).

The Tatars were the first to declare war on me but their pathetic cavalry charges were masterfully repelled upon the shields of my elite German swordsman. They came cowering to me with their tails between their legs begging for mercy and a consequential peace, and I, being the peace-loving ruler I am (bullshi...), agreed upon the terms. They should call me Friedrich the merciful!

Quickly deteriorating relations with the Italian peninsula's nations and the growing German presence due to the capture of Venetian cities has made Friedrich (me) turn his eyes towards the city of the pope. With Rome under his control, no one will be able to question his legitimacy as papal emperor of Europe. If he can oust the pope and declare himself 'Great Papal Emperor of Europe', he will be in full control of christendom and the political influence it has on Europe, and consequently, the world.

----

Enough of the theatrics! Now to address some of the features of the game...the vassal state mechanics are one of the greatest and most interesting aspects of this game. I feel it adds another level of complexity to the game but also proves a valuable addition for people with expanding empires.

The tech tree is one of the best I have seen thus far, and none of the techs have felt like they were crammed into the game just to have "more". The city improvements have all been very useful as well, especially ones like the slave market and gallows.

The aspect I like the most though, is the fact that so many things are regulated and restricted, as to prevent from certain nations overpowering too easily. The fact that forges and stables can only be built in cities that have the according resource directly in their city radius means that only these cities will be producing veteran units and only there can units also be upgraded. There are many more examples of this in the game but none of them feel unbalanced, making it a very valuable asset to the game's success in my opinion.

I also love the high focal point on flavouring, but not on a needless scale. Each nation has multiple advantages and disadvantages, much better than the few they recieve in standard civ games. It makes it better for the player to choose a civ that truly fits him best, rather than picking from a list of nations that differ only slightly in traits and abilities. Giving each nation their own civ traits, technology, unique units, favored government, and cultural group makes each game as a different civ interesting...this game seems like it'll never get boring or repetative.

This is one of the best mods ever!!! There are more like this on the way I hope. :goodjob:
 
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