pre-release info Norman - Exploration Age Civilization Discussion

[Lonecat Nekophrodite]

I think a Norman leader isn't unlikely. Robert Guiscard, for example, would be a great and interesting pick. Or Roger II., but he's a bit more "normal." But if I had to bet on someone, it would be William the Conqueror.

It best should be.

UU. my guess could be Nef. they maintained Viking clinker ship building traditions.
Note that Early Medieval Nef is evolved from Knorr. Originally a riverine or coastal freighter (and sails only, though the earliest Nefs have low freeboard about the same height as viking galleys), yet it can be converted for the war effort by adding wooden towers on it, fore and aft. and several times fought as sailers. something very unusual at that time

(Note that Nefs didn't replace galleys as warships, they did supplement each other because sometimes civilian ships are hired for war)

https://ltwilliammowett.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F186544663058

 

[RedCourtJester]

Some of those pics are super cute. Widdle boap.

 

[Mr Jon of Cheam]

"widdle boap" has tickled me, thanks.

 

[Ryansinbela]

That’s gonna be one of my vocal tics now

 

[Nikolai II]

That’s gonna be one of my vocal tics now

Don't even say it. My Tourettes might kick in.

 

[BlueWildRye]

I hope their unique military unit isn't a longbowman. As said above, the nef could work as their unit, but I think a knight replacement is the best way to go. "Norman Knight" is too on the nose, maybe "chevalier"? If anyone has more information on the Norman knights, I would love to hear it. And I have no idea what the Norman civilian unit will be.

 

[Boris Gudenuf]

I hope their unique military unit isn't a longbowman. As said above, the nef could work as their unit, but I think a knight replacement is the best way to go. "Norman Knight" is too on the nose, maybe "chevalier"? If anyone has more information on the Norman knights, I would love to hear it. And I have no idea what the Norman civilian unit will be.

Caballos (from the Gaullic word for 'horseman') was used from Charlemagne's time until the end of the 10th century for mounted armored troops in Francia, and unless we get Mangy Charley as a Leader it would be appropriate for the time and place.

The word 'Knight' itself comes from Old English cniht, meaning 'servant' and didn't change its meaning to "military retainer" until around 1100 CE - after the Norman Invasions of England and Sicily, and in any case in the wrong language group - it appears to be derived from a West Germanic language source. Its French equivalent (also in use later) was chevalier.

 

[Lonecat Nekophrodite]

I hope their unique military unit isn't a longbowman. As said above, the nef could work as their unit, but I think a knight replacement is the best way to go. "Norman Knight" is too on the nose, maybe "chevalier"? If anyone has more information on the Norman knights, I would love to hear it. And I have no idea what the Norman civilian unit will be.

What made Norman Cavalier better than generic knights and kataphractoi of that time?

 

[Boris Gudenuf]

What made Norman Cavalier better than generic knights and kataphractoi of that time?

From contemporary accounts, it was not equipment of any kind, but their morale. They seem to have retained some of the characteristics of the ferocious assaults of the viking Baresarkers in their mounted charges. A Byzantine commentator, speaking of the Normans in Sicily, said that they "would charge through the walls of Constantinople" - which doesn't sound tactically smart, but the fact that they were apparently willing to try it was unnerving to their opponents, which was the point.

 

[Boris Gudenuf]

Reading that made my eyes bleed lol

It was a choice of that or Great Charles, which sounds like a renaissance ship that will turn turtle before it gets out of the harbor for the first time. . .

 

[TheGrayFox]

Charlie Magne

 

[Zaarin]

It was a choice of that or Great Charles, which sounds like a renaissance ship that will turn turtle before it gets out of the harbor for the first time. . .

How about Big Carl? (And obligatory, "Caaaaaaaarrrrllll, that kills people!")

 

[shaglio]

It was a choice of that or Great Charles, which sounds like a renaissance ship that will turn turtle before it gets out of the harbor for the first time. . .

Mangy Chuck? Chaz Mangy?

 

[moysturfurmer]

Mangy Chuck? Chaz Mangy?

Suggesting this for Franks leader theme please

 

[Lord Lakely]

Suggesting this for Franks leader theme please

I will accept only one.

Spoiler :

Qui a eu cette idée folle
Un jour d'inventer l'école?
Qui a eu cette idée folle
Un jour d'inventer l'école?

C'est ce Sacré Charlemagne
Sacrééééé Chaaaarlemaaaaagne.

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

From contemporary accounts, it was not equipment of any kind, but their morale. They seem to have retained some of the characteristics of the ferocious assaults of the viking Baresarkers in their mounted charges. A Byzantine commentator, speaking of the Normans in Sicily, said that they "would charge through the walls of Constantinople" - which doesn't sound tactically smart, but the fact that they were apparently willing to try it was unnerving to their opponents, which was the point.

A knight that has the qualities of a berserker unit from past games does sound terrifying.

 

[Boris Gudenuf]

A knight that has the qualities of a berserker unit from past games does sound terrifying.

Something like +X points when attacking, pushes back any Unit that it inflicts more hit points on than it receives, and if they cannot retreat, the opposing unit is annihilated.

- That would come very close to their actual effect - the Saxons that didn't slip away into the woods were essentially massacred on the spot at Hastings once the Normans broke the shield wall.

 

[Voidwalkin]

I think a stronger version of a knight would do for me. It's simple, but it works. I don't think the Normans did anything revolutionary, militarily, except take a style of fighting already present in France and execute it well.

For gameplay reasons I sorta expect the Normans to be a stronger civ from amongst the selections. The team may recognize that some civs getting earlier bonuses than others plagued past installments, but I think they've only scaled that effect down, not eliminated it entirely. I imagine the Normans will receive a stronger version of a knight, an already strong, very mobile unit, unlocked relatively early in the era. That they may also have something like a maintenance reduction suggests to me they might be a meta contender due to ease of early expansion.

I'm unaware if their leader has been revealed or even if they'll have one. William is the obvious choice. The obvious curveball is Robert Guiscard. I'm more preferential to Guiscard's brother Roger, personally, but he may be a bit too obscure. It's relatively deep history buff territory.

 

[Lonecat Nekophrodite]

From contemporary accounts, it was not equipment of any kind, but their morale. They seem to have retained some of the characteristics of the ferocious assaults of the viking Baresarkers in their mounted charges. A Byzantine commentator, speaking of the Normans in Sicily, said that they "would charge through the walls of Constantinople" - which doesn't sound tactically smart, but the fact that they were apparently willing to try it was unnerving to their opponents, which was the point.

did Norman Knights had their own unit names? one that worthy of being a respective UU.

something that's quite off to me. i'd like em to have Nef as UU instead since they seemed to be the first to convert commercial (clinker) Knorrs to form their ad-hoc navy alongside their North Atlantic Clinker Galleys (the design carryover from their viking ancestry, and later used by English shipbuilders to build warfleet for King Edward Longshanks in 1295, which also when Northern Galleys also evolved with axial rudders began replacing quarter rudders, with early models featured BOTH steering gears.)

https://ltwilliammowett.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F186544663058

 

[FXS_Sar]

Introducing the Exploration Age civ, Norman!​

From stony shores, the Normans sailed with conquest on their minds. The name "Normans" reflects their origin in Scandinavia, but upon settling in France, they adopted much of its language and culture before setting out yet again, to seize control of England in 1066. Norman knights rode out from stone castles, pursuing the values of chivalry. The Normans became the ruling class of England, and eventually blended into the population.

Attributes:
Diplomatic
Militaristic

Unique Ability:
Normannitas: Land Units receive increased Movement when Embarked, and Land Units adjacent to Coast receive increased Combat Strength.

Unique Infrastructure:

• Donjon: Unique Quarter. Receive a free Chevaler Unique Cavalry Unit when completed.
• Motte: Unique Building. Gains Happiness if placed on Rough Terrain. Counts as a Fortification.
• Bailey: Unique Building. Culture adjacency with Walls. Counts as a Fortification.

Unique Civilian Unit:
Sokeman: Unique Settler Unit. When a Town is created, it receives a Wall in the City Center.

Unique Military Unit:
Chevaler: Unique Cavalry Unit. Has increased Combat Strength against Units with less Movement.

Associated Wonder:
White Tower: Adds Happiness. Increased Happiness in this Settlement for every Unique Tradition slotted in your Government. Must be built adjacent to a City Hall.

Starting Biases:
Coast
Iron

Full game guide here: https://civilization.2k.com/civ-vii/game-guide/civilizations/norman/

Moderator Action: Merged with existing thread. ~ LK