Cassador_Chris

certainly.

King and personal retinue accept the flag of truce and lay down their arms, except for the King. The King looks back at the bulk of his forces retreating (somewhat confusedly) into the city. He turns and smiles at his Greek foe. "Aye, honorable foe! Who is it that wishes to challenge my spear and sword in combat? What champion will step forward? Who has the bravery worthy of their forefathers? Or have you all become sheep on fattening bread and wine!"

Alright, this is how I would choose the makeup of my forces: 1000 Skirmishers 2000 Light Infantry 1500 Archers 5000 Light Cavalry 500 Heavy Cavalry (If there are soldiers in my army that can afford the equipment, if not, then another 500 Light Infantry) Here, I'm making best use of my poor troops. Aim is to not bring you to combat until you are already defeated. Could easily be split up into many groups and assigned different tasks, as long as each group is within a day's march of every other group should there be a need to come together. Army should live off the land, and at least the light cavalry should be mobile enough to stay ahead of crop burning. Forces are armed with an array of weapons, basically anything they can find (farming tools, hunting tools) to anything they can loot (swords, crossbows, lances, etc.) No wagon train also discourages looting, which would be a strong temptation for such a force.

and what fatal error is that?

Well, Spain lost a lot of its military importance following the Napoleonic Wars. But they should be included, especially for their fighting during the Spanish civil war during the 30s. I wouldn't mark them as the same as Mexico though. There would be important differences, such as the Rurales rural police force or the comancheros. Mexico would have a less formal, more mobile force than Spain would. Although both should be fairly adapt at Guerrilla style warfare. If it comes between the two though, I would go with Mexico. It was a rising power in this period, after all. Spain had its day during the 1500s, 1600s, and 1700s.

"Prop me up!" The shield bearer for the King grabs his shoulders and lifts him to his feet. The Trojan King raises "Men! Withdraw in good order! Withdraw! Hold the lines!" "But sir, we... we're surrounded! We've signaled the other troops, and they are obeying! But what of us?" "I never intended for us to retreat. Bodyguards! Push through their forces! I will have the head of one of their heroes before I leave this world!" "f...fight on!" screams the shieldbearer King leaves arrow in his chest, raises his sword, and charges into the enemy ranks, followed closely by his guards. He makes a tremendous swipe with his blade, killing three men at once. ~ Enemy Soldier 1: Whats his power level? Enemy Soldier 2: ITS OVER NINE THOUSAND!!!

I would take the 10,000 fresh troops. Why? Greater flexibility. Presuming my enemy is the 1000 crack unit of soldiers, with either Vonbrune or Mythos as the enemy commander, this is how I would play out my strategy: 1) If enemy takes up a defensive position, I won't attack them. I will ignore them, attack where they aren't, cut off their supplies/communications, use the time to train my troops, or perhaps harrass their lines with skirmishers if feasible. In fact, I could probably do several of these things at once. 2) If Vonbrune or Mythos go on the offensive, I would simply withdraw, harass, and bring them into a battlefield of my choosing where my numbers will win me the day. Most likely a open field with a hilltop that I can take up a defensive position. Then I have both height advantage and I can fully take advantage of my numbers. So yeah, definitely the larger force. I can do a lot more things with it.

I learned this playing Medieval Total War II. I had like, 27 regions, was dominating the map, and then I went to finish off the Sicilians. They had attacked my city Bologna in Italy three times, taking it once. I quickly retook it with forces I had used to seize Venice, but I was seriously annoyed that my Italian regions would never be safe sharing it with them. Bad mistake not bringing a larger army with me. I took Naples easily, then headed towards Sicily, but before I got there I was confronted with a small force, which I beat, but Naples was taken back by a smaller force I had bypassed on my way into the Naples territory. I then crossed into Sicily and attacked the main city there, which beat the tar outta my forces. Luckily, though, I captured it (by time victory win with my leftover crossbowmen) while the three horsemen left with my general led a whole squadron of Norman foot (dismounted knights) away from the fortress center. Now, I am sending an Army via ship to retake Naples after a significant rebuild of my forces. Sicilians are really freaking tough, especially for only having two regions. At least I have a launching point for an invasion of Moorish Africa now. Sheesh.

I don't know, this is bringing up an older topic buuuuut..... ...and replace them with Mexicooooooo! I dunno, but after I took a Mexican history class last summer, I have been so much more appreciative of our neighbor to the south. Anyway, I did this report, and I just have to say.... Rrrrrrrurales! Alright, I'm feeling kinda goofy just at the moment. Just give me a chance to get over this and I'll make more sense in a jiffy! Hi ho Silver! Ha-Way!

RRRRAAAGGHAAAAA--HUCK! (an arrow from the second next volley hits the King of the Trojans in the chest. He falls down, just feet from the enemy!) "Your majesty!" yells out the King's shield bearer, who dives upon his King. "King, you must get up! The men will loose faith if you do!" "Darn those Greeks...darn them all to hell!" "Sir, you must get up..." and the shieldbearer pulls the King up in a standing position. The confusion of battle has kept many from noticing, but now the King, his shield bearer, and a few Trojan comrades have nearly surrounded by surging enemy forces! "My King...what are our orders?"

Well, yes, soldiers are generally hardcore. But they're a big group. I myself was thinking the Norse Berserkers, the Syrian Hashinshashin, the Iberian Almogavars, and the Hussite revolutionaries, at least for medieval contenders. Spartans should generally be on the list, as should one of the Japanese warrior groups--Samurai, Ninja, or Sohei/Warrior Monks. More modern day, hardcore groups should definately include the Red Army. Some Nazi-esque groups would be pretty hardcore as well, particularly the famous SS. And don't forget the Japanese kamikaze fighters, Vietcong, and a little farther back--the Moros and Zulu. (I mean, machetes/spears against WWI-esque forces? God awesome. And I wanted to include Buddhist monks somewhere on this list. While most of them were never fighters, they were most certainly one of the most hardcore groups in history. I mean, just read about some of the things they did! Makes me feel like a child, actually. Even perhaps a criminal group or two. Not individual persons though. Maybe the Mafia? Haven't read much about them, but I heard they were pretty hardcore. You don't even have to stop there! I've heard the Aztec ball players had their lives riding on every game! Heh, not to leave out the Gladiators... Heh , With such a long and diverse history, its hard to narrow the list down! I guess we should include some sort of criteria?

This sounds like 300. Anyway--- [Trojan King sees front lines loose cohesion.] Come valiant Trojans! Hold the line or I will hold it myself. Rally men! RALLY!! I want you shoulder to shoulder! Shove those dastardly men back! Push them back with your shields! Close in on them tightly! Make sure they can't go anywhere but back! Men more than two lines back, hold your shields above you! Allies, cheer us on! Come, Trojans, Fight like it is your final day! Push back the cowardly enemy! Trojans, FOLLOW ME!!!! ARGAAGHHAAAHHAGGGHHHH!!!!!! (battle cry as he joins the front line men, who rally around him.....hopefully....)

Question is directed at you then EmjeR. Any idea how the ships of civilizations will differ? And good luck on the Persian trireme. From what I've gathered this past year, the Persians are going to be awesome.

Okay, well, I was going to do a article for the mere pleasure of it and send it to people that I think would find it funny. The premise of the article to begin with is silly, and meant to both enlighten and entertain. Facts and fun; history is just too doggone hilarious at times. Anyway, I was thinking of a "Top Ten" list or perhaps a "Top Twenty". I've got several groups in mind, and although they tend to be armed and dangerous groups, they don't have to be warriors. There is certainly no small pool of non-military organizations in history that are completely hardcore. And I use hardcore cause I can't remember the rules on this forum. Otherwise, I would have used "Bad@#$%". Okay, time for some submissions, and try to convince me to put your favorite group of homicidal maniacs on the Most Hardcore list. Oh, and remember: Don't be afraid to be a little offensive in choice of groups. 9/11 hijackers anyone? Waffen SS? Lets just be fair. This isn't a "coolest" list or "best" list or anything of the sort.

Just something from the new screen shot. Nice Mythos. Oh, and I hope Iberian and Celtic ships have a much higher resistance to ram attacks, and perhaps boarding melee troops would give it even higher resistance. Not only would it be a good balance, but it'll be realistic as well. When Caesar was going around Gaul, he fought a sea battle with some Celtic tribes near modern Brittany. His typical roman-ram ships where ineffective against the Celtic ones, which where very strong and well-built. He resorted to using grappling hooks and tore down the masts of these ships, at which point they were helpless. Anyway, I wanted to bring up the idea for Celtic and Iberian ships. Am I somewhat correct in my idea? Or does Wildfire studios have something very different in mind? How will Celtic and Iberian ships stand out? And how will navel-strong civilizations (like Carthage) be different then other ram-ship civilizations?

Yeah, I wasn't able to get on for a little over a week. But yeah Mythos, I'm ready for that showcase... And Happy Halloween everyone!

Anyway, title and description says it all. Did you guys have website problems? Looking forward to the November Showcase.

The 1800s aren't exactly "colonial age", but if you want to be specific, Europe had colonies up to 1974 (cough* not counting the Falkland islands, etc, etc, or i.e. "strategic military bases") If you go that route, the colonial age would start with Phoenician and Greek times and last to 1974 (cough* 2008). That argument out the window, I actually have a book about the 1800s, that focuses on the major conflicts of that time: The Civil War, The Unification of Germany, and the Crimean War. This era was defined from earlier periods for the affect industrialization had on society and war. We start seeing much better guns, rapid-fire weapons, armored ships, chemical warfare, trenches (in Civil War), submarines, and other things... Furthermore, although Europe expanded its colonies greatly during this time, colonies had long lost any economic value. In fact, they were such a drain on the empire's money bags that politicians had to change the argument to 'educating savages' and other goodwill missions. They simply couldn't argue that colonies really benefited the empire economically.

Agreed. I like the time frame, but what about civs? Important European ones are standard, but I'd like to see the Zulu, Sioux, Turks, Arab/Tuareg, India, China/Korea, perhaps Japan and Mexico/Latin America as well. Either these could be mercenary soldiers, their own civilization, or a even a "mini" civilization that isn't balanced with the main-stream civs. That way, they're more of a challenge to play and win with. Though, since we're working with five civs, I suppose Britain, France, Germany(Prussia/Austria), Russia, and the United (but divided) States.

huh? difference please?

Alright, Trojan divisions! Move forward. Emjer, procede to take cover within the city and reorganize your forces. If you see fit, join battle or take over command in the city. If I should perish, you will be responsible for leading Troy! Alright men! Step forward to defend your homes! Defend your wives and children! Defend your citizenship! MARCH FORWARD, MY TROJAN BROTHERS!!!!!! Through the gates!!! *Trojans, amongst allies the Pelasgians, Thracians, Ciconians, Paeonians, Palphlagonians, Halizones, Phrygians, Maeonians, Carians, and Lycians. (albeit a smaller Trojan force -those under Emjer's command and -those guarding the city) (also, the Dardanians, the largest allied force, is north with our other missing allies, the Mysians) ** Also, they form two lines, unusual for Greek-style fighting, holding most of the smaller allied contingents in reserve (second line). They are currently marching through the gates toward the enemy Spartans and Myrmidons.

I'm not finding much on this... The one of two sources containing medieval history that I keep here at college, The Encyclopedia of World History, says this: Boleslav IV, an ineffectual ruler, during whose reign the Germans, under Albert the Bear and Henry the Lion, supported by Waldemar of Denmark, drove back the Poles from the entire territory along the Baltic and west of the Vistula (1147). Emperor Frederick Barbarossa intervened and forced the submission of Boleslav (1157). The other source, Western Europe and the Middle Ages: 300-1475 by Brian Tierney has nothing whatsoever on the subject. Wikipedia (a useful first-source, but hardly a reliable one), mentioned briefly that Frederick I Barbarossa 'extended imperial authority over Poland', amongst other regions. Whatever that means. If this is the correct event, then it occurs long before the Renaissance. It wouldn't be included, then, in a mod on the Renaissance.

Hmmm... I'm starting to see a strategy with the Celts, or any other cheap-infantry heavy civ. I introduce.... Aftershock! The two-wave infantry rush! First, you queue 4 villagers.... okay, it's a little early for that kinda talk, but I suppose the idea is rush your opponent with infantry, targeting villagers and enemy troops to hamper the economy. It'll be important that this group doesn't die. Then, with your next batch, unless it is direly needed for reinforcement, is set to capturing your enemy's most important buildings. And so on and so forth...

Men, open the city gates for the slaves. You men, take a contingent of spearmen and archers to guard the ballista. We can't afford them to fall into enemy hands! Full Trojan army, form up! I will leave a few Trojan divisions within the city, but it is important that we contest their landing fully! We will march from the city ASAP. I want full, disciplined order from all! Any weak point in our lines could be exploited, for disastrous results. Fight fiercely, but fight conservatively! We don't want to become enveloped this early in the fight! The city of Troy could not last without your brave arms! Make sure you praise the Gods, and show those Greeks your cold, shiny iron!! Don't be afraid of their reputation! The Greeks are boy-lovers who argue so amongst themselves like married couples! Show them your legendary blade, and give no quarter to the Amazons! It will blow their cover! Fight them tooth and nail! Divisions, form up! Runner arrives from Hittite capital: Sir! the Hittites are currently engaged in rebellion! I have voiced our support for them, but promised no aid. Have we nothing to spare to aid them? It could pay off in the long run!! Hmmm.... I dunno, messenger. We need every available man to defend the city, and we have already sent a large contingent of men north to build a fleet. I will consult my generals on this issue. Meanwhile, I bid you rest. Sometime soon I will know whether or not we will be able to send aid to our Hittite friends.

Excellent idea, my trusted general! I should redirect some of the Trojans currently preparing the battlefield and have them construct said palisades and to place such oil on the beach. Trojan General EmjeR, I am assigning you to the defense of the beach head. Your men will have the glory to be the first Trojans to raise arms against the hated Greek enemy. Do all you can to defend our shores! My resources will be at your aid, should you need them. Now, go and prepare! I fear the invasion will be soon.