Suggestions for 0 A.D.

[Lorian]

Seems reasonable, I disable them usually if I can.

[Mythos_Ruler]

Thinking about it, a quick little flash intro would be nice... a quick slideshow with music wouldn't hurt.

[FirePowa8]

I made these four shield designs for the Spartan Homoioi, editing this lamvtha design , to make it more accurate for the historical period. I know they don't look nearly as good as the ones in game right now (also I apologize to the person who made the lamvtha shield in advance in case you didn't want anyone to edit it), but I'd really like to see the accurate mora designs in the game, not the Hollywood lamvtha.

Do what you want with them... ignore them, edit them, resize them, use them - whatever.

[Mythos_Ruler]

thanks bud... I'll throw them in the game and see how they look! I'll make an exclusive screenshot for you guys to see how they look.

[Tathar]

Something I've always wanted.

Siege Towers garrison units and when attacking they lower a drawbridge and the soldiers pile out on top of the enemy's walls.

[Mythos_Ruler]

For you guys (Spartans with FirePowa8's shields):

[FirePowa8]

Hey thanks! Do you think they'll make it into the final version?

If you want me to do four other designs for more variety, then I'm happy to do so.

[Mythos_Ruler]

Sure man. I'd like to see what you can come up with. Of course, if they make it into the game, you'll get credit.

[Leonidas I]

i think they're nice... but i still prefer the lamvtha design , it gives them that bad*** look, they just look like any normal Greek hoplite with the new ones...no offence m8s

Edited August 11, 2006 by Leonidas I

[FirePowa8]

But the lamvtha is inaccurate. You might as well give them a Corinthian pegasus blazon. And those aren't just any shield designs, they were especially worn by the Spartans from about 550-450... sorry buddy.

If you give the Spartan hoplites a /\, then give the Athenian units an A, the Macedonians an M, the Corinthians a K, the Thebans Herakles clubs, etc... they're all from late 5th century onwards. I don't understand why we can't work around the lamvtha when every other unit is going to be historically accurate. Leave inaccurate Spartan models to developers by Creative, Ensemble, Midway, Stainless Steel (RIP) etc...

Edit: Just a thought, what would you be more frightened of - a boar, scorpion or minotaur... or a letter? I don't see what the big fuss about /\ is. Because it's just a letter!

Edited August 11, 2006 by FirePowa8

[Leonidas I]

The letter symbolised Lakedaemon (thats why to come home without the shield would mean dishonour to the Spartan and his family as it symbolised the State of Sparta), the most feared and kicka** army of all greece, even foreigners would have heard of the Spartans and **** themselves if they ever came across them, and if they didnt know...they'd find out anyway, just look at the persians after the Greco-Persian wars lol

The lambada should be kept as the standard shield of the Spartans for the game

Edited August 11, 2006 by Leonidas I

[Mythos_Ruler]

We (well, me and I think CheeZy) plan on releasing a bunch of "extras" with the game as part of the "Design" module of the game. What this would definately include are additional shields and weaponry and suchness. If we end up using the lambda texture as the default Spartiate shield design we will definately include Firepowa's mora designs for him and you guys. Plus, I am formulating an idea that during the campaign the Spartiates will change shield designs as the story and timeline progress. So, basically during the Persian Wars the Spartans will wear the mora designs and during the Peloponnesian Wars they'll wear the lambda design.

[FirePowa8]

That sounds good. What do you think, Leonidas?

I was considering having all 5 randomized in multiplayer or single player, too.

[Leonidas I]

Brilliant!! but this does mean that i can keep the lambdas if i want yeah? because i have a certain persian army that needs delaying at thermopylae lol

oh yeah, there should be a thermopylae map in the custom battles section, then i can play the battle just like in the book 'Gates of Fire' (where they had lambdas)

Edited August 12, 2006 by Leonidas I

[FirePowa8]

Sure... you can send the randomized ones with lamvdas to their heroic deaths, if you want - while the guys with morae stand around and do nothing.

Though assuming the Spartans are expensive and take long to train, I think you'll be wanting every single one of them!

Also, does the Leonidas unit have a shield? If so, I'll make the red/white/black solar design for him.

[Mythos_Ruler]

Making us a solar design for Leonidas would be sweet.

[FirePowa8]

This design is pretty hard to do, so it make take a while, but I'll make it a top priority. By the way, who made the Greek shields in the current game? Any tips on how they made them look so ... perfect?

[Titus Ultor]

From a quick inspection, it looks as if the other ones are made with more of a grey color and sort of weathered a touch or two. But I'm not exactly an artist.

Edited August 13, 2006 by Titus Ultor

[Leonidas I]

The solar design would be cool, but Leonidas himself needs to stand out, he cant have that black helmet! He could have that little bit of cloth on the bottom of his shield to signify rank...any ideas??

[FirePowa8]

He does have a cape, and ptereges (I think, unless it's just a more intricately designed tunic) under his bell cuirass (the others have muscled cuirasses, but it's kinda hard to see). It's probably too late, but I think it'd be better if Leonidas was the only one with a transverse crest. The Spartiates could probably have high crests or double crests or something instead. But if not, maybe he could have different colours on his crest, maybe red and black rather than the same red and white as his fellow Spartiates. Again, if not, maybe this will make him stand out a bit:

[Leonidas I]

Very nicely done, it just needs to look abit more bronzish

Off topic: what do you think of my new sig?

Edited August 13, 2006 by Leonidas I

[Mythos_Ruler]

Nice shield man! I think we have our first official modder.

[Leonidas I]

i like it, but it still needs to look more bronzish

and again, what do you think of my sig?

[FirePowa8]

Nice sig.

Thanks both of you. I was trying to make it look more battered and bronze, but it kind of took away from the design.

[illyrian]

That may be very possible ingame, we will have to see how the code works out ingame. We don't have that specifically coded in as far as I know, but for sure it could be experimented with if it doesn't already occur from the programming that already exists.

As for Roman legionnaires, for sure. Definately better soldier for soldier than any other in the ancient world. My point was that a lone Roman solider versus a lighter and faster opponent would have some serious problems in terms of manueverability. He is wearing 30 pounds of chainmail and carrying a 20 pound shield. The people I've talked to on Roman Army Talk, many of them reenactors, all say that the scutum is not the ideal fencing shield and (in Roman form) is made for formation fighting. Likewise for the hoplon.

One note paal, from a history major, me, to historian, you. I would say that the best unit hand to hand combat should stay the caestrati, but in formation it should be the spartan homoioi. They were equipped with the smallest swords in the greek world to make it easier for them to stab their opponent when too close to use spear. They used those swords so effectively, that no army has ever defeated the spartans in battle. THeir only defeats have come as a result of tactical superiority of certain generals, like pelopida and Epaminonda. A legionary wouldn't stand a chance in front of a Spartan Homoioi wheather in distance or close combat.

I do agree with you on the use of hellenic hoplon. Was not built for fencing but great protection nonetheless.