1035 replies to this topic

[Olorin]

That's alright, a lot of people are, and that's why they ask the question. But keep in mind that modders are doing this for their own pleasure, not so much for the entertainment of the public, and that they can finish it when they want.

[Herunor]

i have a question for the coders: you said that the koda aren't able to mount/dismount, because they have bugs you can't get rid off, but some nazgul can mount their beast, so did you manage it without bugs or at least a minimum of bugs, cause i know two methods to do this, but both have bugs i can't avoid?
and i think it is much easier to make a horde mount horses than nazgul mount beasts...

[cahik_]

i have a question for the coders: you said that the koda aren't able to mount/dismount, because they have bugs you can't get rid off, but some nazgul can mount their beast, so did you manage it without bugs or at least a minimum of bugs, cause i know two methods to do this, but both have bugs i can't avoid?
and i think it is much easier to make a horde mount horses than nazgul mount beasts...

i didnt code any of the things you are talking about for RA but from my own experience i can say that making mount/dismount for fellbeast isnt that hard and it have no bugs. but coding mount/dismount for hordes is real problem with some bugs you cant get rid off. atleast i have no idea how you can go around those problems.

[theryo]

Hey will you be able to upgrade your fortress like BFME 2? I thought that was a nice addition to the game. Also do you plan to have units with unquie animations (like setting the oliphants and ents on fire and the trolls freaking out before they die)? Also how would Isengard have minifactions? Isn't it just basically a tower with walls around it.

[Alsch]

Yes, there are fire arrows, but unbalance issues have been fixed as they are only useful agaisnt large enemies such as ents and buildings. They no longer slaughter your average infantry, which makes sense.
And as for your Isengard problem, your right. Isengard is just a tower with walls around it. With humongous tracts of conquered territory. And a gigantic army. Sorry if I sounded snippy.

[theryo]

Ya now that I think about more isengard had places for minifactions, like the dunlands I think thats it.

[Alsch]

Their mini-factions are Dunland, Moria, and Gundabad.

[m@tt]

"Fortresses" will be able to upgraded, but only in the same way as in BFME1. ie: postern gates, arrow towers, banners etc. There was a thread on the old forum asking for more ideas for these types of upgrades.

And yes, Isengard itself was just a tower, but before they made the Uruks, they were helped by orcs from Gundabad (and also in the capture of the hobbits and during the assault on the Shire I believe (tell me if I'm wrong though)) and the Wild Men of Dunland in order to ransack the Rohan villages. And Moria had to go somewhere, and they attacked during the Isengard period.

[Bard]

Allow me to hijack this thread for a wee bit.

Hey will you be able to upgrade your fortress like BFME 2?

If you're referring to the 'Citadel', the tower-like structure in the centre of every faction's base, then no. The RA Mod doesn't have any plans to make it capable of receiving upgrades (as the 'Fortresses' in BFME2 are completely different things) as the BFME original walls surrounding the fortress are still kept. You can however, upgrade your fortress-base (the walls, gates and such) with certain aspects (like what mh gollum said above).

Also do you plan to have units with unquie animations (like setting the oliphants and ents on fire and the trolls freaking out before they die)?

Yes, the RA Mod has added several new unique animations for a few heroes and units. But the Mod will have only a *very* limited amount of new 'environment response' animations (such as things catching fire or freezing).

Also how would Isengard have minifactions? Isn't it just basically a tower with walls around it.

In the Rhovanion Alliance Modification, the Mini-factions of each Major-faction do not necessarily have to be part of the same land (Westmark of Rohan), an extended territory (Dol Guldur / Iron Hills) or ruled over as a province (Dol Amroth and Ithilien / Minas Morgul). They can either simply be allied before and/or during the War of the Ring (Lost Arnor and Gondor / Rhun and Mordor / Anduin and Mirkwood), sent aid to a particular faction or fought a common enemy (Fangorn, Lothlorien and Rohan / The Harad mini-factions, were part of the same 'race' and are known to be on good terms with each other (Rivendell, Lothlorien and Mirkwood) or - in the case of factions with no immediate closely-allied mini-factions in hand - merely having dealings with each other under friendly circumstances such as diplomacy or trade (Dorwinion / Ered Luin).

The Criteria of an RA mini-faction:
The most important uniting factor for all of these mini-factions and what gives them the credibility of being called a mini-faction is that they (supposedly) possess a military arm of some sort and are functioning well and still have a population of some sort at the time of the War of the Ring (again presumably). Balin's Colony in Moria is known to have been wiped out before the WotR, Eregion is all but deserted after the War of the Elves and Sauron, and Edhellond is said to have been abandoned during the mid-Third Aged. The Last Alliance does not qualify as a mini-faction OR as a main faction as it was in the end of the Second Age and was brought together for only one purpose, then it dispersed.
Usually, an RA mini-faction is also named after a specific region or land. Only if the particular "mini-faction" doesn't have an exact land in which its people dwell in will the Mod utilise the name of the 'race' or folk. So, it is rare to see an RA faction/mini-faction named "Evil Men", "Noldor Elves" or "Corrupted Wild".

Now in the case of Isengard, its "ruler" at the time of the War of the Ring (Saruman) held significant influence and power at the time of the War of the Ring. Not only did Saruman created himself an army capable of rivalling his neighbours', but he also recruited, incited and subverted many others to his cause. Dunland was the most obvious as they have hated the Rohirrim for centuries and were only waiting for their chance to raid Rohan. The same could be said for the Dunlendings inhabiting the Westmarch between the rivers Isen and Adorn. (thus the Dunland mini-faction) Before breeding the Uruk-hai and Half-orcs, Saruman had also recruited to him the orcs of the Misty Mountains. These were the ones responsible for the 'remaking' of the Ring of Isengard and the tending of its war machine. The Warg Riders were also of this lot. (represented by the Gundabad mini-faction). Finally, the orcs/goblins of Moria did participate in the War of the Ring (or at least prior to it) but some of those tracking the Fellowship that headed south met up and joined with the Uruk-hai of Isengard and the Orcs of Mordor that were hunting the Company as well. (Moria mini-faction).

Hope this clears everything up.

Edited by Bard, 21 January 2007 - 12:51 AM.

[theryo]

Their mini-factions are Dunland, Moria, and Gundabad.

I'm going to feel dumb for asking this but how do you know that? Is there some post or web page everyone here has seen except for me?

Also why not have Sauron be a hero for Mordor.

Edited by theryo, 20 January 2007 - 06:19 PM.

[m@tt]

http://forums.revora...opic=43495&st=0
Go to the bottom of this page for the faction list that we have all seen.

Nertea gave a very explanation for the absence of Sauron last year. The whole point was that, one he is 'dead' during the WOTR, he didnt have a physical form, and two even if Mordor reclaimed the ring, he wouldnt have entered the battlefield except when it had been won and he could gloat. Nertea got it from a quote of Denethor. I personally wanted Sauron to be a campaign only hero for Mordor once they got the ring at Cirith Ungol, until I heard the explaination.

Edited by mh_gollum, 20 January 2007 - 06:39 PM.

[Alsch]

We know of those mini-factions because much of the information that was at the old site, including this information, has yet to be transferred to the new site. I can guarentee that it is true.

And Sauron will never be playable in this game, ever, becuase of balance, practicality, and sensibility issues. I'm sure someone else can explain it much better, but rest assured, the answer is no. This has already been discussed, so any rebuttle you feel is necessary is not.

Edited by Alsch, 20 January 2007 - 06:44 PM.

[Alsch]

That is possible, but that would make Mordor REALLY unbalanced, and would kind of destroy the whole "unique units for every faction" thing.

I myself like the idea of it just increasing the speed that Mordor's units are created.

Edited by Alsch, 20 January 2007 - 08:44 PM.

[m@tt]

"Strengthens the recruitment options of Mordor's structures"

To me that says:
All units available, regardless of building rank
Build Speed increased
Possible temporary price reduction

[Alsch]

That makes a lot more sense to me.

Let me also re-ask my question. How are Gaolers useful for protection from archers if you can just target over them? Is there like a only-can-target-at-gaolers effect?

Edited by Alsch, 20 January 2007 - 10:09 PM.

[Nertea]

The intent of He has Gathered all Evil to Him was to allow, as the guest said, to allow mordor to recruit a choice selection of other evil units/minifaction units for a short time. For example, it would allow Mordor access to some minifaction units for a time, even if they don't posess that particular minifaction.

The Gaolers combo-horde should actually provide a defensive bonus to the horde in general, as BFME is stupid .

[Alsch]

Oh that makes a lot more sense. Thanks.