Every time I see people suggest to rename Order of the Dragon into Teutonic Order I facepalm. It’s not possible. It would require a complete reskinning of every one of their units. That’s not doable in this timeframe.
Based on the screenshots we’ve seen, the short description of their concept, and enthusiasm from particular content creators, I strongly believe that Order of the Dragon will be inspired by the Black Army which was the largest army in Europe at the time. The Black Army is most suitable for Hungary, but it seems unlikely Hungary fits into the long term unique civ plan of the Devs since there are so many other options. However, the concept of the black army is really cool, so how to fit them in the game? Make them an HRE variant. Black army was not Hungarian, it was a mercenary army with plenty of Germans, so it would be fine to have them speak German. Give the civ the name of a mostly-Hungarian order which hires them in this alternate universe so it sort of fits.
If this ends up being the case, I don’t mind the name. I even wouldn’t have minded if the civ was called ‘The Black Army’.
I guess it is the hinted “less numerous but powerful units” civ.
But it would be odd because the black army was not a “small elite army” but a standing army which was quite numerous.
I’m assuming they’re referring to the original 21 / superior class, given the screenshot on Steam (both the cross and the dragon are visible on the shield).
True, but you can’t really have both ‘numerous’ and ‘elite’ in the game because that would break balance so I think it’s better to portray them as really strong and expensive units.
The Order of the Dragon as far as I could tell was not explicitly associated with black armor clad soldiers though, hence why I am thinking about the association with or inspiration from the Black Army.
I am mostly addressing a missed opportunity, rather than suggesting changes here. Realistically, there is not enough time for the devs to scrap the current designs. And I am sure that the DLC will be fun. However, as the game is Age of Empires 4, it would be nice if the empire aspects is followed.
The Order of the Dragon does not seem to be really associated with the Hungarians in any special way.
In any case, why would Hungary not be a fit for a future civ? Between the Magyars and the later Kingdom of Hungary, it is present throughout the entire timeframe of the game. Moreover, medieval Hungary was a major power in Europe at the time. This could be represented by a transition from nomadic cavalry roster to the famed Black Army. Representing the Hungarians as the Order of the Dragon seems to really underplay the former’s importance during the Medieval Age.
In the game or IRL? In the game, so far, I agree (we don’t know for sure, they could still get some Hungarian-inspired unique units) but IRL they were DEFINITELY associated with Hungary. Almost all the founding members were related to the Kingdom of Hungary in a direct or indirect way, and the order maintained significance in Hungary and the Balkans even after it lost importance pretty quickly in the HRE.
It’s absolutely fit for a future civ in my opinion. That’s why I made my Kingdom of Hungary concept in the first place. Not only because I have Transylvanian roots and love the architecture, but also because I thought it would be cool to experience this shift from raiding light cavalry to elite armored knights in game. However, I have to be realistic. Hungary is both euro-centric and not so popular relative to other civs. People are still clamoring for more popular and/or geographically distinct civs like Aztecs, Spanish, Vikings, Khmer, South Indians, etc. At the rate of 2 civs per year, if Hungarians are in the plan then they are veeery far off.