With the introduction of the Points of Interests and a few map changes, Dark Age aggression and shenanigans are finally viable and thriving!
If you can’t already tell, I’m ecstatic about these changes and I’m convinced this is a move in the right direction as the community evolves beyond its ability to just grasp the basics of dark age scouting and sheep herding.
I will say… With the changes to more early aggression and limited in base resources civs like English and Abbasid are suffering, however they are getting no sympathy bc HoL has taken turtling to the next level and the community (the part of it that’s not abusing this fact) HATES all turtle civs ubiquitously for it!
1 Like
If it’s for balance, or to spice up the game, I think they should give all civs some extra units for these fights in Dark Ages (I), especially against the vanguard men-at-arms (English and Japanese).
Militia
In the campaign, there’s a unit called “Militia” that has European, Arab, and even Chinese models. I think they could make it an extra barracks unit of Dark Age (I) thats has low stats, but ideal for fighting melee infantry in the Dark Age, or counter-agression .
Civs without militia
Civs with other extra light infantry, better Spearmans, or vanguard men-at-arm would not have it:
- Japanese: Onna bugeisha (II), Samurai (I)
- English: Ment-at-arm (I)
- Mali: Donso (I)
- Byzantines: Limitanei (I), Akritoi defense (I)
- Lancaster: Bowman Villagers (I), Billmen Spearmans (I-IV).
- Order of the Dragon: Gilded Spearmans. Also: Historically they were all nobles, so “no militia”.
Stats
“Infantry with low damage and survivability.”
HP: 70/ 85/ 100/ 120, Atk 7/8/9/10, Atk Speed: 1.5, Armor: 0/1, Speed: 1.375, Cost: 60f 10g
Unique technology: Horse Stabber (II): They gain +6 of damage aggainst “Light cavalry”
1 Like
Lel idk why you guys would want dark age aggro meta to be a thing dark age is just too limited terribly balanced and has 0 strategic decisions just execution
Dark age sheningans should stay being niche only viable on very few maps like now.
You only get barracks units with most civs so no real paper >rock>scissors system no countering opponent,no real eco decision and no real strategy just mass melee units against other melee units and civ with better dark age eco wins
it can be fun i guess cuz its a new thing and adds spice to kinda slow ramping up game and some maps but longterm people are definitely gonna get bored of its just incomplete limited unbalanced age .
2 Likes
People are already bored of the current dark age uneventful sheep mini game that’s often unbalanced.
Merely having dark age aggression as a viable possibility means the scouting path is changed! If you don’t want to be blinded sided by a rush you now have to scout enemy early. And check for proxy bases.
Also the possibility of aggression even with just one unit type is potentially highly eventual if you know how to micro since you’ll want to pull back injured units while attempting to focus on enemy vulnerability. Dark age aggression is NOT the time you wanna just A move and have your units walk into TC range and just die.
In terms of dark age balance, only the Englishes and Rus are virtually protected from standard early aggression. Everyone one else (spawn dependent) is susceptible to dark aggression.
