So as we still have no new stuff to guess on, I’ve searched more clues in what we had.
On the Castle Showcase, for the Top-Right castle, which seems to be a Three Kingdom era chinese design style fortification, there is few things that I’ve noticed.
First there is those red banners with a white symbol on it:
When I tryied to figure out what this could be, I found some mongolian banners with some kind of horse rider, but I’m not conviced it’s that. So if anyone finds out what chinese related symbol it could be, which seems to be the same on both of the two banners, will be cool.
Second, there is that thing on the lower rempart layer, placed against the wall, which to me ressemble a two-handed sword type but I can’t understand why a weapon like that would be placed there:
I can’t confirm for sure my outline is accurate, especially on the edge shape and the guard shape, but for me it’s where the pixels are different than the wall behind. So if this weapon rings any bell to anyone ?
it could also just be some white fabric banner, which would be more logical but strange as other banners are red.
Third, on the walls of the biggest part, there are those heads that I supposed were dragons at first, but now I think are something different:
On the Red vs Yellow screenshot, I studied abit more the grenariers and find out few details:
If you pay attention to the explosion, you can see shrapnels coming out of the blast. This could hint on friendly-fire mechanics, eventually bleeding, for the blast effect. The unit laso carry smaller “spiked balls” on his chest, I double they are supposed to be the ammunition for his grenade throwing, so it could be calltraps eventually or it’s just a design choice for the projectile to be bigger, as in “easier to see on screen”.
I wrote on previous post that their helmet was probably Yuann style, but now with this zoom I’m removing that statement as the shape is definitly not Yuann style.
Their armor is still very special, with this dark brown style and metal dots on it. I suppose it will have a good pierce armor and nearly no melee armor, according to what we can see.
Still on the Red vs Yellow screenshot, one of the guy carrying the new hero thing I can’t recall the word for, it seems to be a very specific wearing type, so maybe it can ring more bells to someone about what this hero servant are representing:
On the Green vs Red screenshot, here are few details on the mounted heavy unit:
The horse head armor, especially arround eyes, is very spcific too, with that single plume too. But it’s the helmet and neck shape that tells the most about the era it can represent. Indeed, the helmet is definitly not a scaled type protection, it’s made out of smooth metal part, with a goldish point ontop of which there is fabric or something colored.
The shield also seems to have some kind of symbol on its center:
Someone recognize this symbol ?
On the latest Green screenshot, about the spearmen, side views of the helmet shape:
I’m no expert but some of you might find out which dynasty used that kind of helmet. But remember to check the specific “no left shoulderpad” thing. There is also the white feather, and this shield symbol:
And of course the “dagger-spear” style that you can see properly there:
Finally, here is a group of three spearmen, one showing his back, just next to the lamp:
Now abit of zoom in on the tech tree progress screenshot:
This cavalry unit got one upgrade, and seems to use sword. The thing on the helmet, to me, look like deer horn on both side, or a single dragon with head and tail. It seems also to wear a mask, and got of course flags on the back. I doubt it’s the Hei Guang cavalry, as Heiguang seems to be steel-made “brilliant” armor, and this guy wear lots of fabric.
Oars visible on bottom right on the new ship Lou Chans:
I’m still wondering what will be the frontal weapon, as chinese Unique Tech will allow this ship to fire rockets. Maybe it will be like the korean turtle ship, rockets between main shots, which would make more sense thant replacing the main proejctile of a trebuchet.
To me the weapon is a traction trebuchet, cause it’s close to its icon:
You can see similarities in the wood shape, and it would also make sense as it’s probably a cannon galleon regional replacement, so a ballista-like weapon would make less sense.
Now the Fire Archer, this unit is still a mystery to me:
In green, you can see the bow shape, it’s a very specific design I’ve not been able to identify, but ressemble the Manchu style bow. It’s definitly not a Manchu one, cause Manchu Bows were used too late in the timeline to fits AoE2, and other details are not matching with Manchu.
In white, the “turban” on his head is interesting, I’ve not been able to find any design that correspond its shape. Also notice I’ve highlighted the moustache, to me it’s important detail to find out where it originate from.
In red I’ve highlighted what seems to be a sword, will probably have no usage ingame, but can help figuring out unit original inspiration.
In pink I highlighted the shoulder protection, it’s also very specific, the design of the metal especially.
In grey, on the back, it’s where the guy got the arrow reserve, the quiver.
I’m still thinking it’s a mercenary unit that can be accessed via team bonus, which is to me the best explaination why it got a SEA background on the screenshot we saw.
So if anyone recognize anything, share with us !
