Horseback combat and polearms

Bies · February 20, 2018, 2:52pm

It is great the developers managed to implement at least simplified horseback combat to the game, including horseback archery just before the release.

I think improving polearms like spears/halberds and horseback melee combat with polearms (to the level of something like M&B Warband) would be the greatest improvement of combat mechanics in the game.

Polearms and horseback combat were 70% of medieval combat

Fighting on food with backup weapon like mace, sword or axe is great also but it was about 30% of medieval combat, so just improve polearms and horseback a little.

BTW. The game is just great

Eesti · February 20, 2018, 2:32pm

There’s a mod that allows you to store polearms, use them with shields and on horseback…

Bies · February 21, 2018, 2:11pm

Storing is - in my opinion not the biggest flaw. Just some simple additional mechanics like:

“Couched lance charge” - the most iconic and most basic nobleman’s way of fight during this period in Europe
ability to shoot full 180 degrees behind using bow on horseback, so called “Parthian shot” - the most iconic way of fight of eastern tribes like Kumans

BTW. Charging with couched lance form 1st person and field of view restricted by helmet will be just awesome and immersive…
parthia

cheers

Eesti · February 20, 2018, 2:41pm

Very early in game development they said they’d scrap horseback fighting and polearms, they said they knew it was the most common type of combat but it couldn’t be helped, it’s clear now that they worked hard on it but it still needs rework, especially with AI taking literally every hit from a polearm without blocking.

Bies · February 20, 2018, 2:44pm

Yes, but i think they allready did a great job and it just need some polishing.

frelmedieval · February 20, 2018, 2:47pm

I was able to stab and swing halberd on horse but performance wasn’t consistent and kept getting large stamina hits which left me at an even greater disadvantage due to the inconsistency in behaviour. Eventually, I gave up due to all the issues listed in ‘polearm glitchiness’ forum. When the halberd did work, it was scary. Dropped lightly armed bandits with one swing.

Bies · February 20, 2018, 2:52pm

As i said, 90% of work is allready done, it just needs some polish
For me charging with this “bugged” halberd was one of the best moments in the game.
(Adding ability to bend 20-30 degrees more to the back when shooting bow is also very easy.)

frelmedieval · February 20, 2018, 2:52pm

The lack of Cuman horseback NPCs is notable given Cuman were known for it. Hope not in game because WH couldn’t get the AI to work out and not some other reason.

Eesti · February 20, 2018, 2:54pm

It worked perfectly fine in the first minutes of the game, I don’t see why it wouldn’t all of a sudden.