Greetings everyone! Today we will explore the 3 upcoming Helsatian factions due to be introduced in the Winter Content Update! The Imperial Army, the Grand Duchy of Otčina, and the Markgravate of Nordwacht.
Before we begin. It should be remembered that the screenshots below are from the current in-development version of the game. All of these factions are currently undergoing extensive balance testing; there will undoubtedly be significant changes before they are released. Particularly in terms of the number of regiments of each type available to each faction as we fine tune each unique play-style.
General Changes
- All human faction unit rosters are significantly larger in the WCU.
- Due to increasing melee value, most units are now significantly more expensive.
- Additional Levy regiments are now available for purchase on turn 1. This provides large volumes of cheap, low quality forces to the human armies.
New Helsatian Factions:
True to their traditions, each of the Helsatian factions focuses on heavily armored professional soldiers, either on foot or mounted atop sturdy warhorses. But each faction also possess very different strengths and weaknesses on the battlefield that make their individual play styles very different.
Imperial Army:
The Basics:
- 42 units
- 4,804 men
- 25,576 offensive melee
- 23,519 defensive melee
- 2292 Fire
- Total Cost: 513.86 gold
Play Style
The Imperial Army is all about qualitative superiority. It possesses a few of all the best unit types available to the Helsatian factions', but rarely in any large numbers. Its true strength lies in its numerous knights. Consequently, imperial commanders usually try to fight in open grassland where their raw power can crush almost any opponent.
However, this over-reliance on knights also presents a serious challenge when commanding Imperial forces. Knights may be formidable, but much of their qualitative advantage can be nullified by clever use of terrain by their enemies. To maximize the strengths of Imperial forces, a wise commander must always stay two steps ahead of their opponents and force them to fight on the open plains.
Strengths:
Ubiquitous heavy cavalry. Including Heavy Knights. Small number of specialist heavy infantry.
Weaknesses:
Abysmal levies. Mediocre fire troops. Very vulnerable in forests. Limited reconnaissance.
Unit Roster
Nordwacht:
The Basics:
- 41 units
- 4,603 men
- 20,836 offensive melee
- 20,849 defensive melee
- 2828 Fire
- Total Cost: 550.72
Play Style
Although Nordwacht lacks the raw offensive power of the other Helsatian factions, it compensates with strong defensive heavy infantry, tactical flexibility, and exceptional reconnaissance troops. Nordwacht's combination of Outriders and Jagers produces a particularly formidable - and affordable - skirmish/recon force that is unique amongst the human armies and should never be underestimated. Due to its well rounded nature, Nordwacht is strongly recommended for new Helsatian players.
Strengths:
Plentiful reconnaissance. Horse Archers. Strong defensive heavy infantry. Well balanced unit roster with few glaring weaknesses.
Weaknesses:
Abysmal levies. No Battle Masters or Heavy Knights. Many of its best units Sarmo Outriders (horse archers) and Grenzers (Halberdiers) are very vulnerable to enemy fire.
Unit Roster:
Otčina:
The Basics
- 45 units
- 6,529 men
- 27,033 offensive melee
- 25,211 defensive melee
- 2828 Fire
- Total Cost: 550.72
Play Style
Otčina excels in long, drawn out battles of attrition. Instead of depending upon the thunderous charge of armored knights, Otčina relies on large armies of well equipped heavy infantry. The heavy infantry are in turn supported by vast numbers of expendable peasant levies who serve as fodder to slow down enemy forces and take casualties in place of more valuable heavy infantrymen. Consequently, Otčina's armies are frequently larger than those of the Kaiser or Nordwacht, and are far less concerned about casualties.
The critical weaknesses of the Otčinaian system, are mobility and reconnaissance. Heavy infantry are unsurprisingly quite slow. Meanwhile, the vast majority of the Duchy's heavy cavalry are of the antiquated Retainer variety, and usually should not operate alone. Moreover, Otčina completely lacks any professional reconnaissance troops. Instead, it must rely on Levy Horse for all of its recon needs.
Strengths:
Plentiful heavy infantry, including numerous Battle Masters and Men At Arms. Pavise crossbowmen. Large levy companies.
Weaknesses:
Almost no effective reconnaissance. Limited number of armored knights. No professional light infantry.
Unit Roster:
Tying it all together
That's it for today, a similar dev blog regarding the new Westdalian factions and Oslid Kingdom will follow in the coming week. Until then, let us know what you think in the comments below!