Work on factions in the world of Battle Brothers continues and ties into the tactical combat part of the game this week, as noble houses get lots of nifty stuff to wear and get their own identity on the battlefield. Also, work on new contract mechanics has started. Let’s take a closer look!
What’s been happening?
Like with all opponents in the game (and in this case, allies as well) we want noble houses to have an identity of their own and pose a unique challenge on the battlefield, to require different tactics from beating, say, orcs or bandits. To this end, noble houses will have access to equipment not otherwise available and make use of skills and tactics that differentiate them especially from other human opponents. We’ll cover all the units available to them in detail with their lore at a later point, but for now, here is a preview of what is to come.
Noble houses make use of standard bearers with any full company. Not only do they look impressive and give a sense of organized and regimental warfare lacking with other opponents, they passively raise the morale and will to fight of nearby troops. In addition, they can make use of the ‘Rally’ skill, just like the player can – blowing a horn to push their comrades to go the extra mile.
The single most dangerous individual unit employed by noble houses is the knight. A man of noble birth, trained from youth in the use of weapons and warfare, steeled in experience by combat and attending tourneys across the land. Their station affords them the best equipment available, and their helms may be adorned with ridiculously intricate decoration that picks up themes of the noble house they serve. This decoration is in fact based on what knights have historically worn – although, while in reality this was usually limited to parades and tourneys, we took the artistic license of making it a custom for knights to display their station and grandeur in this way in the world of Battle Brothers in all situations. It makes for a nice contrast to have knights care so much for their presentation, to stage themselves as untouchable warriors and connoisseurs of the fine arts, only to end up all muddy and bloody on the battlefield like any soldier of common birth. Speaking of battlefields, knights come with partially randomized perks to reflect that each knight has his very own experiences, strengths and weaknesses in combat.
At the same time, work on the new and completely redone contract mechanics has started. We’re currently prototyping to make sure that everything works out as planned and will have a dedicated update or two to let you know all about them within the next few weeks.
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Absolutely incredible, these factions look so distinct from one another, ooze personality!! love the nods to game of thrones, whether intended or not XD
How will the names of these noble houses work out of curiosity? is it a randomly assigned name per house, or do allthe different variations come with fixed names (I personally don’t mind either way)
I cannot wait for the world map update its shaping up to be incredbile
Randomly assigned from a pool of names, currently.
You could make it even more awesome by (sometimes) generating names that match the emblems, like House Swann in ASOIAF (per pale argent and sable, two swans counterchanged)
Alright.
this is perfect. at first I thought it was a little over the top to have tourney decorations during full fledged combat, but when I think about it, it makes me want to knock off those smug sculptures off there heads and show them what real combat is like :P. I guess that’s coming from a mercenary perspective. XD
this will be a very interesting thing to see, a flamboyant army facing a group of orcs.
oooh that gives me an idea! maybe an orc warlord or warrior could be seen with a faction artifact/sculpture as one of there trophies. that would be sooo cool, (unless orcs have a better fashion sense than noble armies)
brilliant artwork guys.
Fantastic, as usual. I especially enjoy the banner illustration. Ha! “Progress Update” with a dead knight as the graphic! Can’t wait to see that particular one in the game. Every time I read these updates, it just makes me happier that I chose to be a Supporter when I bought into this game! Everybody should join me.
I’m getting definite Bretonnia vibes (from the Warhammer Fantasy Battles franchise) – which definitely isn’t a bad thing! XD
“Speaking of battlefields, knights come with partially randomized perks to reflect that each knight has his very own experiences, strengths and weaknesses in combat.”
That made my day. Fantastic.
And much like american civil war bannermen, I expect the shieldless rally leaders to have a battlefield lifespan all of about 3 seconds. They’re going down!
So the thought just occurred to me.
Knights with randomized skill sets.
Knights with randomized names.
Will the names reflect or hint as to what skills the knight might have? Sort of the like if Ser Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane from Game of Thrones were a battlebrother then I’d Expect him to have Colossus, Battle Forged, Bloody Harvest and Crusher among others
Shiny…helmets…waiting to be looted..
Finally daggers will have a good use!
I like the standard bearers and the knights.
I’ve got to say though that I dislike the silly hats on the knights. Not one of the helmets shown look like something I would wear into a medieval battle.
Good job its not you wearing them then! XD
Personally I like them, the world of battle brothers is a fictional fantasy would. Arrogant and flamboyant knights works and the helms capture that
I like some helmets more than others (Teutonic and Baratheon ones), but all of them give certain character and rise them above the ordinary knights. I think it’s a great addition and makes sense, even if it’s not 100% historically accurate or realistic.
Do you have a fixed set of shields/emblems/sigils, or are they themselves random generated, or recolored or something?
The art looks fantastic as usual. The banners are fine, but everywhere else I feel like the very saturated colors are distracting and overdone. The little models of castles, girls and who knows what else perched on top of helmets is flat-out ridiculous. As you said, it historically would’ve been used in tournaments, not in the field. Please no.