Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome - Dev Diary 0 - Clearing the Fog of War

[Doomdark]

It's Wednesday, and time to answer some questions about the upcoming DLC for Crusader Kings II; Legacy of Rome. The focus of this mini-expansion is going to be the Byzantine Empire and the Orthodox church. First off, in order to clear up any confusion from the original announcement, it's a bit smaller in scope than the Sword of Islam so the price is set at $5.99. While I say it's smaller in scope, if you include all the stuff we're adding for free in the accompanying patch (v1.07) it's probably about the same size as SoI and v1.06.

So, let's take a look at what's in the DLC and what's in patch 1.07...

LEGACY OF ROME DLC

• Retinue system. If you don't have the DLC, you won't see the new interface and you cannot hire retinues (and neither will the AI.) The technology that controls the max size of your retinue and relative decrease of normal levy sizes simply does not have this effect without the DLC.
• Orthodox Councillor models
• Major Decisions for the Byzantine Empire
• Byzantine Events

Oh, and we're taking another tack with the DLC this around - if you don't own the DLC, the AI won't be using the new mechanics or events either. Also, from now on in multiplayer mode, the host will control which DLCs are active.

PATCH 1.07

• Faction system. Replaces many existing plots and normal revolt mechanics with factions.
• Personal Improvement Ambitions
• Orthodox Patriarch system
• Have both a Plot and an Ambition at the same time
• Revised levy raising. (You raise a single, large levy from each direct vassal. The opinions of vassals of vassals are irrelevant.)
• Leader Focus on Combat
• More Cultural Buildings
• Improved AI
• Bug fixes (of course)

I will talk about all these features in detail in upcoming dev diaries, but for now, that's all!

 

[Doomdark]

Just to be clear, the retinue system is not Byzantine only, right?

Indeed not, it's for everyone.

 

[Doomdark]

Any chance of nerfing heavy cavalry and buffing longbows?

Yes

 

[Meneth]

Oh, and we're taking another tack with the DLC this around - if you don't own the DLC, the AI won't be using the new mechanics or events either. Also, from now on in multiplayer mode, the host will control which DLCs are active.

Does everyone have to have the DLC, or just the host? Can players decide purely graphical DLC independently from what the host decides?

 

[Doomdark]

Does everyone have to have the DLC, or just the host? Can players decide purely graphical DLC independently from what the host decides?

Only the host needs the DLC. This system is only for major DLCs that affect the checksum, not graphical stuff or music, etc.

 

[Meneth]

Only the host needs the DLC. This system is only for major DLCs that affect the checksum, not graphical stuff or music, etc.

Thanks, that sounds fantastic.

 

[Meneth]

On another note: Will anything be done to make the game more moddable?
See this list for a bunch of suggestions as to what can be done.

 

[Meneth]

The wiki has now been updated with the new information about Legacy of Rome.

 

[Meneth]

What are retinues ?

Standing armies. Cost a fixed amount each month, but aren't dependent on buildings or vassals.

 

[Doomdark]

Looking forward to this. For the levy raising if a vassal has 2 Duchies say Orleans and Toulouse then the levies for both would appear in Orleans? Also will ships all appear in one place (presumably a random port if a vassal has sea provinces but the capital is inland)?

Yes and yes.

 

[Meneth]

Aren't they un historical ? I think, in france at least, the first standing army has been created by charle VII in 1445

Think of it more as a large personal guard. I assume France won't be able to raise all that many retinues though.

 

[Meneth]

also, any chance of things for modders ?

If you haven't already, check out the Petition for Improved Moddability.

 

[Doomdark]

Will you be adding any new cultures this time around, like when we got Kurdish in the 1.06 patch?

I don't think so, no.

 

[Doomdark]

Is there a list as yet to what the targeted bugs are?

Yes, but it's a short list:

- All bugs

 

[Doomdark]

Will the Byzantines (or even Orthodox nations in general) get a unique interface, like the Muslims got in 1.06?

Nope

 

[Meneth]

Yes, but it's a short list:

- All bugs

So that means replace_path will finally work again?

 

[Doomdark]

So that means replace_path will finally work again?

Yes

 

[Doomdark]

"If you don't have the DLC, you won't see the new interface"

Then... what is the new interface?

There is a retinue tab in the Military View if you have the DLC.

 

[Doomdark]

this vent from dev dairy 1 to 0 ?

wat

Hehe, yeah, this is more of a prequel to coming dev diaries.

 

[Doomdark]

Will there be "Restore the Roman Empire" kind of mechanism?

Yes. Although it's more a matter of making the West recognize the Roman Empire for what it is.