Update # 7 - Redesigned Balance and Hamlets

Hey Everyone,

We’re back with another update, and this one brings exciting changes to hamlet defenses, combat mechanics, diplomacy, and the economy. Along with these additions, we’ve implemented key balancing adjustments and addressed several player-reported issues to improve your overall gameplay experience.

Of note – hamlets now have brand-new outer stone walls, completely changing their defensive dynamics. Naval combat also sees a significant overhaul, with ship-mounted cannons adding new depth to sea battles. And for those who enjoy trade and diplomacy, expect more dynamic options and increased rewards.

This patch also brings more challenge and strategy to the early game. AI is now slower to upgrade hamlets but less predictable, and new mercenary units have been added for both cities and hamlets, offering fresh tactical opportunities.

We’re incredibly grateful for all your feedback, which continues to help us shape and improve the game. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey and wishing everyone all the best for the holidays ahead!

Now, let’s dive into the full patch notes (version 1.07):

REDESIGNED HAMLET WALLS

• Hamlets gain brand new outer stone walls – available at level 5.
• Hamlets no longer have inner palisade walls.
• Hamlets' inner stone walls can be constructed at level 3.

COMBAT IMPROVEMENTS

• Updated naval combat – it now spawns up to 8 ship-mounted cannons per capital Carrack ship.
• The number of ship-mounted cannons depends on the number of ships in the player's army.
• Two cannons are given by default.
• Units in armies will level up as long as the army sustains at least some damage.
• The harder the battle, and the more units lost, the more the units in armies will level up.
• Battles without any losses barely level up a few units in the army.

WORLD MAP BALANCING

• For new campaigns, half of the hamlets start at level 2, offering a lot more variety in the early game when attacking hamlets.
• Greatly increased the price of upgrading hamlets' levels, especially at higher levels.
• Hamlet mercenary selection expanded to include Bowman, Firecart, and Sheep.
• City mercenary selection expanded to include Monk, Mulla, Mounted Knights, and Mantlet.
• Increased storage added by storehouses, carts, and base storage in larger hamlets and cities.
• AI upgrades hamlets slower and less evenly.
• Greatly increased the price of "Call to Arms" for AI to spawn armies.

DIPLOMACY AND ECONOMY CHANGES

• When the player is King, his lords gain silver a lot faster now, allowing the player to exploit his lords for extra silver.
• Greatly increased silver income from trade – up to 3x more.
• Trading with large nations gives a lot more income than trading with smaller nations – up to 4x more depending on size.
• Doubled the cost of signing trade agreements.
• Suing for peace is now more expensive, especially considering how bad relations could be.
• White peace penalizes the player with a -50 hit with his own lords, almost guaranteeing civil war.

BALANCING CHANGES

• Cannons do significantly more damage to all walls – reducing even the best fortifications to rubble in minutes.
• Greatly increased the price for constructing stone walls in hamlets.
• Moderately increased the price for constructing palisade walls in hamlets.
• Mounted Chevalier has much higher attack now along with other stat improvements.

OTHER FIXES AND IMPROVEMENTS

• GUI improvements for various buttons like closing the building menu in RTS.
• Updated and translated tooltip for wall construction to include much more information.
• Fixed AI upgrading hamlet walls not always working correctly.
• Updated art for stone and palisade wall upgrades.
• Fixed firearm infantry not gaining experience when firing on enemies.
• Fixed an issue with some auto-resolve battles not leveling up units in armies.
• Improved the look of the militia unit.