Terrain testing results

Some math:

a = cav atk terrain modifier for mountains
b = bow defence terrain mod for mountains

My cavalry killed 53 out of 99 troops (and some percentage of the commander) so I'm going to assume our relative strengths were 53/99 = .535

My strength was 1300*a  and Zangi's was 1300*b thus:

1300a/1300b = 0.535  and;
a/b = 0.535

So, for example that could give values for a and b as follows:

1.0 and 1.869  or
0.8 and 1.49  (e.g. a 20% penalty to cav atk and a 50% bonus to bow defence) or
0.6 and 1.12
etc...

There are an infinite number of possible values from this one equation - we would need more results to start narrowing down the actual values.

After some debate in Global about the impact of terrain, Zangi and I decided to do some controlled tests.

We agreed to use 100 basic dwarf bowmen (99 Slingers plus unbonused commander) vs 20 Human cavalry (19 + unbonused commander).

This gives a nice comparison because 20 cavalry have an attack strength of 1300 (65*20)  and Slingers have a defence against cavalry of 13 so the armies are equal when the cavalry are attacking the slingers.

First test was on a mountain square type "Lonely Peak":

Sent By:    System Received By:    KillerPoodle Sent:    27AUG10 06:09 Subject:    Failed attack against Zangi's forces at Square -139|-62 by KillerPoodle's forces from Poodleopolis Two opposing forces clash against each other. Swordsmen, and especially cavalry, find attacking into very mountainous terrain difficult - although ranged units can excel. Narrow passes and gulleys hinder any mounted units' ability to defend adequately. Nimble spear units have no such worries here, and defending bowmen are able to use their height advantage to maximum effect. Attackers:    Unit:    Quantity:    Casualties:    Survivors: Commander: cav    Knight    1    Damaged for 100, 0 health remains. Troops:    Knights    19    19    0 Despite your troops' defeat, word reaches you concerning the defenders' forces in this battle. Defenders:    Unit:    Quantity:    Casualties:    Survivors: Commander: Pebbles    Slinger    1    Damaged for 53, 47 health remains. Troops:    Slingers    99    53    46

As you can see - rather than this being a close fight the terrain gave a significant advantage to the bows.

Edited by KillerPoodle - 27 Aug 2010 at 16:03