Today’s patch brings a lot of tuning, boosting and nerfing to Shadow Empire. There are many, but most importantly tanks have become somewhat weaker when out of their element and artillery has become somewhat stronger especially when targetting troops with low experience levels. It also brings a new feature: Rank. Leaders can be given a Rank in order to pay them a lot more salary and make them happier. The AI has received quite some improvements as well. Furthermore advanced tools have been added for modders to allow doing some magic with the Vidcom graphics.

• Split Theocratic Major Regimes into Theocratic and Elitist Major Regimes. They are very similar but their Factions are different. The Elitist Regimes have the Factions: Criterians (reasonable but definitely not stupid), Regents (self preservation), Optimates (more aggressive and militarist) *

• Fixed getting too much high Cap Leaders on higher difficulty levels *

• Fixed some Stratagems displaying stuff like <NATION> in their text blurb.

• Fixed exploit with moving into enemy hex using the P key.

• Militia Troops will no longer be sent back to SHQ if they have quality level obsolete. Furthermore SHQ will allow obsolete troop types to be sent out to Militia Units if they have the “militia people”.

• Vidcom NewGfx Switch added to Prefs, by default it is on. If switched off only old style graphics are used for Vidcom, this does also mean less diverse graphical illustrations. In a few months a similar switch should become available for Stratagems. I hope this pleases the part of the player base that does not want to use the NewGfx, at least somewhat. -For Matrix Open Beta the above this doesn’t work completely as I cannot remove existing files, so in the Matrix Open Beta switching off NewGfx actually still shows the Arachnid + Danger newer graphics. Link to NewGfx Vidcom modding: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sf_DqtVhBMQsYfKG-KhYNWmIq5Ck6N1HB1Mm8KAuIKs/edit?usp=sharing

Some relatively big combat balance changes with this patch. Artillery has been boosted and AFVs have been nerfed, but only in specific circumstances.

• Increased the Artillery KILL chance a bit (did not make many kills, but should make 20% more kills now, a tad bit, but read on below) *

• Added ACCIDENTS rule for AFVs, for in order of vulnerability: Tanks, APC and Walkers. See below for more info. *

• Artillery RETREAT hit can translate to KILL hit with (relatively) low XP targets. See below for more info. *

• Militia Replacement Troops can now be low level Models as well. This was inconsistent before with new Units having the possibility for regular Model usage, but not their replacements troops. -AI is now more inclined to upgrade troops (especially at lower XP levels if seriously better equipment available)

• Faction Stratagem gifts did not take into account the Profile preferences of the Faction in question for the selection of the Profile Stratagem given, they do now, though some randomness remains.

• Fixed possible issue with Decision not raising worker happiness.

• Fixed an issue with non-Cabinet members actually being able to vote during Politburo elections.

• Fixed issue with not being able to manually transfer Militia from SHQ to Militia Unit in same Hex.

• Mech Artillery/Launchers now have 10 readiness loss for 100 AP move instead of 30. *

• Absorption Critter Feat now always has 10% chance to fail (caused an issue before at level V which made a fail impossible)

• Changed the weighting of possible culture groups on Planet; should result in more diverse cultures on newly generated maps *

• High Tradition >100 was still not allowing a tiny chance of CAS raise, this should now work, though it will be really slow.

• Some mouse over fixes for some skills, techs and stratagems *

• ACCIDENTS During offensive warfare and when scoring a KILL/RETREAT hit, Tanks, Walkers and APCs have a small chance to get destroyed by last minute (suicidal) enemy counter actions accidents or accidents (or combination of both). This can only happen against highly entrenched adversaries or in landscapes or river crossings that are not well suited for the Troop Type in question. Tanks attacking unentrenched enemies in Plains Landscape Type for example will have 0% chance to suffer an accident, however Tanks attacking in Forest have a 3% chance to suffer an accident (remember: only upon scoring a KILL/RETREAT hit there is a test). APCs and Walkers have only half that chance, note also that Walkers do not have any Landscape Types that give them penalties in the first place (though major rivers still expose them).

• HIGHER ARTILLERY KILL CHANCE WHEN FIGHTING LOW XP TROOPS

  • A Retreat Hit by Artillery can be transformed into a KILL hit if the XP of the target is below 40.

  • At 10xp or lower the chance is almost 30%

  • At 20xp the chance is about 10%

  • At 30xp the chance is about 5%

  • At 39xp the chance is about 2.5%

  • At 40xp or higher the chance is 0%.

• New Faction’s first Faction Leader during the game is now usually much better aligned with their new Faction. They sort of trade their previous ideology for a potential position of power. Ambitious Leaders have more chance to align and to found a new Faction during the game.

• Added some more log entries on Private Credits in the Zone Logs & did some general QA work on tracking this really correctly (for me and for the player)

• Fixed faulty XP in raising formation with SHQ Troops

• Fixed misconfigured conditions for raising Light and Heavy Armor Grenadier Army.*

• Fixed the amount of Energy/Food/Ammo/Fuel/Water/IP that is being kept by Zone in case it will not have enough maximum storage points to do so; in that case it will send items back to SHQ even though it needs them next round, better than losing them. (Big thx to Dave with this rather rare case).

• Fixed a small reporting glitch with energy in the inventory tab (consumption need reported was not taking energy rebate into account of agri facilities)

• Verified Disband Militia is working; it is working. But you need to play a scenario started with #220 or later.

• Major AI on higher difficulties now does higher Tech Level starts with Models utilizing the best Tech thats available at start of game.

• Major AI in early game is now more keen to design better versions of much used equipment/models when important new tech becomes available

• Major AI is now more sensitive to recognizing another Major is getting too much ahead (but stays sensitive to especially victory pact for non-game winning reasons)

• AI gets better Leaders at higher difficulty levels (upto +1 cap level at extreme difficulty)

• AI fix where it was not perceiving possible longer term encirclements as good as it could

• Limited budget changes for Organisations to minimum 1% per organisation. There is minimal upkeep needed to keep the lights on.

• Fixed feedback when using “Call To” diplomatic Cards to explain the addition of dem,aut or mer to your ROLL. *

• Fixed small glitch in Crime Syndicate algorithms (destroyed security asset without crew) *

• Fixed issue with some other Cultures Milita Units losing Unit Feats.

• Fixed crash with sentient alien units and using the Battlegroup Order.

• Correct mouse over now for Major Diplomatic Pact Stratagems.

• Salary effect on Natural Relation Point has been lowered *

• Rank Feature added. HR Task now also produces Increase/Decrease Rank (title) Stratagems that can give a Leaders a higher salary and more prestige from their job *

• In Leader Management Tab you can now also inspect the Leader Feats

• AI change on tactical level: added an extra move algorithm option on normal AI speed or higher, should result in slightly better tactical moves.

• Fixed glitch with losing of Quality Levels when reforming unit/HQ (Zarohn)

• When depleting the Militia Pool the Population will be reduced (if possible)

• When rebel units form the Population will be reduced (if possible)

• When suboptimal recon the Unit counters now show the same value on map as in the troops breakdown in the bottom.

• Fixed glitch where logistical points need of Asset was reduced by city level multiplier (farmstead III req 50 logistical pts instead of 150)

• Fixed having the Model graphics show up in the Battlegroup Popup Window

• Private Economy will stop upgrading private mines that dont have enough reserves left in the ground

• Private Economy will favor industry/scav assets more often again

• Fixed a tiny glitch with not selecting the city hex when clicking in left side window

• Fixed mouse over for make peace Strategem

• Fixed issue with some Profiles not changing with diplomatic major events *

• Fixed transferring from Zone to SHQ in same Hex if no logistical points available.

• Militia can now be disbanded as well. (because it could be scrapped, like this is more consistent)

• Regular Troops can now no longer be transferred into Militia units (was an exploit)

• HQ reports now show up even when round 70 passed or advice turned off.

• Extra notes on the new Rank feature:

  • Giving a higher rank title to a Leader immediately gives some relation effects. It also increases the Natural Relation Point for monetary as well for honor-related reasons. It also increases the Prestige from the Job they are doing.

  • Rank 1 = salary * 5, prestige from job +10 pts

  • Rank 2 = salary * 25, prestige from job +20 pts

  • Rank 3 = salary * 125, prestige from job +30 pts

  • Rank 4 = salary * 625, prestige from job +40 pts

• Major Fix with AI regimes not being set to a story mode (friends, blackmail, etc) and subsequent events not triggering. This has been fixed for new games and running games (retro-active fix will take a new round to go into effect)

• Further AI changes on tactical level to try to strike the right mix between timid (too often previous subversion) and audacious depending on the number of units on the frontline.

• Fixed the Base Design formula for aircraft , it no longer takes “aircraft ruggedness” into account a bonus as it causes issues with field testing. On top of that “aircraft ruggedness” should never have given a bonus to the base design in the first place, it is already giving a bonus to Hitpoints. (Thanks Felius!) *

• AI changes on the tactical level especially on medium and slow level (extra searches, small nudges & some code fixes). The AI should be a bit more wary now against encirclement and holes in the line, however it might have gotten a bit bore timid in some circumstances too, where it is better to drive forward. So feel free to send me a save game of any such instance where it should have played offensive cat & mouse instead of trying to avoid encirclement. This will be probably be worked upon for the next open beta. Feedback is thus crucial.

• Expanded rather limited implementation of moveRedux effects of artillery on transporter (truck/apc) speed. Used to be only applied if the trucks had an AP cost decrease (fast trucks), now also for all others (normal and slower than normal)

• MTH Stratagems are now handled by Economic Council Director (instead of Foreign Affairs Director) *

• Salary impact on Natural Relation Point is now optimal at Leader Egoism=50 and slacks of going towards 0 or 100. In the first case because the leader is altruistic and doesnt value rewards very high, in the other case because it wants more and more credits as egoism creeps higher. (note that the stratagem gifts do work well on high egoism because the public ceremonial nature (PP expenditure) of these gifts does scratch their itch) *

• Waterfall Turbine Hex Feat description fixed*

• Mod Library usage fixed. Thx Magirot! It now loads mods again without crashing. Apologies here, not sure how this bug snuck in.

• Fixed Danger Event preview with too high modifier on skill roll

• Fixed map centering in some cases (big thanks to JeanLeChauve for this report and many others)

• Fixed mothballing of private mines when necc

• A cap on egoism loss with leaders with low ambition and parliament regime feat active. Iit cannot go lower than ambition now. *

• Agri preview production fixed

• Made fixed AI Admin level (based on round) now more variabl also depending on BP production *

• Arachnids less chance to be present on planet where they have no prey to hunt

*=requires a new game start

As oligarchic instability gives way to aristocratic order, a new political structure emerges: one bound by blood and code. In this sixth installment of our Moodboard & Designer Notes, we analyze the rise of Aristocracy, where dynastic factions replace competing elites, and governance rests on fealty, hierarchy, and military autonomy.

Aristocracy buys stability, but the Dynastic Factions will quickly grow strong. They’ll even be able to control their own Militias.

This series of articles aims to showcase the main themes of Shadow Empire: Republica DLC, an expansion currently in development by Vic (VR Designs) that focuses on politics.

Please note: the following images and ideas are conceptual representations meant to illustrate the narrative and thematic tone of the DLC. In-game footage and new visual assets will be revealed later in development.

The accountant frowned as he briefed the Lord-Governor on the financial results, his voice cautious and critical. 

“Abraxis,” sighed the Lord-Governor, “you know I tolerate your diatribes because you’re the most skilled number-cruncher in the entire Zone. You’re aware of that, aren’t you?”

“Yes, my lord,” replied Abraxis, his tone respectful yet burdened with a lingering frustration. “It’s just that the injustice still pains me.”

The Lord-Governor, a figure of imposing stature draped in the red regalia of his House Vernaz, walked over to the accountant’s desk. Placing a hand on the man’s shoulder, he softened his expression. “Explain it to me once more, dear Abraxis” he said.

Abraxis shuddered slightly under the touch but seized the opportunity nonetheless. “If we tally up everything your House Vernaz extracts from the coffers of the state, it amounts to almost 3000 Credits each year, along with resources that could have raised almost three armored battalions.”

The Lord-Governor nodded, his expression both serious and subtly pleased. “That’s a good tally” he mused.

“Don’t you see this harms our nation, my lord?” Abraxis pressed, his voice trembling with restrained defiance.

“Frankly,” Lord-Governor Vernaz drawled, his tone measured, “quite frankly… no, not really. You assume too much, Abraxis. You view the world through a very narrow lens, assuming this wealth is wasted, when it actually is not.”

The Lord-Governor straightened himself, his imposing presence filling the room. “You forget the stability this has purchased for our great Steelshelf Nation. You cannot put a price on a nation at peace with itself. You, of all people, should remember the days of oligarchs and unrest, no?”

Abraxis shook his head, a heavy sigh escaping him. “Yes, yes,” he conceded, “but if we had just curbed the corruption or perhaps reformed into a democracy… then we could have had stability without the aristocracy taking everything from us…”

The accountant slumped in his chair under the Lord-Governor’s withering gaze. “Careful now,” the Lord-Governor warned, his voice low. “Don’t forget your place!” the aristocrat snapped. 

After a large pause the Lord-Governor refocussed his attention on his accountant and continued: “What you’re proposing would have bought only temporary stability. Did you notice what happened to our neighbor, the People’s Republic?”

Abraxis nodded again, feeling the weight of his lord’s words pressing down on him,  making him question his own revolutionary ideas.

“Alright,” he sighed, “but at least reconsider transferring your household guards to the presidential command. We could really use those elite troops in our fight against the People’s Republic.”

The Lord-Governor laughed, a deep, booming sound that echoed through the chamber. Slapping Abraxis on the back, he nearly knocked the wind out of the accountant. “If the president concedes to our demands for stewardship over the East Zone, sure, Abraxis, we’ll lend a hand. But all in due time… all in due time…”

While going over the financial reports, Abraxis criticizes the aristocracy. 

One way out of an Oligarchy is to accept a certain loss of control but regain Virtus by installing a Feudal Code and becoming an Aristocracy. This new system will re-inspire your society with high principles of honor, chivalry and sacrifice. There will be hope again for stability and clean government.

The Feudal Code basically upgrades some Factions to Dynastic Factions. These Dynastic Factions will get their own Fiefs and obtain direct income from them (Feudal Levy). This levy is the thing Abraxis in our story above is complaining about. 

They’ll also have assured seats in the Senate. And as the Feudal Code Levels advance they’ll become stronger. Gaining more Zones and privileges. The Compound of the Primus Inter Pares (leader of a Dynastic Faction) will become the focal point of the whole Faction. They’ll pool their revenues to upgrade it as much as possible for the good of their dynasty, but also their Fiefs and their Household Militias.

A special advantage of “Feudal” Zones is that their Militancy will start to rise again, no longer being limited by the presence of Regular Troops. The Capital is no longer the point of reference. These new Militias will be by default loyal to their Dynastic masters. This means that if your relation with a Dynastic Faction drops they might withhold the use of their Household Militias and position them in their own Cities. 

Note that these Feudal Militias can rapidly become much stronger than your prior Militias, as the Dynastic Faction might become capable of upgrading them to modern regular Models.

The stronger these Dynastic Factions become the more they’ll become like families with a fixed senior Faction Leader and an inner circle of loyals. Children and family members might make an entrance as well in the higher levels of Aristocracy, as they’ll start to prefer recruiting loyal family members.

The biggest downside of higher levels of Autocracy is the dynastics become more sensitive to you making decisions that do not go their way. It is possible to disappoint a Dynastic Faction so much that you are confronted with a Dynastic Uprising. Dreaded as the Leaders of the Faction will rebel all together.

Under the condition that you do not alienate the Dynastic Faction nobles, the key force of this system is however its stability and military autonomy (Militias).

There is no formal way out of an Aristocracy as the Dynastic Factions will have a majority of votes in the Senate. The only way out is through revolution, either by the people or by the military.

Wishlist Shadow Empire: Republica

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3645760/Shadow_Empire_Republica/