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Unit/Weapon Attributes Explained

By EoNightcore

A simplified version of the export_descr_unit.txt explained guide, designed to just explain unit attributes.

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EoNightcore
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Category: Characters, Classes, Gameplay Basics, Modding or Configuration, Multiplayer, Secrets, Story or Lore, Walkthroughs, Weapons

Languages: English

Posted

Updated

21 Aug, 2024 @ 1:14pm

25 Aug, 2024 @ 6:18pm

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Guide Index

Overview

Introductions

Formations

Units attributes/traits

Weapon attributes/traits

Credits

Comments

Introductions

This guide is a simplified version of the export_descr_unit.txt explained guide.

It is designed for people who do not want to have to read through an entire chapter of technical information to get to the information they want; and is also designed as a side-part to my Unit List guides.

Formations

These formations apply to units, and only one formation/special ability can be applied to a unit.

can form wedge

+10 unit attack
-5 unit defense

This formation arranges the unit into a triangular group designed to penetrate enemy lines. This formation is usually attached to spear and lance-armed cavalry.

can form phalanx

-4 to being hit by enemy missile attacks
+2 unit morale

This formation causes the unit to lower their pikes. Applying defensive mode off will have the units push their pikes into enemy lines; while applying defensive mode on will have the front line kneel, prevent the unit from pushing forward, and stop any enemy charges into the phalanx's front. Usually used for pikemen.

can form schiltrom

-1 to being hit by enemy missile attacks
+3 unit morale

This formation arranges the unit into a circular group designed to ward off enemy cavalry charges; usually used for spearmen.

can form shield wall

+10 unit defense

This formation arranges the men into a dense block with shields at the ready; this formation is typically not used in Medieval 2.

Units attributes/traits

These attributes and traits apply to units.

can run amok

Instead of routing, this unit may go berserk and ignore orders, running around the battlefield in a panic.

can form cantabrian circle

This unit can utilize the Cantabrian Circle formation, and receives a +3 buff to its missile attack when doing so.

cannot skirmish

This unit is not allowed to use skirmish mode.

command

This unit inspires nearby units in a 75-meter radius, apply a +4 buff to morale.
It does not buff itself, and this attribute does not stack.

druid

This unit begins chanting, applying effects in a 75 meter-radius; a +6 buff to morale is applied to friendly units, and a -5 debuff to morale is applied to enemy units.
It does not buff itself, and this attribute does not stack

fire by rank

This unit rotates the line forward after the first line fires a volley, with the first moving to the back to reload and the second line moving forward to become the first.

free upkeep unit

This unit can be supported for free in a settlement, as long as a free upkeep slot is available, and the unit can either be recruited or retrained at that settlement.

frightens infantry

This unit frightens all infantry units in a 100-meter radius, applying a -4 debuff to morale.
This stacks upwards to -6 morale with 2 units, and -8 morale at 3 units or more.

frightens cavalry

This unit frightens all cavalry units in a 100-meter radius, applying a -4 debuff to morale.
This stacks upwards to -6 morale with 2 units, and -8 morale at 3 units or more.

general unit

This unit is used as a general's bodyguard.
If assigned to be recruitable in the campaign, a general will be assigned to this unit.
The first unit closest to the top of the EDU with this attribute will be assigned to a valid faction's family member.

gunpowder unit

This unit uses a gunpowder weapon, and receives extra experience from buildings with the gun_bonus modifier.

hardy

This unit has improved stamina, thus depleting it slower, and recovering faster.

hide anywhere

This unit can hide anywhere on the battlefield; if no hide attribute is assigned, this unit cannot hide.

hide forest

This unit can hide in forests; if no hide attribute is assigned, this unit cannot hide. Most units have this by default.

hide forest improved

This unit has improved hiding in forests; this also affects their ability to hide in forests on the campaign map. If no hide attribute is assigned, this unit cannot hide.

hide long grass

This unit can hide in the long grass; if no hide attribute is assigned, this unit cannot hide.

is a peasant

This unit's ability to maintain public order is cut in half

knight

This unit receives extra experience from buildings with the heavy_cavalry_bonus modifier

legionary name

This unit is assigned an extra name based off the region they are recruited from, alongside a roman numeral dependent on how many legionary_name units have already been recruited there.

power charge

Decreases the rate at which a unit's charge stat decays, thus allowing for a more powerful charge attack.

sea faring

This unit is allowed to board ships; most units have this by default.

can deploy stakes

This unit can lay stakes before battle.
Interestingly enough, it is inputted twice, perhaps the second stakes refers to a stake model?

very hardy

This unit has even more improved stamina, thus depleting it much slower, and recovering much faster.

Weapon attributes/traits

These attributes/traits affect weapons.

armor-piercing

Pierces armor, halving enemy armor rounded up.

area of effect

Attacks from this weapon affects an entire area

body-piercing

Pierces through enemy units, missiles pass through units and affects multiple targets.

launching

Attacks from this weapon can launch units

light spear

Buffs unit defense against cavalry by +8, but debuffs unit defense against infantry by -4.
If charged by cavalry while unit is bracing, this unit reflects half the cavalry unit's charge modifier.

long pike

This unit's weapon is lengthened. Can only be used for phalanx-capable units.

prec

Unit throws missiles before charging into melee. Fire-at-will is turned off at battle start.

spear

Buffs unit attack against cavalry by +8, but debuffs unit attack against infantry by -4.
If charged by cavalry while unit is bracing, this unit reflects the cavalry unit's full charge modifier.

+x vs cavalry

Unit receives an attack bonus against cavalry units, only even numbers are allowed, upwards to a max of 12.
Requires the spear or light spear attribute to work, and stacks alongside these attributes.

thrown

Unit's missile weapon receives a massive buff against elephant units dependent on elephant unit's hitpoints. The minimum delay to volleys are reduced by 20%. Most throwing units have this by default.

Credits

Guides and Forum threads used for information:

The Complete EDU Guide[www.twcenter.net]by Aradan

A guide to the export_descr_units.txt file[medieval2.heavengames.com]by Mythic Commodore

3 Comments

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BroadBread 10 Aug @ 4:14am

If you just want to push through, because your cav is only light spear and melee, like Hobilars, this might be useful. If its heavy charge cav, do not do it.
If its something like Norse War Clerics, who love melee, then absolutely, yes.

Wedge can also counter heavy cav. Use it for your own lighter, spearwielding cav, to reduce the amount of surface your formation offers to the enemy, thus denying their strength to some degree. In turn, once in melee, your cav will have more stats due to wedge, and do better against theirs, who is out of wedge.

P2

BroadBread 10 Aug @ 4:14am

@Xander77

Charge into a formation with Wedge. General will stick to the front, bad for Victory.

Then, once pushed in, many Cavalrymen will be side to side with an enemy, and be able to hit them with the Melee Weapon, after the Lance was likely used! Compared to full Front Charge, this enables more melee attacks itself, which is what is being buffed to boot.

Problem there, is that while this is nice for Hand to Hand, Cav rarely does that well even with the buff. If you have a stretched line of charging Cav, you will have more surface to hit an enemy line with said charge, and do the charge damage.

P1

That is my take on it.
Thoughts?

Xander77 7 Apr @ 1:34pm

Interesting. This is the first discussion of the wedge formation I see that gives that attack increase number. Weird how worthless that formation is even with that increase.

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