Do we summon Npcs?

[Linkman214]

some of the things in the description make it sound like we summon our own troops or something? I hope I'm mistaken that is kind of odd. The screenshot with the troops all bunched together. (the ones with the same armor and spear) sort of look like npcs

[Duty]

No, the "commander" part of the description is more likely in reference to the various group wide buffs and "shouts" you'll have. I imagine it to be something akin to Guild Wars' Paragon.

[Deathsbest]

most likely just group aoe buffs.

[Wren]

oddly enough I was wondering the same thing. while I don't think its actually the case, I still won't know for sure until I see some in-game videos or just hear more detailed information on the class. I mean it doesn't sound totally out of the realm of possibility for this certain class.

one of the in-game shots has some NPC looking people rallying around the Knight (which is just most likely a cleverly staged shot), and they still make the Knight sound like he's commanding a large group of fighters opposed to just a single group. now I may just not have a clear idea of what size a "group" counts as in WAR, at least for the purpose of getting buffs.

[Amelung]

Its a really not unimportant question. We will play more the elite of warriors, but how about soldiers? Because we conquer towns and 'realms' only special 'commandos' do the job to win a whole war?
So i had thoughts about some cannonfodder troops----normal soldiers as a kind of 'hiring' NPC's, 'summoning' sounds more it would be only a magical force.
Also i have seeen a steamtank, some cannons, are those normal equipment, specials for 'regiments', possible to hire for one special battle? Or only some decoration for the landscape?
Or soldiers also only decoration of some towns?

[Okri]

Well, I think it had been said that in some scenarios and other important battles (like City-siges I'd believe) we will se NPC soldiers fighting along side us, to even the scores out, so to speak. How much they will be under our control is hard to say, maybe direct control, maybe none at all. And seeing as the Dogs of War have been said to be in the game, in some form, I don't think it is unlikely that we might see some form of hireable NPC's fighting for us, though it probably won't be as much as in Gods & Heroes, more like Guild Wars (That did have Hireable NPC's, right? If not, I must be thinking of something else)

[Flegler]

Hmm... (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=797&c=2)

I don't think there was anything in the newsletter to suggest the KotBS can command NPCs, but I'd like to believe it's true because the guy in that screenshot looks a lot more like a squire or a soldier than a Knight to me. If that spearman is only a Knight's pet then at least we can hope the real knights will look a bit more intimidating, even from tier 1.

In this screenshot (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=793&c=2) though, the halberdiers seem to be wearing the livery of Middenland or the Order of the Griffon rather than the Blazing Sun's traditional colours, so I'd wager they're just random NPC guards who were posed for a dramatic screenshot.

[Amelung]

@Flegler, you are right, it looks like there are some 'squires, dismounted men at arms' you call those 'guards' acting with the knight. So because we are all knowing, we will not play such 'soldiers' those should be NPC's, but possible to act! I see also only one knight standing in the middle of your presented screen and i also think its not only a show, it will be a possibility for gameplay.
But who knows? Im not knowing :)

[Okri]

Hmm... (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=797&c=2)

I don't think there was anything in the newsletter to suggest the KotBS can command NPCs, but I'd like to believe it's true because the guy in that screenshot looks a lot more like a squire or a soldier than a Knight to me. If that spearman is only a Knight's pet then at least we can hope the real knights will look a bit more intimidating, even from tier 1.

In this screenshot (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=793&c=2) though, the halberdiers seem to be wearing the livery of Middenland or the Order of the Griffon rather than the Blazing Sun's traditional colours, so I'd wager they're just random NPC guards who were posed for a dramatic screenshot.

Comparing the spearman to concept art of a low-level Knight, I'd say that it is actually just that: A low-level knight. And it also gives me hope that we will be using other weapons than just swords.

[Ralzar]

Comparing the spearman to concept art of a low-level Knight, I'd say that it is actually just that: A low-level knight. And it also gives me hope that we will be using other weapons than just swords.

Yup, that's a low level knight. His "ornateness" (or lack thereof) fits perfectly with the other classes at low levels. You have to earn that poofy feathered helmet man!

[Flegler]

Yup, that's a low level knight. His "ornateness" (or lack thereof) fits perfectly with the other classes at low levels. You have to earn that poofy feathered helmet man!

I agree actually, it matches the concept art exactly. Which is a bit crap really. He looks more like a Blood Bowl player than a knight. I'd expect armour to look plainer at lower levels, not non-existent. I do like that he has a spear though.

Meanwhile, Chosen get full body armour from level 1 and I can't find any pictures of lightly-armoured Ironbreakers or Black Orcs either :(

[Petit-Trot]

I'm pretty sure that if the KotBS was a "pet class", they would have mentionned it very loudly, not hinted at it through some pictures.

[Wren]

gosh darnit, Amelung. I thought I finally got an avatar no one else had.

[Amelung]

gosh darnit, Amelung. I thought I finally got an avatar no one else had.
Hmm, some hours ago i thought absolutely the same lol.
But surely mine is 'a bit' oooooolder in using. Meanwhile i see some dust on my salletwearing knight or its only reasoned by my glasses??? ;)

About the knight(s) on the screenshot, i compared also again with the last presented artworks, it seams really there is 'some' recognition possible :)

[Wren]

yeah you've probably been using it for longer but I've only just noticed. sorta wish we had custom avatars but I can see why they don't allow that.

I still have to admit, the NPC thing would be a neat feature. Maybe not a permanent pet but more along the lines of a 100% moral ability that summons some local militia to fight for you for a bit.

[Amelung]

yeah you've probably been using it for longer but I've only just noticed. sorta wish we had custom avatars but I can see why they don't allow that.

I still have to admit, the NPC thing would be a neat feature. Maybe not a permanent pet but more along the lines of a 100% moral ability that summons some local militia to fight for you for a bit.

For me to see finally the same avatar (again) its really fun, also a knight, not only meee!!!! Cheeers! :D

For the 'local militia', i think it could fit to gameplay, especially because realms are able to 'conquer' towns, some socalled cannonfodder would be nearly a must.
Sure for some quests enemies normal 'soldiers/warriors' as NPC-opponents surely clear. Then not only imperial will have halberdiers, also common chaoswarriors or weaker orcs.