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- Warlords II frequently asked questions list:
-
- (Last updated 27th June 1995)
-
- The questions answered in this FAQ are:
-
- 1. What is it?
- 2. Where can I get Warlords-related material on the Internet?
- i. What scenarios are available?
- ii. What utilities and patches are available?
- 3. Do I need the Scenario Builder to use the scenarios?
- 4. Where do I get patches?
- 5. How can I edit random maps?
- 6. I've got a scenario off the 'net - how do I add it?
- 7. I can't get addscen to add this scenario - what's wrong?
- 8. How do I copy graphics between army (or city) sets?
- 9. How do I edit shield sets?
- 10. Why do all the enemy warlords ALWAYS declare war on me?
- 11. How do I pick up bags left behind by dead heroes?
- 12. What's SSG's email address?
- 13. What's happening with Warlords 2 Deluxe?
-
- This FAQ consists mostly of IBM-related information, but some Mac
- information is now being included. If you want more information
- added, just send it to me. If you think there is a burning question
- that should be addressed, send it to me. (G.Barnett@unsw.edu.au)
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 1. What is it?
-
- Warlords is essentially a strategy game, with (in its original form)
- some fantasy elements. The emphasis is on combat, though economics,
- diplomacy, and exploration figure into it as well. The basic aim is
- to conquer at least half the cities on the map (unless you are
- really bloodthirsty and don't accept surrenders). Up to 8 players
- - human or computer - can participate. More than 3 humans can get a
- bit slow, unless you have several machines, and play multiple games
- simultaneously, moving from machine to machine.
-
- Each side (human or computer) begins with one "hero" with one army and
- one city. Heroes may be of either sex. Cities can produce armies. Each
- city has a different production and income, and you take more cities by
- combat. The hero can also explore ruins, where there might be items
- (after overcoming any guardians), sages (who reveal the locations of
- other items, or maps of areas, or reward you with gifts), or monsters
- willing to become allies. Heroes can also go to temples to be blessed
- or receive quests. Quests may be rewarded with special allies. Armies
- can also be blessed at temples (blessing affects combat strength).
-
- The default scenario is fantasy-based: Dragons, Wizards, elves, and
- so on. The cities mostly look like castles. However, many kinds of
- scenarios are possible. There exist tank battles, pirate scenarios,
- even a battle in the mud for a pig-farm (between pigs of course).
- Each scenario is playable many times - I played the original
- Warlords I scenario dozens of times.
-
- One of Warlords' best features is the quality of the computer players -
- at their most intelligent levels of play, they are reasonably difficult
- opponents. If they become too easy, you can issue a challenge (so they
- concentrate their efforts against you more than at each other).
- If you are a really super player, you can give the computer some extra
- advantages.
-
- It has a random map feature which extends playability enormously -
- the random maps are very good indeed - most give an excellent game.
-
- The scenario builder (Warscen) allows you to make new scenarios
- (new maps, armies, cities, shields, boats, items, ruin guardians
- and so on). This extends the playability of the original game further,
- as well as being fun in itself.
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 2. Where can I get Warlords-related material on the Internet?
-
- i. Lupan:
- lupan.byu.edu: /site/ibmstuff/Games/Warlords_II
-
- The Warlords II stuff on lupan has been faithfully maintained by
- John Rosenquist (rose@bert.cs.byu.edu), and John deserves hearty
- thanks for his work in making available and keeping it going.
-
- *Note*: this site has undergone substantial reorganization
- in recent months, and /Warlords_II has a number of subdirectories.
- There are some newer scenarios as well.
- Upload scenarios into /site/upload
-
- The new directory structure is:
- /Warlords_II (has both of the patches: war102a.zip, wl2p1-11.zip)
- /Scenario (has about 50 scenarios, and the fight order utility)
- /New (has the cartoon and 3 pelicar scenarios + utilities)
- /Reviews (has lots of reviews, all or nearly all by Dirk Pellett)
-
- (the stuff on lupan is available on the web as well:
- http://lupan.byu.edu)
-
- ii. If you have WWW access look at:
- http://www.princeton.edu/~rfheeter/w2home.html
- Bob Heeter has taken over Eugene Lee's Warlords page. Bob's page
- is a little different from Eugene's, and he's still adding to it.
- Bob is putting lots of interesting information up, and it is
- definitely worth a look. He has lots of information and resources
- not available at other places, like the combat odds table, and
- strategy tips, and reviews of the scenario builder and suggestions
- on creating scenarios, and the "Rules of Engagement" document, and
- a page on combat bonuses, and lots of other things. This is one of
- my favourite sites. If you have a question about Warlords II, you'll
- probably find the answer here.
-
- iii. *** NEW WEB SITE ***
- http://www.cs.uiowa.edu/~schikore/warlords2.html
- Matt Schikore has a site still very much under construction, but
- nevertheless with some nifty ideas. It has a number of utilities,
- including one I had not seen before. The scenario list gives
- information on a whole heap of scenarios, many of which are
- downloadable. I think Matt has every scenario currently available....
-
- iv. wuarchive.wustl.edu used to have lots of stuff, but it all got
- cleaned off. Even the directory was gone until I put it back. It has
- only a couple of scenarios in pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS/games/warlords_II:
- cartoon and pelicar (which is really 3 scenarios in 1 zip file) -
- a scenario called gammaw was up a directory I think (in /games),
- but I can't find it now. wuarchive now also has the showarmy utility.
-
- v. Other sites
- http://www.teleport.com/~stiltman/warlords.html has 3 scenarios,
- and a nifty review of Warlords II. The descriptions of the scenarios
- looked pretty good, but I haven't actually had time to play them yet.
-
- vi. Mac-related sites
-
- o http://www.einet.net/galaxy/Leisure-and-Recreation
- /Games/chris-loggins/Gaming.html (won't all fit on one line)
- has a review, and tells you where to get the Mac demo version.
-
- o http://hyperarchive.lcs.mit.edu/HyperArchive/Abstracts
- /game/com/warlords-ii-104s (sorry, that won't either)
- has the Mac demo version.
-
- Of course, another way to get lots of nice scenarios is to buy
- the scenario builder, since it comes with about two dozen.
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- i. What scenarios are available?
-
- (addresses given above)
- Matt
- Scenario Notes lupan wuarchive Schikore's stiltman
- web page web page
- 1805.zip - - Y -
- altair1.zip Y - Y -
- arghan.szp - - Y Y
- babes.szp Y - Y -
- bay.szp Y - Y -
- bearer.zip Y - Y -
- brokenb.szp Y - Y -
- cartoon.zip 1 Y Y Y -
- craig.szp Y - Y -
- dante.szp Y - Y -
- dominio.szp Y - Y -
- donut.szp Y - Y -
- f-rang.szp Y - Y -
- fanbri.zip Y - Y -
- frigid.szp - - Y Y
- gammaw.zip Y - Y -
- greece.zip Y - Y -
- hobson.zip Y - Y -
- iceland.szp Y - Y -
- illuri.zip Y - Y -
- islands.zip Y - Y -
- jpark.szp Y - Y -
- mars!.zip Y - Y -
- mars.zip Y - Y -
- mearth.zip - - Y -
- medit.zip Y - Y -
- midngt.szp Y - Y -
- minaria.zip Y - Y -
- mudlord.szp Y - Y -
- mystara.szp Y - Y -
- mythtec.exe Y - Y -
- nexus09.zip Y - Y -
- nippon.szp Y - Y -
- norse.zip Y - Y -
- olympia.szp Y - Y -
- orcas.zip Y - Y -
- oz.zip Y - Y -
- para.szp Y - Y -
- pelicar.zip 1,2 Y Y Y -
- pelicar1.zip 1,3 Y - - -
- pirates.zip Y - Y -
- powers.zip Y - Y -
- quadrnt.szp Y - Y -
- rain2.zip Y - Y -
- rainwr.zip Y - Y -
- realm.zip Y - Y -
- realms2.szp Y - Y -
- shogun.szp Y - Y -
- softwar.szp Y - Y -
- tarot.zip Y - Y -
- tolk.szp Y - Y -
- trucks.zip Y - Y -
- ultima7.szp Y - Y -
- vale.szp Y - Y -
- vulcan.szp Y - Y -
- warcity.szp Y - Y -
- yar.szp - - Y Y
-
- Explanation of notes:
-
- 1. for lupan, these were in /New last I looked
-
- 2. 3 scenarios (pelicar, elfwar, decline) in one .zip
- On Matt's site, they are available separately
- as pelicar.zip, elfwar.zip and decline.zip
-
- 3. I suspect this is the same as pelicar.zip
-
- I know Compuserve and AOL had some scenarios, many of which were
- later uploaded to wuarchive and lupan, but I know of at least a
- couple that don't seem to have made it to the Internet. If anyone
- has scenarios (not from SSG's commercial releases) not on this list,
- could they put them up?
-
- (On Compuserve, Warlords 2 scenarios are in GAMERS forum in Library 3:
- there are lots of scenarios and utilities. We have most of them, but
- it can't hurt to look.)
-
- Start with lupan, in /site/upload, and if it doesn't have one with
- it already, put a text file with it so John knows what it is for.
- If you can, put it up at wuarchive as well. Since Matt's site has
- the most scenarios, send it to him also (uuencode it if you mail
- it). If you're feeling generous, tell me you did it, so I can put
- the information here.
-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ii. What utilities and patches are available?
-
- Matt
- Utility Notes lupan wuarchive Schikore's Explanation
- web page
- showarmy Y Y Y army set info
- showscen Y - Y scenario info
- sortscen 1 - - Y sorts scenario list
- w2copy Y - Y copy army & city pics
- w2order 2 Y Y Y fixes fight order
- warld2ed Y - Y edit city & production
- war102a Y - Y patch: v1.02 to v1.02a
- wl2p1-11 Y - Y patch: v1.02a to v1.11
-
- Explanation of notes:
- (1) sortscen is useful if you don't have the scenario builder.
- (2) the current version is in a file called w2ord13.zip
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 3. Do I need the Scenario Builder to use the scenarios?
-
- No. All you need is the 1.11 patch. If you have the Scenario Builder,
- you don't need the patch. You may also need the 1.02 patch if your
- version number is lower than 1.02a.
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 4. Where do I get patches?
-
- The lupan site, and Matt Schikore's web page has them. Addresses
- and more information in Q1.
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 5. How can I edit random maps?
-
- a. Without a utility:
- Let's say I want to create a random scenario called "Sample":
- (Any other name would do - but no more than *7* characters)
-
- i. Run WARSCEN. Load STAMP (say). Save As Sample. Quit.
- (Any other scenario should do instead of STAMP.)
-
- ii. Run WARLORD2. Choose Random Map, and select desired options -
- even a different terrain set. You can exit as soon as you get to
- choose who is Human etc, but you will probably want to look at
- the map first. Go ahead and look. If you don't like it - generate
- another one. It doesn't matter whether you leave everyone as Human
- or not at this stage. Quit. You don't need to save the game.
-
- iii. At the DOS prompt:
- From the Warlord2 subdirectory type:
- COPY .\RANDOM\RANDOM.* .\SAMPLE\SAMPLE.*
-
- (I'm sure you can figure out the corresponding commands from other
- directories.)
-
- iv. Run WARSCEN. The "Sample" scenario now appears. Load it.
- It is now the random map. When you save, the information on
- the number of cities and ruins should be updated. Note that
- a different terrain set may look a bit odd when you first
- load it - just move around a bit and it should look OK. Change
- what you like, and remember to save often.
-
- That's it! One edited random scenario. Take care - it is possible
- to cause problems, but you can always reinstall WARLORDS in the
- worst case.
-
- b. Quick method:
-
- Get hold of the W2ORDER utility (version 1.2 or higher -
- Version 1.3 is available at lupan, Matt Schikore's web page
- and wuarchive).
-
- Use, for example,
-
- w2order /r /o Sample
-
- to make a copy of the random scenario called Sample, with the extra
- benefit that the army fight order is the same as the order of the
- armies in the Edit Armies display, rather than the slightly jumbled
- order you can get from a random scenario.
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 6. I've got a scenario off the 'net - how do I add it?
-
- If you have the Scenario Builder, or you're running Version 1.1,
- just copy the .szp file to the Warlords II directory. If you have
- a .zip file you'll have to unzip it first. Then type ADDSCEN filename.
-
- If there is a text file with the .szp file, it doesn't hurt to copy
- it down into the scenario directory (Warlords ignores files it doesn't
- know about).
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 7. I can't get ADDSCEN to add this scenario - what's wrong?
-
-
- If you used ftp, check that you downloaded the scenario with binary
- mode on. Secondly, it may be that you have one of the scenarios that
- came via Compuserve, in which case you may find you need to rename the
- .szp file before it will install.
-
- For example, to install the scenario hobson.szp, you need to name it
- "HOBSON'.SZP", because Hobson' is the name of the scenario (Hobson's
- choice), but Compuserve won't allow a filename of that length.
-
- (A better approach if you want to put a scenario up on Compuserve is to
- put the .szp with a doc file into a .zip, and calling that a shorter
- name, but not everyone realises that).
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 8. How do I copy graphics between army (or city) sets?
-
- You need to get the utility w2copy.
-
- This is available on the lupan ftp site
- (lupan.byu.edu, /site/ibmstuff/Games/Warlords_II/Scenarios/New)
- and also at http://www.cs.uiowa.edu/~schikore/warlords2.html
-
- If you run it without arguments it tells you how it works.
-
- I think there's a doc file in the .zip as well.
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 9. How do I edit shield sets?
-
- The short answer is that you don't. There is a longer answer, which
- I'll type in another time, which largely says the same thing.
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 10. Why do all the enemy warlords always declare war on me?
-
- You are doing one of four things:
-
- i. using "I am the greatest" to make them all warlords. This automatically
- makes everyone declare war after a few turns (it never hurts to
- read the manual). If you want to make them all warlords _without_
- declaring "I am the greatest", but are lazy, click "I am the greatest"
- twice.
-
- ii. being nasty, like attacking everyone, especially sides you're at
- peace with; razing cities; or similar nastiness - you know if you're
- doing this because you'll be down at "running dog" on the diplomacy
- rating.
-
- iii. having lots of spare money appears to make you a target
-
- iv. winning
-
- (thanks to Fred Hamilton for reminding me of these last two)
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 11. How do I pick up bags left behind by dead heroes?
-
- On the PC: you just stand on it, and press "," to bring up the hero's
- list of items (or use the menu item that does "Inspect Heroes"), then
- select "Take it" for the items on the ground (Yellow items are on the
- ground, and the green ones are being carried).
-
- On the Mac: pretty much the same, except that the keyboard command
- is "Command-Shift-H" (or just pull down the Heroes menu and select
- "Inspect Heroes"). Then you have to highlight the items listed as
- being "On the Ground", and push the up-arrow button.
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 12. What's SSG's email address?
-
- (It's in the Manual...)
-
- Actually, SSG has a new email address: gwhiley@ssg.com.au
- (This will go to Gregor Whiley of SSG)
-
- The addresses in the manual should still work, though:
-
- Compuserve: 72662,3471
- Genie: SSG
- AppleLink: AUST0161
- Internet: gwhiley@extro.ucc.su.oz.au
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 13. What's happening with Warlords 2 Deluxe?
-
- Here's the latest information available from SSG:
-
- Warlords II Deluxe
-
- Warlords II Deluxe features an upgraded version of Warlords II,
- with enhancements such as network play, an improved Warlords II
- Scenario Builder, plus thirty brand new scenarios, all on CD-ROM.
- The total value of this package is $160.00, if purchased separately.
-
- Warlords II was created due to overwhelming demand from players of
- the original Warlords Game. The Warlords II Scenario Builder was
- likewise released because warlords fans demanded the ability to create
- their own scenarios. Warlords II Deluxe is the product of user's
- desires for a networkable version of Warlords II.
-
- To Create Warlords II Deluxe, with all its enhancements and network
- features, the entire program had to be rewritten. SSG also took the
- opportunity to make a number of improvements to the Warlords II
- Scenario Builder, and to redo all scenarios in 256 colour SVGA graphics.
-
- New Features include:
-
- * Support for network, E-Mail, modem and null-modem play.
- * Improvements to Warlords II game options.
- * Improved movement system and faster game play.
- * Much requested Undo function for movement.
- * New 256 colour SVGA graphics for all senarios.
- * Enhancements to Warlords II Scenario Builder to make scenario
- creation easier.
- * 30 brand new scenarios with many different army and city sets.
- * New underground scenarios and terrain types.
- * New music score.
- * Improved computer routines.
- * New painting tools for Warlords II Scenario Builder.
- * Conveniently presented on CD-ROM.
- * Special upgrade offer for existing Warlords II owners.
-
- Warlords II Deluxe requires a 386 or better CPU (486 recommended) with
- 4mb of RAM, 2 Mb of Expanded RAM free, hard disk, CD-ROM drive, SVGA
- graphics, mouse, and supports Ad-Lib, Sound Blaster Family including
- AWE 32, Pro Audio Spectrum, Gravis Ultrasound, Windows Sound System,
- Roland MT-32, and Roland Sound Canvas.
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- End of the FAQ
-
- Glen Barnett (comments to g.barnett@unsw.edu.au)
-
-