Ivory Road!

#324448

I'm really glad to see that the Ivory Road has a complex and in-depth mechanic to represent it on the campaign map. In a previous post, I had speculated as to what role the Ivory Road would play on the campaign map, and I'm happy to see my expectations have been blown out of the water.

One of the most defining features of the eastern part of the Warhammer world is the Ivory Road, a massive trade route stretching from the Darklands, over the Mountains of Mourn, and all the way to Cathay. Though long, perilous, and dangerous, it enables the nations of the west to trade with Grand Cathay in the East.

I really hope this mechanic is represented in-game somehow. Any race that has access to it should reap benefits from it economically and have access to profitable trade with Cathayan factions through it. Likewise, it should be a major source of income for Cathay as well. Perhaps there could be a Troy "Mythos" type mechanic where you can recruit units to send on expeditions down the Ivory Road, recruiting mercenaries and fighting raiders along the way?

Some factions would need to specifically revolve around it. Kislev could have a Gryphon Legion-centered faction dedicated to protecting trade routes. Likewise, Greasus Goldtooth of the Ogre Kingdoms should massively benefit from controlling the Ivory Road and placing tolls on all who use it for trade.

I'm hoping that a lot of different factions can touch upon it on the campaign map, whether you're raiding it or defending it.

Killertut#9655

now they can add dogs of war to the game and give them the same mechanic to save on development cost and get a proper trade going :P

AxiosXiphos#9040

Killertut said:

now they can add dogs of war to the game and give them the same mechanic to save on development cost and get a proper trade going :P

Indeed. DLC races often borrow mechanics from other races.

Wood Elves & Vampire Coast : Empire Offices.
Beastmen: WoC Hordes
Tomb Kings (backwards compatible): Dwarfs.

This is the perfect mechanic for the DoW - though obviously going in the other direction down the Ivory road!

Captain_Rex#1635

AxiosXiphos said:

Killertut said:

now they can add dogs of war to the game and give them the same mechanic to save on development cost and get a proper trade going :P

Indeed. DLC races often borrow mechanics from other races.

Wood Elves & Vampire Coast : Empire Offices.
Beastmen: WoC Hordes
Tomb Kings (backwards compatible): Dwarfs.

This is the perfect mechanic for the DoW - though obviously going in the other direction down the Ivory road!

- Caravan/Expedition mechanic
- Mercenary contracts mechanic (from 3K)

Perfection.

AxiosXiphos#9040

ArneSo said:

AxiosXiphos said:

Killertut said:

now they can add dogs of war to the game and give them the same mechanic to save on development cost and get a proper trade going :P

Indeed. DLC races often borrow mechanics from other races.

Wood Elves & Vampire Coast : Empire Offices.
Beastmen: WoC Hordes
Tomb Kings (backwards compatible): Dwarfs.

This is the perfect mechanic for the DoW - though obviously going in the other direction down the Ivory road!

- Caravan/Expedition mechanic
- Mercenary contracts mechanic (from 3K)

Perfection.

I can do one better;

- Caravan/Expedition mechanic
- Mercenary contracts mechanic (from 3K)
- Troy Paragon Units

Though maybe that is just being greedy

damon40000#7640

raiding korovans, heh

Bonutz#3949

AxiosXiphos said:

ArneSo said:

AxiosXiphos said:

Killertut said:

now they can add dogs of war to the game and give them the same mechanic to save on development cost and get a proper trade going :P

Indeed. DLC races often borrow mechanics from other races.

Wood Elves & Vampire Coast : Empire Offices.
Beastmen: WoC Hordes
Tomb Kings (backwards compatible): Dwarfs.

This is the perfect mechanic for the DoW - though obviously going in the other direction down the Ivory road!

- Caravan/Expedition mechanic
- Mercenary contracts mechanic (from 3K)

Perfection.

I can do one better;

- Caravan/Expedition mechanic
- Mercenary contracts mechanic (from 3K)
- Troy Paragon Units

Though maybe that is just being greedy

God. That would be the dream right there.

Captain_Rex#1635

AxiosXiphos said:

ArneSo said:

AxiosXiphos said:

Killertut said:

now they can add dogs of war to the game and give them the same mechanic to save on development cost and get a proper trade going :P

Indeed. DLC races often borrow mechanics from other races.

Wood Elves & Vampire Coast : Empire Offices.
Beastmen: WoC Hordes
Tomb Kings (backwards compatible): Dwarfs.

This is the perfect mechanic for the DoW - though obviously going in the other direction down the Ivory road!

- Caravan/Expedition mechanic
- Mercenary contracts mechanic (from 3K)

Perfection.

I can do one better;

- Caravan/Expedition mechanic
- Mercenary contracts mechanic (from 3K)
- Troy Paragon Units

Though maybe that is just being greedy

Pr4vda#6038

Would be great Indeed if other main factions (empire, dwarfs, bretonnia, BP, DoW, Kislev) could also send caravans the other way

And recruiting mercenaries to protect them would Make a lot of sense.

#324448

AxiosXiphos said:

ArneSo said:

AxiosXiphos said:

Killertut said:

now they can add dogs of war to the game and give them the same mechanic to save on development cost and get a proper trade going :P

Indeed. DLC races often borrow mechanics from other races.

Wood Elves & Vampire Coast : Empire Offices.
Beastmen: WoC Hordes
Tomb Kings (backwards compatible): Dwarfs.

This is the perfect mechanic for the DoW - though obviously going in the other direction down the Ivory road!

- Caravan/Expedition mechanic
- Mercenary contracts mechanic (from 3K)

Perfection.

I can do one better;

- Caravan/Expedition mechanic
- Mercenary contracts mechanic (from 3K)
- Troy Paragon Units

Though maybe that is just being greedy

Dogs of War having Caravan mechanics would be perfect. I'd especially love it if their main campaign goal was simply "accumulate wealth" and they had multiple avenues for achieving it. Doing mercenary work for other factions, sending out caravans, or pillaging ancient temples.

Am I the only one hoping for an expedition-based Kislevite LL centered around the Gryphon Legion (perhaps Ivan Radinov?) with the goal of protecting Kislevite caravans? I think it could be a really neat and unique Kislev campaign.

IoriYamada

Could be a double edged sword, this may allow the recruitment of DoW RoR rather than a full race.

Captain_Rex#1635

IoriYamada said:

Could be a double edged sword, this may allow the recruitment of DoW RoR rather than a full race.

Nah. They’ll be their own race.

IoriYamada

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

Could be a double edged sword, this may allow the recruitment of DoW RoR rather than a full race.

Nah. They’ll be their own race.

I've not had enough info to go either way at the moment.

Captain_Rex#1635

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

Could be a double edged sword, this may allow the recruitment of DoW RoR rather than a full race.

Nah. They’ll be their own race.

I've not had enough info to go either way at the moment.

They were hinted heavily and are probably the next big thing for ToW.

IoriYamada

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

Could be a double edged sword, this may allow the recruitment of DoW RoR rather than a full race.

Nah. They’ll be their own race.

I've not had enough info to go either way at the moment.

They were hinted heavily and are probably the next big thing for ToW.

I've not toted any heavy hints, mind you I am more doubtful than most when it comes to reading CA.

Captain_Rex#1635

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

Could be a double edged sword, this may allow the recruitment of DoW RoR rather than a full race.

Nah. They’ll be their own race.

I've not had enough info to go either way at the moment.

They were hinted heavily and are probably the next big thing for ToW.

I've not toted any heavy hints, mind you I am more doubtful than most when it comes to reading CA.

You should read the Cathay lore blog and Border princes blog on Warhammer community.

avvve

Yeah this brings a really cool aspect to the game, if implemented to other factions too, oh man!

Getting Bannerlord vibes

IoriYamada

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

Could be a double edged sword, this may allow the recruitment of DoW RoR rather than a full race.

Nah. They’ll be their own race.

I've not had enough info to go either way at the moment.

They were hinted heavily and are probably the next big thing for ToW.

I've not toted any heavy hints, mind you I am more doubtful than most when it comes to reading CA.

You should read the Cathay lore blog and Border princes blog on Warhammer community.

I have but I currently don't see that as a 'confirmed', I see it as a 'let's see how it develops'.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

saweendra#3399

animated trade lines please just make us actually know where to raid and where to defend from raiders please .

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Captain_Rex#1635

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

Could be a double edged sword, this may allow the recruitment of DoW RoR rather than a full race.

Nah. They’ll be their own race.

I've not had enough info to go either way at the moment.

They were hinted heavily and are probably the next big thing for ToW.

I've not toted any heavy hints, mind you I am more doubtful than most when it comes to reading CA.

You should read the Cathay lore blog and Border princes blog on Warhammer community.

I have but I currently don't see that as a 'confirmed', I see it as a 'let's see how it develops'.

Never said confirmed. But DoW were hinted many times now.

Neodeinos#5871

AxiosXiphos said:

Killertut said:

now they can add dogs of war to the game and give them the same mechanic to save on development cost and get a proper trade going :P

Indeed. DLC races often borrow mechanics from other races.

Wood Elves & Vampire Coast : Empire Offices.
Beastmen: WoC Hordes
Tomb Kings (backwards compatible): Dwarfs.

This is the perfect mechanic for the DoW - though obviously going in the other direction down the Ivory road!

Vampire Coves and Undercities. CA even said they only made the Coves because they knew they could use that for the Skaven with the Undercities because it was quite a lot of work.

IoriYamada

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

Could be a double edged sword, this may allow the recruitment of DoW RoR rather than a full race.

Nah. They’ll be their own race.

I've not had enough info to go either way at the moment.

They were hinted heavily and are probably the next big thing for ToW.

I've not toted any heavy hints, mind you I am more doubtful than most when it comes to reading CA.

You should read the Cathay lore blog and Border princes blog on Warhammer community.

I have but I currently don't see that as a 'confirmed', I see it as a 'let's see how it develops'.

Never said confirmed. But DoW were hinted many times now.

Hinted heavily? I'm not sure about that. Their hints maybe for the purpose of a merc mechanic for all we know. I'm not convinced either way, they may; they may not show up as a full faction. The more the merrier though.

bli-nk#6314

Nice to see CA is exploring new mechanics with WH3 and trade is something a lot of people appreciate playing around with. This also opens huge possibilities for mods to add trade caravans to reinfore Empire, HE, or DE settlements in the east.

I wish it could be added into the Vortex?MEmaps as that would support so many things but it might be enough it is on the final combined map that stretches from Lustria to Cathay.

The only thing I am a bit puzzled about is that it seems launching a caravan does not require any investment from Cathay?

Maybe there are a series of upgrades at certain locations on the map that boost caravans and holding those locations even before conquering more widely will bring benefits large enough to offset the cost of sending armies out from Cathay and possibly committing to paying the upkeep for those armies for a lengthy period of time.

Captain_Rex#1635

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

Could be a double edged sword, this may allow the recruitment of DoW RoR rather than a full race.

Nah. They’ll be their own race.

I've not had enough info to go either way at the moment.

They were hinted heavily and are probably the next big thing for ToW.

I've not toted any heavy hints, mind you I am more doubtful than most when it comes to reading CA.

You should read the Cathay lore blog and Border princes blog on Warhammer community.

I have but I currently don't see that as a 'confirmed', I see it as a 'let's see how it develops'.

Never said confirmed. But DoW were hinted many times now.

Hinted heavily? I'm not sure about that. Their hints maybe for the purpose of a merc mechanic for all we know. I'm not convinced either way, they may; they may not show up as a full faction. The more the merrier though.

They will. They had an armybook.

IoriYamada

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

Could be a double edged sword, this may allow the recruitment of DoW RoR rather than a full race.

Nah. They’ll be their own race.

I've not had enough info to go either way at the moment.

They were hinted heavily and are probably the next big thing for ToW.

I've not toted any heavy hints, mind you I am more doubtful than most when it comes to reading CA.

You should read the Cathay lore blog and Border princes blog on Warhammer community.

I have but I currently don't see that as a 'confirmed', I see it as a 'let's see how it develops'.

Never said confirmed. But DoW were hinted many times now.

Hinted heavily? I'm not sure about that. Their hints maybe for the purpose of a merc mechanic for all we know. I'm not convinced either way, they may; they may not show up as a full faction. The more the merrier though.

They will. They had an armybook.

What can I say I'm not a guessing type of guy.

Captain_Rex#1635

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

ArneSo said:

IoriYamada said:

Could be a double edged sword, this may allow the recruitment of DoW RoR rather than a full race.

Nah. They’ll be their own race.

I've not had enough info to go either way at the moment.

They were hinted heavily and are probably the next big thing for ToW.

I've not toted any heavy hints, mind you I am more doubtful than most when it comes to reading CA.

You should read the Cathay lore blog and Border princes blog on Warhammer community.

I have but I currently don't see that as a 'confirmed', I see it as a 'let's see how it develops'.

Never said confirmed. But DoW were hinted many times now.

Hinted heavily? I'm not sure about that. Their hints maybe for the purpose of a merc mechanic for all we know. I'm not convinced either way, they may; they may not show up as a full faction. The more the merrier though.

They will. They had an armybook.

What can I say I'm not a guessing type of guy.

Then why are you even here on a forum?

Mr_Finley7#4571

The ivory road mechanic looks cool as a mf.

I wasn’t too jazzed about the compass and the bastion, and harmony sounds kinda annoying.

saweendra#3399

Mr_Finley7 said:

The ivory road mechanic looks cool as a mf.

I wasn’t too jazzed about the compass and the bastion, and harmony sounds kinda annoying.

Whats wrong with harmony its a really awesome anti cheese mechanic this game needs more of it.

As for compass they should be little bit morebalanced, and may be even have negatives if its directed at a direction for too long.

bli-nk#6314

The other interesting thing about the Ivory road is what the interactions will be if there is a non-aggression pact and even the possibility of military access. The regions which caravans pass thru could attack and steal from the caravan or is there a way to extort tithes and tolls which is how the Ogre Kingdoms are described in the lore?

Then if there is an incentive for some of the regions thru which caravans pass to attack the things which might pose a danger to the caravans to preserve the easy toll income.

I hope at least some of the events for the caravan battles are dynamic with the race of whichever controls the region the caravan is in when the event fires contributing an army of allies who are responding the to attack on the caravan and see it as an assault on their own income.

When the Silk Road wasn't protected by the Mongols it still ran but had to deal with various the various politics of the cities and tribes along the way, the cities usually depended upon the caravans being regular for a significant amount of income and not only provided safe havens but often contracted with nearby tribes to protect the caravans from other tribes who were cut out of the toll income and might attack even though they are nominally the 'same' faction.