Military: Effects from the Environment

**qxz** · September 27

Overview:

Military units could be affected by the terrain and also weather.

Weather would change throughout the day cycle, with four seasons each year, having increased chances of specific weathers appearing:

Winter:

Weather Types:

Snow, Blizzards, Fog, Rain.

Military impact:

Movement Penalties: Terrain covered with snow, blizzards, fog, rain significantly reduces the movement speeds of the units especially regular infantry and organised cavalry.
Attrition and Fatigue: Terrain covered with snow, blizzards or rain increase attrition of the units significantly.
Combat Ineffectiveness: Units partaking combat in terrains covered with snow, blizzards, fog and rain suffer from visibility and other factors. Units such as the cavalry and archers are significantly reduced in their effectiveness on the battlefield.

Spring:

Weather Types:

Rain, Mud, Fog.

Military Impact:

Movement Penalties: Many terrains after snow could be covered in mud as a result of recovery from entrenched snow fading away. Terrains covered with rain, mud and fog significantly reduces the movement speeds of the units especially regular infantry and organised cavalry.
Combat Ineffectiveness: Persistent rain and fog limit visibility of ranged units and rapid cavalry attacks. Units such as the cavalry and archers are significantly reduced in their effectiveness on the battlefield.

Summer:

Weather types:

Clear Skies, Heatwaves, Occasional Rain, Storms, Droughts.

Military Impact:

Movement Advantages: Dry and clear weather provide clear pathways for the units allowing for more faster marches across terrains for long distances. Dry roads allow rapid cavalry units and infantry to advance quickly. Logistics also improve.
Occasional Attrition: Droughts and Heatwaves significantly reduce logistic capability of the realm, droughts damage crop fields therefore reducing logistics (including morale) and heatwaves significantly damage morale of units.
Combat Effectiveness: All units may utilise the presence of common clear skies to their advantage to begin advances as no effects are applied.

Autumn:

Weather types:

Rain, Fog, Occasional Storms.

Military Impact:

Movement Penalties: Terrain covered in rain, fog and storms significantly reduces the movement speeds of the units especially regular infantry and organised cavalry.
Combat Ineffectiveness: Foggy conditions are common in autumn, reducing visibility and making it harder for ranged units such as archers to effectively engage enemies.
Attrition and Fatigue: As autumn transitions into winter, the early onset of snow can begin to reduce the morale of the units. Attrition due to cold weather could start affecting units.

Weather should greatly impact the gameplay, enhancing some playthroughs or significantly challenge some players in harsher environments. Combined with terrains, weathers can completely change the course of battles as seen in history during countless wars and battles. 😲