The Evolution of Siege Mechanics in Total War: Shogun 2
In the world of Total War: Shogun 2, players have long been accustomed to the peculiar mechanics that define the game’s historical warfare. One such mechanic that has sparked debate is the use of “pocket ladders” or “ass ladders.” These ladders, which units can summon seemingly out of nowhere, have allowed players to bypass traditional siege tactics and focus on defending inner chokepoints instead of outer walls. While this might have seemed acceptable in earlier versions of the game, it has now become a point of contention among the community.
Creative Assembly, the developer behind the game, has taken notice of this issue and plans to address it with an upcoming siege update. The update will include the removal of pocket ladders, or at least make them an optional feature that players can toggle on or off. Milcho Vasilev, battle team lead at Creative Assembly Sofia, explains that while the feature isn’t perfect, it can be quite immersion-breaking for players. He notes that the ability to pull a massive ladder from “nothing” detracts from the strategic planning that should be central to any siege.
Beyond the removal of pocket ladders, the update promises several other changes aimed at improving the overall siege experience. Siege equipment is being rebalanced, with cheaper and more effective siege towers and battering rams compensating for the lack of ladders. The math behind siege attrition is also being adjusted, making it take longer to set in but ultimately being harsher when it does.
Towers and gates are also undergoing a rework. The range of tower projectiles will be reduced, but their damage will be increased. Gates will be tougher against monstrous infantry but weaker against battering rams, encouraging players to use the latter more frequently. These changes will require improvements to the battle AI during sieges, as the AI will no longer rely on pocket ladders to navigate through enemy defenses.
Looking further into the future, Creative Assembly is considering ways to reintroduce ladders in a more sensible form, along with other potential changes. Vasilev mentions that the team is exploring options such as introducing ladders as a new constructible siege equipment, rebalancing garrison mechanics, and improving the way towers and barricades are built. Additional upgrades to battle AI and pathfinding are also in the works, as well as improvements to the autoresolve feature for players who prefer not to engage in every single siege manually.
The changes will be tested in a two-week beta running from July 24 to August 7, with the full siege update expected to roll out for all players afterward. It may even arrive alongside the Tides of Torment DLC, which has been delayed.
Other Improvements and Future Plans
In addition to these updates, Creative Assembly is also working on improving the maps where sieges take place. Larger siege maps will make maneuvering easier and reduce the chaos of combat within settlements. These enhancements aim to create a more immersive and strategic experience for players.
As the game continues to evolve, the developers remain committed to refining the siege mechanics and ensuring that the gameplay remains engaging and balanced. Whether through the removal of pocket ladders, the introduction of new siege equipment, or improvements to AI and map design, the goal is to enhance the overall experience for players.
For those interested in similar games, there are several highly regarded titles in the Warhammer universe. From fantasy epics to grimdark novels, the Warhammer franchise offers a wide range of experiences for fans of strategy and storytelling.
