Thrid age without Kingdoms?

[Spec73r]

Hello,

Is it possible to install 3rd age for medieval without kingdoms? My friend can only play the vanilla and doesn't mind replacing the orignal for the lotr mod.

Cheers

[Damavikoff]

Do you mean without replacing the Kingdoms? I remember somebody like you with some question like this...
Or do you mean without installed Kingdoms?

[Spec73r]

without installed kingdoms

[Damavikoff]

It has Kingdoms as a requirement. I don't know how it will be look, but i think the game will simply crash.

[Spec73r]

https://steamcommunity.com/app/4700/discussions/0/613937306844937464/

what about this?

[Damavikoff]

What exactly about.
1. This guide is not the best solution in some parts.
2. Did you see 'kingdoms.exe'?
3. They rename copy of medieval2.exe to kingdoms.exe, because default shortcut uses kingdoms.exe as launch file, because old CD version of the game had two different executables for the vanilla and DLC (Steam version has only one) and because they are too lazy to edit shortcut or provide correct launch option.

[Spec73r]

So he still needs Kingdoms?

[Damavikoff]

maybe not.
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?323383-TATW-Does-not-require-kingdoms-installed
Just try. It will be useful to know.

[Spec73r]

so could he copy and rename the "medieval 2" file into a mods folder and call it "kingdoms.exe"?

[Basil Leaf]

I'm fairly certain that Third Age requires Kingdoms, but there was a workaround to it if all you two want to do is play 1v1 games. I'm not sure if it will work with you two, but I can confirm that it does work if your friend does not own the game at all which he/she can simulate by making a brand new Steam account that does not have the game.

If you family share with your friend then he should be able to download Kingdoms, unless Steam family sharing has a special exception with DLC in which case just have him/her make a new account.

Have him/her download Kingdoms and Third Age. There's plenty of tutorials online about how to download Third Age if you need one.

You both need Hamachi to be able to do this. You can find an installation online and it's completely free (unless you want a premium account which is not necessary for this)

When you log into Hamachi, you should see a somewhat prominent number next to the power button. This number is important.

Go to your "medieval2.preference" file (C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\Medieval II Total War) and your "TATW.cfg" file (C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\Medieval II Total War\mods\Third_Age_3 or whatever Third Age was renamed to) and add these 3 lines:

[network]
use_ip =
use_port = 27750

For the IP you put the important number that Hamachi shows you when you log in. Also, make sure that the files are read-only by right clicking on them and checking the box next to "Read Only" as this will prevent Steam from automatically reverting it to its original state.

Now to actually start playing. You need to go offline by clicking on Steam in the upper left of the client and clicking "Go offline..."

This should allow you both to open up Medieval II without him/her getting kicked out.

Go to Multiplayer and then LAN Battles. If you see each other in the lobby then you did it successfully. This is a good start to getting your friend into Medieval II, but I do recommend that he does buy the Kingdoms expansion so that you two can go online and play. The community is still very much alive and new players aren't berated, at least not in my experience.

Good luck, have fun

[Damavikoff]

What was that?

[Basil Leaf]

Third Age does not work without Kingdoms. Some units that aren't in the game but are in the game files include a Rhunnic flamethrower unit which is only available in the Kingdoms expansion.

I wish that the Rhunnic flamethrower was in the game though. But I digress.

[Damavikoff]

Kingdoms expansion is a little bit more than a few units and four campaigns, you know.
You can add this flamethrower to the game, why not?

[Basil Leaf]

I'm aware that Kingdoms is more than new units and campaigns. I never claimed that it was; only that some of the new features included completely new projectiles used by some units that cannot be accessed unless you own the expansion.

Flamethrowers, grapeshot, mangonel barrels, and the easter egg banana thing can be added to vanilla units, but a mod with those units cannot be played by someone who does not own the Kingdoms expansion.

And I could add the flamethrower into Third Age if I wanted to, but it would make me unable to play online multiplayer with the majority of the Third Age community who do not have the unit activated.

[Damavikoff]

You digress indeed. :D

[Basil Leaf]

Alas.