The AI in Stronghold Warlords got an overhaul in terms of decision making and management. Fear factor sources of popularity return, such as Fear Factor, which provide a flat bonus based on population and building coverage.Clothes are an additional source of consumed product that feature a complex production chain, but boast the largest base popularity rate.As a result, all food production buildings have no terrain requirements. The successor of ale: tea, got integrated to the food system, as a fourth type of food. Other food types (meat and vegetables) contribute to bonus popularity only, as luxury goods. Peasants only require rice for food consumption.Peasant migration is influenced by the sign of the popularity balance, with an immediate effect.The popularity system continues the same tradition that Stronghold 3 laid out, with a few tweaks: Diplomacy points slowly build up over time, but they can also be earned through government buildings, like embassies. Warlords can also be upgraded to unlock further edicts and strengthen the potency of available ones. Those under control provide benefits, enabling passive perks and one-time edicts by spending Diplomacy points: trickling small amounts of resources, sending reinforcements, upgrading their castles, or sending out attack groups. Warlord estates are scattered throughout the world map, who can be taken over through militaristic or diplomatic means. Warlords are the successors of the estate system from previous games.

Resources and the popularity panel are now permanently shown, and selected units get a dedicated screen showing attack and defense values. The game comes with updated visuals and a redesigned user interface. Players can also engage into a new aspect of battle: diplomacy, which boils down to controlling newfound non-player characters, warlords. Units can be recruited from the barracks or the military academy, with the former requiring equipment for each unit. Players can build various fortifications to protect themselves, as well as industrial buildings to build up supplies and cater to civilian and recruitment needs. Stronghold Warlords is set to play in the vast territories of Eastern Asia, featuring four nations from across history: the Chinese, the Japanese, the Mongols and the Vietnamese.Įmphasis continues to be on the sim aspect of Stronghold, managing castles and building armies, while keeping an eye on the economy and the everyday lives of the townsfolk. 2.2 Popularity and food system redesign.

Stronghold kingdoms release date