Terrain is a crucial element on both the strategic and tactical level. Terrain should not be confused with climate or corruption.
There are two types of terrain: campaign terrain, on the campaign map, and battle terrain in battles.
Summary
- Rivers, mountains, and dense forests restrict movement across the campaign map.
- Armies can use their zone of control to block narrow passes.
- Roads that cross the landscape usually provide the fastest and safest method of travel.
- Terrain type has a big effect on the success chance of any ambush laid there.
Campaign
The most important impact terrain has is how it affects movement of armies. Even the most powerful army can be undone if it's outmaneuvered by a more powerful adversary. Additionally, some kinds of terrain cause attrition.
The following tables include multipliers for movement costs (i.e. how much more movement points are expended to cover the same distance, compared to the base movement speed through grassland/plains or across a lake).
Land
| Terrain type | Movement cost | Cost multiplier | Ambush chance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Grassland | 80 | 100% (baseline) | +0% (baseline) |
|
Plains | 80 | ||
 |
Chaotic wasteland | 96 | 120% | |
 |
Desert | 112 | 140% | -5% |
 |
Light forest | 112 | 140% | +25% |
|
Tundra | 112 | 140% | |
|
Wasteland | 112 | 140% | |
 |
Hills | 144 | 180% | +5% |
 |
Hilly light forest | 176 | 220% | |
 |
Jungle | 192 | 240% | +30% |
 |
Marsh | 192 | 240% | |
|
Dense forest | 240 | 300% | |
 |
Mountain | 240 | 300% | +30% |
|
Swamp | 240 | 300% | +0% |
 |
River | 2160 | 2700% | -40% |
Water
| Terrain type | Movement cost | Cost multiplier | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lake | 60 | 100% |
|
Coast | 64 | 106.66% |
 |
Maelstrom | 64 | 106.66% |
|
River | 64 | 106.66% |
|
Ocean | 128 | 213.33% |
|
Reef | 192 | 320% |
Battlefield
Terrain features on the battlefield can play a decisive role in any battle. Hills, mountains, forests and rivers can be used to conceal troops or funnel an enemy’s advance.
- Most troop-types can be hidden in forests, as long as they walk or remain stationary.
- Units with the high ground enjoy a significant advantage when fighting on sloped terrain.
- Steep slopes are impassable, and may be used to cover the flank of an army.
- Hills and other terrain features can obscure visibility, allowing units to be hidden from the enemy’s line of sight.
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