Dawn of War II: Retribution Beta - thoughts?

[Hader]

So the beta was released today (For those who have pre-ordered already...yes, I did...couldn't help it!).
I believe the beta is available for everyone else tomorrow. So it's not like it was that big of a plus

So, if anyone here did get it today, what did you think of it? Did you try out the Imperial Guard?

For those who have not tried it or are for any other reason interested, I give you some shiny screenshots of the Imperial Guard in action. I have played a few battles with a friend so far, and I am loving the Inquisitor as the IG hero.

First up is a quick glance at the 3 heroes: Inquisitor, Commissar Lord, Lord General. Let me know if you would like more explanation on them.

Spoiler

Here are just a couple battle screenshots. The only artillery unit the IG have here is the "Manticore", which is basically like a Whirlwind on steroids. IT fires 4 scud-like missiles a great range. And you can micromanage where each of those 4 missiles land. The second picture is of said missiles bombarding a small area of land.

Spoiler

Spoiler

I don't want to upload too many here, but if there's any requests...go for it. I'll explain anything I can about gameplay for those interested.

 

[Ordinaryundone]

All I can say is, the Lord General has got one rad mustache.

Do the IG play anything like their DoW 1 counterparts? I feel like it would be hard to implement an infantry-spam army like the IG, when so much of their success relies on armor support (unlike, say, the Orcs). Do they work well? Also, what tanks do they get, other than the Manticore?

Have you tried the other heroes yet? Who do they compare with in the other armies?

 

[Korten12]

Well I believe I will get in the beta sometime for owning DoW2 and its expansion. So I will tell you then.

 

[Fr]anc[is]

No Basilisk for IG? Fail. Is there any sort of single player? I bring shame to the emperor on the battlefield

 

[Hader]

All I can say is, the Lord General has got one rad mustache.

Do the IG play anything like their DoW 1 counterparts? I feel like it would be hard to implement an infantry-spam army like the IG, when so much of their success relies on armor support (unlike, say, the Orcs). Do they work well? Also, what tanks do they get, other than the Manticore?

Have you tried the other heroes yet? Who do they compare with in the other armies?

They are considerably less spammy for infantry compared to before, but still have a good emphasis on numbers in guardsmen squads. The armor includes basically everything from before but with quite a bit of variation: Sentinels are still here with little change; Hellhounds are now basically "Bane Wolves" which work just like Hellhounds but use a chemical agent instead of fire; Basilesks are a Hero special ability now for the Commissar Lord and Lord General. The Manticore's take over the Basilesks roll of on the field artillery, and are relatively the same in terms of power and usefulness; Chimeras are also back in the same infantry transport role; Leman Russ tanks and Baneblade are tier 3 units and quite expensive, but damn powerful.

I just played another game as the Inquisitor (surprised?), and a friend was the Lord General. The Lord General is not much of a fighter, but great at helping keep a front line from being breached. He also has the best artillery support powers. The Inquisitor if pure offense, with a lot of abilities targeted at dealing damage to other heroes and enemy infantry. The Lord Commissar is a support role, he is kind of in between the other two in terms of abilities and usefulness.

anc[is]No Basilisk for IG? Fail. Is there any sort of single player? I bring shame to the emperor on the battlefield

Not in the beta, only multiplayer for now. But there will be a classic SP campaign with the full release.

 

[Hader]

One last bump. Someone else has to have played it by now!

 

[Weaver]

Fear not, I've played it! I actually just played a game against Task3r and won!

 

[Hader]

Fear not, I've played it! I actually just played a game against Task3r and won!

This some big internet player?

Because I usually just play with friends online

 

[Weaver]

Fear not, I've played it! I actually just played a game against Task3r and won!

This some big internet player?

Because I usually just play with friends online

Nah, he's the Senior Balance Designer at Relic

To be fair it was a 3v3 lol.

 

[Hader]

Fear not, I've played it! I actually just played a game against Task3r and won!

This some big internet player?

Because I usually just play with friends online

Nah, he's the Senior Balance Designer at Relic

To be fair it was a 3v3 lol.

Ooooohhh okay, heh, I don't play online much

But I have played the IG with Inquisitor to death already.

 

[Weaver]

Fear not, I've played it! I actually just played a game against Task3r and won!

This some big internet player?

Because I usually just play with friends online

Nah, he's the Senior Balance Designer at Relic

To be fair it was a 3v3 lol.

Ooooohhh okay, heh, I don't play online much

But I have played the IG with Inquisitor to death already.

I think they did the IG pretty good. Though I notice sometimes when you move the guardsmen they say "It's dangerous to go alone, take this!" which cracks me up every time

My only gripe is that the baneblade is maybe just a little bit TOO good. Yes I know it's immensely expensive, but I feel like once the guard manage to get one out I may as well just call it gg.

 

[Trolldor]

One last bump. Someone else has to have played it by now!

I have it, but haven't had the chanced to download it.

I got it on Feb 1st thanks to pre-order.

 

[Trolldor]

Fear not, I've played it! I actually just played a game against Task3r and won!

This some big internet player?

Because I usually just play with friends online

Nah, he's the Senior Balance Designer at Relic

To be fair it was a 3v3 lol.

Ooooohhh okay, heh, I don't play online much

But I have played the IG with Inquisitor to death already.

I think they did the IG pretty good. Though I notice sometimes when you move the guardsmen they say "It's dangerous to go alone, take this!" which cracks me up every time

My only gripe is that the baneblade is maybe just a little bit TOO good. Yes I know it's immensely expensive, but I feel like once the guard manage to get one out I may as well just call it gg.

That's the point of the Baneblade.

But I suppose for the sake of Balan-- No, bugger balance!

 

[Hader]

I think they did the IG pretty good. Though I notice sometimes when you move the guardsmen they say "It's dangerous to go alone, take this!" which cracks me up every time

My only gripe is that the baneblade is maybe just a little bit TOO good. Yes I know it's immensely expensive, but I feel like once the guard manage to get one out I may as well just call it gg.

Baneblade is meant to be a fucking beast though.

But it can be taken down...I once got careless and was swarmed by the leader of 3 eldar armies along with some other assorted units, and they took down my small support force as well as baneblade with relative ease. Granted, it took a while, since Baneblade has such good armor. But Baneblade is also really slow and that can be easily used against it.

 

[Weaver]

I think they did the IG pretty good. Though I notice sometimes when you move the guardsmen they say "It's dangerous to go alone, take this!" which cracks me up every time

My only gripe is that the baneblade is maybe just a little bit TOO good. Yes I know it's immensely expensive, but I feel like once the guard manage to get one out I may as well just call it gg.

Baneblade is meant to be a fucking beast though.

But it can be taken down...I once got careless and was swarmed by the leader of 3 eldar armies along with some other assorted units, and they took down my small support force as well as baneblade with relative ease. Granted, it took a while, since Baneblade has such good armor. But Baneblade is also really slow and that can be easily used against it.

Yeah, I know it's too early to call OP on it so I'll hold my tongue I suppose.

 

[Hader]

Yeah, I know it's too early to call OP on it so I'll hold my tongue I suppose.

It's a bit iffy, but that is what this beta is for. I am sure we will see Baneblade tweaked before the full release.

 

[guess who]

I haven't been able to play it, in fact this is the first time i have heard that the bata is playable. Anyway what can you tell me about the other armies, what kind of new units do they get and what do you think of them.

 

[Mariner]

I have the game and played it. (although I am a bit slow since I am yet unfamiliar with the controls)

Got a steam account?

Edit: Also I find it really difficult to get the IG out of melee combat for some reason. Once they are within spitting distance of their enemies, a full squad died in less than 5 seconds. Also I don't understand how people are getting more requisition; do you get more by killing people or what? I barely have any to churn out a guardsmen squad or a senitil and watch it get chewed up by 3-4 squads of enemies.

 

[Weaver]

Yeah, I know it's too early to call OP on it so I'll hold my tongue I suppose.

It's a bit iffy, but that is what this beta is for. I am sure we will see Baneblade tweaked before the full release.

Yeah there are a lot of tweaks to be done for sure. IMO the Ork Wierdboy needs... something. Don't know what, but he seems absolutely not worth it for his cost, utility and survivability. However I'll admit his auto attack is pretty damn annoying.

Likewise the guard heavy weapons teams seem like something I'd never buy. I'd rather save up for the Catachan Devils.