Formations can be used by both the player and the AI.Troops are now more likely to flee when the battle is about to be lost.The charge damage of armored horses has been significantly increased.This makes bots using them much more effective in groups, especially cavalry. Pike weapons have lost the overhead attack.The penetration rate against shields has also been increased and repeating crossbows (which deal lower damage) have been added. Crossbows take more time to reload but also deal more damage, in order to differentiate them a bit more from bows.
This makes heavy troops much more resilient than before, but also much slower, especially compared to lighter soldiers. In addition to that, troops that use light armor get high agility and athletics values while heavily armored troops usually get very low values. Armor protection and weight values have been increased.Ironflesh gives 3 extra hp per skill level during battle for both the player and his companions. Hit points have been increased for all troops (the player and his companions get increased hit points during battle, which aren't visible on their character sheet).There can thus be up to 17 factions at the same time (although such a high number is very unlikely). If they succeed, a new faction will be formed and behave like the regular ones. All of them can form armies and attempt to take a castle. 11 new minor factions that roam the world.
Each faction has several types of troops which all fill a specific role.