AoE 2 DE Custom Multiplayer Scenario: Broken Lances (Lanze Spezzate) 1vs1

 Broken Lances (Lanze Spezzate): A Mercenary Clash Inspired by Renaissance Warfare

The Renaissance era, a time of great cultural and military evolution, saw the rise of professional mercenary companies that redefined warfare in Europe. Among the most renowned were John Hawkwood (Giovanni Acuto), an English captain leading the White Company in Italy, and Giovanni dalle Bande Nere, the last great Italian condottiero who epitomized the courage and strategy of mercenary captains. These figures serve as an inspiration for Broken Lances, a scenario that brings the treacherous and tactical world of mercenary bands to life in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.

A Battle Between Rival Mercenary Companies

In Broken Lances, two mercenary bands compete for supremacy: The Scoundrels, led by Captain Ale, a diverse company of adventurers primarily from Italy, and Kratos’ Band, commanded by the formidable Teutonic Knight Kratos. The latter embodies the discipline and might of the Germanic lands, drawing on their history of well-organized mercenary forces. These companies mirror the historical rivalries of the Renaissance, where mercenaries like Hawkwood or Giovanni dalle Bande Nere were not only military commanders but also political tools, hired to tip the balance in Italy's fragmented power struggles.

Immersive and Unique Gameplay

This scenario introduces a fresh approach to gameplay. As a mercenary captain, your objective is to eliminate the rival company, earning rewards and maintaining your dominance.

• Restricted Construction: Players cannot build freely but are limited to essential structures for their encampments.
• Resource Management: Utilize mule carts and mills to gather resources. Mills provide farms and livestock like cows, pigs, and goats, essential for sustaining your army.
• Army Expansion: Build army tents to increase your population cap and recruit additional soldiers.
• Village Alliances: Six neutral villages are scattered across the map. Trade with these villages using trade carts, or bring your captain inside to receive 1,000 gold, food, and wood every two minutes.

Strategic Depth and Challenges

The historical condottieri thrived on cunning strategies, and Broken Lances encourages the same.

• Defense and Ambushes: Build palisades, barricades, or ambush enemy trade routes to hinder your opponent’s progress.
• Critical Stakes: Each player starts with one town center, a church, and a market. If these are destroyed, they cannot be rebuilt, raising the stakes of every battle. The loss of your captain results in instant defeat, symbolizing the disintegration of your company.
• Unique Units: While both bands share most units, Kratos’ Band has exclusive access to Teutonic Knights, reflecting their martial heritage.

A Tribute to Renaissance Warfare

This scenario is more than a battle; it is a homage to the mercenary tradition that shaped Europe’s military and political landscapes. Figures like Giovanni Acuto, who mastered both negotiation and battlefield tactics, and Giovanni dalle Bande Nere, who brought innovation and valor to his campaigns, remind us of the complex interplay of loyalty, ambition, and strategy that defined this era.

Broken Lances challenges players to think like true condottieri, balancing resourcefulness, aggression, and strategic foresight. Are you ready to step into the boots of a mercenary captain and carve your legacy in the annals of warfare?

Creating this scenario was a journey in itself, and I owe a special thanks to Alkhalim. His detailed videos on trigger mechanics in the Age of Empires II editor were instrumental in bringing this vision to life. If you’re ready to step into the boots of a mercenary captain and prove your worth, Broken Lances awaits!