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My men are eager for battle and so am I. Prepare to fight!
— The Lionheart, taunting before an attack
Lionheart

King Richard "The Lionheart" is one of the AI opponents in Stronghold Crusader and Stronghold Crusader 2.

Overview[]

King Richard is a fearsome warmonger, who feels in his element on the battlefield, taking great delight from sending his army into battle and laying siege on his enemies. Richard has acquired a great military talent from the countless campaigns he led in the past, utilizing a high variety of siege engines and the durability of the English army. While his offensive capabilities are close to unmatched by anyone, he tends to forgo defensive measures in order to keep the tides turned in his favor.

Information[]

King Richard I ruled England from AD 1189-1199. His reputation as a fearless warrior and superb military leader earned him the nickname "Lionheart" long before he even became king. He is the son of the very influential and powerful Queen Eleanor of Aquintaine. By the age of 16, Richard had taken command of his own army, putting down rebellions in Poitou against his father. Richard was a central Christian commander during the Third Crusade, leading the campaign after the departure of Philip II of France and scoring considerable victories against his Muslim counterpart, Saladin, although he did not reconquer Jerusalem from Saladin.

Richard is perhaps best known for his crusades in the Holy Land. He allied himself with King Phillip II Augustus and Barbarossa during the third crusade. Despite his extraordinary military leadership and powerful alliances, he was never able to capture Jerusalem. Richard did, however, sign a treaty with the leader of the Islamic opposition, Saladin. This treaty allowed for the entrance of Christianity into Jerusalem, and called for a three-year truce.[1].

As a king, he wears a golden crown on his head, with cross-like decorations on its edge. His intimidating, yet proud face is decorated by a blonde mustache and beard, framing his mouth. He stands tall and confident and often has a confident look on his face which is strongly recognizable by his eyes. 

He wears a standard metal chain armor that covers his figure. His trademark red cross is proudly worn to cover his chest. He also wears a plain teal colored cape. His battleaxe is always seen held by his strong arms.

The Crusader lord unit in the game with his axe represents Richard, who is also the main mascot of the game, being shown on the cover of the physical copy of the game and on the loading screen.

Although he is sometimes overconfident and headstrong, he does know how to fight, and he is not afraid of it. He is described as a fearless man but does not attack recklessly. He doesn't rush when attacking his enemies. Despite this, he does not seem to be a master of economy. He runs economy only to supply food, happiness and weapons to his army.

He is one of the strongest AI opponents encountered in the game and perhaps the best attacker. Richard is obsessed with fighting and greatly appreciates when he can test his skills against others. He gives compliments when he encounters a talented and hard enemy, but he does not hesitate to siege with overwhelming powers. He can be considered a great tactician and he prefers to fight on the battlefield, rather than being enclosed in his keep with his defenders.

The Lionheart builds simplistic, rectangular castles with square towers on the corners and a large gatehouse, which is often at the front of the castle. Sometimes he also adds a second ring of walls with additional towers. He stations archers and engineers with oil on the towers, adding ballistae or mangonels in each of them. True to his warrior spirit, Richard does not add much defense in his towers, relying on the assembling force on his keep instead.

Richard's industry is relatively developed, which is heavily based on production from stone and iron mines. He gathers apples and cheese, as well as uses positive Fear Factor to gain bonus popularity in addition to boosting his units' damage output. Some chapels are also built for religion coverage. Richard castles also feature a very high number of workshops cramped together, geared towards supplying his war machine, which he also supports further by actively buying equipment. His gate placement hinders his economy on maps where resources are behind his castle, as workers will need to go all the way around most of his castles to make their deliveries.

The Lionheart is known to send attacks very fast, comprised of heavily armored units that can threaten a developing player. He extensively makes use of pikemen and swordsmen, forming a bulky frontline backed with groups of archers, which also patrol his outlying farms and production buildings. Richard's true prowess lies in his organised siege attempts however, which feature a large number and variety of siege equipment, designed to take over a castle by bombardment and scaling walls. catapults, rams, and trebuchets are generally busy leveling buildings, while siege towers are rolled forward in an attempt to dock and provide troops free access in. Uniquely, Richard also tosses in tunnelers to surgically strike vulnerable wall sections.

Gallery[]

Defense[]

Defending against the Lionheart may prove quite challenging, as his attacks are devastating and quickly organized. Tunnelers, siege equipment and armored troops released all at once might look like a crushing wave that can have a confusing effect. However, the Lionheart focuses so much on armored troops that his attacks are very slow to commence. The hardy troops will require some tower mounted engines and heavy troops to deflect the attack: ballistae and mangonels should be deployed to soften up the army, but the rapid fire and more accurate fire ballistae may be preferred to speed up the process.

Archers alone are limited in effectiveness against armored troops, so crossbowmen should be added as a staple in order to soften the invaders up. Pitch ditches and braziers, or fire throwers, can add much needed damage on narrow paths, as slow moving, armored troops are especially vulnerable to burning. Some swordsmen or assassins should be ready to counterattack if a gap appears or a siege tower docks. A moat is perhaps the best defence against Richard's attacks. While his pikemen will eagerly dig it up, it will slow them and the accompanying swordsmen down and make them an easy target for your ranged defenders.

Offense[]

While the Lionheart may be an expert at attacking, his castles are surprisingly easy to siege owing to the fact that he uses few archers, and his tower engines pack relatively little firepower. With dismantled towers and a single access point, Richard can be trapped in his own castle comparatively easily, crippling his economy in the process.

Horse archers in groups can be an effective way of removing Richard's ranged units, firing arrows at a very high rate on the run, while also being capable of closing the distance very quickly. As the Lionheart's towers are generally poorly manned, his tower engines can fall quickly while your army suffers little casualties, and the lack of stairs means that they remain clear as long as the gate is locked down. In order to remove his heavy troops, try moving troops in close so that the bodyguards will wander out, then light up the interior. Richard's densely packed buildings will ensure that the fire spreads reliably, burning most of his troops, exposing his lord for a quick kill.

Action Quote Sound
Added to roster Well done!
Removed from roster Afraid?
Prepares for siege Another siege draws close, my friend. My men are in great heart!
Taunt 1 My men are eager for battle and so am I. Prepare to fight!
Taunt 2 My banner will fly atop your keep before this day is out!
Taunt 3 The desert is a cruel place to fight. Are you sure you have the heart for it?
Taunt 4 Gird your loins, sharpen your steel. You will soon be tested!
Defeats a different player Sound the fanfare! The royal armies are victorious once more!
Player's buildings are destroyed War is a dangerous game my Lord, as you are finding out.
Deflects player's attack Victory! The lion roars once more!
Defeats player My royal banner rises over your domain. Rightful order is restored!
Player deflects attack Bravely done, you fight like a man!
Player destroys buildings Fine! You can bring down a few buildings. How about a fair fight?
Player closes in with an army 1 My walls are strong, my men are in good heart. Bring on your slings and arrows!
Player closes in with an army 2 Events have come to a pretty pass when a King must cower in his castle. But cower I must...
Defeated So, I am bested and my poor bones must rest in these wretched sands.
Requires goods We are in short supply of the following provisions. Can you supply them?
Sends goods Your goods have already been dispatched.
Receives goods Your supply caravan has arrived, thank you my Lord.
Refuses to supply I find myself in short supply. I cannot send your goods!
Agrees to attack I march.
Refuses to attack (casual) I have more important plans, my Lord. I leave this honour to you.
Refuses to attack (besieged) You jest my Lord. None but a fool would undertake such a venture!
Requires help The royal standard is in grave peril. You must fly to my aid!
Sends help I have sent some men to help you.

Refuses to help (casual)

Courage my Lord, courage! You must stand alone for now!
Refuses to help (besieged) These are lean times, my Lord. I cannot help you!
Predicts victory as ally The smell of victory is in the air, my friend!
Predicts defeat as ally These are desperate times, my Lord. You will need all your courage in the days that lie ahead.
Kills common enemy Our cause has been furthered. Another false lord has fallen before me!
Player kills common enemy Good work, my Lord. We are royally impressed at your accomplishment!
Falls as ally I have fallen in battle, you must now lead the fight, my Lord!
Player plays for too long When the lion sleeps so must you. It's time for bed.

Richard the Lionheart likes to construct erratically walled castles that usually feature a large courtyard with very thin, widespread walls and irregularly placed gates. He relies on defenses mounted on top of walls, with single archers and rangers stationed at frequent intervals. Richard however tends to put his defenders in position very quickly, favoring coverage with units rather than by having a compact design. His workshops are also well spaced out, reducing the chance of fire spreading far.

The Lionheart's economy is heavily dependent on taxation backed by an extensive heavy industry, while keeping trading minimal. Unlike most other lords, Richard barely buys in raw materials, but rather builds a hefty stone and iron production, as well as trades weapons extensively to recruit as many troops as possible. He keeps a minimal but varied food production of apples, cheese and meat. Richard garners popularity mostly from religion that is converted to taxes.

Richard changed his military tactics from sending bulky frontline troops into raids with shock troops. Following this doctrine, his groups feature macemen that are quick to traverse the battlefield, disrupting enemy formations. The combination of archers and swordsmen remain a reliable cornerstone, who are also supplied by rangers, providing a little more solid backline for his base formations and patrols.

When attacking, the Lionheart makes great use of deploying bombarding artillery. Catapults and trebuchets are a common sight, capable of hurling rocks from varying distances at walls and towers. Richard also takes great care of personal defense in the form of mantlets, and successive siege camp attacks will also include war wolves.

Here are the quotes of Richard The Lionheart in Stronghold Crusader 2.

Action Quote Sound
Added to roster Splendid!
Removed from roster Coward!
Prepares for siege Today we siege.
Taunt 1 Talle ho, the game's afoot!
Taunt 2 Gird your loins, I'm coming to get you!
Taunt 3 Captains: prepare your men. Today we fight!
Taunt 4 The Lionheart advances.
Taunt 5 Unfurl the royal banner, sound the advance!
Taunt 6 'Tis a glorious day for a fight!
Taunt 7 To the castle, scale those walls.
Taunt 8 Let no man be afraid: victory will be ours!
Finishes castle Excellent: once more on to the desert!
Deflects player's attack What a mighty fine fight that was!
Player's buildings are destroyed Well done lads, we'll bring this tyrant to their knees.
Close to victory You fought well, there is no disgrace in being bested by a king.
Defeats player Another day, another victory!
Attack deflected 1 Defeated...
Attack deflected 2 Failure... and I must only blame myself.
Attack deflected 3 'Tis a black day today...
Player destroys buildings The castle is assailed, we must defend it with our lives!
Player closes with an army Bell the battlements!
Panicking Look lively, the enemy has its tail up!
Defeated 1 I die... with a sword in my hand.
Defeated 2 A soldier's death... is a noble death.
Requires goods We're rather short on goods, can you send some along?
Sends goods The goods are on the carts.
Receives goods Thanks for the supplies, they will be put to good use.
Refuses to supply The royal storerooms are bare, my lord.
Agrees to attack I will attack the sauced dog!
Refuses to attack (casual) No, my lord, my troops are needed elsewhere.
Refuses to attack (besieged) But that's foolish talk, my lord!
Requests help What a right pickle we are in my lord, can you spare some men?
Sends help I have dispatched a troop of my finest men.
Refuses to help (casual) Courage my lord, you will prevail I am sure of that.
Refuses to help (besieged) These are desperate times, my lord, I cannot spare any soldiers.
Predicts victory as ally This war looks set fair for us, my lord!
Predicts defeat as ally Dark days are upon us, my lord, we must be brave.
Kills common enemy Another scoundrel put to the sword, my lord!
Player kills common enemy Splendid work, my lord, I salute you!
Falls as ally My wounds are grave, my lord... I think you must fight on alone.

External links[]

Stronghold Crusader / Stronghold Crusader Extreme Characters
Stronghold Crusader The RatThe SnakeThe PigThe WolfThe SultanThe CaliphSaladinRichard The Lionheart
Stronghold Crusader Extreme Emperor FrederickKing PhillipThe SheriffThe AbbotThe MarshalThe WazirThe EmirThe Nizar
Stronghold Crusader 2 Characters
Stronghold Crusader 2 The RatThe WolfSaladinThe CaliphRichard The LionheartThe ShahThe Slave KingThe Sultana
DLC The PrincessThe PigThe TemplarThe DukeThe EmperorThe HermitThe JackalThe Khan
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