Stronghold locations

[Zakilevo]

At the moment, many strongholds are placed in meaningless places. Like under mountains or middle of a desert, or at the end of a map. Many armies can simply go around those fortresses without losing too much of their time. Why attack strongholds when you can attack cities...

I think fortresses should be placed across a bridge or more strategic points where people are forced to attack it or they have to go around much longer distances.

If moving strongholds can't be done, maybe there should be some other things to compensate for it?

[Anaris]

Got some ideas. It's not stuff that's going to happen before the Doctrine transition is done, but I have "make strongholds matter" high on my priority list after that.

[Zakilevo]

Got some ideas. It's not stuff that's going to happen before the Doctrine transition is done, but I have "make strongholds matter" high on my priority list after that.

Sounds wonderful Tim. Hopefully the doctrine transition will be done soon...

[Penchant]

Got some ideas. It's not stuff that's going to happen before the Doctrine transition is done, but I have "make strongholds matter" high on my priority list after that.

It would be nice if you shared your ideas despite the fact it will be a while until its done.

[Anaris]

It would be nice if you shared your ideas despite the fact it will be a while until its done.

I'd like to run them past Tom first, since they involve real balance changes.

[Penchant]

I'd like to run them past Tom first, since they involve real balance changes.

Quite understandable. Also thanks for the quick reply.

[Foundation]

Hehe, after the Doctrine transition. ;)

[Eithad]

Allow recruitment from strongholds....BOOM instant game changer.

Sure everyone can walk around a stronghold, the thing is no one wants to have an enemy army behind their main force.

[Charles]

That would definitely give strongholds a new purpose.  But you would still need to get a bunch of nobles into the stronghold behind the enemy army, so I doubt it would have the effect that you are suggesting. 
It would simply make strongholds more desirable.  I suppose it would therefore make strongholds on the border of two warring realms very big targets. 

[Velax]

A small thing maybe, but strongholds would be slightly more useful if you could fully repair in them. I always thought strongholds would be more military focused than a city, so why would they have fewer/less skilled blacksmiths?

[Indirik]

That always bugged me, too.

Strongholds do have some obscure, nice advantages that no one has ever figured out, too.

[Arrakis]

Like what? High walls? Additional bank if you move your capital there?

[LilWolf]

I think fortresses should be placed across a bridge or more strategic points where people are forced to attack it or they have to go around much longer distances.

That sounds nice on paper, but falls down very quickly once you put it into the game. Just look at the wars that have happened around the lake on Atamara. Both sides of the bridges have townslands on them and max. level 2 walls. Every single war I have seen fought over there during my 5+ years of playing have devolved into staring matches across the bridge and an occasional assault or two. Add in a stronghold on either side with level 5 walls and it just turns into a war that isn't any fun at all.

[Lorgan]

Strongholds do have some obscure, nice advantages that no one has ever figured out, too.

I'm intrigued.

[Indirik]

Like I said, they are obscure, but nice.

Whether or not they can be revealed is not my decision.