Do Conquest Battles Really Matter in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?
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The short answer is: not really…but hear me out! While Conquest Battles are a prominent feature in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, offering action-packed combat and the chance to influence regional control, their impact on the main storyline is negligible. They serve primarily as an engaging side activity, a way to grind for experience and loot, and an opportunity to immerse yourself further in the world of ancient Greece. Their biggest value? They allow you to choose whether you want to get paid by Athens or Sparta!
The Skinny on Conquest Battles
Conquest Battles become available after Episode 2 of the main story, specifically after you help the Spartans in a particular fight. After that, you’ll notice regions on the map marked as either under Athenian or Spartan control, and their influence can be weakened through various activities, paving the way for a Conquest Battle. You, as the mercenary, can then choose to fight for either side. The ultimate objective is to defeat enough enemy soldiers and powerful captains to deplete the opposing army’s strength bar. Victory grants you rewards, regional influence shifts, and the cycle begins anew.
However, despite all this, the story doesn’t change. Alexios or Kassandra’s journey is unaffected by who controls a specific region. There are no branching narratives based on your allegiance, no game-altering consequences for siding with one faction over another. You’re essentially a hired gun, and your choices in the Conquest Battles primarily affect your wallet and your character’s progression.
Why Bother with Conquest Battles Then?
If Conquest Battles don’t drastically change the course of the narrative, why bother with them at all? Here’s a breakdown of their value:
- Experience and Loot: This is the most tangible benefit. Conquest Battles offer a substantial amount of experience points, helping you level up your character and unlock new abilities. They also provide access to valuable loot, including weapons, armor, and crafting materials.
- Gameplay Variety: They provide a welcome break from the main story and side quests, offering a different kind of combat experience. It’s a large-scale battle, requiring different tactics and strategies than typical encounters.
- Faction-Specific Loot: If you are trying to find particular types of enemies, it can be strategically advantageous to pick a side. If you are trying to find Spartan Strategoi for example, you should side with them.
- World Immersion: Participating in Conquest Battles allows you to feel more connected to the ongoing conflict between Athens and Sparta. It adds depth to the world and provides context for your actions.
- Moral Choice (Sort Of): While it doesn’t change the story, the choice of who to fight for can allow you to role-play your character. Do you have a soft spot for Athenian ideals? Do you admire Spartan discipline? These battles allow you to express those preferences, even if the game mechanics don’t directly acknowledge them.
The Bigger Picture: Player Agency and Choice
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey emphasizes player agency, allowing you to make choices that shape your character’s path. While those choices don’t typically alter the core narrative structure, they contribute to a sense of personal investment in the world. Conquest Battles are another facet of this agency. They allow you to participate in the world’s conflict and impact the regional power dynamics, even if the larger story remains unchanged.
Ultimately, Conquest Battles are what you make of them. They’re not essential for completing the game or understanding the main storyline. However, they offer a rewarding and engaging side activity that can enhance your overall experience with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
Conquest Battles & Learning
Interestingly, one could argue that Conquest Battles offer an informal learning environment. Players can learn about the strategies and conflicts of the Peloponnesian War (albeit in a simplified form). The mechanics of weakening a region and then participating in a large-scale battle teach players about resource management, tactical thinking, and battlefield awareness. This type of learning, embedded within the gameplay, aligns with the principles advocated by the Games Learning Society. If you are interested in this type of educational information, you may want to check out GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Conquest Battles in AC Odyssey
1. Do Conquest Battles affect the story?
No, Conquest Battles do not impact the main story of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Regardless of which side controls a region, the core narrative remains the same.
2. Does it matter who I side with in Conquest Battles?
No, it doesn’t fundamentally matter. You are a mercenary, and siding with either Athens or Sparta will not alter the main storyline or your character’s progression. You might get different dialogue depending on who you support, but the outcome is generally the same.
3. When do Conquest Battles unlock?
Conquest Battles unlock after completing Episode 2 of the main story, after helping the Spartans secure control in a fight.
4. What are the rewards for participating in Conquest Battles?
You receive experience points, drachmae (in-game currency), and loot, which can include weapons, armor, and crafting materials. The invading side typically offers slightly better rewards, though it also presents a tougher challenge.
5. Is it better to fight for Athens or Sparta?
There’s no inherent “better” side. It’s a matter of personal preference. The rewards are similar, and the story remains unaffected. The choice is yours, as a spear for hire.
6. Should I invade or defend?
Generally, fighting for the invading side offers better rewards, specifically more Epic loot and experience. However, it’s also typically more challenging.
7. How do I trigger a Conquest Battle?
You must weaken a region’s control by completing various activities, such as destroying war supplies, killing leaders, and freeing prisoners. Once the region is sufficiently weakened, a Conquest Battle becomes available.
8. What’s the easiest way to win Conquest Battles?
Focus on taking out Captains and Heroes during the battle. These powerful enemies significantly weaken the opposing army’s strength bar. Also, utilize your abilities and strategic positioning to maximize your effectiveness.
9. Can I replay Conquest Battles?
Yes, forts reset after you complete a Conquest Battle for the area, and control switches to the other faction. You can then start the whole conquest cycle again.
10. Does the war matter in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?
From a gameplay perspective, the war itself is more of a backdrop than a crucial plot point. The game doesn’t demand any particular allegiance, so it’s all on the gamer’s choice. If you want to be loyal to a side, go ahead, it doesn’t affect the main story line of the game.
11. Can I conquer all regions in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?
Yes, you can conquer all regions (except for Laconia and Attica).
12. What is the maximum level in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?
The maximum level is 99. Conquest Battles are one of the many ways to level up.
13. Does it matter if I play as Kassandra or Alexios?
Canonically, Kassandra is considered the protagonist. However, both characters offer a similar gameplay experience, and the choice is largely based on personal preference.
14. Are there any gods in this game?
While you do not fight actual gods in the main game or DLCs, there are boss battles with cool enemies that play out like actual boss fights, similar to the mummy fights in Curse of the Pharaohs.
15. Can I be a Spartan in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?
You will play the grandchild of King Leonidas and a mercenary that takes contracts with both Sparta and Athens, but you are not ever really fighting for either in the end.