Re: First Newbie game, let's discuss how we proceed here
 

You're playing on Shahrivar, right? There are several versions of that on the llamaserver. The first two versions of the map do not have preset starts, and have the pre-set magic sites. The third version of the map got rid of the sites and has preset starts, but only for 10 players. The fourth version (Shahrivar_SomBurn I THINK has none of those pre-set magic sites, but I don't think it has pre-set starts. Then there's another version with no sites and pre-set starts for 10 players.

I don't know what version you have, but chances are you guys will want to play Shahrivar_SomBurn for your game. Pre-set starts or the lack thereof is probably not a big deal, and some of those sites are way overpowered (for example, the 60% blood magic discount site on the top right of the map) and can be completely game changing. ...while others are barely worth noticing. Or, if you have a version that is not Shahrivar_SomBurn that you think would be better for the game, you can upload that.

And for the record, preset sites do not preculde other sites from appearing, unless the map maker decided that they do. Whether they do in that map or not I do not know for sure, and would have to examine one of the maps. But generally speaking map makers don't do that.

Re: First Newbie game, let's discuss how we proceed here
 

I didn't realise there were that many versions.
I just selected "Shahrivar Som.map", but that can still be changed before we start.

I also downloaded the map and it contains 3 versions:
Shahrivar.map
Sharivar Som.map
NI Shahrivar Som.map

So which one is the one to pick which won't imbalance things?

Only Dark Kitty and I need to upload a Pretender and we're a GO!

Re: First Newbie game, let's discuss how we proceed here
 

Done, sorry for keeping you waiting ;)(couldn't design a pretender at work yesterday:angel)

Re: First Newbie game, let's discuss how we proceed here
 

hmm, i'm still not sure on the difference, NI is no independents, and i'd vote no to that. But if one of the other has pre-set magic sites, well, that's just annoying for people who haven't played it much, so i'd say no to that too

Re: First Newbie game, let's discuss how we proceed here
 

The current map is the one with pre-set magic sites.

In my opinion, the main concern would be balance, especially the 60% discount on blood magic site, if a blood nation gets it.

I can play either with or without the pre-set sites, I think the balance problems can be solved via diplomacy (but I may be wrong) :)

(BTW, I did check all sites when I saw that our map had pre-set sites, so I can list them with their effects, if we keep playing on this map version)

Re: First Newbie game, let's discuss how we proceed here
 

If I change the map to the Shahrivar.map instead of Shahrivar Som.map will that be without pre-set sites?

Re: First Newbie game, let's discuss how we proceed here
 

No.

I just checked the map files included in the zip file :
- Neither seems to have predefined start
- All have the preset sites
- NI Shahrivar is the no independant map
- Shahrivar Som has the pre-set site already searched, while you have to search them in the two other map versions

BTW, if I read correctly the map editing document, the pre-set sites may be overwritten by random sites (if there is already 4 random sites in the province).

Re: First Newbie game, let's discuss how we proceed here
 

Well then, IS there even a Shahrivar map without pre-set magic sites then?

Re: First Newbie game, let's discuss how we proceed here
 

I havent looked at the map. But the overwrite depends on whether or not it is preceded by #land or #setland. The land one will wipe out any random assigned then do the assigns. The setland will only allow the assigns if there is still space after the randoms have done their job.

Re: First Newbie game, let's discuss how we proceed here
 

No, I don't think there is (or at least I didn't found any).

However, there is a map version without the most unbalancing sites (schools bonus and mages recruitment), here : http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=43958


Gandalf :
I never used these commands, just reading the doc. It says :
The #land sections just tells of killing its previous inhabitants, not erasing existing sites ...

(And it's #setland in this case, anyway :) )