Improving Treelords

[quantum_mechani]

It seems to me that for a 50 gem summons, Treelords are not very competitive. There are already plenty of ways to get that level of nature mage, without a head slot the vine men bonus is no better a than nature three mage with a ivy crown, and the high hit points are hard to use since Treelords are immobile.

I was thinking that one way of improving Treelords would be to give them a bonus when casting ritual spells, to represent thier ancient connections with nature magic. The bonus could work like the sites that reduces the cost of ritual spells of a certain school. I also had some other ideas (increasing the vine men bonus, giving them a gem free Version of fairy trod affecting only themselves), however, I think the ritual bonus would be most thematic.

[Gandalf Parker]

I considered the Tree Lords to be Ents. The Ents (in the books at least) had the ability to awaken the semi-aware trees (not completely tree but no longer totally aware ents either). Some units have ways of creating free units which is a powerful increase in a units worth. Maybe the Tree Lords should be able to create .... some sort of lesser treelord? A sapling? vinemen?

[ February 11, 2004, 13:57: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

[PDF]

I've never used Treelords, but if they're immobile I don't think I ever will...who needs immobile lvl 4 nature mages with 250 hp ?

As GP pointed out they look like Ents, they should have a slow movement rate (kinda 1/5).
Easy to mod ..

[quantum_mechani]

Originally posted by PDF:
I've never used Treelords, but if they're immobile I don't think I ever will

I think if thier ritual bonus was high enough they would be worthwile. With a 50% bonus you could cast global enchantments like Mother Oak or Gift of Health for bargain prices...

[Argitoth]

Enchantment bonus is not a good idea. No one deserves to have a lesser cost of enchantments. Treelords may have an affinity to nature but it definitely doesn't mean they use less gems than anyone else. Affinity to nature might be their 4 nature magic. Another thing, treelords have nothing to do with health therefore shouldn't be casting gift of health for half the price.

Some good ideas I think are:

1. Autosummoning lesser trees per month (1 per month since you can have up to 3 treelords)
2. Movement should be 1/5

Lesser trees: Someone would have to make the lesser tree. Mindless, magical, poison resistant, size 3 or 4... some of the stats can be like 25 hp, 16 protection, 10 attack, 15 strength... these are just ideas.

[quantum_mechani]

Originally posted by Argitoth:
Enchantment bonus is not a good idea. No one deserves to have a lesser cost of enchantments.

Do you mean thematicly or from the point of view of balance? As far as balance, there are not very many global spells available to Treelords without empowering, and those they can cast would be available to anyone able to awaken a Treelord in the first place. I also don't see a problem with being more Treelords efficient with gems for rituals, from thier long practice with nature magic.