Big Problem - Unbalanced random events

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by SurvivalistMerc:
Fortunately, the devs have given us the ability to mod the scales.

True enough. You can alter them for your own enjoyment as you play. Maybe even offer the mod to others who feel the same way. (someone asked in another thread if this game had any chaeat codes. One of the answers was MOD)

But I wouldnt expect it to get general acceptance. Especially not to the point that you will ever be able to play using it in a multiplayer game. As I understand it ALL of the games players have to run the same mods. Still I think some mod changs have been useful in convincing people that the original settings were a pretty good idea after all.

[SelfishGene]

Originally posted by SurvivalistMerc:

Even when I take luck 3 I have yet to see the 1500 gold event. Maybe I need to take other scales too. I don't know.

I'm almost 100% certain you need some +magic scale as well. Remember the description of the scale talks about luckily finding magic objects. Although whether its 2 or 3 magic i can't say.

[alexti]

I think many underestimate +500 gold event in the early game. You can buy a lot of extra troops or hire couple of mercenary bands. Either way, it's 1 turn bonus to your expansion plan. Comparing to that 1/4 population loss is not that bad. Even it happens in your home province, the impact is not felt immediately and by the time income loss has accumulated (to let's say 500 gold), you already have many other provinces, so probably getting +500 gold and 1/4 population loss in the capital on the same turn is a good event.

Those extra gems events also may be underestimated, if you get right gems it boosts your plans a lot (making important item one turn earlier or summoning one turn earlier). Considering, that these extra gem events are happening quite often, they have significant positive effect.

The really bad event, probably worst I've seen is to lose the lab. Early in the game you lose 200 gold and one turn worth of research. And this even can't happen in unimportant province, because you don't have labs there. Even later in the game when the importance of the random events is much smaller, losing a lab in the research center is quite bad. Again one turn research loss

But if you get really good event (+1500 gold) and loss of lab on the same turn, is it positive or not? I'm not sure, maybe it depends on the nation.

So far, it luck/misfortune seem to be balanced to me, but whether the perfect balance is achieved or not, nobody probably knows.

[Mandalore]

The worst event possible is this.

I was playing Ulm during the demo and on my first turn, an earthquake struck and obliterated my temple. Now normally temple losses arn't really bad, but it was my only temple. Thus I could build no preists to build more temples, and my pretender could not build temples either. My dominion was 3 luck as well so it was simply the luck of the draw I guess. Needless to say I restarted. But by far that is the most crippling event I have had happen early in game.

Thanks

[ March 29, 2004, 03:13: Message edited by: Mandalore ]

[Graeme Dice]

Originally posted by Mandalore:
Now normally temple losses arn't really bad, but it was my only temple.

You could have appointed your starting commander as the prophet, and had him build your temple.

[Mandalore]

You could have appointed your starting commander as the prophet, and had him build your temple.

Your right, I could have. I didn't think of that at the time, but if it ever happens again I will remember that.

Thanks!

[PrinzMegaherz]

Another thing to consider is the definition of luck.

If you play ermor, you wont mind population loss events that much. However, getting Militia units that demand upkeep will quickly reduce that 200 gold you saved for a temple to zero. Definitly no luck.

Anyway, everyone complains about those money gain/population loss events. So what would you like? Population gain/loss events or money gain/loss events? Money loss events can easily be avoided by having no money at the end of the turn. On the other hand, Illwinter already said that population gain events are out of the question.

So, what do you propose?

[ March 29, 2004, 13:44: Message edited by: PrinzMegaherz ]