Pangaeda: New Age - the redheaded stepchild of Dom2?

[Jasper]

Originally posted by Nagot Gick Fel:
The random pick is still here. Just for the record, Panii in Dominions 1 had 1 earth 3 nature and no random. Pangaea wasn't considered as one of the most powerful nations then, but they weren't crap either.

I think Pangaea was one of the worst factions in Dom 1. Not complete crap, but definitely bottom tier. I had alot of fun playing them, but boy did they stink.

In Dom 2 they're better, but still not good. It seems misguided to me to weaken them, regardless of whether NE Pangaea is worse. In fact I think something like Arralen's mod should be the default for Pangaea.

Could NE stand to be improved? You bet; but then this is true for many of the themes.

[Kristoffer O]

We're not interested in nerfing Pangaea. New Era might need a beef-up, but it will not be in magical power. Magic has seeped from the nation.

[Jasper]

Some random thoughts:
-Make the them cost negative points
-ulmish sytle resistance to drain?
-Improve the hoplites: strat move 2, hoplons instead of bucklers, more morale.
-Give the centaur cataphracts light lances, or even lances.
-Minotaurs could have move 2 like giants.
-Dryad Hoplites either need to be much improved, or much cheaper. They suck.
-Maybe the Grove Guards could be sacred?
-Bring back harpy scout commanders, perhaps even make them spies for this theme
-Reduce the price of dryads to 90-100, now that they only have holy 2.
-Reduce the price of Pan a bit, 300-320.

[tinkthank]

My humble newbie opinion: I understand and affirm Kris O's stance (no better magic) and agree wholeheartedly with Zen:
Instead of NNNE pan, NNEE pan; this even fits thematically with "less tree-hugging, more steel" of New Age. It would also make them simply a bit more versatile, and hence more *fun*, no matter what that means in terms of power, and speaking of which I dont think it would be imbalancing.

[Kristoffer O]

>Some random thoughts:
>-Make the them cost negative points

Needs some remaking to work I believe. Costs can't be negative right now.

>-ulmish sytle resistance to drain?

Hmm.

>-Improve the hoplites: strat move 2, hoplons instead of bucklers, more morale.

I'd rather improve the less useful infantry, otherwise not a bad idea.

>-Give the centaur cataphracts light lances, or even lances.
>-Minotaurs could have move 2 like giants.
>-Dryad Hoplites either need to be much improved, or much cheaper. They suck.

Cheaper perhaps. The awe is rather powerful. If combined with fear, reinvigoration or berserk blessings it can be very powerful. They do not suck, but they are vulnerable to crossbows and magic.

>-Maybe the Grove Guards could be sacred?

Nah. They have a sacred feel, but that is a delusion of the faithless people of the new era

>-Bring back harpy scout commanders, perhaps even make them spies for this theme

Hmm

>-Reduce the price of dryads to 90-100, now that they only have holy 2.
>-Reduce the price of Pan a bit, 300-320.

We're not that fair. One point of the theme is that mages and priests cost the same while losing power. Panii should perhaps cost more. There are fewer of them after all

[Kristoffer O]

Originally posted by tinkthank:
My humble newbie opinion: I understand and affirm Kris O's stance (no better magic) and agree wholeheartedly with Zen:
Instead of NNNE pan, NNEE pan; this even fits thematically with "less tree-hugging, more steel" of New Age. It would also make them simply a bit more versatile, and hence more *fun*, no matter what that means in terms of power, and speaking of which I dont think it would be imbalancing.

I will have to think about this. I have a vague and growing feeling of liking, but I'm a bit shocked yet (not sure why - it just feels odd).

Originally posted by Kristoffer O:

Cheaper perhaps. The awe is rather powerful. If combined with fear, reinvigoration or berserk blessings it can be very powerful. They do not suck, but they are vulnerable to crossbows and magic.

Look at it compared and you'll see it's not particularly a fair assessment for it's cost.

If they are vulnerable to half of the game (magic) and half of the melee portion (longbows/xbows) then they are certainly not worth the cost they are based at. If they are only valuable fighting against cheap, low morale, low damage melee units then there is a problem.