Conceptual Balance Mod 5.4

quantum_mechani · #1 September 30th, 2005, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Chazar said:
Thanks!

We will use it now!

A Question: Balance is a tricky thing, so I would like to know the mod's makers opinions on the game-settings on which this balance mod was evaluated. Did you balance with respect to default settings? Or with resepect to the popular MP game settings (i.e. high independent strength, increased magic site frequency, etc.). Well, I don't want to discuss what is perceived as popular, so what are the setting for

Magic Site Frequency
World Richness
Map Size
Research difficulty
Independent Strength

which were predominately used for working out this mod? What are things to consider when altering those with respect to this mod? (...and please do not tell me to use whatever I prefer, I do anyway, but I just seek help to estimate the consequences beforhand).

Well, I honestly can't think of any settings you might choose that would really upset balance. The only thing that might qualify is magic sites below 20-30, otherwise blood gets very strong.

If you really want to know what the settings were of most test games with it, though:

Indy 6
Normal World
Normal Research
Default Sites
Smallish world (Urgaia, Aran)

Edi · #2 September 30th, 2005, 02:08 PM

These modifications should work out really well in larger games as well, especially if larger maps use site frequency between 25 and 35. PErsoanlly, I prefer indy strength 7, but I play a lot of games vs the AI. Right now Kaljamaha and I have a v3.0 co-op Ulm-Vanheim game on the small Faerun where Marignon and C'tis are running all over the map and one of them might very well win the game because of the province victory condition.

Edi

Morkilus · #3 September 30th, 2005, 02:09 PM

I've been trying the new mods (combined version) in anticipation of getting some MP in some time, and figured it would be good to practice using them. I came across something odd though... I can't find out why the Winged Shoes now require water gems. Is this a balance issue, or a bug? Or am I out of my mind? It kinda doesn't make sense thematically, anyway. I'm using the Odin-guy as my pretender, so I'm not huring for flying... but still...

quantum_mechani · #4 September 30th, 2005, 02:13 PM

That is certainly a bug, they should take two air.

Endoperez · #5 September 30th, 2005, 02:17 PM

Is it supposed to be 2 Air, as in 10 gems and Air 2 requirement, or 2 Air, as in 2 times 1 pick of Air, 10 gems and Air 1 requirement?

quantum_mechani · #6 September 30th, 2005, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Endoperez said:
Is it supposed to be 2 Air, as in 10 gems and Air 2 requirement, or 2 Air, as in 2 times 1 pick of Air, 10 gems and Air 1 requirement?

Air 2 requirement. The other way was simply too weird and did not fit with all the other magic items.

Edi · #7 September 30th, 2005, 02:23 PM

It's supposed to be air 2, 10 gems. The problem with the mod is that it says #mainpath 2 when it should say #mainpath 1 (the numbering beginning at 0 for fire, 1 for air and so on). Incompetent of me to have missed that when I did the readme...

Edi

Morkilus · #8 October 1st, 2005, 04:11 PM

So I changed "#mainpath 2" to "#mainlevel 2". Should this make it do what was intended? I figure the path should be default. This is my first (mod)ification, so sorry if I sound n00bish.

Morkilus · #9 October 1st, 2005, 04:18 PM

Uh, I understand why the Wraith sword has no strength added (since it's ethereal and everything), but doesn't 1 attack power make it completely nerfed? I guess if lifedraining was completely bah-roken in the game, it makes sense to obliterate it, if that was the intention. I'd hate to make one without knowing it was completely useless.

PDF · #10 October 5th, 2005, 01:36 PM

Re Flying boots up to A2 : this is IMHO a very bad decision : to me it's not a balance issue if everyone and his mother gets cheap Flying Boots, it will become one with a mod that restrict them this way..
As a result, only the already-powerful Air nations will have easy access to Flying Boots, letting the other ones on the ground, whereas they're already lacking from less mobility !!!

I'm sad to say that, but it looks like this mod is going overboard : Magic items mod makes useful stuff get nerfed whatever the balance effect is, and practically nothing gets any better.
Yet real balance issues are either not really addressed (ID/AD and Bane Lords still dominate mid-late game, still noone never summons crap-drakes), or even worsened (ah the Vine Ogres are *better* now !! Get the factory rollling !!)..