Dominions Nations Evaluations ;)

[Kristoffer O]

The only nations I would agree are too powerful are LA R'lyeh and LA Ermor. They are the only nations that have game mechanics that alter the game progress in a game. Their very participation makes other players behave differently in order to cope. In the case of Ermor this bothers me less, since they are supposed to be a world threat and they are central to the development of the dominions series. R'lyeh is a bit of a bother since they share some game mechanics with Ermor, but has more options and diverse powers.

I will not consider a nation overpowered unless it can beat two other nations ganking up on the strong one. That is what MP is all about. It is the responsibility of the neighbors to know the main strengths and weaknesses of a nation. The forum, playtesting and in game diplomacy should give anyone the tools to evaluate a nation and make sure it is destroyed before it gets too successful.

I do understand that some nations are more powerful than others, but the nice thing about MP is that balance develops during the game. A nation that is unable to take advantage of game settings, map features, sites and such is too weak. A nation that is always successful regardless of game settings, map features, sites etc is probably too strong.

I do not consider MA Man too weak. Boring perhaps, but not weak.

There are more than fifty nations in the game. Of course some are more powerful. Since we have ordinary day jobs, and divert most of our developing time to our other project there will obviously not be changes to every nation (since every nation needs changes).

I do get annoyed when you say we don't do much to change it. You have probably reduced the chances of having MA Man getting a fix. Machaka feels more interesting now.

Hmm, sorry about that Zeldor. It was not intended as an attack on you or Man, but I do actually dislike to work with nations when I remember people complaining about them. It gives me a sour feeling, and since I work with things that makes me happy I avoid working on nations which make me feel unhappy.

Things that makes me happy are when people say they like the feel and mood of a nation and that they feel that it is sad that it is not more strong in this department or that area. This gets me inspired and makes me think more about the nation instead of less, and will probably have the result that I will add stuff.

A discussion on how cool KoA are will likely make me feel that they are cool, look at them and think that they are too uncool in the game. A discussion where someone complains about the fact that they cannot move about and are underpowered compared to dada.. will just make me leave the discussion and look at a thread talking about how cool bane spiders are, even if they can only be recruited at home. I will then silently agree and think about what can be done to the banespiders, including new graphics and a set of new and cooler powers to compensate.

Sorry about the rant. I had too much coffe last night and woke up after four hours of bad sleep.

[Zeldor]

Kristoffer O:

Yeah, Machaka! I knew you are secreatly working on EA and LA version.

I simply made really bad idea of playing MA Man in MP some time ago. And I like complaining too

I will try to limit that or find a way to do it in more sublte way

Oh, there is just one really tiny thing you could look at - cost of Mind Hunt

[DonCorazon]

I agree with Gandalf. The good thing is even if you play a perceived weak nation, you can design a pretender that helps compensates for you nation's weakness, like taking the Enchantress with an Astrally challenged nation. Use her gems for Arcane Probing and with any luck, you will have some nice indy Astral mages. In MP like KO says, use your nation's reputation of weakness to avoid getting ganged up on. Play the role of the henchman in the shadows, but working every turn to strengthen your weaknesses. With trading and luck you can hang in there with the big boys. Certainly there are nations that are easier and stronger,it would be impossible otherwise, but I think there are enough variables in a game that most anything is possible.

[MaxWilson]

Kristoffer O said:
Since we have ordinary day jobs, and divert most of our developing time to our other project

Every time you mention this I get excited.

-Max

[JimMorrison]

Kristoffer O said:
...A discussion on how cool KoA are will likely make me feel that they are cool, look at them and think that they are too uncool in the game ... and look at a thread talking about how cool bane spiders are, even if they can only be recruited at home. I will then silently agree and think about what can be done to the banespiders, including new graphics and a set of new and cooler powers to compensate.

I do love you sir.

I will bear well in mind that you are more responsive to positive critique, and work to inspire you on any problem areas that I may discover in my ceaseless analysis of this incredible world and game which has been miraculously spun for us to enjoy.

I think it's an important and valuable part of this community, that our gods in fact retain their mortality, and meddle in the affairs of men, and sometimes..... but sometimes, hear our prayers. <3

[Kristoffer O]

[Meglobob]

Kristoffer O said:Since we have ordinary day jobs, and divert most of our developing time to our other project

Excellent!

This should be your no. 1 priority, you would not believe how eager I am to part with my cash for another Illwinter product. I really hope its every bit as addictive, fun, enjoyable as dominions.

Really, we have had loads of patches giving us huge amounts of extras to Dom3. Just work on Dom3 when you are burned out from doing your other, 'project' and of course school work etc... that you do.

I agree with everything you say in your rant, Ma Man thematically is a excellent nation, its based on Robert Jordans books I believe. I like the nation, even if it does not translate to a powerful Dom3 MP nation. The bards are a great unit and overall Ma Man only needs a few slight changes to its national units to be a great nation.

But like I said new game, new game, new game....

[Endoperez]

Meglobob said:
I agree with everything you say in your rant, Ma Man thematically is a excellent nation, its based on Robert Jordans books I believe. I like the nation, even if it does not translate to a powerful Dom3 MP nation. The bards are a great unit and overall Ma Man only needs a few slight changes to its national units to be a great naation.

Feudal system, longbowmen (yeomen), the traditional three witches (daughter, mother, crone), Tower and Forest of AVALON, questing Knights of X (stone, round table, whatever), Green Knight - it's pretty strongly Arthurian legends influenced by feudal Britain. It's nice that you like the nation, but I can't see any connection to Wheel of Time.

[Gandalf Parker]

I guess it could be. Depends on what books you have read. But yes all of the nations have a theme. It might be hard for some of us to spot some since few of us would have read all of the books that Kristoffer has (tying in with his real daytime job)

[quantum_mechani]

Endoperez said:

Feudal system, longbowmen (yeomen), the traditional three witches (daughter, mother, crone), Tower and Forest of AVALON, questing Knights of X (stone, round table, whatever), Green Knight - it's pretty strongly Arthurian legends influenced by feudal Britain. It's nice that you like the nation, but I can't see any connection to Wheel of Time.

I'm pretty sure KO said at some point that the wardens/witches thing was inspired by the Wheel of Time.