November 24th, 2023, 11:52
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(November 24th, 2023, 10:57)Sullla Wrote: By the way, has the community started to swing back away from these random maps yet? They sound great in theory, then half the players realize 25 turns after starting that the map gives them no chance to be competitive and they get to spend the next 6-12 months engaged in a hopeless endeavor through no fault of their own. Seems less than great to me but what do I know.
(November 24th, 2023, 11:29)Mjmd Wrote: I think random maps got popular because Commodore has started 3 games recently and he likes them.
Yeah this is basically what's happened. What T-Hawk said is somewhat true too - in the sense that a mapmaker "meta" sort of unfolded in a way that made things less fun. Hard mirroring is the fairest choice, but it's not particularly fun. I also think part of it is more explicit acknowledgment that you cannot balance neighbor luck so games are already inherently unbalanced, even with full mirroring. In fact, the more fair the map, the more unfair neighbor spawn becomes. However, that doesn't stop the person with lucky neighbor draw from also getting map luck, so ehhhh.
(November 24th, 2023, 11:29)Mjmd Wrote: About all I can say without being too spoilery is that I did post some thoughts on your start specifically in the lurker thread. You had also mentioned that you felt like this map took a while, and I on the other hand felt like this map was rushed and I feel like that impacted certain things. Sorry you aren't having much fun, although I am glad you are getting a little pleasure in beating down.
Don't take the occasional map snark too harshly. I'm mostly joking. MOSTLY. It's an issue for me for sure, but most of it is I've mega mailed this game in, and much of the reasons for that are not related to the map at all.
That said, the main reason I've made remarks about the map "taking awhile" is because I was under the impression this was going to be unbalanced or pretty random. So I was much more prepared and OK with potentially getting map screwed because that's the game I signed up for, so it's easier to get in that headspace. When a few weeks go by, it suggests there was an effort to balance, and then I explore more and see other capitals, and it looks not random at all and that my starting area just got overlooked. That's the best way I can explain it. Will be interested to see the discussion post-game.
(November 24th, 2023, 11:29)Mjmd Wrote: Did you capture a worker on the horse?
Yep! He's welcome to capture it back and delete it I guess (he hasn't played since), but that would likely make the city and axe kill even more free, so I suspect he lets me keep it. I would/could have delayed the attack 1T to capture the city from the fog, but the worker was likely not going to be there next turn, so I gambled in order to capture it.
November 24th, 2023, 11:53
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Also, "player doesn't build enough Spears" is such a hilariously consistent MP trope, but to see the Zulu player succumb to it is extra funny.
November 24th, 2023, 17:15
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I think its fair to say that Mjmd and I had differing opinions about whether to balance or not, and as a result neither of us is quite happy with how it turned out. I came in planning almost entirely unbalanced, but Mjmd felt strongly that some amount of balancing was necessary, and I mostly folded to that vision - and then I imperfectly implemented that approach (to varying degrees of success).
Erebus in the Balance - a FFH Modmod based around balancing and polishing FFH for streamlined competitive play.
November 28th, 2023, 14:08
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GT declined my peace offer and did in fact decide to recapture and delete the warrior rather than defend the city. Sure thing, man.
From here I more or less kept offering peace while also advancing on his city. He needs to accept this if he wants to play the game. But it appears he won't. Opened this turn to see this.
This total clown planted a city 4 tiles from my capital and is offended that I captured it? After rejecting, I see why he thought it would work at least, but I actually did have units reinforcing.
Fingers crossed the RNG goes my way I guess. Annoyingly I whipped that Chariot last turn, and then the Xist/Gavagi war breaking out knocked out my horse which is the only reason I'm at risk here. However, the Horse pasture here brought it back online and only cost a 1T delay. Anyway, if he really wants to party, let's party.
I likely cannot capture, but I'm willing to make him miserable. You don't ruin my game and suffer 0 consequences, Zulu or no Zulu.
I trust I've made my feelings clear. I did follow up with straight peace, but I will no longer accept it after this turn. I don't really have the tools to win this war, but I can sure make him regret it.
Oh yeah, Xist is donezo. Tell me again how Rome is OP but Horse Archers are OK.
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May as well go back for more.
Game is hilariously out of reach, so at least I have an objective here. No idea if this will work - my power isn't amazing or anything. But I have tried to solicit GT and Piccadilly into joining, and they've both given me positive but inconclusive responses.
Offered him peace for Bishan which I expect him to reject.
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Does look like this city will fall at least. Anything beyond that depends on whether anyone joins in or not I imagine.
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Is there a reason this thread is locked? Do you not want replies or was that an accident?
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(January 3rd, 2024, 16:37)T-hawk Wrote: Is there a reason this thread is locked? Do you not want replies or was that an accident?
It is? I have no idea. I remember bumping the wrong button at one point, but I didn't know what I pressed, nor did I realize I did anything permanent. Oops!
Posts: 15,373
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Posts: 15,373
Threads: 112
Joined: Apr 2007
The bad news is nobody joined the war. The good news.
Got the city for peace. I accepted. City was dead anyway.
The great news: I kick his culture out, and I keep 4 buildings. Fantastic. Bad news: I preserve 4 whip unhappy. I think that resets when you capture, but now that I type that out, I'm doubting myself.
Anyway, my empire is still fairly pathetic, but this is giving me a little bit more wiggle room at least.
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