I'll give it a day or two before the signups are closed and we can start discussing settings. I am going to propose some basic (generally agreed) settings and then we can discuss the rest (like the map).
Considering the map, at this point a mapmaker would be a really really good to find. I don't know if there's anyone left because most of us are playing. Feel free to use your contacts if you know someone who's able to make a map.
(August 6th, 2016, 07:54)Aurorarcher Wrote: Considering the map, at this point a mapmaker would be a really really good to find. I don't know if there's anyone left because most of us are playing. Feel free to use your contacts if you know someone who's able to make a map.
GermanJoey? He's done a few pitboss maps that I thought were good, and he knows at least something about FfH.
Map type (Natural ------+----- Balanced): heavily on the balanced side of the scale. I don't mind a completely mirrored map, but don't require one (e.g. SevenSpirits' Mirrorland or Torusland scripts). Hand drawn is fine if the mapmaker is ambitious.
Map features: the unique features are fun but a pain for the mapmaker to balance. I don't like lairs unless they have a fairly strong guardian unit or are hard to reach; they're too swingy in their results. I'd like enough water to make boats worth building.
Map size: ~200 tiles/player seems to be the sweet spot.
Leader assignment: probably best to go with our usual ordered list, although several people will have to play with one of their less preferred choices.
Bans: None.
Diplo: AI-style messages only (trades, cease fire, peace).
Barbarians: Normal
Difficulty: selected by mapmaker. I think Emperor or Immortal are usually good.
Starting era: Thaw (no free techs, normal starting units).
Welp, I've been pretty busy with my new work and completely forgot what I had promised couple days ago . Yeah, ok signups are closed!
I'll PM Joey shortly and ask him for map.
Standard settings for most games:
Mod: EitB v12.1 (to those who haven't followed lately: changes Calabim's things a lot, like Vampires/GMs/RoB, also gives warrens -1 gpt, no other big changes, basically the idea is to nerf Calabim, read more here: http://www.realmsbeyond.net/forums/showt...#pid598179))
Game Speed: Quick.
Difficulty: Immortal or Emperor
Orthus/Acheron: Off.
Huts: Off
Lairs: Off
Start Era: Thaw (i.e. the first one)
Wildlands: Off
Living World: On
Diplomacy: AI only.
All Unique Features: Off
Advanced Start- Off.
Vassal States: Off
Tech Trading: Off
Settings to discuss:
Map: Up to mapmaker for the most part. Natural/Balanced is probably the way to go like Dave mentioned. I don't mind if the map has some surprising elements though. Also not in favour of super lush maps but not anything too dry either. Mirrored is ok, especially if mapmaker doesn't want to put more time to it. Enough water to make boats useful but not awfully a lot to make Lanun too powerful (especially careful with Lake distribution).
Map size: ~200 tiles/player has been most used lately. Though, I'd like up that slightly, my preference is around ~ 250 tiles/player.
Barbarians: Raging Barbs On/Off? Certainly On makes BAR civs more appealing but there are also other things to factor in. I'm leaning towards Off but not certain, difficulty level might matter as well.
Bans: Up to mapmaker, preferably none.
World wrap: Toroidal usually for higher costs and connection between civs. Something else is OK too if the mapmaker sees it that way.
All of the above sounds good to me. I'd rather play without Raging Barbs on. Def. want to have at least some general idea of what kind of map we can expect before I pick my leader.
I owe Bob and Q a big favor for helping me with the map I made for an offsite FFH2 pitboss (which ended up being the most beautiful disaster in any sort of pitboss history), so I'll tell you guys what - I'll make/balance a map for y'all, in terms of tiles/food/resources/etc, *if* you can find me a FFH2 mapmaking assistant. Something like a map checker that's willing to be a pretty active w/ feedback, and also help decide on bans.
It's not that I'm unfamiliar with FFH2, I just don't remember its nuances very well w/ regard to all the special tiles and lairs and units that can walk on coast and all that other crazy stuff, and I don't want to send out a map that everybody's gonna think is bullshit by turn 20! Also, I'd have no idea what to say about bans. I'm not familiar with the EITB metagame at all or what's strong in what situation, etc.
Also, is this gonna be a pitboss or PBEM? If it's really a 9 player PBEM, are y'all really sure you want between 200 and 250 land tile per player map? That's gonna be like, a 4 year long PBEM...
. Yeah, ok 