A new mod enters the ring - Introducing "Close to Home"

[Mjmd]

I would say just have people play one of the lowest played civs and leaders if they really want a challenge. Seems like a waste of time (everyones).

[Amicalola]

I like both the ideas, but neither are crucial if either is difficult to code in.

[Tarkeel]

2. There was the question to include a leader and civ with no traits, no UB and no UU. This is possible, but are people there who want to play this or more importantly play against somebody using this leader/civ combo?

I nominate Benoit Blanc as the name of the leader.
(I don't see much value in this option, but I guess it could be handy for a hyper-balanced game)

[Holy]

I'm playing Close to Home v. 4.0.0. Is The Internet project broken in this mod or in BtS? I have Computers, there are no other required techs or resources, and no other civ has built The Internet. Even in World Builder, I can see wonders but cannot see The Internet. I'm not building it in any city. Thanks!

[Charriu]

That's strange I just tested it in world builder and it's there. I gave myself all the technologies and was able to build it in a city. Keep in mind that the Internet is not a world wonder and therefore a building, but rather a project. That's why you can't give it to you via World Builder. Same goes for the Spaceship parts and the Manhatten project. It will also show up under the projects tab and not together with the other world wonders in the 'Top 5 cities' info screen.

[Holy]

That's strange I just tested it in world builder and it's there. I gave myself all the technologies and was able to build it in a city. Keep in mind that the Internet is not a world wonder and therefore a building, but rather a project. That's why you can't give it to you via World Builder. Same goes for the Spaceship parts and the Manhatten project. It will also show up under the projects tab and not together with the other world wonders in the 'Top 5 cities' info screen.

Thank you! I just now learned that there is "projects" page and there's also a "national wonders" page on the "Top 5" screen! Since my original post, I have also tested it by going to a much earlier save and giving myself the correct techs, and I was able to build Internet and Manhattan. Everything is correct. Another civ had built it. I confused myself by looking at the tech tree and seeing that no other civ had computers, but I must have been looking at the tech tree after I had already discovered computers.

[Ruffdood]

Hi,

by any chance would you know how to merge this mod with BAT mod 4.1? (or Varietas Delectat)

I actually just want to have the ethnic diversity changes included in that mod (units art, etc.)

I'm puzzled as to how to do it!

Thanks!

[Charriu]

I'm not familiar with the codebase of those mods, but I presume you would need to merge CtH and any of those mods together. If these mods contain changes to the C++ files aka the DLL you need to merge those to and recompile the DLL

[Charriu]

I neglected my duty to comment here when mostly Ginger and Mjmd discussed further civ changes. Looking at the civs you discussed I have to say the following:

Germany: Was played 3 times by now and 1 time picked freely in a snake pick (once random and 1 once in a block selection). Their tech are good so far, but there are other civs with similar techs like Russia and Ethiopia. A lot of players that entertained the thought to play them mentioned their new UU, it's bulbabilty and that it's interesting. I don't think there is anything wrong with the UU right now. This leaves only the UB. It's advantages right now over the base building are:

• Comes 1 tech earlier at Steam Power
  
• Has 4 engineer slots rather then 2
  
• +2 hammers
  
• Can be build 50% faster with coal
  

If you go through with the Chemistry bulb plan for the UU you already have that requirement covered for Steam Power. Assuming the guilds route you can make a push for Steam Power afterwards rather easily with

Civil Service
Paper
Printing Press
Banking
Replacable Parts
Steam Power

In comparison for Assembly Line you would also need to get

Education
Economics
Code of Laws
Philosophy
Nationalism
Constitution
Corporation

So in theory you could benefit from the UB earlier, especially as you can also build it faster with coal. If you also run Organized you can get pretty ship factories. Together with a forge you then already have +50% hammers and since the UB also provides +2 hammers thanks to the modifiers you are already at +3. Those extra hammers will also help build any plants for power.

TL:DR I think the UB might actually be fine. It's just that nobody yet tried to push for it too after the UU. Maybe an ORG/PHI leader could benefit from this also running engineers. Could be interesting.



Korea: Was only played once in PB54. scooter chose them, but was eliminated after a very early attack by one of his neighbors. They have Mysticism/Mining for their techs same as India and Maya. Those techs are somewhat middle of the road. Mining is good, Mysticism not so much.
I think both their uniques aren't good right now. The UU is slightly better. The +50% against melee sounds fun and good, but in reality you fight mixed stacks of units and in those cases the game often chooses non-melee units for the UU to attack. In the end it only helps the UU defend against melee units. Back in very old versions of CtH I gave the UU the "aim at melee" ability (similar to the Khmer UU against mounted) together with the +50%. I would be up to adding that again. This would give them an advantage in the open field and when defending their cities. Keep in mind that this aim ability does not work against units in a city aka when attacking other cities.

The other bigger problem is their UB. Comparing it to the Russian UB the Russian one looks better. In terms of pure beakers the Russian UB makes +3 extra beakers right out of the gate. Your Korean city would need to make at least 32 base beakers to come close the Russian performance and only with 50 base beakers it starts making more beakers (Keep in mind you need a library in the city too). In addition the Russian UB also generates GPP. Back in older CtH version I had reduced the cost of the Korean UB, but that won't be enough. Here are my ideas.

• Moving the UB to Philosphy sounds nice and fitting
  
• One could also remove the library requirement making Oxford somewhat cheaper.
  
• Lastly one could also think about replacing the library instead of the University.
  

Portugal: Was only played once in PB59 by Mjmd as you already mentioned. With Fishing/Mining it's in a bigger group consisting of Carthage, England, Rome. Those techs are actually good and very good on a coastal start. Portugals biggest problem and the reason it's wasn't chosen so often is that this is the map dependent civ in the whole game. Everything is geared towards water and we don't often play water heavy maps, where players are even separated by water from each other. Therefore I would be very cautious with changes. On a water map their UU can be awesome and potentially crucial in grabbing astronomy islands before anybody else. Back in RtR we've also seen some uses of it for naval invasions.
Their weakest part is the UB as it comes late on a rarely built building. It's basically a mini-Colossus for each city. Now if we want to change Portugal I would try changing the UB (maybe replacing the harbor) and try to add something that gives them a bonus that is also available on land maps.



Russia: Was played two times willingly. With Hunting/Mining they have a good advantage same as Ethiopia and Germany. They have a great UU if you get to it and their UB is also great right now. Keep in mind that even just building the UB gives the city 4 beakers right out of the gate. Russia biggest problem is that those come late, but Russia isn't alone in those group of late starters. There are also civs like Germany, England, Dutch, France, who all get their bonus somewhat around the same time. If we feel Russia is still weak I would go with the simply option of adding another scientist to their UB, which would pump up every city that builds one to at least 9 beakers every turn. But I don't see a reason to boost Russia right now.



Aztec: Was played 4 times. With Mysticism/Hunting they have middling techs same as Celts and Holy Roman Empire. Their UB is great and the main reason to take them. Now as for the UU it's somewhat niche. I think it's purpose differs a lot from it's base unit. It's not meant to attack cities with it. It's main purpose is to be used as a stack defender when sticking to forest tiles especially together with mounted units. It defends great against it's counters the axeman if it stands on a forest. The first counter unit that traits equally is the crossbowman. If my numbers are correct a Jaguar can even defend against a praetorian if it stands on a forest.
The other purpose the UU has is as a healer. With just 5 XP it can get Woodsman III which heals better then Medic I and also provides 2 first strike. The nice thing is that both those purposes are easily combined. Also the UU is a bit cheaper.
Giving the UU 6 strength would make it way to strong defending a forest tile.
Now I admit it isn't the big flashy unit like others (Praetorian and Gallic Warrior), but keep in mind that the Aztec UB is probably way better then what those two civs have.


TL:DR I would change Korea right now, but leave the others as they are.

[Commodore]

Khmer feels a little badly done-by when compared to Rome. Any thought to letting the Ballin' Pants regain their strength 8?