Grafted Era: faction-pack for Default [ver. 0.3.4b]

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mystic x the unknown
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Grafted Era: faction-pack for Default [ver. 0.3.4b]

Post by mystic x the unknown »

This era is a compilation of stand-alone factions for the Default era. Its main (optional) function is that it modifies the game to only have one not-Default factions, so that the individual factions won't play against factions they aren't balanced against. The factions still aren't very balanced, except for the Nightmares of Meloen faction.
  • Includes an option that prevents picking Random resulting in a game where all factions are Default era factions.
  • Includes Random-Default and Random-not-Default faction selections.
  • individual factions can be disabled in game-setup screen, so it's possible to play the era as faction+Default without hand-picking factions
Available on the add-on server
Comments and suggestions are welcome on all aspects of the Era besides the Nightmares of Meloen faction.

Factions:
Steppe
Notes:
Changelog:
Known issues:
graft_01.png
Last edited by mystic x the unknown on June 29th, 2018, 2:56 pm, edited 20 times in total.
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FAAB
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Re: default-balanced factions in one era

Post by FAAB »

I think this is a really well-thought idea.
That way of putting together UMC factions playable against default while avoid the work of making them balanced against each other is very smart :)
Writing the WML to make it actually work is even more awesome :wink:
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mystic x the unknown
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Re: Grafted Era: default-balanced factions in one era

Post by mystic x the unknown »

there is a new version. the era is now called Grafted era and is available on the add-on server.
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mystic x the unknown
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Re: Grafted Era: default-balanced factions in one era

Post by mystic x the unknown »

Today there was a major release..

First I'd like to thank to Gorthaur, SteppenWolf, jzmer, Isril and GreenFlame for writing translations for me.

I worked hard on the graphics so it should be pleasant or at least bearable to look at now. This version includes a great amount of changes taken from the Nightmares of Meloen project.
Besides balancing, polish and optimization, there's also some brand new stuff.. A new faction, the Halflings. Since this version there are going to be translations for the pop-up and right-menu items, so non-english speaking players (of the languages someone writes translations for) can get some idea what's going on or what it's all about.

(changelog is attached to the first post)
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Velensk
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Re: Grafted Era: default-balanced factions in one era

Post by Velensk »

At Mystic: It would be nice to include a sub-era where the grafted factions can fight each other.
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mystic x the unknown
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Re: Grafted Era: default-balanced factions in one era

Post by mystic x the unknown »

It would be nice to include a sub-era where the grafted factions can fight each other.
I understand this desire and it occurred to me before, but I immediately decided against it. There's not going to be a sub-era like that.

1. the Grafted era's factions are supposed to be well-balanced against default, making the whole era well-balanced. While on average it's currently far from this goal, making a sub-era like that would be eventually detrimental to overall quality. (and it would be low blow to remove it later on, if some people came to like the said sub-era)

2. People would use the said sub-era instead. Some might even conclude the two other sub-eras must be 'bugged'. :wink:

a minor reason would be that the more sub-eras, the more confusion -for some people.

Finally there's no stopping of anyone from including any of these factions in their own era.


EDIT: there's now a bugfix release: 0.2.1
Last edited by mystic x the unknown on April 18th, 2011, 5:54 am, edited 2 times in total.
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PeterPorty
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Re: Grafted Era: default-balanced factions in one era

Post by PeterPorty »

Nice. Need any more translations I might work in? ;)
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mystic x the unknown
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Re: Grafted Era: default-balanced factions in one era

Post by mystic x the unknown »

A long overdue update -- version 0.2.2 -- is out now.. (available for some time on 1.9)

The most important change is that the factions without any water-capable unit got one.. the Steppe got it's own water unit while the Darklands got a naga fighter until a replacement (thematically and gameplay-wise fitting) is found.
The Darklands faction has been rehashed a bit:
Spoiler:
...despite these changes the faction is still noticeably broken.

Less important changes include the halflings getting their own set of names, the eagle line getting a L3 advancement and an updated Strongman sprite.
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mystic x the unknown
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Re: Grafted Era: balanced-against-Default factions in one er

Post by mystic x the unknown »

Time for some news from the world of Grafted Era..

It was a long time since the last post, though there was more than one release during that period, the latest being version 0.2.3
To the changes, then..

To make it a true line-breaker, the Overseer was changed, it's weapon special becoming one that lowers defense of both the attacker and the defender by 25% for the duration of the attack.
The Steppe faction got a new unit: Reindeer. It is a 8 move scout introduced to ensure the faction is going work on most mainline maps. Furthermore, the warrior and wind herder trees have been given 6 moves.
Other notable changes include numerous sprite updates for the Darklands faction and some debuffing of the halflings.
See the changelog for a comprehensive list.

I'm considering creating new development threads for the Steppe and Darklands factions.
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adr3n
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Re: Grafted Era: balanced-against-Default factions in one er

Post by adr3n »

is there any progress on this era still?
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mystic x the unknown
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Re: Grafted Era: balanced-against-Default factions in one er

Post by mystic x the unknown »

adr3n wrote:is there any progress on this era still?
Hey, the last post was just a month ago! :)
Yes there is progress, however it's very slow. The main issue is a general lack of people who would develop these factions (save the Nightmares). I am trying to actually, but it seems to be beyond me.

Coincidentally, I released version 0.2.3b less than 3 days ago (just for the stable branch due to issues), with the more notable changes being halfling sprites overhaul and application of NoM changes to the unhatched line of units.
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mystic x the unknown
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Re: Grafted Era: balanced-against-Default factions in one er

Post by mystic x the unknown »

Grafted era is back with version 0.3.0! This release brings major changes: removal of the Steppe faction, option to allow the concurrent use of multiple not-Default factions, full control over which factions are used through on/off switches. Furthermore, there have been numerous design and cosmetic changes to the Darklands and Halflings factions. The Nightmares of Meloen faction has seen only minor tweaks, save for a couple balance changes (by FAAB) and the non-inclusion of some unreleased design/balance changes. For a complete list of changes, see the first post.
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singalen
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Re: Grafted Era: balanced-against-Default factions in one er

Post by singalen »

Hi,
I got an incompatibility report for 1.13.10: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=46960&p=618322#p618322
On a first run, it says: "dist/VERSION is missing" "in detect.cfg:4" "included from _main.cfg:21" "included from _main.cfg:3" "included from _main.cfg:65".
Does this make sense?
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mystic x the unknown
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Re: Grafted Era: balanced-against-Default factions in one er

Post by mystic x the unknown »

The era was updated to version 3.0.1. This release fixes some bugs, on the development branch those included game-breaking ones. The only gameplay changes are Henchman being able to receive the 'strong' trait and the price of Overseer being increased to 23.
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mystic x the unknown
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Re: Grafted Era: balanced-against-Default factions in one er

Post by mystic x the unknown »

Version 0.3.2 is out. The focus of this release is the Darklands faction. It was made roughly balanced, and a new ability was introduced that restores Overseers' and Dark Riders' health by transferring it from adjacent allies, or adjacent owned village. There is now a game modification for testing the Darklands faction with players who don't have the era. The release also brings a minor graphical addition.

See the change-log section of the first post for details.
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