1v1 map: Double trouble: Asymetrical 40x40 map

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schedal
Posts: 37
Joined: December 31st, 2007, 12:52 pm

1v1 map: Double trouble: Asymetrical 40x40 map

Post by schedal »

Hello folks,

Below you will find my latest map: Double Trouble.

This map was initially generated as a random map, the 1st game I had on this map was epic - the best game I've played so far! Very tense, very close, different fronts had different types of battles, full blown frontal assaults over 1 village while small skirmishes nestled in the mountains between were vying for control of several villages, thick assaults in the hills locked in tight spaces, and open battles with units moving across fronts in another area... meanwhile sea battles were ragging with who ever could control the north-western crystal lake obtaining critical coastal harassment power...

As part of my process, I've played the map now countless times; each time I've refined the map further so that it could be as balanced as possible. I've played various combinations, often flipping each side back-and-forth to ensure that neither side had any perceivable advantage.

Admittedly most of my play testing has involved the 'line-of-encounter', the general area where both sides meet and vie for initial village control and then the initial first most critical 6 to 10 turns of the game. I watch the rate of village acquisition, and the likelihood of one faction ending up with 21/40 before encounter/conflict occurs. After that my priority has been to monitor terrain influences, especially around villages, but also in general. Critical choke points, flexibility to reallocate units etc.

I've noticed that generally flying-equipped factions [Drake, Undead and Knalagans] tend to claim villages somewhat faster but then it balances out to 20/20 w/i the 6 to 10 initial turns if neither side makes a mistake or has dramatic bad luck - this does give these flying races a slight advantage, but I lack the experience to know if this is 'normal' for these flying races [as they are far more maneuverable than cavalry]; or if this is a sign that I need to tweak the map further...? I'm hoping that someone knowledgeable on this specific map-balancing issue can offer me some advice.

Rebels still need to be retested well on this map, at first they had too many trees in too many critical places, I've corrected much of these problems, but it is not clear yet to me if they are now well suited to the map from both sides.

Although honestly the most heavy map alterations came about when I had to balance it for the loyalists, this faction doesn't do well unless there is a lot of open terrain on the board, especially when it comes to early village claiming, and mountains can be devastating to them if they are in the way of natural village-claiming-chains.

I've gotten to the point where I think this map is ready for public play testing, and I've over played it myself now + I am about to go away for 3 weeks anyways...

I truly hope you will enjoy playing this map as much as I have, and that you too will have some exciting battles! The only way such a map as this will become well balanced is if enough people enjoy it and play test it. If you do play the map, it would be great if you could send me your results; something like:

P1 rebels: win
P2 undead

That would be really fab!

Ok, sleepy time for me, and naturally, comments most welcome!

With kindness,

Sebastian

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[/map]
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