[Beta 3C][Balance] Starting out without enough gold/too expensive NPCs

from Elemental Forums

A few times now I've started out a bit unlucky, where I either didn't have a gold mine nearby or no crates filled with gildar nearby.  When this happens, it's basically impossible to make headway... if I can neither improve my cities, build a second one near a gold mine, nor hire an NPC if I don't start out with a large gold source nearby.  So sometimes it's pretty much just impossible from the start.  

A few solutions are possible: make initial NPCs cheap if you're poorer (more exploration opportunities to get more gold), guarantee a source of gold of some sort nearby on start, or start out with a bit more gold.  

 

It might also be better if the second city were cheaper than 100 gildar - the difference between 1 and 2 is huge, gold wise (esp with caravans and the better scounting available), so that might be enough all on its own... or perhaps have an option to go "into debt" or similar just for the second city.

1,106 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

you have to work with what you have around

 

if you dont have gold mines focus on research adventure, etc

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting ddd888, reply 1
you have to work with what you have around

 

if you dont have gold mines focus on research adventure, etc
End of ddd888's quote

 

Yes but it's not always something people will associate with. We (beta testers) understand the ideas behind that (alternative methods of playing to win, Conquest, diplomacy, quests and so on). But the base mechanics, support building a community and going from there. If that initial community doesn't have enough to support what would be considered normal expectations (for other TBS games).. people will say this game is stupid and/or keep reloading till they get those base resources to allow them to play.

Why not standardize that initially. Gold and food nearby, with the rest still being a viable alternative.

Myself, I'm not to worried about it, as they'll find the sweet spot. But there are a lot of people who have a minimum level of expectation when playing a TBS and if that's not met, they'll stop playing it. So if someone isn't finding the normal mechanics fun, that's a concern.

Though I do agree with you in that as you play you have to work with what's around you. But why put out a lot of people or make them spend time doing a new game till their starting location is something with a minimum interest. When you can fix it, and let them get into the hard part of playing.

 

 

TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting ddd888, reply 1
you have to work with what you have around

 

if you dont have gold mines focus on research adventure, etc
End of ddd888's quote

 

The point is that if you just happen to not get an early source of Gildar, you're basically hobbled for the first few tens of rounds, no matter what.  At best, you limp along to research adventure and only get to start your civilization, really, some 10-20 turns after the other factions.  

That is to say, I'm not saying it's too hard to get Gildar in general, but rather that there's too much dependence on your initial conditions as far as gold is concerned (for the mathematically inclined, I might say it's too chaotic :) ). 

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

Try starting as pariden without a food resource >.>