i agree that something should be done with regards to monster spawns... while i completely "get" the idea that as the nations influence expands, it causes the remaining badlands to shrink, causing an increase in the monster population - i think the current approach needs to be re-examined...

at a minimum, dont allow spawned creatures to roam into my civililized areas... sure, if i step outside my border, im free game... but allow me to protect my influence... perhaps something that can be achieved magically?

I wonder if the Civ IV model of not allowing monsters to spawn within LoS of any other troops/cities would work here?  (Coupled with lowering the spawn rate to match the number of eligible tiles)  When it comes to defending caravans, I'd vastly prefer being able to just station a few troops along the route to prevent the one-turn-spawn-and-kill phenomenon.  The downside, of course, is that it gives rise to "fog-busting" units and cities that hurt immersion, in my opinion.

Maybe a "Monster Lair" is the best way to go about tackling the problem.  New lairs could potentially spawn occasionally, but you'd usually have warning and be given time to mobilize troops to deal with the problem (if you could afford the troops at the time, of course).

I also would like them to make some changes to monster spawns.  In most of my games it seems I spend more time fighting off random spawns then I do the AIs that I'm at war with...

I remember reading in another thread that researching certain technologies causes a forced population boom in mobs, is that part of what is causing the above problems?

I remember other games where it was difficult if not impossible to level up new units once you cleared an area because they were too weak to send out alone and it was frustrating to have to stop advancing a higher level unit/group to babysit the newbie in battle.  Having these low level spawns gives them "fresh meat" to "practice" on, so I don't want to see them eliminated completely, but perhaps make it a game setting (separate from difficulty level please, just because I want more monsters doesn't mean I want them to decimate me)

I also remember games where I could "camp" lairs for gold and or monster drops (items or scales/eggs etc.) and that could be abused in MP games, so maybe add a setting where if you are inside the zone of control of a lair it can't spawn, or conversly it spawns more powerful monsters the longer it is camped as they get that "backed into a corner" lash out?

I'm not sure about the ramifications of having permanent structures - seems there would be quite a few cluttering up the map.  To simulate permanence, possibly reduce the total # of spawned special tiles but allow them to be re-usable to a limited extent.  I'm not sure if I'm a fan of the research X - new mobs spawn at a higher level, new tiles are available.  I'd almost rather have it be leader must be X level to enter.

Back to the multi-use idea - From the beginning of the game lairs/dungeons/caves, etc are exposed.  Landing on one for the first time pits you against the door guardians and the weak critters in the first couple levels - stage 1 - levels 1-3.   Revisiting pits you against stage 2, levels 4-6, revisiting pits you against stage 3, levels 7-10. A final push allows you to face a boss.  Not all notables would have all stages, i.e. it could be a spider lair that only goes up to stage 1, but a slightly different looking corrupted spider lair may go up to stage 3.   A "Boss" unit may be a queen or something, or on the spawns with higher stages it could be unique critters.  The cliched rats, then goblins, then hobgoblins, then X, all working to serve a dragon.  Once defeated the tile switches to a smoking ruin, disappears from cloth map but viewable when zoomed.

In conjunction you could have the organic growth/living world type thing - a stage 1 max spawn could grow over time to a stage 2, etc.  Additionally, if a stage reaches max pop it spawns a critter to roam.   Lower level critters would increase population more frequently.  Overpopulation events could be implemented to randomly re-populate the wilds.

The "fresh meat" mechanic can be replaced by training higher level/experienced units.   Instead of giving them a couple hp, give them the higher level and the benefits associated with that.  i.e. first level of "experienced" allows lvl 4 troops to be created.

Camping spawns - agree that that might be a concern, but either of the above suggestions would work.  In all honesty, i'd have the spawns set at like 20 turns or something so if someone wanted to camp it...go for it.

I wouldn't mind seeing some changes to how monsters spawn but...

Since you do know monsters will spawn in areas that lack influence, you can always spread your empire and build cities or even outposts (weak cities you never do much with) to spread your influence more and avoid having "gaps" where monsters spawn forever.

Teleport is your friend.  By mid/late you should have a child or champ who can cast and who can help with hopping around and cleaning up the more annoying pockets of "invading" monsters.

I'd still like to see a change.  Sometimes it's ridiculous how fast monsters spawn in teh wilds - out of thin air.

Maybe they could put in a "Monster respawn rate" slider in gameplay options like the Tactical battle slider.

the monsters are supposed to be a real threat that needs to be dealt with.  do you think monsters care that you have settled somewhere? ofc not!  they see your cities as a buffet!  leave it as is.  if you don't want to hunt them, don't.  just leave a small army in all of your towns (which you should do anyway: WAR of magic)

It would be great if there was an option to just turn them off. The feature is more annoying than fun at the moment. I also find myself not researching the adventure tech because I don't want to fight these boring monsters...

I don't believe it's possible to actually clean it up. They just keep coming as you kill them.

Maybe like in Majesty. You put a gildar reward on a monsters head, and adventurers show up and kill it...

I'm not sure why, but playing a game on normal, these guys barely bothered me... once or twice some big spider/troll would threaten my towns, but a rare inconvenience.

Pretty much the same as the AI. The entire game seemed to consist of collecting goodie huts, hunting down monsters as I wondered beyond my zone, and wiping out any other faction I came across in a single battle (sovereign death). I suspect my starter sovereign (one of the presets) was too powerful.

Maybe the soverign could build some sort of "watchtower" that would prevent respawns if you don't want them.  I need them, however, badly, for leveling up my new hire champoins! 

How would you properly level up champions wihtout all the monster spawns!  And how would you get gold?