Hi Guys, I love the Community Project Elf Race ( https://forums.elementalgame.com/396640 ) which inspired me to make a custom Tech Tree and custom Units for Elves, however, I want lots of input into what people think is Elvish Tech, and what kind of units we should have. I'll list some of my thoughts:

Outline:

I prefer pre-made units with maybe 'some' customization over completely free-hand unit creation. I also want to see special units that are not necessarily all human. My idea of elves is strongly influenced by the Elves in the Riftwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist. While I don't necessarily need to have them living in a tree city, as they do in that book series, I want to somewhat model them according to the fight scene that occurred when the Tsurani attacked them with the help of their Black Robes, and the Elves defended themselves with the help of Macros the Black (which would be a Champion Sorcerer in the game).

 I basically see them as very intelligent spell weavers and rangers, that fight very stealthy and utilize both flora and fauna to defend themselves. Units should generally be small (in numbers) compared to human troops, and should predominantly utilize bows. Unmounted elvish troops should be just a bit slower than mounted human troops, and mounted elvish troops should be very rare.

Tech Tree

Modifications to the tech trees:

Civilization:

No ideas yet

Warfare:

I want to take away all the techs that give weapons and armor, thus essentially turning off free-hand unit creation.

I will add:

• Offensive
  • This sub-tree will add several offensive units, some of which will require specialized buildings to be produced
• Defensive
  • This sub-tree will add several defensive units, some of which will require specialized buildings to be produced
• Armor
  • This line will contain upgrades to ALL units armor - each time you research this ALL units will receive a certain %modifier to their defensive strength, this will improve all current and future units (Think along the lines of tech upgrades in RTS games).
  • This line might also contain special abilities that can be added to FUTURE units through customization (Special abilities will not work retroactively).
• Weapons
  • This line will contain upgrades to ALL units weapons- each time you research this ALL units will receive a certain %modifier to their attack strength, this will improve all current and future units (Think along the lines of tech upgrades in RTS games).
  • This line might also contain special abilities that can be added to FUTURE units through customization (Special abilities will not work retroactively).
• Tactics & Logistics
  • This line will contain upgrades to ALL units movement, and combat speed.
  • This line might also contain special abilities that can be added to FUTURE units through customization (Special abilities will not work retroactively).

Magic:

I was considering adding research for a special spellbook (or series of spellbooks) that add spells specific to elvish races. We could add several books named (e.g.) Spellweaving I, Spellweaving II, Spellweaving III, that each add progressively higher level spells.

Think MoM, in which the first book gave a few level 1 spells, a couple level 2, and maybe one level 3 spell - the second book would add a few spells to each of those levels, then add a level 4 spell, the third book might add a few more of the preceding, and then add a random level 5 spell.

I also want to add a tree that lets us build spellweaver units. There could be both offensive and defensive spellweavers (offensive ones would cast spells such as roots, bee swarms, bird attacks, etc.; defensive ones would cast spells such as heal, earthshield, gust of wind, etc.). These units would require special improvements to be unlocked on a per-city basis.

Adventure:

Maybe a tree with unit customizations that add stealth/movement related perks for future units.

Diplomacy:

Maybe a tree that lets us recruit animals to help fight - these should be unlocked through an improvement.

Custom Units

Not sure yet, please post some ideas. My suggestion would be to think along the lines of Stealth, Bows, Rangers, Animals, and Nature magic.

Feel free to add ideas as to attack, defense, movement speed, etc. We will obviously have to fine-tune that as combat changes roll out.