Updates are tricky,
i feel making only one spell per turn, was a little harsh.
punishing players is not fashionable. the hero aspect is my favorite, and hiding the essence("mp's") whatevr it is called is weird.
if all heroes buffed the spell, so it affected a larger range and did more dmg with a greater chance of success...
thats one thing.
but you just nerfed my favorite part of the game, casting spells.
i want alot of gorgeous spells.
a spell editor would be awesome.
it is getting hard to play the game.
BTW, this game is gorgeous,and the engine is stunning.i think it is exactly what the genre needed.
more customization freedom, that is easy to access. i would cite games that have such editors, but with out expressed intrest from a forum mod, it is not polite.
I think this game is a wonderful start, focusing on the elements the make it run smooth and without memory leaks is essential, next is making the game with a strong out of the box game, including:
1. tutorial. your already rolling your eyes... but make it the most comprehensive, with rewards contained through out(good ones), tutorial ever!
-a. Elemental:WoM is a mystery!. this is awesome and bad. demystify some of the inner workings of the game in this tutorial, in the form of what NPC's say. but i am lost on what to do every turn, besides explore the countryside(hoping for more goodies or monsters, monster spawning lairs!!!make practice monsters for lvling heros(usually large maps 5 opponents) ).
--I. if an npc, or better; a villager, said hey, why don't you build a inn, and here is why===> put this into a xml journal(or whatever is easiest.) with a nice interface for checking later. i would be enamoured.
--II. if this info is recorded from the game it adds a level of understanding for everyone involved, thus informing a decision. i feel this would be monumental for the genre, not just elemental
2. advanced scenario: ive read about people playing on medium and hard, but i get stumped on easy, if a scenario cryptically explained, through making the player do it, using a reasonable strategy for a normal game, leaving hard to figure for ones self.
-a. this would allow players to enjoy the layers of the game that are virtually invisible(to some, not all). this is a complex game with beautiful graphics, and i want to enjoy it, but it scares me away before it pulls me in. i need a fun scenario with great rewards(if i am a dog, gimme bacon before you gimme a milk bone...)
3. an editor comprehensive enough to spawn other projects. the entire tower defense genre was spurred by a game's editor.
-a. battle screen, is under utilized. if i could enter the battle screen as an interface for my city squares, and find secrets, items or ways to play the game more efficiently(even better the choice between the two.
--I. could the battle screen be used as a separate dungeon map that could be randomly generated with a different set of, 
say 5 - 10, but what ever) minor enimes, sub boss with item, and boss with nice item. the whole map could be like a hundred squares.
--II. more interaction with the sovereigns and Champions/Heros/Main characters, the battle screen could be used for the closet view of a city, and while stationing certain champions would result in special bonuses, and useful conversation.
(bring the player this close to the city would be immersion at an intimate level)
-b. spells. more spells and a spell editor.
-c. i might be an idiot, but how do you make weapons or items?
-d. options for play, where the only concern is in not having an option is stability. then releasing when the feature is stable.
4. tile immersion. if every turn is a season, every tile in the game should have a story. and that story should have dangers and rewards along the way.
-a. why cannot a tile have several quests, that can be taken or ignored, but an option to later return and complete. A color system would show you the difficulty, and thus the reward. technologies, sovereigns and champions should uncover "layers" of the tile. some quest completion should be rewarded with the tile discovering a resource. if it is so barren , meeting another civ should be a big deal and both should have a significant army, so epic action ensues. making it harder expand and build new settlements, but finding everything to find in the areas that one already owns, i want the world of elemental to be brought back to life when i cast a spell, and then that has an effect on the world, sometimes a chance for positive or negative, other times static.
simple chain reactions, that can be reproduced, and complex ones that are more difficult.
--I. something to do on every tile, with infrastructure(or in the zone of influence(with stationed champions settling combat)), of every turn. with one of the major resources being the reward, or exp for units, trade routes in zones of control could be policed for a battle with units stationed in the town, with the caravn being the enemy target and the player having to defend it.. i want monsters summoned, demon portals opened, unlocked based on certain, tech and champion conditions. success or failure of a quest.
all-in-all
i would continue purchasing expansions, if the game was significantly enhanced and new features, that are stable, are implemented.
i hope the next update adds more options, because i am not running to play elemental as much as i want to.
i would also spend the amount i pay for games on the editor.and i would pay .30 a minute. that is $18.00 U.S. for support on making things happen in the editor, especially if it contained a scripting language. i think this is fair to the software developer, and the client. hold time is not charged. plus this should cover the cost of tech that is answering the calls.
elemental is a amazing start, i hope it only continues to improve, and stardock is rewarded for bringing a game to the community that was missing. This is an excellent example of what a smaller company should bring to the table, and the fact that improvement is on the horizon speaks loads for what the game will be in two years.
boxed games should have free and excellent customer support. editor support should be purchased.
