map types with fewest mountains

I dunno actually... I usually run with "Random" map type

This way I get to experience each map type slowly one at a time.

Sincerely
~ Kongdej

Anyone know? I've tried to generate maps in the tool set but they really dont seem to be that different

Also is there a way to delete a created empire/kingdom without leaving the game and erasing it from the races folder?

check the modding section for "Ecomental"

Lazy

Ecomental link: https://forums.elementalgame.com/433981

Sincerely
~ Kongdej

I'm not looking for a mod..I want a description of the map types with %chance of terrian, water and mountains

Swampy or Desert is your best bet. You can gather the info you want from CoreMaps.xml and the stamps folder

Those arnt very helpful...core give the same empty info that the game does "rugged is a rugged map and swamp has swamps"...Stamps is TMI.cant find what I'm looking for. Where can I find what these mean ?

<Mountains>1</Mountains>
      <Arctic>0</Arctic>
      <Desert>1</Desert>
      <Chasms>1</Chasms>
      <Rugged>1</Rugged>
      <Fertile>1</Fertile>
      <Swamps>1</Swamps>
      <Forests>1</Forests>

That info in CoreStamps.xml CoreMaps.xml corresponds with info in the stamps like        

<Style>Generic</Style>
<Style>Mountains</Style>
<Style>Desert</Style>
<Style>Chasms</Style>
<Style>Rugged</Style>
<Style>Forests</Style>

I think any of the vanilla random map settings are at least somewhat mountain-y (ok, mountainous .)  I play on random as well, and after starting lots of games I have yet to run across any maps with few mountains.

I must be looking in the wrong place data/English/Corestamps only has generic and chasms files..though they dont seem to contain any of the information I am looking for.

I prefer mountains, it gives me a decent advantage over the AI in that the AI can't seem to recognize chokepoints created by blocking terrain, and its easier to limit avenues of attack against my cities.

Just go with Swampy or Desert, there's really no numbers to look up, you'll need to put the info together yourself if you want to find out.

Just go with it? Thats like popping a contain of unlabeled white pills for a headache. This is sooo stardock,.In Galciv 2 they pawned off 11 unique AIs when actually only 3-4 had instructions to let them function. If the info cant be found easily then I'm guessing this is more empty variable smoke and mirrors.

Sigh.

If you want to find the information you are looking for, you'll need to evaluate the stamps and what <Style> they fall into. You'll notice that stamps for Swampy or Desert map types have far less tiles with <TerrainType> MountainRange and MountainSide.

If you want exact percentages, you are right, they aren't handed to you on a platter and you may think of that what you will.

Now you know where the information is, and where it isn't. Good luck.

It's not really voodoo or mysterious... their map generator basically just fits together a bunch of "stamps", and then fill the cracks with water/plains. The type of maps dictate the type of stamps it uses to do that. All of the map types has "mountain" stamps. In order to get less mountains you want MORE of the other stamp types. There's actually 3 options for this: Swampy, Desert, or Broken. However, while Broken is not mountain, it still divide up the land, which isn't what you want. That leaves 2 left.

Of course the easiest way is to just make your own map. Generate one, and edit?

Where are you finding info for swamp or desert stamps? Or broken for that mattter..I dont see arctic either though apparently its a stamp type. The way I read it is random maps have the best chance of having flatter land because they have the most variety in stamp types..again assuming those other ones exist somewhere

Heavenfall is doing he's best, there is honestly noone on the forum who knows the percentage of chance for mountains anywhere, all he says is the basic ideas of information can be found there in those files.

I speak broadly when I say "WE" have no clue what map you would prefer, even if you just say the least mountains, Heavenfall did give 2 map types to try out because they might be the ones, come on and be happy

Just want to defend myself and say I only tried to assist you with looking by giving the link, I figured you wasn't too much into a mod.

I do think a mod is the best solution though, if nothing else you COULD create 10 new stamps without mountains that is fairly open, this will make sure there is less chance for mountains to appear on your maps.

Sincerely
~ Kongdej

CoreMaps.xml holds the information about what the map types mean.

this (tiny map) would give preference to Stamps with <Style> Swamps or Rugged.

Yes, I get that, but as far as I can tell no "Swamp" style stamp exists. Nor "rugged". Least in My stamp folder. Got generic, chasams and fertile and a bunch of wildlands.

Look at the individual files in the "Core Stamps" folder. Most of them define what type of styles it is right at the top. Most has multiple styles. There's no 'just swamp' type.

Thats my point..there are 3 map types not 9. And none of those 3 are primarily swampy or rugged or arctic. The primary difference is whether you have chasms or lots of settleable land.

Er... did you actually OPEN up the file?

For example, inside Generic Small 03 tile, you'll see this:

That means it's a 19x19 tile that will be used in pretty much all types of maps.

You do understand you have to open up the stamps, yes? There are clearly stamps without mountains that have <Style> that are relevant to your question.

Yes I opened the file and noticed that almost all of the stamps have multiple variables. Thus my opinion that there are 3 random maps types not 9. The maps will all look similar, save for settlable land and chasms. You can not generate Florida or Alaska or Hell.

You might not be able to normally, but you can fairly easily if you put in some time to make/edit the stamps and map types. However to say that there are only 3 type of maps? (stamps?) isn't right at all. Even among the "generic" tiles, if you look through them, you'll see many different combinations. Some with mountains, some don't, some with chasm, some don't, some only has fertile forests, etc... there are actually many different types.

To generate Alaska or Hell, you'll need a map type that requires a certain style, say Arctic or Volcanic, then create a bunch of stamps that you want in that world with Arctic or Volcanic style. Press generate... and there you go.