andymcnish

I'm not sure why 'balance' is a biggy in a 4x game vs AIs? This game gives you so many complex mechanics to mix and match it's never going to be balanced. That's not the point - it should be fun. If you feel that spamming pioneers is too easy then don't do it. Abide by a rule that you can only build a pioneer from a level 2 settlement. Problem solved. Or try to play a game without using any crystal or iron. Or build an army full of wrait

I always go logging camp first if available as it only take 2-3 turns to build (bell tower is 4 I think). Also unless I know the map I make a scout very early on (a redesigned one with the stealth trait unless it's a racial trait already). My first action is to cast hammers spell (if I have earth magic and at least 1 essence in the village), then logging, then often a scout, then sometimes workshop. That is a lot of production for only 10 turns in...and it means yo

Well I'm currently playing on small maps that don't seem to have much Essence or many resources (Iron/Crystal) near their starting positions. So I thought I would try to design a faction/character combo that doesn't need them. That means no need for crystal or metal armor or weapons. I ended up with the following: Wraiths bloodline Archery (for the metal free and much better bows) Luck (great syne