BITTERFROST III - DARKEST AEON...Playtest!

[N35t0r]

Gah, by the time I get back home, I'll be swamped in new scens to play!

If we only had the source code, we could port it to PalmOS so that I can play while traveling :-/

[tanelorn]

As with all Bitterfrost scenarios, I have become quite addicted to it, and Curt is to blame!
Yes, that's you, mister!
Anyway, it looks great and plays even better.
Just a couple of points. Despite having reached the prerequisite tech first (as Kaarov) and already building King's Patronage, the Skeer beat me to Leopold without having built the Patronage yet. The rules.txt doesn't warrant this, I checked. I got Detramet and Yurbi the normal way so far, no problem. Maybe it was just a unique glitch. Has anyone else noticed this?
Moreover, some units show up in the pedia with no link to info, even if they are buildable. Check the Knights/Warriors entry, for example.
Unlike BFI & BFII unit stats and costs appear the same amongst the playable civs, at least. This makes the game more balanced, sure, but I feel that differentiating the units costs/ ablities a bit would add to the replayability of the scen as different civs. You know, like one side has better cavalry but its archers suck, the other has cheaper base infantry but its elite infantry costs extra and the like...
When I get home I'll get some extra turns down and get back to you.
Get. Get. Get.

[curtsibling]

Glad to hear you are enjoying it, Tanelorn!

I'll check that bug with Leopold, I am fairly sure it will be an events thing.
I recall changing the way Leo got unlocked, so it might be left over from that.

The main reason I went for linear units was to avoid the AI ignoring his build options,
this was a big problem in the Dictator scenarios, where the AI would only build one type.

As more info comes in from playtests, I'll see if there is any room to move on that issue...

Knock them boogers out!

[Cyrion]

If the Daargan give too much trouble, don't hesitate to use those heroes to take over a city or two!

Tha'ts what I do, but I need to keep their capital intact for trading!

Originally posted by tanelorn
As with all Bitterfrost scenarios, I have become quite addicted to it, and Curt is to blame!

Same here!

Moreover, some units show up in the pedia with no link to info, even if they are buildable. Check the Knights/Warriors entry, for example.

I noticed the same! And it's not only the link that doesn't appear, but even their name (for some of them)!

You know, like one side has better cavalry but its archers suck, the other has cheaper base infantry but its elite infantry costs extra and the like...

This might be interesting replayability-wise!

[tanelorn]

I don't think the AI takes firepower and hitpoints into account, when selecting what to build, just attack and defence stats. So, an exta hp or f here n' there won't make a difference in the queue. There are other ramifications though. For example, the pike flag won't work against units with extra h &/or f.

[Cyrion]

Time for a little testing feedback!

First of all, I have to admit, again, that I was more playing than testing: the scen is advanced enough for that!

For me, the "hero" events work fine, I'm cruising along the Wonders just to get them!

I really like 3 things (among others):
- the big map to explore
- the fact that you don't need to micromanage 200 cities
- that you have time to develop at the beginning, without starting from scratch

I like the messages too!

I wouldn't mind your making use of a second map to allow for some quests with the Ancients (Dungeon like, maybe)... Yeah, I know, lots of work...

And last: I think the difference in the graphics between walled / not walled isn't clear enough, but maybe tha'ts just me...

All in all, I really like it!

[curtsibling]

Glad you are having a blast...!

And don't worry about the city GFX, the real cities are under construction...!

I am planning a new mini scenario for the xmas period, that will allow you to have some
fun as the Khaaarov, Ancients and Undead! More on this will be revealed as it happens...!

Think of operation Barbarossa and Bitterfrost mixed together...!

[Uncle Dead Bird]

I've just downloaded this one. It looks like it'll be a hit!

I'll give it a full try this weekend.

UDB

[curtsibling]

Cheers, UDB!
Hope you got the new cities on your thread!

Folks, I will be heading to London soon, on business and
will be back on Sunday evening...I leave you in Harry's
very capable hands for any of your mod requirements.

See you all soon!

[Harry Tuttle]

Hey Curt, what's the purpose of the Shuuk?

[curtsibling]

They are just a silly race of lizards, who engage in trading and wandering. Their caravan units
can be helpful when they come and form routes in your cities. The Khaarov civ have set themselves
the task of protecting them. This can lead to military missions to rescue the hapless reptiles...

In the scenario, Shuuk are native to the Jawbone islands...Amazing how they managed to survive!

[typhoon]

Originally posted by curtsibling
The Khaarov civ have set themselves
the task of protecting them. This can lead to military missions to rescue the hapless reptiles...

I must confess that while playing as the Khaarovs, I stood by on purpose and allowed the Ancients to overrun them so I could take their cities

[curtsibling]

Heh!
Classic strategy...! :b

[curtsibling]

New cities are now ready for use in the scenario...


Just over-write the old ones with the new file in this zip!

Tell me if you think they are any better.

[Arthedain]

Great cities! Some of the best yet.