How many custom factions have you made?

[duMa]

Who ARE these people?!

Of course, that's Ed.

[aaglo]

Ad...

all your base are belong to trashcan...

[aaglo]

ad 2

these can be found in Ultramind (I think)

[Shai-Hulud]

You're turning my thread into nuthouse

[Cybergod]

Originally posted by Shai-Hulud
You're turning my thread into nuthouse

You said that we can post "ads"! I just respected your word...

Aanglo, I am sorry for possibly asking too late, did I ask you for your permission to use the graphics?

Do you know how much it takes to pay Sean Connery...

[Shai-Hulud]

You said that we can post "ads"! I just respected your word...

You know...when I said that you could "even put a link or attachment" I didn't exactly mean...nevermind

Anyway, I would have expected few more factions attached. I might have wanted to try them out. It's strange though, all these years of SMAC, and you're still pretty satisfied with Firaxis' factions. The problem is to find the balance of power. I would love to play MP game with custom factions but that would demand a lot of discussion. And would rise arguments since everyone would try to get in with the best possible faction - naturally...Man can hope.

[aaglo]

Cybeg.-
Yes you did ask, and yes I gave you permission

[Archaic]

Originally posted by Shai-Hulud
I would love to play MP game with custom factions but that would demand a lot of discussion. And would rise arguments since everyone would try to get in with the best possible faction - naturally...Man can hope.

If everyone could agree on a balancing formula of some sort for abilities, then it wouldn't be too hard for everyone to tailor factions to their own game styles within a certain points limit.

[Shai-Hulud]

If everyone could agree on a balancing formula of some sort for abilities, then it wouldn't be too hard for everyone to tailor factions to their own game styles within a certain points limit.

I'm definitely going to arrange that one day. Just have to consult some talented CMNs first. I think NetworkNode has some kind of balancing formula that was taken from that other custom faction site...which isn't available anymore(?). It's possible...Man can hope

[Yxklyx]

None completed yet - but I'm working on a set of 7 or so.

[Archaic]

Originally posted by Shai-Hulud


I'm definitely going to arrange that one day. Just have to consult some talented CMNs first. I think NetworkNode has some kind of balancing formula that was taken from that other custom faction site...which isn't available anymore(?). It's possible...Man can hope

Got it right here.

These formulas have been developed to be used as a guideline for creating new factions and to compare the relative strengths of different factions. This is not a perfect system. A higher rating does not necessarily make a stronger faction. Likewise loopholes can no doubt be found. Strict following of these formulas towards those ends benefits no one.


FACTION OPTIONS Power Unit Formulas



Anti-Ideologies -1
Free Technology 1*(Tech level)
Free Facility 2 +2*(Tech Level)
Free Facility (prereq.) 4
Free Vehicle
Locusts of Chiron
Unity Scout Chopper
Battle Ogre MK2
Battle Ogre MK3
Unity Mining Laser
Sea Colony Pod
Colony Pod


1
1
1
2
1
3
3
Social Benefit
ECONOMY
EFFIC
SUPPORT
TALENT
MORALE
POLICE
GROWTH
PLANET
PROBE
INDUSTRY
RESEARCH


4 * (param)
2 * (param)
2 * (param)
3 * (param)
2 * (param)
1 * (param)
2 * (param)
3 * (param)
1 * (param)
2 * (param)
2 * (param)

Robust 2
Immunity 4
Impunity 4
Penalty -2
Fungus Nutrient 2
Fungus Mineral 2
Fungus Energy 2
Bonus Votes [(param) - 1] * 6
Free Facility (prereq) 4
Revolt 1 per 10%
No Drone 2 * (param)
Free Ability (prereq) 4
Probe Cost 2 per 25% (param) - 100
Defense 6 per 25% (param) - 100
Offence 6 per 25% (param) - 100



RULE OPTIONS Power Unit Formulas



Morale Modifier 2 * (param) (4 for param = 0)
Psi Combat Modifier 6 per 25%
Research Bonus Per Base 1 * (param)
Extra Drone Per Base (16/(param))-1
Extra Talent Per Base (16/(param))-1
Bonus Energy Reserve 1 per 100 energy
Energy Interest 1 per 1% up to 5% 2 per 1% over 5%
Bonus Commerce Rate 1 * (param)
Population Bonus 1 * (param)
Hurry Modifier 1 per 10% (param) - 100
Research Modifier 1 per 5% (param) - 100
Share Technology (1 for 6)(2 for 5)(4 for 4)(6 for 3)(10 for 2)(20 for 1)
Select Technologies 2 * (param)
Terra form Bonus 3
Immunity to Mind Control 4
Free Prototype 3
Alien Faction 0
Share Tech W/ Infiltrator -3 Only if share tech is used w/ 4 or less factions
Bonus Comm Freq 1
25% Attack Bonus 6
Aquatic Faction 3
Worm Police 3
Steal Tech 2



Again hear are how the standard Alpha Centauri factions rank with our system. Great care was taken even out the factions in the calculations. Clearly the SMAC factions are weaker then the Crossfire factions. The Crossfire factions are also more varied in their power. This could not be helped without making certain options unreasonably valuable.

Crossfire Factions Power SMAC Factions Power
Consciousness 11 Believers 3
Drones 9.5 Gaians 6
Planet Cult 8 Hive 5
Data Angels 15 Morgan Industries 6
Pirates 6 Peacekeepers 5
Caretakers 16 Spartans 6
Usurpers 13 University 5
Average 11.2 Average 5.14

[wheathin]

If everyone could agree on a balancing formula of some sort for abilities, then it wouldn't be too hard for everyone to tailor factions to their own game styles within a certain points limit.

That's a start. But there has to be some more game theory in there. What you need is a game where every one brings their own faction (all must get a certain score on the list quoted above), and then then factions are assigned by random, or by bids. With bids, players would be offering all other players an increased amount of energy, tech, or free units to be able to play a "better" faction.

[TresXF]

If everyone could agree on a balancing formula of some sort for abilities

that would be boring life is NOT fair

[Archaic]

Originally posted by wheathin
If everyone could agree on a balancing formula of some sort for abilities, then it wouldn't be too hard for everyone to tailor factions to their own game styles within a certain points limit.

That's a start. But there has to be some more game theory in there. What you need is a game where every one brings their own faction (all must get a certain score on the list quoted above), and then then factions are assigned by random, or by bids. With bids, players would be offering all other players an increased amount of energy, tech, or free units to be able to play a "better" faction.

But that's the thing. There wouldn't be any "better" factions, since they'd all have to come to a certain points total (Though, of course, people could use less points than they're allowed if they wanted for some reason.)

Life might not be fair, but strategy games like SMAC usually try and make all sides as equal as possible, just appealing to different playing styles. That's all this would be doing.