wowgetoffyourcellphone

I was thinking of making a 300 Spartans mod if folks would like to help. Two versions, one compatible with Empires Ascendant and one for Delenda Est, Alpha 24. They'll use the same Spartan building set as the more realistic versions in the base game. We'll mostly replace the units with versions that look like they're from the films 300 and 300:Rise of an Empire. If we want to, we can do the same for the Athenians and Persians as well to make a well-rounded mod. GitHub repository (SVN compatible only; Alpha 24) https://github.com/JustusAvramenko/300 I want to gauge interest from fellow modders and artists before I proceed. I don't want to do this one alone, since I have hands full keeping DE up to date. It'll need textures, models (props and units), and animations (to mimic the kung fu-esque combat of the films). Preliminary ideas: Stats should exhibit extremes. For example, all Spartan units are trained at the elite or champion level, but are super expensive; all Persian units (except the Immortals Ninjas and heroes), only exist at Basic rank and are super cheap. The Athenians are in between these extremes. Spartans Units Spartan Villager Spartan Hoplite (Elite) Spartan Swordsman (Elite) Spartan Skirmisher (Elite) Spartan Horseman (Elite) Royal Guard Spartan (Champion) Heroes: King Leonidas Queen Gorgo Captain Artemis Lieutenant Stelios Dilios Persian Units Persian Slave Persian Spearman (Basic) Persian Swordsman (Basic) Persian Archer (Basic) Persian Horseman (Basic) War Elephant (Champion) War Rhino (Champion) Persian Magician (Champion) Throws explosives Immortal (Champion) Über Immortal (Champion+) Heroes: King Darius King Xerxes Admiral Artemisia General Bandari General Artaphernes Persian Emissary Athenians Athenian Citizen Athenian Hoplite Athenian Swordsman Athenian Archer Athenian Horseman Athenian Marine (Champion) Heroes: Themistocles, Scyllias, Aeschylus Possible Map Creeps and Atlas units Ephialtes (roams the map and if you capture him he allows you to use the Spies feature) Oracle (dances around; capture her and your units gain extra vision range) Ephor Daxos (perhaps capturing him can grant you some free Arcadian soldiers) Theron Executioner (the dude with scythe arms)

Note: The gate doors themselves don't need to go the entire length of the long palisade. It can have 2 stationary "wings".

Let's see them!

A few more things about DE's "standard" map theory: Every player should have 1 Factional merc camp near it's starting territory. The rest are native merc camps based on the map. Stone is now more important than Metal, so there should probably be a couple more stone mines laying around the map than currently (number of metal mines are fine). Players start each match with 4 free defense towers.

Awesome. Just awesome.

Low quality maps.

This is true. Artists might hate this suggestion but I think they should be standardized in size. It was probably a mistake to not require this years ago when they were first being modeled. I blame @Mythos_Ruler.

Honestly I would prefer them to be the same lengths as the stone walls so we (either EA or mods) can research a tech and improve them to stone.

Yeah can u guys sum it up for me? I am thinking I can cobble together a more accurate representation using the game's current assets.

Right, exactly. A Veii vs. Rome scenario for example.

So awesome seeing DE features in a random map! If you don't mind, here are my observations: Native merc camps can be "merc_camp_brythonic" for that extra authenticity. A few map creeps would add some life to the map (like in the original skirmish map). Maybe a couple of "trading_post_celtic" along the road that players can capture. A couple of ponds would be nice aesthetically. Maybe throw a random Stonehenge or Uffington White Horse in there? Randomly placed, aka might show up, might not. Just an idea. I'm sure some of these are already on your radar. I'm enjoying this already!

Right. Plus we can make "custom" civs for campaigns and scenarios. These are civs that are playable only on specified maps and don't show up in the drop list of selectable civs for random maps and skirmish maps. Palmyrenes is definitely on my list for inclusion as a complete selectable civ though.

First post updated

Yes, I think this should definitely be a core game feature. I believe it was this way in AOM as well.

I guess I am disagreeing then. I don;t think Elite units should have their chevrons removed. The chevrons tell you their current rank, not whether they can promote to the next rank or not. Maybe I am misinterpreting you. I agree that there needs to be more icons available for certain types of units.

These are excellent suggestions. I never considered Old St. Peter's Basilica! That would actually be very good. As for the East, the Palace could work, or the Forum of Constantine Or the Hippodrome.

I'll look into this one. I will say though that there is a tech ("Water Screws") that improves Field health +500%. Perhaps I can beef up default Field health and reduce the Water Screws effect. The Coin resource is pretty limiting for champions and elephants. It's kind of like a soft limit, so I can't wait to see if you like it or would prefer something else like a train time nerf as you suggest. Besides the Spartans, the civs no longer have female citizens, they have "Citizen" units of both genders, but your point still stands. Perhaps a train time nerf from 60 seconds to 100 seconds, or just remove the feature altogether? In Alpha 24 DE, catapults are supremely inaccurate, so that although they have high damage attack, it's only effective on large stationary items like buildings. Spread is 25.0 meters. I think this solves your problem. Some more playtesting may be in order to determine whether it's OP or not, but each rank promotion adds 20% range to ranged units. Basic range for DE ranged units is much lower than in EA as well. As an example: EA's archers have a default 72 meter range DE's archers have a default 40 meter range A similar difference can be found for all other ranges. I really look forward to getting your opinion on things. I'll try to (swiftly) address anything you find or answer any questions you may have.