Theme Switching

[Devari]

Before the collapse of Ragnarok (read: My Expulsion), we had plans for an expansion that had about 8 races, all with different OP/DP. It's a pretty neat idea, and would make for a VERY interesting game.

The problem, of course, is the confusion for a new player. But, if we don't use it for the regular game, it might be fun as a special round.

Re: OP/DP changes. I said that because I imagine some things would be different. Skirmishers I would most certainly see as 2:2, but would archers be more equalized? Would they be more defensive? I dunno.

[Ruddertail]

I don't see how it'd be too confusing for the newbies... a little bit, yes, but not that bad. So long as the game guide is comprehensive and includes that info, anyway.

[Devari]

First of all, let me make it clear I AM in favor of it.

Still, Devil's Advocate: How do you propose it could be seemlessly integrated into the guide?

[Ruddertail]

On the races page, there would be a little note saying

...Also, each race has it's own specific troop types, with their own offensive and defensive values. For a complete list of troops, go Here (Here being the hyperlink). It would then take them to the military units page. I would put a table showing the race and troop types/values.

Races would be down the left side, the four troop types along the top. Values would be listed at the intersection. Example:

code: Select all

                 Light   Ranged    Heavy    Naval
Eustrucans:    1:2       3:6         7:4       6:6
Greeks:        3:2       1:5         5:6       9:8

Etc, etc. Those aren't suggestions for powers, just an example.

Light, ranged, heavy and naval are general classes, as some people might have skirmishers, some might have footsoldiers, some might have scouts, some might have light infantry, etc...

[Devari]

There ya go! Very good, Ruddertail.

Now, let's just convince everyone else.

[Fresh Water Fighters]

I like it. Sounds like a fun game.

[The Beatles]

The naming is all very well, but changing troop OP/DP might have more far-ranging effects on the game's balance. Not that we shouldn't experiment with them, but not on a stable server.

I like Ruddertail's "troop classes" idea. However, then we're stuck with having to invent troop names for each race... who's up to the task, then?

So again why is it Skirmishers vs. Militiamen?

I see no real agreement as to what to rename locations to, but I don't much like the coastlands/plains idea. You can attack people in your location, so it doesn't make sense if you can attack from the Pyrenees to the Alps, for example. No, it should be actual geographic regions.

Also, no real ideas yet as what to rename warbands to, except Kingdoms and Armies, I think. Armies isn't good as it's more than armies. Kingdoms might be good, but then I'd like more of you to react to it with thoughts.

Incite Deserters and Destroy Structures are still too long, should be shortened.

Oh, you can all see the changes as I make them on the BFR New Theme server, if you have a BFR account. It's identical to BFR, just with our new theme.

Can anyone propose a new name for Huts? And why Gold Mines instead of Markets? Didn't the ancients trade?

[neobaron]

The concept of a "militia" is rather new... no temporary force was ever called up until ~the colonial era since levies were maintained and drilled constantly from greek times all the way through to the feudal era.

Each city in greece, for example, had an army at all times.

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Now then... the "skirmisher" that youre talking about. Describe it. Because in these times a "skirmisher" was a javelin toting person with no armor who would sit out in front of the army and pelt incoming enemies with the javelins.

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New name for huts?

If we got with spies/diplomats i'd say universities... but then you have to remember that our Gallic friends didnt have writing... that'll be a toughie.

[Ruddertail]

We could set up a different DB for the BFR New Theme server, and test the varying troop powers there.

I wouldn't think the idea of varying OP/DP would throw off the server balance, but the troops themselves could well throw things off...

For huts, I'd do Academy. University implies books, wheras an Academy just implies learning, not necessarilly any books needed.

Does it really matter what a skirmisher is? We want this to be historically accurate, but we aren't making this thing for history professors. So long as they are a type of light troop, with fairly low O/D, they work...

[neobaron]

I just dont want anybody to get the wrong idea about the concept of a "skirmisher"

[Devari]

Let's just consider the "skirmishers" as infantry that would generally only be the bulk fighting force in a skirmish - basically, light infantry.

[Urran Voh]

And why Gold Mines instead of Markets? Didn't the ancients trade?

Of course they did, but it makes more sense to me to have the "Markets" take the place of Camps, since you put troops on the Market. And civilizations didn't trade to get most of their cash, they just traded goods and technologies.

[neobaron]

*agrees*

Also, mercenaries were very common in these times, but I wouldnt say that a civ could just sell their troops... that would be foolish.

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Therefor, I vote to ban storing armies on the market.

[The Beatles]

OK. Anyways I propose calling them Mines, not Gold Mines. You could mine a lot of stuff and be wealthy.

Academy sounds good. Now, Neo, are you pro or anti Skirmisher? What other name do we have for a light troop that would be the dominant component of an ancient army, and isn't called a specific term such as hoplites?

So Camps -> Markets, Urran? Camps decrease your BM prices, so shall we finally revert to the Promisance naming conventions? Under that:

Orchards -> Farms / Orchards -- pick one
Camps -> Barracks
Barracks -> Smithies / Blacksmiths
Tents -> Homes / Huts / Tents

Shall we hold votes...?

[edit] Neo, just saw your post. If we're going to decrease the market to 25% anyways, why not just do that? And besides, couldn't they just disband the troops and sell the weapons, which were the actually valuable part of troops?


[edit2] Velites are Skirmishers. We might be able to dredge up some race-specific troop names...

[Devari]

Or just follow Zeph's suggestion that troops on the market cost upkeep and can be used as usual....