Issues with the Forge Quest and Spell of Making
(not bugs, gameplay issues)
Elemental Forums
Hi all,
IMO these game ending options are way too easy (more so for Forge than SOM as you have to have shards of all 4 types and a long research time for the latter).
My points:
1. For Forge, maybe in mid-game these battles are tougher but late-game they are a piece of cake. Shouldn't the Forge battles be scaled to the power rating of the kingdom/empire - or something like that?? Fighting spiders and even elementals at a certain point is ridiculously easy for a game-ending quest (two or three well placed spells with enough shards behind them, and its done). Shouldn't at least non-allied empires/kingdom's relations with you get worse and worse with every step you take on this quest (eventually declaring war on say, the second or third step maybe?). Also, I have yet to see another empire/kingdom get a piece of the forge that I need before me. This would mean having to track it down and battle over it to finish the quest, which I think would be a good thing.
2. For SOM, having shards of all 4 types might hurt your diplomatic relations with others but it doesn't seem to make much of a difference. Shouldn't non-allied empires/kingdoms COMPLETELY freak out (i.e., declare war?) when you get all 4 types of shards -- especially if you know the SOM? Perhaps the same when you begin to research, or are close to finishing research on SOM? Then they could move to re-take critical shards, preventing you from casting it. SOM should also have a looooong casting time, although I think strategic spell casting time isn't implemented (will it be?) so I understand that.
Essentially, I feel like these two options are underwhelming late game. I feel like by using them, I'm just ending the game in a "put me out of my misery" sort of way (because nothing else is happening, esp. if one is smart about their relations with the other empires/kingdoms and are at peace). Shouldn't every non-allied empire/kingdom rise up to STOP you by declaring war, etc. -- going on the offensive to prevent your complete domination of the world? I would think even your own allies wouldn't want you to suddenly become their lord and master via a powerful spell or artifact.
Just my thoughts.