Elemental Forums
The starting locations are still too random. I have started four games (medium map, expert difficulty, standard settings) and i got the following starting locations:
- 4 / 2 / 0
- 3 / 3 / 1
- 4 / 2 / 1
- 4 / 3 / 0
The starting location should be always:
- 3 / 3 / 2
- 4 / 3 / 1
- 3 / 4 / 1
Yea, I've seen some pretty bad starts. Most of the time, there is at least something decent, but usually its 4/2/1 at best.
I got atacked the other day before turn one. As the game loaded I was attacked by darklings. I survived becasue my Sov was built for combat and had some life magic, but if he had been built differently, I could have easily been defeated before ever taking a turn.
CTRL+N. I don't see this randomness changing, as the differences provide a brought variety of challenges. (So do the chances to get a beginning spot near some Wildlands, or almost at the doorstep of another player.) I like it, as I do a similar range of very good to very bad spots in Civ IV, but I certainly wouldn't mind seeing an option to guarantee a certain level of starting place for those who want that.
We're starting to put in pre-made maps that will be the default for new players.
The random maps are supposed to be random. But I agree that they're not for everyone.
Yay, pre-made maps! Maps that will look like real places! The old Elemental map from the book? Somehow remade so it's usable without boats? I loved that map, Frog. I demand it! 
I like the random maps. It forces you to adapt to what you find, or don't. I ended up going to war in my last one because there was only one Iron node and she grabbed it just a turn before I did. No iron meant trouble for my mid game, I'm still trying to finish her off, but I got my iron and it is coming in very useful. In my definition, 'random' means 'improvise, adapt, and overcome'.
Folks who need 'perfect' starting locations shouldn't play random maps. I think the way that randoms are currently being generated are fine and definitely better than they used to be. Thanks for the work on that, by the way.
The random maps are great, but the essence is a balancing problem, because it is HUGE difference if the starting city has 0, 1 or 2 essence. With 0 essence city enchantments are not possible. That means the first research takes roughly 16 turns. With 2 essence you can have two city enchantments. That means the first research takes roughly 6 turns (Inspiration) AND you get 2 mana per turn (Meditation).
this is absolutely nonsense
its not about perfect starting location is about having a balanced starting
if i had a guarantee that my opponents all start teh same as me id have no problem with a 1 1 0 start
I've never understood how this makes that much of a difference. And I too like the challenge of adapting to different starting areas. Keeps things interesting
Ditto. I want to win, because I have managed to outsmart the AI. Not because the AI got a bad start.
What about nearby shards? Clay pits? Food? Rivers and forests? If we need to balance this then aren't these other variables also unbalancing? When does it end? Slippery slope man
i m modding fe to have a lot more challenge in every aspect of the game, my monsters are so much tougher to kill and champions are weaker i like it rough...
i can give you that playing with some handicap is more challenging but it isnt more fun imo, thats why i dont like strategic games with ai cheating too much, i rather play vs humans for the real challenge
are you really saying a wild horses have the same importance as having essence in the starting location?
as i said i dont seek an OP start or id want all you said...
i want an average start
so if i get a 3 2 0 with not so much around i CTRL N because i know it sux so much
if i get a 3 3 1 without river i play
its called balance...
Nope not saying that at all, noticed I mentioned the resources that affect production or food
D - it isn't nonsense, it is a difference of opinion. It just so happens that I disagree with yours 
If you want guarantees of a perfect balanced start, then pick a pre-made map. The reason for that is because your idea of perfection isn't mine. On a random map, you might end up 'perfect', but your enemy doesn't and then you complain that the game is too easy. Different strokes for different folks.
yeah but what you dont seem to understand is that perfect and random arent exclusive
one thing CAN be totally random and still perfectly balanced
ofc i dont ask such perfection
but asking something random AND balanced isnt asking the moon, imo 
btw i dont have anything against premade maps
if they dont look too "plastic" and adapt well to the world im perfectly fine with them
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