Lonely Isle [9.0] is submitted for review.

[Jingleyman]

New map: Lonely Isle [9.0] by Jingleyman.
Map editor link: Lonely Isle [9.0]

[hungrytales]

I claim the only viable strategy for this map is going at your opponent as early as possible through the dwarf city in the middle. That's how star beat me in 6 turns as it cuts off those who have in mind (I did) a heavy sea-serpents strategy for later stages. Kabum! - no later stages . Anybody cares to disagree?

[Igor]

Ok, I will tell you a secret of the game on this map
Big advantage will be got by who will occupy a tower in the middle of the map, between cities with dwarf. Who has this tower that get big chanse to win the game. To get this target, someone need to build 2 giants in his first and second cities.
Next strategi (or tactic, how is right?) is to defend own cities without attacking a central tower. This strategy put the best production like spiders, heavy infantry and sea serpents.
One else strategy is to build diversionist and sent him to opponent's cities. The best diversionist are vizard, scout, some flying units and kraken.
When a game is going to be short, for example if both players produce giants, dice and luck matter very much. Every one can loose the main battle, having advantage 75/25.
This is my look on this map after many finished games, may be more than over one, may be not. Anyway other people who played much on this map could say their vision. And mine is above.
Good game to all on this map and on over maps.

[hungrytales]

Interesting. Well, I know at least one thing for sure - taking the kraken city is rather silly (for some reason I did exactly that in my first game )

I don't see the defensive strategy working too well as you have immediate access to 2 opponent cities from the tower, so a defender has to be strong in both places at once and an attacker only in one which is much easier to accomplish. I'd say games where players choose to ignore the central tower and an invasion through it are far more fun, but that probably seldom happens in ladder games.

[Igor]

Win is not always fun, and fun not always bring a win
Attack to two cities from the central tower possible only from top side, not from bottom one.
Play this map more and you will feel it better.

[LPhillips]

Attack to two cities from the central tower possible only from top side, not from bottom one.

That suggests the map is highly unbalanced, and recommends it even more for removal from ladder play, or a rebalancing effort.

[Igor]

Little disbalance exist there not only in this attack but also in longer path from capital to city with dwarf for bottom side than for top side.
But it looks like in spite of both moments shown above, the map is one of mostly popular little maps.

[hatchfactory]

That suggests the map is highly unbalanced, and recommends it even more for removal from ladder play, or a rebalancing effort.

I would argue strongly that this map remains to be one of the most balanced ladder maps that have been available. I don't have the stats but I also believe it has been the most popular and most played Ladder maps for 2 ladder seasons. It has had regular updates to keep it up to date and balance has been addressed. I have lost most of the games I've played on this map, but I don't blame the map at all. Most top ladder players already have their strategy set for this map so if you try to compete here you better learn the map good or get spanked. Coming down to counting grid squares from a tower to a city is pretty silly in my opinion to pass judgement on whether a map should be pulled. Sure it should be fixed, and what do you know it has. I'd bet you you'll find grid discrepancies in every other map too.

[hungrytales]

Attack to two cities from the central tower possible only from top side, not from bottom one.

Wasn't really aware of that. Considering my theory of the invasion-through-the-middle strategy to be the only viable one I'd say it's a major advantage for the player situated in the northern half of the map. You'll have to add to that also the fact that the northern dwarf city has a next-by village in a quite more comfortable location and I quite agree with LPhillips.

Play this map more and you will feel it better.

Thx, I'd rather not play it for some time and feel better myself

[Igor]

That looks true, that strategy 'to go through the central tower' may be the best strategy, and it was more easy for north than for south.
There is a new version of the map, which have made the way from capital to dwarf city the same for north and south.