Burning Ice [2.0] is submitted for review.

[LPhillips]

New map: Burning Ice [2.0] by LPhillips.
Map editor link: Burning Ice [2.0]

[LPhillips]

Spawn point restored, thanks Moonknight!

[LPhillips]

Snotling, when you get the chance, could you replace the other two versions with this one? This should be the final update for this version of the game.

[SnotlinG]

done...

[LPhillips]

Thanks! I hope the map will see more play now.

[smursh]

[kenc80]

ok i have another fix (I just finished a 75 turn game here so im full of balance ideas) the L2 ruin in the center should be an L3 and the L3 in the north should be an L2) in our game, me having the north start, this won me the game as I eventually got a grandfather, 2 devils, etc etc plus all the xp just camping it as we settled into a stalemate, which was eventually broken by the sword (+8) and demons...

The other question is why, Phil, did you unbalance the L3 in the beginning?

[LPhillips]

The other question is why, Phil, did you unbalance the L3 in the beginning?

Because stalemates suck.

That's why one side has the long-term advantage for stalemate resolution, and the other has the short-term advantage in attack and defense. In any case, the new version as you can see features a strength temple in the middle and not a level 2 ruin. So it's no longer a rush to the mid (counterproductive by favoring poor planning and big gambles), but rather a potential struggle to control it.

Stalemates are not a good feature for a map. Allowing points of control and strongholds without favoring stalemates is a hard task for a mapmaker. I don't feel that I have accomplished that well in Crescendo, but Burning Ice seems to be progressing well.

As for the northeastern portion of the map, featuring the level 3 ruin, that is actually the toughest spot to defend for the northern player. It is there that stacks may bypass the point defense city and occupy or destroy as many as 4 cities without engaging the main enemy force. It's especially crucial in early-mid game, as the city next to the level 3 is intentionally difficult and rewarding to obtain.

Finally, my objective in non-mirror maps is not to create a mathematical mirror with non-symmetrical arrangement. Each side has distinct advantages, and if the map is correctly balanced then we should see a fairly 50/50 outcome. I win a disproportionate number of games because of map familiarity (making testing somewhat difficult) but very good opponents have demonstrated that the map has reached the point where each side has a fair chance of success.

[kenc80]

Thats a fair explanation, because the ruin did as you intended...it broke the stalemate (75 turns). I guess I just felt bad for bofa. He never tried to pass me in the east, althought I was frequently concerned about the possibility.

[kenc80]

Thats a fair explanation, because the ruin did as you intended...it broke the stalemate (75 turns). I guess I just felt bad for bofa. He never tried to pass me in the east, althought I was frequently concerned about the possibility.