Archos: Spider mechanics

[Irenicus_Jon]

Hello all, I'm new to the forums (just signed up to actually post this question, search didn't yield much results).

I didn't enjoy Civ4 or FFH much but I liked this mod a lot because of the Archos civilization and their spider mechanics. I've read about the spider spawning formula on the wiki, but I have another question regarding their mechanics.

From time to time it seems a baby spider will grow into a great spider, which in turn may turn into a spider swarm. What are the conditions/chances of this?

Also, it seems that specialized spiders (sword spiders and such) cannot be fed to the mother (to strengthen the brood) since only giant spiders are coded as such (I think). The problem is, after feeding the mother twice (a level 4 and a level 5), new spiders will be born with 2 promotions, and since you get combat I with the leader, a level 6 (or the next one in the line, a level 7) "pure" giant spider is impossible to create (unless you've been keeping a pure breed from the beginning) since you'll run out of promotions and have to turn the spider into a specialized breed. Is this working as intended?

Anyway, hope that was clear enough, thanks for the great mod, I'm really enjoying it.

 

[Valkrionn]

Hello all, I'm new to the forums (just signed up to actually post this question, search didn't yield much results).

I didn't enjoy Civ4 or FFH much but I liked this mod a lot because of the Archos civilization and their spider mechanics. I've read about the spider spawning formula on the wiki, but I have another question regarding their mechanics.

From time to time it seems a baby spider will grow into a great spider, which in turn may turn into a spider swarm. What are the conditions/chances of this?

Also, it seems that specialized spiders (sword spiders and such) cannot be fed to the mother (to strengthen the brood) since only giant spiders are coded as such (I think). The problem is, after feeding the mother twice (a level 4 and a level 5), new spiders will be born with 2 promotions, and since you get combat I with the leader, a level 6 (or the next one in the line, a level 7) "pure" giant spider is impossible to create (unless you've been keeping a pure breed from the beginning) since you'll run out of promotions and have to turn the spider into a specialized breed. Is this working as intended?

Anyway, hope that was clear enough, thanks for the great mod, I'm really enjoying it.

Glad you like them, though I can't take credit; They're from FF. And yes, one of my favorites as well.

Baby Spiders have a hidden promotion, Growth Spurts; 10% chance a turn to fade, and when it does it becomes a Giant Spider.

The rest will be changed massively next version... Currently, they have a chance to upgrade post combat (No idea on exact amount anymore, should say so in the pedia for the unit). Next version, upgrading from combat is gone. Instead, once the Nest (capital) has reached a high enough pop they gain access to a new spell which allows them to upgrade.

I'll check on the spells for Mother, not sure there. I've already updated the spawn mechanics to allow the more advanced spiders, and allowed the specialized promos for them as well. Additionally, regular Spiders are no longer HN; Archos spiders are (Inherently so, on the unit rather than promotion; No removing it, so no capturing cities with just them), and show the Animal civ flag.

They'll likely get a few more builder oriented items (Opera wanted to add them, and I have no issues with allowing a more varied playstyle), and will also get a new mechanic which encourages settling in areas you normally wouldn't.

 

[Irenicus_Jon]

If you could make it so that specialized spiders can also be fed to the mother it would be really great. I also like how the nest population affects the size/strength of the newborn.

I think I'm running the latest version, but I'm pretty sure my spiders can still declare nationality. Or do you mean you're going to implement that in the next version?

Anyway, thanks for the reply, your mod mod actually made the game enjoyable for me (I didn't actually play Civ4 or FFH much).

Edit:
Also, I've found that once I gin access to unleashing the Mother, I'll have 2-3 spider swarms and that kinda defeats the purpose of having the Mother (since the spider swarms are almost as strong as the Mother, having leveled up barbarians and other civs for some time). Dunno how you plan to change the spawn rate of swarm spiders, but currently they make the Mother somewhat redundant (still great fun to summon her though).

 

[Valkrionn]

If you could make it so that specialized spiders can also be fed to the mother it would be really great. I also like how the nest population affects the size/strength of the newborn.

I think I'm running the latest version, but I'm pretty sure my spiders can still declare nationality. Or do you mean you're going to implement that in the next version?

Anyway, thanks for the reply, your mod mod actually made the game enjoyable for me (I didn't actually play Civ4 or FFH much).

Edit:
Also, I've found that once I gin access to unleashing the Mother, I'll have 2-3 spider swarms and that kinda defeats the purpose of having the Mother (since the spider swarms are almost as strong as the Mother, having leveled up barbarians and other civs for some time). Dunno how you plan to change the spawn rate of swarm spiders, but currently they make the Mother somewhat redundant (still great fun to summon her though).

I'm talking about the team version; Already done alot to the Archos to update them for new mechanics.

Spider Swarms will start spawning with a size 16 capital; Spider Armies at 24. At which point Mother gains access to a spell which grants her an extra 5 and 5 Poison , making her stronger than the Army.

No spiders will upgrade from combat, either; You won't get the Swarm until you have 16 pop in your capital, at which point you get Mother anyway.