I think Sumer is overpowered. Being able to almost guarantee any early wonder you like, even on deity, is really crazy.
That's still gonna give you most of the wonders. Even more so than Egypt.
Honestly, Mapuche too. The promotion part's fine, but getting a tech or a strategic resource to magically appear is a bit too good.
Does it say that the tech has to belong to the enemy?
Okay, I think the description for the Mapuche is poorly worded. If you're correct, and he's getting a prerequisite tech from the unit, rather than just any tech, that's fine. But if you're wrong, I think it's OP.
I would probably write "discover new tech" instead "adopt tech" in this case. Anyway that's why I include additional notes with details.
I actually like how this ability represents Mapuche-Spaniard conflict. Mapuche have learned fighting in formation (promotions), gain horses (resources) and adopt firearms (technology).
In case of Sumer, you can read comments on Steam. I have excepted people's reaction and politely asked those demigods of theorycrafting to present their arguments.
Any early wonder? Try grabbing Great Library. The point is I am completely fine for a player to grab an early wonder (let's say Temple of Artemis) on Deity and see him suffer from wasting so much Production early on.
Have you considered the fact that if you start Wonder first, you have already quite a nice chances to build it? (in addition some of rivals may waste their production on it)
The problem is that on lower levels you can grab most Wonders with any civ so how to determine if it is bonus at all.
Let's say you discovered a tech first and boom, you start building a Petra in your second city (and you build it for the next 60 turns). I am ok with that, because the Ability is supposed to do something. And the point is you have still waste all this production on it.
This ability prevents rivals from using Great Engineer to steal your wonder. Yes, because the Ability is supposed to do something.
This ability allows you build some wonders you wouldn't be normally able to do. Yes, this is a next point of this ability. Rewarding your tech lead even on higher levels like Immortal and Deity.
In conclusion, Egypt allows you to win some Wonder Races when enemy started building Wonder first and it saves you turns while constructing. Is Egypt a weaker civ? Of course it is, I find Egypt among the weakest civs.
Is Sumer at least high-tier? Yes, after buff to Monument adding this one little Science. I am fine with that, I have made a great variety of civs, the stronger ones and more... well, fun one. I rarely go with Food/Science bonuses, but avoiding them completely is not a way to go.
Anyway, you believe it is overpowered. You might be right. I can theorycraft back, but I would probably have to play several games to be sure. I don't have neither time nor will to do it though.
I love the Niitsitapi Tribes' UA! It is a great incentive for exploration, and 100% balanced.
And I want to note how much of an arse Togay Bey is. In my current game he has almost left me as an enclave in his ridiculously large empire. I feel a need to play as him once.
I hope it is not a sarcasm (this 100% is suspicious). Anyway, preventing rival settlement was quite an old idea floating around and I am glad I managed to include it somewhere. I think I wanted once to make some kind of pillar building that prevents rival from settling in 5 range (instead of normal 3), but Niitsitapi variation is great as well (gives player a lot of options).
Ahh, Togay Bey the last one to grab my Capital (unfortunately for him I had Hetman and quite an army invading somebody else). It is fine civ.
My main problem is that the trait doesn't really fit Sumer. Would've been better for an Egypt, or Babylon.
I beg to differ. I am afraid you are too absorbed by the "Wonder" word, while the main theme of ability (and whole civ) is "Before the others"/"Being the First". You basically gain reward for starting constructing Wonder first, or researching tech not discovered by anyone else.
Isn't a first great work of literature or music a wonder itself? Wasn't it the time of wonders for humankind, when they built the very first Ziggurats, formed political estates , rose military powers and many more. In the trait name, I replaced the word civilization with wonder. It is metaphor, comparing the achievements of human (the civilization) to something wonderful. Of course, you can don't feel it that way.
While I'm here may I suggest Peace and War themes for Janequeo?
:| Are you playing with me? You probably know I don't like searching youtube for music and now, after I released the civ, you are sending those. Aww...
I am gonna consider it in next update if you like it.
