Middle-Earth: Lord of the Mods (Private Beta I)

[aaglo]

Is it only me, or does that hobbit look a bit overly stooped?

I don't know, are you stooped?
Maybe I could straighten his back a bit

 

[PCHighway]

@PCH: I like what I see within the site, re: hobbit invisibility. That should make for a distinct hobbit-style game strategy. My question though, is doesn't that interfere with TLC's game-play issues? Regardless, it is a moot point, because it has already been decided and I like the final decision.
Also, I like the utilization of axes - much better than swords, plus it has historical accuracy.

In terms of 'mobility', I would like to see some units able to move freely through swamp or forest - particularly swamp. Perhaps adventurers? Of course, they should not recieve this bonus within 'dark forest'. (I did my homework this time.)

Well, we can give some special attributes to the Hobbit's tracker line. I would like to say that trackers usually move freely through all terrain types, though. As Mrtn says, the only unit that could benefit from this kind of bonus would be the army. The only Hobbit unit, besides trackers, that gets more than 1 movepoint.

Invisible workers will help the Hobbits. Hobbits get fairly weak units, like the Orcs (only stinted more to defense/balance than offense). Yet these units cost almost as much as a mannish unit would. Invisible workers is a great bonus, but not terribly so.

For comparison, this is a picture of Bilbo (just his head, really) in his house with a bunch of Dwarves. He's holding the picture. [John Howe]

Frodo, drawn by Alan Lee, also looks similar:

Here is a picture by Whelan of Frodo and Sam on Mt. Doom (just a link) :
http://img-fan.theonering.net/rolozo/images/whelan/eagles.jpg

In short, I'd imagine that some Hobbits could be stocky, but it doesn't have to be a rule or anything. Like regular people, they probably varied.

Much thanks Aaglo, that unit looks great.

 

[Mithadan]

The pics are there for what? To recommend svelte hobbits?

It's spelt "pitcher," by the way.

 

[The Last Conformist]

I don't know, are you stooped?

I'm too upright for mere Finns to comprehend.

Maybe I could straighten his back a bit

I think that would be a good idea.

 

[aaglo]

go and see for yourself, if it was a good idea...
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=114322

 

[Greenlocke]

Well, we can give some special attributes to the Hobbit's tracker line. I would like to say that trackers usually move freely through all terrain types, though. As Mrtn says, the only unit that could benefit from this kind of bonus would be the army. The only Hobbit unit, besides trackers, that gets more than 1 movepoint.

That makes sense. I think that the bonus for armies is a good idea. While it won't be a huge deal, I imagine that it is easier to move a hobbit army through swamps and forests than an army of men. (Although they do stop to eat frequently. )

Invisible workers will help the Hobbits. Hobbits get fairly weak units, like the Orcs (only stinted more to defense/balance than offense). Yet these units cost almost as much as a mannish unit would. Invisible workers is a great bonus, but not terribly so.

That is a good idea...in fact, why not have invisible units predominant during the first few ages? It would certainly give the very weak hobbit player a chance to survive despite his obvious weaknesses. In particular, invisible settlers would be nice. One question though; do barbarians attack invisible units? In particular, I like the idea of workers who attack/defend and upgrade to militia-type units. One question: Is this one of the 'lines' we have been discussing? Because I would like these militia improve as the ages wear on. Perhaps they could be the pitchfork/staff/spear line? I think we are on the right track for hobbits though...

Hey, guys! What about mounted hobbits?
I think that a pony rider is a good idea for the hobbits units line.

It certainly sounds like a good idea. Are there any examples within the texts? I don't remember any instances off-hand, but I could be wrong. Having one quick unit might be very good for gameplay, while not necessarily conflicting with accuracy. Especially if the unit was relatively expensive by hobbit unit standards. Any ideas?

@aaglo: Your units look great! I'm not always a fan of your civpedia pics, however the in-game units are amazing. They will really provide this mod with realism and professionalism. It is very difficult to find unit artists of your caliber, who can produce units of this quality so quickly. Keep up the good work!

 

[aaglo]

Hi!
Here's a preview of a hobbit archer. It looks a bit dull, but I thought about giving him a less-colourful costume, as if he was some sort of hunter. Whadddayay think?

I'm not always a fan of your civpedia pics...

Well, one can't please them all . So, what would be the problem with them then? Lack of detail (I really can't help with that) or composition (that can be worked on)?

 

[Greenlocke]

@aaglo - The archer looks great. It might be the hat, but the civilopedia pic looks much better than the previous unit.

Re:
[QUOTE='a-g-a-lo' ]
Well, one can't please them all . So, what would be the problem with them then? Lack of detail (I really can't help with that) or composition (that can be worked on)? [/QUOTE]
Composition was my problem with the last civpic. He looked a bit monstrous to me. The problem wasn't so much with the quality of your work (which was great) so much as with your representation of the hobbit. However, when it was shrunk to the in-game version, most of these problems weren't visible.

 

[Plotinus]

Good stuff with the Hobbit archer. I like the fact that he seems to be dressed as a butcher!

 

[Drift]

Should the archer be more chubby? Other than that, I think it looks good.

 

[WildWeazel]

Wow, I really can't miss a day on this thread. The units look great, aaglo. The heads do look a little small, and they are bent over a little too much- I always think of hobbits as proud, formal little creatures, holding their heads high and puffing out their little chests to look a little bigger
BTW, I enjoy your pedia icons

 

[[Ant]Wimp]

The archer looks good, but I'd like to see some more colour on him. The proffesor always described hobbits as wearing like greens and yellows; merry colours

 

[mrtn]

I agree with Weasel and Wimp. More upright posture and brighter colours would be good. Maybe a paunch too.
I'm sure it will be good.

 

[aaglo]

Hi, here's an updated hobbit archer
- more upright stand (back is not bent so much foward)
- more colours added
- bigger belly

 

[RRnut]

I would say that really looks great. Thanks an awful lot aaglo for doing all this work for us...

 

[The Last Conformist]

The modified archer looks quite good.

 

[Plotinus]

Great stuff. I still love that hat.

 

[AlcTrv]

aaglo, you are a GOD. Thank you.

 

[WildWeazel]

Perfect.

 

[Greenlocke]

Wow. Looks great. The posture is much better. Thanks aaglo.