[BTS] Middle-earth Mod 0.4.1

[Edmund Ironside]

Perhaps as heroes. I haven't thought it all the way through for them, but I definitely want to add them in. They were given by the Valar, so I have thought about giving them to the Good Civs when Mordor achieve a certain amount of tech/power/evil points. I also want to add a corruption system similar to the one I am planning for the Ring - too much evil deeds will result in the Corruption of the Wizard. Saruman would only be given to Isengard and would be the easiest to corrupt, then the Blue wizards, then Radagast, and Gandalf would be very resistant to Corruption.

Yeah that sounds good. Having them as heroes would work. Saruman could give a science bonus. Gandalf maybe a combat bonus (or just be very fast moving), Radagast some sort of bonus for animal squares or healing bonus. There is so little written about the blue wizards that you have pretty much creative license to do as you wish with them!

 

[topsecret]

Alright, one of the reasons I haven't been posting much about mod updates is because I haven been playing with some family who also plays the mod for playtesting purposes. They have noticed that the tech rate just doesn't feel like Civilization. We need more techs to allow it to feel like a full game of Civilization. So...

I've added about 20-25 new technologies and I will be reworking tech tree abilities. This will give us plenty of room to add Guilds (a.k.a. Corporations) and Values (a.k.a. Religions). This is going to be a massive update, but it also will take a while, so I hope you all will be patient. I also am starting school in a couple of weeks, but I have only 15 credits instead of my usual 18. ["Only 15" ] So I will keep working on it then. Just expect... random delays. I will do my best to work on it at least 2-3 hours a week during school and more when I can.

 

[Edmund Ironside]

Navigation
With the aid of the Elves of the Havens some of the folk of Nargothrond built new ships, and they went forth and explored the great Isle of Balar, thinking there to prepare a last refuge, if evil came; but it was not their fate that they should ever dwell there.

Outposts
Then suddenly the cry of brazen-throated trumpets was heard: from the watch-towers they blared, and far away from hidden holds and outposts in the hills came answering calls; and further still, remote but deep and ominous, there echoed in the hollow land beyond the mighty horns and drums of Barad-dûr.

Professional Armies
It seemed as if whole armies were on the march, though for the most part they were hidden by the reeks and fumes drifting from the fens and wastes beyond. But here and there he caught the gleam of spears and helmets; and over the levels beside the roads horsemen could be seen riding in many companies.

 

[Edmund Ironside]

Sailing
“No time now!” cried the raftman. “Shove off!” And off they went at last, slowly at first, until they
had passed the point of rock where other elves stood to fend them off with poles, and then quicker and
quicker as they caught the main stream and went sailing away down, down towards the Lake.

Smithing
`It sounds like a hundred blacksmiths all smithying together,' said Sam to Frodo. 'They're as near as I want them now.'

Steel Weaponary
In their white faces burned keen and merciless eyes; under their mantles were long grey robes; upon their grey hairs were helms of silver; in their haggard hands were swords of steel.

Stirrup
You shall ride my horse,' said Glorfindel. 'I will shorten the stirrups up to the saddle-skins, and you must sit as tight as you can.

Stoneworking
Then he saw that they were indeed shaped and fashioned: the craft and power of old had wrought upon them, and still they preserved through the suns and rains of forgotten years the mighty likenesses in which they had been hewn. Upon great pedestals founded in the deep waters stood two great kings of stone: still with blurred eyes and crannied brows they frowned upon the North.

 

[Edmund Ironside]

Trade
They still throve on the trade that came up the great
river from the South and was carted past the falls to their town; but in the great days of old, when Dale
in the North was rich and prosperous, they had been wealthy and powerful, and there had been fleets of
boats on the waters, and some were filled with gold and some with warriors in armour, and there had
been wars and deeds which were now only a legend.

Trading Post
Neither of them gave much thought to the Wide World outside their fields, the village, and the nearest market.

Tradition
We in the house of Denethor know much ancient lore by long tradition, and there are moreover in our treasuries many things preserved: books and tablets writ on withered parchments, yea, and on stone, and on leaves of silver and of gold, in divers characters.

Treaties
Yet all the more sure shall they be as allies against Morgoth, with whom it is not now to be thought that they shall ever make treaty.

Vassalage
Behind them in long swift lines came all their vassals from the northern mountains, speeding on a gathering wind.

Woodworking
You'd best get the carpenter to make you a wooden shield. Not that it will help you much. He's a hot dragon.

And with that, all the techs now have Tolkien quotes.

This mod is entering beta soon I believe?

 

[topsecret]

Trade
They still throve on the trade that came up the great
river from the South and was carted past the falls to their town; but in the great days of old, when Dale
in the North was rich and prosperous, they had been wealthy and powerful, and there had been fleets of
boats on the waters, and some were filled with gold and some with warriors in armour, and there had
been wars and deeds which were now only a legend.

Trading Post
Neither of them gave much thought to the Wide World outside their fields, the village, and the nearest market.

Tradition
We in the house of Denethor know much ancient lore by long tradition, and there are moreover in our treasuries many things preserved: books and tablets writ on withered parchments, yea, and on stone, and on leaves of silver and of gold, in divers characters.

Treaties
Yet all the more sure shall they be as allies against Morgoth, with whom it is not now to be thought that they shall ever make treaty.

Vassalage
Behind them in long swift lines came all their vassals from the northern mountains, speeding on a gathering wind.

Woodworking
You'd best get the carpenter to make you a wooden shield. Not that it will help you much. He's a hot dragon.

And with that, all the techs now have Tolkien quotes.

Great job! Although... I just added 20-25 more to the next update. You'll have to read more Tolkien. Poor fellow.

This mod is entering beta soon I believe?

Yes, it will as soon as I release the next update. (Whenever that is. I am working as hard as I can. )

 

[Quoth the Raven]

I have played this mod more and have some more feedback (some of these question may be answered as I read the discussion):

Where did the Huge map go?

All archers should only have 1 range. It is weird and unrealistic that archers can fire over an entire city or over a wide river.

Corporations are bad for the game in my opinion and are unbalanced in Civ 4 BTS. Whoever founds one or a few gains a massive advantage. I would rather they not be in the game.

Above all, this is a great mod.

 

[topsecret]

I have played this mod more and have some more feedback (some of these question may be answered as I read the discussion):

Where did the Huge map go?

The original map I made should still be there.

All archers should only have 1 range. It is weird and unrealistic that archers can fire over an entire city or over a wide river.

I did it for gameplay purposes. If more people feel that way, I would be willing to change it, but I like it the way it is.
If you want to change it in your copy, please find the unit you want edit in Civ4UnitInfos and change:

            <iAirRange>2</iAirRange>

to

            <iAirRange>1</iAirRange>

Corporations are bad for the game in my opinion and are unbalanced in Civ 4 BTS. Whoever founds one or a few gains a massive advantage. I would rather they not be in the game.

I will add a "No Guilds" gameoption just for you. You will be able to check the box and it will prevent Corps. from being founded.

Above all, this is a great mod.

Thanks!

 

[Quoth the Raven]

There are only 3 scenarios that I see. Middle-Earth, alternate starts, and random starts.

 

[topsecret]

There are only 3 scenarios that I see. Middle-Earth, alternate starts, and random starts.

Did you mean the other map by Manni? I can re-upload it if you wish.

 

[topsecret]

Progress Update
I have finished the new Tech Tree. Units tech requirements need to be moved aeound, but the techs come quicker and it feels like normal civ tech speeds now!

I am working on adding values and such. Great People will spread corresponding values (GG's spread Valor and Power), but each value has their own missonary/special ability unit. Also, instead of having Holy Cities, different techs will grant a free missionary to the first researcher.

 

[<Nexus>]

different techs will grant a free missionary to the first researcher.

Have you tested whether the AI will spread religions that are not yet founded? IIRC there were issues like this in other mods. I remember when I tried to add "founder buildings" to AND2 that were to spread a religion and grant it's founder tech: the AI just refused to build those no matter how high I set the aiweight value.

 

[topsecret]

Have you tested whether the AI will spread religions that are not yet founded? IIRC there were issues like this in other mods. I remember when I tried to add "founder buildings" to AND2 that were to spread a religion and grant it's founder tech: the AI just refused to build those no matter how high I set the aiweight value.

It didn't work. I just added the holy cities back.

 

[topsecret]

*I also started my fourth year of college today. I will do my best to work on the mod, but school comes first. (Sadly )

 

[topsecret]

I am still working on the mod. Fear not!

Spoiler :

 

[<Nexus>]

I like the Ignorance icon

 

[topsecret]

School and homework have delayed any progress. I am working hard on homework though. Perhaps things will get better as the semester goes along (I am not a procrastinator when it comes to homework).

 

[topsecret]

School and homework have delayed any progress. I am working hard on homework though. Perhaps things will get better as the semester goes along (I am not a procrastinator when it comes to homework).

Well... things are no better. I may have to wait until December.

 

[Alexej]

Take your time, just do not give up Awaiting patiently

 

[Standish]

Goodness me, I've missed a few things, haven't I... I'm terribly sorry for disappearing in the summer, right after I said I'd be around to; life kinda threw me a quality curveball, haha. Anyway, I'm glad to see the mod made it into a BETA phase. It looks like you got tons of work done over the summer, before your schedule filled up again.