Messages

331

BM General Discussion / Re: Too large realms (possibility of penalizing bigger realms more?)

« on: June 19, 2011, 07:09:40 PM »

I dunno, I feel the size penalties pretty well. I don't think we need them to be stronger.

But despite them, these major empires are upheld. Realms like Ibladesh and Sirion are just too large (in a fun to play aspect).

But maybe the penalties is not where the problem lies. Maybe something else that encourages more secessions. Like somehow giving the secessions increased likelihood of surviving.

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BM General Discussion / Re: Too large realms (possibility of penalizing bigger realms more?)

« on: June 19, 2011, 07:04:34 PM »

Yes, the larger a realm is the harder it is to maintain the regions.
Yes, the larger you are the lower you'll have to keep your tax rate.
I believe even troop recruitment cost increases the larger you get.
The larger you are the more knights you need and let me tell you, with the lowered player base getting enough isn't easy.
Being a large realm isn't easy by any means.

The problem is, most realms just don't have enough nobles to just go and found a colony. The main realm would fall apart due to lost knights.

From what I've seen so far of the liege system, you speak plenty of truth.

So how could more realm creation be encouraged?
From what I've seen, the secessions die in the first month in most cases.

When I started playing on EC in 2005 the continent had 13 realms. Now it is down to 8. And that is including Obsidian Islands who's territory didn't even exist when I started.

Without that adding from Tom, it would only be 7 realms now, about half of 6 years ago.
But back then there were many small to medium realms; Yssaria, Avamar, Coimbra, Eleador, Rancagua and Old Rancagua. Now we only have reasonbly big ones and really big ones.

333

BM General Discussion / Re: Favorite Island

« on: June 19, 2011, 06:41:51 PM »

What do you mean by this exactly?

For me, Dwilight is my favorite island exactly because its so big(among other reasons). You don't really need to keep note of rulers on the other side of the continent. The vastness of the continent and the travel times are so long that its hard to travel anywhere other than your local area. A lone realm on one side could call war against several on the other side and they won't be able to do anything about it.

You just cited the reasons I object to it :p I like that on EC and Far East you can keep track of all the rulers, and many of the people.
I like that when i.e Ibladesh (who is far down in the south) declares war against i.e Perdan, it affects all the realms on the island because the whole powerbalance is changed.

Sure this could happen in some cases om Dwilight too but if you are in Sommerdale, you don't really care about Fissoa or Terran.
On EC and FEI, every realm matters.

But we'll see. I might get used to it

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BM General Discussion / Too large realms (possibility of penalizing bigger realms more?)

« on: June 19, 2011, 05:35:40 PM »

Have the game mechanics changed regarding not being able to form massive realms?
I paused my characters 4 years ago and just recently returned but I've read up on what has happend and I see what is going on now.
Before the peasants would complain if the regions you held were too far away from the capital. 3-4 duchies and the realm was an empire.

Now I see plenty of realms where you have to go 6 regions in a single direction to reach the furthest edge (of the realm) from the capital. Sirion city to Karbala city, Domus city to Fontan city, Ibladesh city to Priotness  all on EC. Golden Farrow city to Itau city and Muspelheim city to Linhai on Dwilight, and so on.

The consequences of expanding more than a certain point used to be that you could only uphold a very low taxrate on all regions. A big realm had a taxrate of 10-13% while a very small one had it set to the maximum which was 25%.

Is this still the case (or its eqvivalent) with the "new" liege system?

Personally I think it is more fun where there are less empires and more mediumsized or smaller realms.
Now the small realm is pretty much extinct. Either it has 7+ regions or it is dead.

Does East Continent have a single realm with less than 7 regions? No.
Does Far East have a single realm with less than 7 regions? Yes, but only one and it has 6.
Does Atamara have a single realm with less than 7 regions? Yes, but only one and it has 5.

(I've purposely excluded Beluaterra and Dwlight because Beluaterra is invaded by monsters all the time which makes the conditions unique and dwilight is still in colony phase so I am pretty sure the same thing will happen there when all land is taken)

My point is that the realms are so big in Battlemaster these days. On some islands they always were but still.

What would you think about giving bigger realms more penalities?

- This would give smaller realms a fighting chance
- Encourage the creation of more realms

I guess I am searching for more turnover in general, without undead/monsters. More realms being created, more realms dying.

335

BM General Discussion / Re: Favorite Island

« on: June 19, 2011, 01:45:03 AM »

I voted for EC. It is where I have had the most unforgettable moments, although I am personally a fan of FEI aswell.

I'm currently trying out Dwilight although I am a little skeptic of how big it is. Hard to keep track of all the rulers even since the realms are so many, and will probably become even more with more colonizing.

No matter which island, the fun depends a lot on which realm, which time and whether or not the most talking is done publicly in the realm or just in "the council deluxe" ( the council + dukes + other senior characters).

When I first began playing, my first character ended up in Avamar on EC. It was such a small realm and it was constantly in danger of being crushed which made everyone feel like underdogs and as such it was a very active realm with lots of talk, strategy etc. No wonder I got hooked on Battlemaster, right?

That is among the top funs I've had in bm so far.

I think for me, it is fun if there is lots of activity. If people write a lot of things, then we got something. A spark, potential for change, circulation if you will.

The opposite of fun has been the realms where you come in, your character introduces itself and he/she barely gets a hi. You're lucky if people even post scout reports and the council has looked the same for the last 350 days+. They remain in power almost on Inertia alone; they are not subject to any force and therefore will not move, or speak, or do anything.
In my experience, this happens more often in larger realms than in smaller ones. Realms with 60+ characters are not seldom more quiet than realms with only 20. Perhaps it has something do with the smaller realms having a purpose which feels more important than "trying to keep the large empire together" or that they feel like more than just a number.

One of my characters had ended up in Libero Empire on Dwilight. Granted I wasn't there for long but no one wrote anything for days. Boring as hell. It was time to retire him anyway so I did and started another one, this time in Summerdale. Got awesome response in just the first day.

So the advice we give to newbies still stands. The experience differs A LOT depending on the time and realm, so if one doesn't suit you, try another

336

Helpline / Re: Getting "a Good Mark"

« on: June 19, 2011, 12:52:43 AM »

Only your liege can give you marks.

Ok, thanks

337

Helpline / Re: Getting "a Good Mark"

« on: June 19, 2011, 12:45:43 AM »

If you have three good marks, you are immune to action from the Judge, and your oath cannot be dissolved unless you have three bad marks.

Cool, so who can you get good marks from? Only your liege or other people too? Can you get several from the same person?

338

Helpline / Getting "a Good Mark"

« on: June 18, 2011, 09:43:35 PM »

"Good Mark Received"

I haven't played for many years so some game mechanic things are new to me. One of my knights just recieved "a good mark" by his liege. Does this have a function outside of roleplaying? If so, what?

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BM General Discussion / Re: Favorite thing you have accomplished in-game?

« on: June 18, 2011, 08:49:16 PM »

The Thulsoma of EC....

Yeah, I'm sorry I missed the whole Thusoma business. Seems like there was some exciting times there!

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BM General Discussion / Emmigrating as an adventurer?

« on: June 18, 2011, 12:00:44 AM »

Hey,

I am just curious if it is possible to emmigrate to another island as an adventurer. I haven't seen the option?

341

BM General Discussion / Re: Favorite thing you have accomplished in-game?

« on: June 17, 2011, 08:00:31 PM »

My favourite thing was to hold off Sirion for so long as General/Ruler of Avamar on EC. Such a small realm that most of the time only had about 2-3 regions but still fearlessly insulted Doc (long time Prime Minister of Sirion) at every chance.

Brave or stupid, think what you will. But fun? Yes sir.