As you are probably aware, a lot of discussion has taken place on the balance patch made by me and John, so I'd like to make this post to clear some things up.
First of all, unfortunately the discussion is not being constructive most of the time. We have spent an enormous amount of our time into making this patch a reality, and not for any kind of selfish gains. Hence, it is really disturbing that a lot of the criticism that's being channeled is barely neutral in nature. It is hard enough to answer each and everyone of you on your queries and hence some mistakes can happen in the replies I make.
Sadly I note that a lot of the people just jump onto attacking us personally or otherwise, while barely appreciating any of the work or time that we put in. If you are always looking to speak only bad things about the patch (or any topic in this world for that matter) you will get a lot of things to say. This is true for anything or anybody in this world. I'm not even asking you people to appreciate or thank us for anything, but to put a minimum level of respect into anything you want to say. Is this too much to ask for? What makes things worse is that i'm not arguing with logic quite often hence my answers mean nothing sometimes.
I will now go to the purpose of the balance patch:
1. To make all civs a viable option, especially on arabia since it is the easiest map to balance and also the most commonly played map.
2. To increase strategical options and variety.
3. To reduce the luck factor.
For those who don't like the idea of all civs being competent and being an option for a map this patch maynot be for you, since that is its main purpose.
The civ balance of AOC lies in this manner: 4-5 civs are there at the top end, which are the overpowered(OP) civs. 4-5 civs lie at the bottom of the field, which are the weak, underpowered(UP) civs. And in the mid-field lies around 9 civs which are more or less competent with each other. It is impossible to boost 13-14 civs to the level of the 4-5 OP civs with no redundancy in bonuses given.
This leaves us with only one option: Boost up the UP civs and nerf down the OP civs to the mid-field level. That is what we have done with the balance patch. Moreover, balance is relative so regardless of whether you nerf civs like azt, maya and hun or boost all other civs, you are doing the same thing- in terms of balance.
I have analysed the balance virtually from every angle possible and given my best in both thinking and effort to correct the aoc balance and increase variety. And after years of thinking on the balance patch and doing and spending a whole aoc career trying to perfect weaker and lesser done strategies, as well as after around 10 updates on the balance patch itself, you have to consider that I have spent a good amount of thought into each and every change. And you can trust us that there is no selfish motives behind this patch, for instance like some people telling that it is meant for goths or infantry civs to dominate as this is really untrue.
Anyway, thanks all those who have supported this patch, and to those who are participating, apart from voobly admins who really breathed life into this patch and made it worthwhile. This tournament will be a blast, and it promises a lot of fun and variety recs. Hope you guys enjoy the recs.
First of all, unfortunately the discussion is not being constructive most of the time. We have spent an enormous amount of our time into making this patch a reality, and not for any kind of selfish gains. Hence, it is really disturbing that a lot of the criticism that's being channeled is barely neutral in nature. It is hard enough to answer each and everyone of you on your queries and hence some mistakes can happen in the replies I make.
Sadly I note that a lot of the people just jump onto attacking us personally or otherwise, while barely appreciating any of the work or time that we put in. If you are always looking to speak only bad things about the patch (or any topic in this world for that matter) you will get a lot of things to say. This is true for anything or anybody in this world. I'm not even asking you people to appreciate or thank us for anything, but to put a minimum level of respect into anything you want to say. Is this too much to ask for? What makes things worse is that i'm not arguing with logic quite often hence my answers mean nothing sometimes.
I will now go to the purpose of the balance patch:
1. To make all civs a viable option, especially on arabia since it is the easiest map to balance and also the most commonly played map.
2. To increase strategical options and variety.
3. To reduce the luck factor.
For those who don't like the idea of all civs being competent and being an option for a map this patch maynot be for you, since that is its main purpose.
The civ balance of AOC lies in this manner: 4-5 civs are there at the top end, which are the overpowered(OP) civs. 4-5 civs lie at the bottom of the field, which are the weak, underpowered(UP) civs. And in the mid-field lies around 9 civs which are more or less competent with each other. It is impossible to boost 13-14 civs to the level of the 4-5 OP civs with no redundancy in bonuses given.
This leaves us with only one option: Boost up the UP civs and nerf down the OP civs to the mid-field level. That is what we have done with the balance patch. Moreover, balance is relative so regardless of whether you nerf civs like azt, maya and hun or boost all other civs, you are doing the same thing- in terms of balance.
I have analysed the balance virtually from every angle possible and given my best in both thinking and effort to correct the aoc balance and increase variety. And after years of thinking on the balance patch and doing and spending a whole aoc career trying to perfect weaker and lesser done strategies, as well as after around 10 updates on the balance patch itself, you have to consider that I have spent a good amount of thought into each and every change. And you can trust us that there is no selfish motives behind this patch, for instance like some people telling that it is meant for goths or infantry civs to dominate as this is really untrue.
Anyway, thanks all those who have supported this patch, and to those who are participating, apart from voobly admins who really breathed life into this patch and made it worthwhile. This tournament will be a blast, and it promises a lot of fun and variety recs. Hope you guys enjoy the recs.