Дегустация Horn of the Abyss

Currently on average from the start 114 Troglodytes + guaranteed Harpies and Eyes from the second hero.
For comparison - in SoD with 2 stacks from Shakti (the most common situation) an average of 119 Troglodytes, but without guaranteed Harpies/Eyes.

If we consider HotA as a standalone game, then I agree.
If we consider it as a continuation of SoD, it turns into a farce, and here's why:
- In the original SoD, there is a chance of getting Shakti with three stacks, and this makes up for all the single stacks, Lore in the tavern, etc., and the chance is not mystical, but 1 in 4 - that's significant.
- Referring to the guaranteed extra 3-4 Eyes on the native hero is weak, because even 10 Troglodytes instead of those 3-4 Eyes are far more productive.
- Lore is still in the game, and if she shows up, it's either a restart or maximum demoralization and a weak start. In SoD, getting Lore is also always unpleasant, but at least you have an average of 80-90 guaranteed Troglodytes; in HotA, you get 65.
- Even with Shakti having one stack, you could have gotten as many Troglodytes as in current HotA - fun? I don't think so.

The numbers were selected to maintain the average army.

However, the result was not average, but lowered. But the most important thing is that other towns are being buffed, which were already strong, while Dungeon is being nerfed (yes-yes-yes, poor, weak Dungeon, blah-blah-blah-blah).
For clarity, was anyone worried about Galthran? No, seriously? The only place Necros lost with the loss of Galthran is Jebus Cross - that's it, finito, hello. And what were Necros given? Hmm, let's see together:
Vampires that break through ANY guard that doesn't one-shot them in the first two turns, seriously, yes? No, seriously? Vampires in Castle are built on week 1 - on any template, almost (let's not take crippled generations), total 12 Vamps on day 21. I understand that not many have realized or felt this yet; Vampires were banned, so when would you play them? Only from the box once in 100 games, and even then probably with the exclamation, "Ah, why the heck do I need them?"
Let me write a couple of examples for clarity: a level 2 Griffin Conservatory is taken with Vamps +6 Skeletons (any 6 units), a max Dragon Fly Hive is taken (provided that in the Dragon Fly Hive you take Skeletons, Zombies, or any level 1 fodder that absorbs damage in the first round - you need a few, just a tiny bit), new Cyclops piles are taken, and a million other guards for various objects and artifacts. No other town has an analog, NOT ONE (Luna doesn't count - she's not a unit, after all).
Someone will say, well, they're expensive, 5000 gold, dragon resources - go find them, although lol, what am I saying? You won't find such people. And another point: have you often seen external dwellings of Vampires on XL templates, on L maps? I personally - yes. Let's say one external dwelling of Vamps on week 1, total +9 more Vamps - hooray, woo-hoo, mm.. what if there are two or three external dwellings? Oh yes, and do you know what guard these external dwellings have? - None, capture them with a scout hero, no problem.
Probably they'll say the specialist was nerfed, that's for the specialist and for Galthran, hands off the Vampires, they're okay, it's a normal thing, go play SoD.
I'll reveal a secret, for those who haven't played HotA or figured this out themselves.
It's not that Necro's specialist was nerfed, it's that other towns had their Necros nerfed; Necropolis itself hasn't lost an iota, and at later levels, only gains.
A few thoughts and notes regarding the remaining towns:
- Fortress, let's make 60 Gnolls per stack and 8 stacks for each hero, and a garrison of 144 Gnolls, well why not, it's a weak town, the build is very difficult, whatever creature you take is garbage, no normal heroes, outrage!
- Conflux, a bit of lyrics:)

Somewhere in the foothills. Luna and Monere, eternal hostages of fate and chance, sit bored near a bubbling pit of earth.
- Monere, look, it seems like a messenger with news, could HotA finally be released!
The messenger slowly rides up, trying not to fall together with his horse into the terrifying breach in the earth, which seems to live its own life, hands a tightly bound scroll to the woman with fire in her eyes and hastily jumps back onto his horse; being in the company of the madman Monere is akin to torture for mortals.
- Read already, don't keep me waiting
- They're taking our Firebirds away, now the growth is 2 like everyone else!
- WHAT? God, I don't believe it! How long can this go on, I'm leaving right now, I'll get them all..
- Wait-wait, that's not all, there's more here
The woman interrupts him
they allow you to choose any hero from the start, I can't believe my eyes! - Even us!
Monere gradually calms down, his right eyebrow creeps towards the base of his helmet
you will always have three stacks, and Air Elementals will always be available, and most importantly, your illegitimate children from that sorceress...
- Her name was Nilla...
Monere interjects
- Yes, yes, what difference does it make, so now they are completely at your disposal, magic still doesn't work on them, their attacks are without retaliation, speed and quickness - everything remains!
- Finally! How long we've waited for this! My children, our day has come, let's make this world suffer!
- I hope the fact that this world will burn won't bother you too much?
The two old friends exchanged knowing glances, a smirk played on their faces; humans had indeed made their fatal mistake...

Other towns were also raised quite well, some insignificantly (Citadel), some significantly (Tower, Inferno), some were barely touched.
But Dungeon, yes, it was an imba-imba here; the favorites have been carrying year after year, occupying the entire podium.
I won't even write anything about Cove; everyone understands that to attract (secondarily) to the town and (primarily) to HotA itself, a strong (sometimes imbalanced) and interesting town was needed, which is what happened.
Though I wouldn't advise Cove fans to rejoice, because, as often happens, the candy will be taken away (fixed) after attracting a base of players, again a normal practice, as in other areas of life.

For comparison - in WoG, Shakti has 20-25 Troglodytes in stacks, and nobody complains (they complained when it was 15-25).

For comparison - in Ancient Rome, monogamous relations were the universal norm, and nobody complained (they complained when relations with other species were proposed) :peka:
In other words, a fine example that turned out.
25-35 Troglodytes - that is an absolutely adequate indicator, considering the buffing of other towns.
Of course, we could take a different path and strengthen/modify existing buildings, such as the Portal (e.g., buyback at 50% of the cost) or a significant reduction in the cost of the build tree. Either way, a change is warranted and needed. It's clear that balancing is an incredibly difficult and thankless task, and you can't keep track of everything, which is what happened here. I hope to be heard ;)

p.s. I hope someone is also sitting in a "conference"/any other boring place and this post will entertain them, and maybe it will make someone (HotA developers :rolleyes:) think.
Amen :smile16: