Posts from Druid Haven

Name: Haven of the Druids Map name: Obitel_druidov Map type: Single Mission Two-level map: yes Number of players: 3 Size: Medium (136 x 136) Map author: Navkratis Map description: The remote elven city of Allarintium has long been a haven for druids and a symbol sacred to every elf. Few, even among the elves, knew its exact location, but recently spies from the Warlock clan, Grim Hearts, discovered the city and enlisted their long-time allies, the demons, to attack it. The elf Vinrael, who has long protected the peace of these lands, is now in a difficult situation... This is my third map for the fifth Heroes game and my first truly scenario-based map. I am releasing it in two versions: the first, a light version, is in this attachment; the second (due to the forum's limitations on the size of the attached archive) includes two additional music tracks and is on Yandex Disk: https://yadi.sk/d/SH963A5rEuuzQg Regarding the version on Yandex Disk: replace the file Terrain-Underground with the file of the same name in the music - AdvMap-Terrain folder (after making a backup of the file being replaced). It will change the rather unremarkable dungeon music to a much more atmospheric and, at the same time, unobtrusive and stunningly organic musical theme (I have been using it for many years every time I install Heroes). Add the file Heroes-Vinrael to the music - AdvMap-Heroes folder; it should (theoretically ) play the theme for the starting hero (at least, it works on my computer). I would be very grateful for any feedback, and I would also like to check if the two proposed tracks play in the game. P.S. Version history: 02/27/20 - Original version 04/18/20 - version 1.1: - Added previews - Slightly strengthened the starting armies of the demons - In Altire, you can now build a second-level magic guild - Added a tavern in the starting city 08/29/20 - final version: - Added an additional quest (thanks to Khottabych for helping with the script) - Added several scripts - Removed one elemental storage on the starting island, and the lumber mill and market near Damled - Minor cosmetic changes to the landscape - Added shackles to one of the demon heroes so that he would not run away with his entire army

A couple of screenshots of the map:

The map is boring, like rain in November: islands, long winding corridors, fragments of castles. It's one of those cases where an elf isn't really an elf, and a demon isn't really a demon – it’s all mixed up. Everything is drawn carefully and neatly, but interest in the game fades long before the end. I think I've seen this tediousness somewhere before, maybe in "Heroes of Might and Magic III"? P.S. Why don't you post the map in the "MAPS for Heroes of Might and Magic 5: Tribes of the East" section? More people visit that section

Everyone has different tastes; some prefer speedruns and duels with huge armies, while others enjoy exploring the terrain, admiring the landscape, and trying to experience the atmosphere that the creator attempted to convey (which is achieved not only through careful map design but also through two music tracks in the extended version). Strategically, the map allows for variability in the order of capturing towns (which is facilitated, in particular, by a one-way portal to a dungeon) and various nuances in the gameplay that result from this. Furthermore, at least the fifth mission for Agrael and the fourth mission for Findan fit your description (as they don't have any towns at all).

You definitely couldn't have seen this map anywhere else, as it was created from scratch, and the direct inspiration for its creation was a recently played atmospheric mini-campaign for the third installment, which, however, has no similarities in landscape or plot.

Since the author of the reviews is waiting, as indicated in the post, I will leave my review. I completely agree with the opinion of user 13ga, with the exception that I hadn't seen the map before.

Okay, can someone tell me if the music for the starting hero plays correctly in the version on Yandex Disk? I want to know if I've successfully managed to embed the music.

Walkthrough of the "Haven of Druids" scenario on Hero difficulty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znHAnsy7xew

New version of the map "Haven of Druids":
- added previews! (it took half of yesterday evening to master this) :rolleyes:
- slightly strengthened the starting armies of demons
- in the elven city captured by demons on the western island, it is now possible to build a 2nd-level magic guild
- added a tavern in the starting city :)

The final version of the map has been uploaded (unless bugs are found). The version on Yandex Disk has also been updated.

What I liked: it's not buggy. What I didn't like: * Reduced castle development... (author, this is NOT a way to balance the game! It kills the interest). It's better to strengthen the opponents, give them more hit points/stats, than to do this. * The passivity of the last opponent in the castle (the dungeon center)... he could have easily come out and beaten me up while I was moving around. * Unnecessary "locked" peasants... is it for atmosphere? Or is it a cut quest? And yes... more scripts and tasks would be good. Because "a couple of happy letters" and one ambush... it's a bit too little/boring... there's no tension. Overall, it's decent for a start... there's room for improvement. P.S. Think less about the music... and more about the content... I generally play without sound (it's not needed)... I watch TV while I play.

Author's walkthrough of the "Haven of Druids" scenario (in two parts) for version 1.6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSvQOpQZk8o

The map is visually appealing. However, the constant hassle with troop deployment is quite tiring and spoils the overall gaming experience. It feels more like a logistics simulator; you feel like a human resources manager. I didn't even want to go to the central island – by the time you get there, time runs out, and gathering reinforcements is a pain – where are the second batch of half-naked, untrained troops, and where are the sober unicorns? The enemy seems to have the same problem, which is probably why he was just sitting there, feeling a bit down. The spells were surprising – is "Crystal of the Secret Forbidden" a super-powerful spell, or am I just incredibly lucky? The map is unique. I wouldn't call it bad, but I wouldn't call it good either... It's strange.

A great map, although the addition of a tavern on the starting island makes it significantly easier.

Excellent map, although adding a tavern to the starting island makes it too easy.

Thank you for the feedback; it was criticized for the lack of a tavern at the time.

Thank you for the feedback; it was criticized at the time for the lack of a tavern.

They probably came to play something else (to kill time, to complete the story for the sake of it, or something else) and stumbled upon a work of art. Never mind. The point is that if you remove the extra heroes from the player and the opponent, or at least limit their number (0-1 + Ilfina), the map will become closer to a logistical simulator than a story-driven scenario. (Well, and you can increase the starting army a bit if their complaint about the lack of a tavern was about that)

I don't even know how appropriate my words are here; it's your map, and I'm suggesting that you do something based on my point of view on this idea. And whether it's even necessary to change anything here is also a question.