Walkthroughs for custom maps. — Maps

wenwell

8 years ago

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For those interested in the bugs of the HD+ mod, I recommend paying attention to this part.

Because the cursor is barely visible, it's hard to understand what happened, but it's an interesting bug! Initially, the map was tested without the HD mod, so this trick is more of a workaround to avoid a fatal bug in the map (the inability to disembark from the boat, as it is blocked by the remaining active cell of the dungeon entrance).

In essence, there is still another fatal bug, as Marlo said, with the seer's hut. It seems that the editor is needed to fix this. The hut is partially on the water, and with flight, we can only stop on objects that are on the ground.

Overall, of the battles I haven't seen, I liked the battle with archdevils, a duck, and manticores against a hero with black dragons and the Armageddon's Blade.

In reply to Dandy

Marmot

8 years ago

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("The Last Crusade")

Dandy

It seems like you're living a normal life and solving puzzles, but it turns out that you crossed the event horizon some time ago, and according to the laws of physics, you won't be able to return (except with the help of a cheat time machine). The very fact of such a period is stressful, although the author tries to shorten such periods to a few days. But, for example, in the case of the white tent, the flight beyond the event horizon can last for several in-game months.

So, the player can make an inconspicuous wrong choice in some place, and as a result, after a few months, they will find out that they will not be able to complete the map because of this (it's good if there are old saves)? How high is the probability of such an error?
And why is the white tent listed immediately in both the pros and cons?
And what can the author himself say about this?
Maybe someday I'll try to complete it on the easiest difficulty level. And if I succeed, then I'll aim for something more "mature".

In reply to Marmot

Alexandr Z

8 years ago

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Marmot

So, a player might make an obscure, incorrect choice in one place, and as a result, after a few months, they'll find out they can't complete the map because of it (assuming they have old save files)? How likely is such a mistake?
And what can the author say about this?

Actually, it's not that bleak. A few months is still an exaggeration.
After the place that the respected Dandy is talking about, where he failed due to ignorance, he wouldn't have gotten very far. At most, a week. Unless, of course, he takes special breaks and spends a couple of months gathering troops during that break.
If, however, he follows the map's guidance, after the white tent, there's essentially an immediate dead end – you can't reach the main boss. So, he wouldn't have to suffer for long. The thing is, Dandy manages to do in 2 days what others spend 2 months on. Well, that's just how it is. It's hard to protect against that.

In general, the map tries not to lead the player down a long path with a wrong decision. The white tent is no exception.

Although, this is already in the past. Version 3.7 does not have the specific flaw mentioned.

Also, in this version, many helpful hints have been added, explaining the meaning of the minimap, the legend, and much more.

Marmot

8 years ago

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Thank you for the clarification.

In reply to Dandy

Alexandr Z

8 years ago

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Dandy

- The battles are quite monotonous and repetitive. And there are practically no puzzles in the combat part. I think this area could benefit from some improvement.

Of course, the battles weren't designed to be overly complex. I'm just a specialist in a different area. But the idea is sound. And RozKavalera's guide is a treasure trove (I'll have to plagiarize :(, which I usually don't do).

But in general, the problem is broader and deeper. I'm afraid to tackle it myself.
The balance needs to be maintained for different difficulty levels. And it's impossible to test everything thoroughly.

Maybe I'll take it on soon.

Added 4 minutes later

Marlo_Stanfield

In the latest version of SoD_SP, a bug has been fixed that allowed you to redeem a hero from prison after dismissing them, and it seems that this bug fix is not optional.

This is a real relief. Is it really true? :)

It would also be good to check if the bug has been fixed for an existing hero, whose recruitment on the map is prohibited, but after a single escape, recruitment after dismissal is unlocked.

Dandy

8 years ago

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Yes, it should be noted that the event horizon most likely appears only on complex puzzles. I think that there are no such problems at all on a peasant, and most likely, they are minor on an halberdier. I briefly reviewed version 3.7 in the map editor – I'm not sure that this change fundamentally solves the white tent issue. In general, some of the changes are unexpected, and I will ask a few questions about them in a private message.

In reply to Dandy

Alexandr Z

8 years ago

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Dandy

This is not only a mathematically calculated map but also contains a significant amount of creative chaos.

But here, it's more about the former.
What seems like creative chaos turns out to be logical calculation upon closer inspection.
It's like a garden of colorful towers next to the main castle.

I understand that it might be inconvenient and even stressful at first. But usually, it's the most optimal of all possible options.
The idea of having four built-in levels requires sacrifices.

If there's interest, we can open a leisurely discussion about the internal mechanics of the map via email.
Believe me, it's much more interesting inside than it appears from the outside.

In reply to Alexandr Z

Dandy

8 years ago

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Alexandr Z

If there is interest - we could start a leisurely discussion via email, for example, regarding the map's internal mechanics.
Believe me - it's much more curious on the inside than on the outside.

Well, I'm not suggesting a discussion. But I will provide examples of what are, imho, redundant. Off the top of my head:
a hidden water event with fairies and azure creatures for useless artifacts
the path to the Dragon Utopia - it's also useless, after all. There is very little money for such a stage of the game, and artifacts are obtained elsewhere
sets of snails - their troops aren't needed anywhere
various imps-nagas-medusas on Barbarian land. They provide very little by then.
It's not certain they are redundant, but those "don't eat me" resources and "don't touch me" bottles are in the risk zone. The bottles were even supposed to give hints for the solution, but why not touch them? No need to answer here; maybe I'll see the point after a walkthrough on fanatic)

In reply to Alexandr Z

Marlo_Stanfield

8 years ago

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Alexandr Z

This is truly a balm for the soul. Is it really true? :)

It would also be good to check if the bug has been fixed for an existing hero, whose recruitment on the map is prohibited, but after a single escape, recruitment is unlocked after dismissal.

Checked. After escaping and subsequent dismissal, the hero does not return to the tavern. Dreams come true.

Dandy

It's not certain that they are unnecessary, but those resources that say "don't eat me" and potions that say "don't touch me" are in the risk zone. The potions even seemed to give hints on how to solve the puzzle, but why shouldn't you touch them? No need to answer here; maybe I'll understand the meaning after playing through it as a fanatic.

:D

In reply to Dandy

Alexandr Z

8 years ago

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Dandy

a hidden event on the water with fairies and azure creatures for useless artifacts

Yes, it used to be useful, and even excessively so. But with SOD_SP, it lost all meaning and appeal.
This is a relic of the past. Whether to remove it or leave it makes no difference. I might come up with something to do with it later. That's why I'm keeping it.

Dandy

the path to Utopia - it's also useless

Well, here, it's either a hole in the map and a set of empty corridors, or at least something.
Again, a place is reserved for a puzzle. There were ideas about how to develop it, but they turned out to be unworkable, or they were more suitable in other places. So yes, it's useless. But it's better than an empty space.

Dandy

a set of clues - the troops from them are not needed anywhere
various imps, nagas, and jellyfish on barbarian lands.

Yes, I understand that it's a habit that "you have to take the consulate."
But here, on this map, it's not relevant.
So all these objects are just a variety of the landscape. Otherwise, it would be very monotonous.

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I agree with these comments, at least partially. As I said, there isn't much room for creativity on this location. You'll ruin the picture.
And the choice here is: make it monotonous with just a series of labyrinthine paths, or diversify it somehow.

In reply to Alexandr Z

Rince

8 years ago

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Alexandr Z

It would also be good to check if the bug has been fixed for an existing hero, whose recruitment on the map is prohibited, but after a single escape, recruitment is unlocked after dismissal.

Fixed. At the same time, heroes who are prohibited from being recruited can retreat and surrender, but if they are not bought back before the start of the next week, they will disappear.

In reply to Rince

RoseKavalier

8 years ago

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Marlo_Stanfield

Here is a little exclusive. I recorded a complete video walkthrough of the Bug-Race map by Nautilus.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
[...]

:smile20:
In my opinion, SoD_SP is not really at fault here; Kyrre should be set as Recruitable but is not. Still, see below...

Rince

Fixed. At the same time, heroes that are forbidden to be recruited can retreat and surrender, but if they are not bought out before the start of the next week, they will disappear.

This is correct, for the moment. I am adding an option to make it at the user's choice - seeing as it is a gameplay change. In fact, only certain freeze/crash bugs, & UI enhancements should not be modifiable.

For mapmaker's control, I am integrating options within the map editor (WIP). SoD_SP will read this data and enforce the mapmaker's choice.
File format is not affected; the map will be accessible using the regular map editor and launched using regular Heroes 3 as well. I am considering adding an option to require SoD_SP 1.16+ but the only solution I have found at this time is to break compatibility...

In reply to RoseKavalier

Marlo_Stanfield

8 years ago

RoseKavalier

:smile20:
In my opinion SoD_SP is not really at fault here, Kyrre should be set as Recruitable but is not. Still ,see below...

I think that was mapmaker's intention as the map's idea is based on exploiting different game bugs. Anyway making this an option for player's choice is right decision. And the general idea of options within mapeditor is great!

In reply to RoseKavalier

Alexandr Z

8 years ago

RoseKavalier

but the only solution I have found at this time is to break compatibility...

Maybe I'm wrong, but it would be possible to add some "hidden" event object into the map with some special settings.
It can be placed automatically by editor to the one of the blocked point (red square) and it can contains a lot of different options.

Settings can be the multirow text in the message area of the event.