Clusters
From Gamedozer
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Nothing makes a map uglier than clusters. Clusters are squares of relatively similar tiles that not only destroy the aesthetics of a map but also affect the playability. Since Battalion is such a defensive game, the player who has the best control of the best terrain is most likely to win. Clusters greatly reduce the strategy in the game by eliminating this struggle for terrain.
[edit] Building Clusters
For example, say you make a map with a 3 by 3 cluster of buildings. Buildings give between 3 and 4 defense and also provide a huge bonus of twenty percent more health when owned by the player on the building. The problem of building clusters lies in the ability of a player to place a large number of units on highly defendable terrain. Clusters allow a player to defend with far less money than what it takes to attack. Since adjacent clusters place uniform terrain adjacent to each other, it becomes almost impossible to launch a multi-pronged attack on a unit. Thus, building clusters give an unreasonable advantage to the defense, and in many situations encourage stalemates.
[edit] Square Islands
Generally, square islands are not especially interesting to look at. In certain situations they also reduce naval strategy. Try being creative when creating islands so that naval units will be able to manipulate what happens on land and vice versa.
[edit] Other Clusters
While not as destructive to a map, clusters of non-building tiles also tend to lead to bad maps. Wide open spaces of plains or roads tend to go largely ignored in a map, and if there are too many of these a map maker might as well just shrink the map to make it more playable.
Back to the Map Making Guide.
