3650 and a new direction

[Blackheart]

Hola,

as some have realized and played games with me already, the player Evildrew (thanks again) made a mod that basically reverts the balance back to patch 3650 (this one http://content.faforever.com/patchnotes/3650.html ).

As I found some small issues and possibly want to additional changes, I took that mod and started doing minor stuff to it. You can find it in the vault as "pre august 2016 balance bhedit".

This thread is supposed to be an overview of the changes you might want to know about before you play the mod. Also you can suggest stuff that could be changed (keep in mind that my modding skills begin and end at blueprint editing, so anything that requires actual coding you need to find skilled people to do it).

Changes (rough overview) from current version to 3650:

- RAS is back to before the nerf
- T2 HQ land is back to before nerf
- All HP changes to ACU + buildings undone
- Bombers behave normal, turning slower
- t1 mobile AA is not on steroids
- Scathis has its pre-nerf range

Changes 3650 to Evildrew mod (I asked him and that is what i remember from the convo, it seems to be mostly stuff from patch 3655):

Spoiler: show

- Low missile stock in TML launchers (4 missiles)
- Deceiver 25 e drain -> 75 e drain
- Sera t1 air scout does not give post-death intel
- Lower t2 stationary arty buildtime
- ASF only take 1 instead of 4 spots on air staging
- Labs have slightly quicker buildtime

Changelog Evildrew mod to BHedit v1:

Spoiler: show

Summit:
Masscost 10500 -> 10000
Energycost 62000 -> 60000
Buildtime 33000 -> 30000

T2 Firebeetle:
Takes 2 slots in trans like a normal t2 unit

Changelog BHedit v1 to BHedit v2:

Spoiler: show

Removed weird added SCU script that caused sera SCU to not have animations

Changelog BHedit v2 to BHedit v3:

Spoiler: show

Target Priority: Monkeylord, Megalith, Chicken, GC target ACU first
Asswasher Micro changes reverted to 3650 (was forgotten it seems)
-Start turn distance: 1 -> 15
- Turn speed: 0.9 -> 0.65
Cybran frigate: MuzzleVelocity (projectile speed): 60 - 45
Cybran destro: Damage (AA-weapon): 10 - 8

[tatsu]

i think these mod changes are reasonable. I think at one point we should come together and all vote on a balance we'd all agree to have merged into the main balance. equilibrium also has alot of nice ideas and in effect all these mods stand no reason to exist (and asside from that they are player-base splitting and also an issue of what we'd like to see in matchmaking). I really think there should be a poll for what side of the hedge of A B and C balance dogmas people stand so we have a clearer view.

I really don't think the above changes are on "game ruining" issues but these particular changes (nerfing ACU health ect...) don't make alot of sense to me either.

[IceDreamer]

So is it actually 3650 + changes, or has he kept some of the sensible balance changes since 3650 which are present, removing the ones he deems poor, and then adding his own?

I'd recommend listing balance changes since 3650 that have been kept, so people aren't surprised when a change is still present.

[Blackheart]

Hello IceDreamer,

it is 3650 with everything reverted to that version except what is stated. Some of the stated changes (e.g. t2 stealth energy drain change) have been in 3655, so some changes of later patches are in the mod as well.

Keep in mind that the mod only changes blueprints though, so bugfixes/stuff not related to blueprints are present in the mod.

[Hush]

Already better than equilibrium, nice

[IceDreamer]

In that case, go through the balance changes with a fine-tooth comb that have happened in and since then. Some things you will probably want to keep, as there really are some obvious, non-idiotic changes in there, no matter your perspective. Keeping the mod code to a minimum is really helpful for keeping the mod maintainable, easy to understand for users etc. Additionally, some balance changes are non-blueprint or have things in addition to the blueprint changes (Example - Janus's new bombing layout, Stun not affecting flying Air units).

[Myxir]

considering the current balance philosophy (of the balance team), the mod actually more stable and easier maintained when every single unit blueprint file is fixed, not just the necessary ones.
about the non-blueprint changes, personally i don't think that's an issue. at the very least both examples you mentioned make sense, no matter the general balance strategy, and undesired script changes can be reverted individually if deemed necessary

[Evildrew]

Why would you make firebeetle take 2 slots like the current version of FAF?

Needing only 1 slot on transport as before the patches, was the only thing that ever made it viable as a strategy...

[Gorton]

Why would you make firebeetle take 2 slots like the current version of FAF?

Needing only 1 slot on transport as before the patches, was the only thing that ever made it viable as a strategy...

Too viable.

It's much better this way. I hope we can redesign the unit somewhat to reflect a better role which isn't as broken.

[Evildrew]

You barely get a com kill with a fast beetle drop on 1 slot... an OC will deal with it too, so dont see your point gorton, havent seen a beetle snipe since it was changed