[PB81] Lurkers from the Deep

[Tarkeel]

Here's a look at the astro-land:







It's not very juicy on purpose, but should still be worth settling

Edit: Added zip-file of the maps. The "PB81-MapX" files are the 10 raw maps I rolled, while there are version of only start fixing (a) and area balancing (b) for both continents, and the final merged map is PB81.

[klops]

I think that big island is quite juicy.
And nice arctic hot spring area

(can't really comment balancing because of noobishness)

[El Grillo]

Clearly we don't want the Carrack rush to be too blatantly overpowered

[williams482]

Is that a flat grass gold for green? Also, Orange seems much worse off than the others in terms of luxes, both volume and type. At least one metal luxury seems warranted there.

[Tarkeel]

Clearly we don't want the Carrack rush to be too blatantly overpowered

Hah! I think it might actually score him some astro land, but I decided on not-too-lush before the picking phase. (I also try to not remember what they've picked and who is where when making the map, but... that's not easy.)

Is that a flat grass gold for green?

Veteran green has a plainshill gold. Green green has a gems; blue was missing it's gold so added one on riverside flatland grass as that start could use some help.

Also, Orange seems much worse off than the others in terms of luxes, both volume and type. At least one metal luxury seems warranted there.

Thank you! My notes had green down as gems and furs, but I forgot to add them in.

[Tarkeel]

Did some minor tweaks to the final map:
* Added the missing luxuries
* Slightly greened up the green continent
* Made sure everyone has access to at least two island cities (effectively adding an island to all the green players)

Final map is attached, will send Zulan a PM.

[Commodore]

I like the Astro land, fwiw. Gives Nowfrogger at least some chance to achieve relevance.

[Tarkeel]

Here's a final minimap (bottom row is cut off; the southern iceball also has a lake-oasis):

I like the Astro land, fwiw. Gives Nowfrogger at least some chance to achieve relevance.

Thanks, I appreciate that. Looking back on the map with player names, I think Nauf's position should be able to claim the Y-island, but the other archipelago might be too distant for him. Still it should be a good launchpad against Dreylin's islands. Dreylin should be able to see the borders on Y-island though.

[Amicalola]

I like the astro land, it's the right amount of strength to make it worthwhile without an auto-win.

I do worry about the structure of the veteran continent. Seems like it would be easy to turn it into two duels, and then whoever wins their duel, will win the game. That's my prediction for this one, fwiw.

[Tarkeel]

My plan is to make a boat to get the 5F of the fish, a warrior until 2pop, then a Worker, and then go for Stonehenge. I expect to get it for turn 30.  Then a Settler with a whip in T34 aprox.  In this game I will try to take profit of the bonus for Wonders from IND trait. 

Stonehenge first opening? That's a ballsy move. Also not sure if the WB first is the best move here, even if you have that 4h tile to build it on. My gut says you'd want to go worker first, especially as India, and probably even do a two-worker opening.