Hellow fellow Edainders !
I come here with yet another thing I would like to discuss yet another aspect of the game which might be seemed by some as a problem - Imladris buildings leveling system. Right now it works as follows: Once library is build all other imladris buildings gain level up ( they are on lvl 2 ). Then , after player researches first row of studies in the library , all buildings level up again ( they are on 3 lvl). At the end when player researches second row of studies in the library , Erestor is being unlocked.
When the concept of tieing structures level to a library is interesting one , it brings some problems.
First of all Imladris, thanks to this system, has the least engaging building upgrade system from all factions. It takes away the possibility for a player to decide between upgrading economy buildings or military ones. Moreover Erestor, our beloved hero , the grand master of all things , is mostly unused due to being locked behind extreme tech cost.
So then I come up with some ideas on how the above mentioned dilema could be solved:
- Erestor is available from the start. Player can assign Erestor to any military building or library pernamently and he will stay there till he is assigned to other building. While he is assigned to the building , that building is slowly filling its experiece bar and eventually leveling up. Additionally Erestor boost slightly production of that building and two others nearby. Erestor has a cooldown.
Here we have the first concept which increases the importance of Erestor in the faction and forces the player to decide between leveling your military buildings or his economy. And here I want to add that Library would also be slightly changed. It would aquire experience form Erestor , just like other buildings , but player will be able to speed up this process by researching studies inside it. If player reasearches all studies from one row, he still won't be able to level up the Library , but he will be fairly close it , so there would be need for just a quick use of Erestor there.
The second ide is more concerned around just Erestor as economy upgrades would be rather untouched here:
- Erestor can be used form the start. Apart from slight production boost, he allows the player to buy special units and upgrades from targeted buildng. He stays in choosen building as long as he isn't command to go to another one.
Basically in this concept I have splited building levels and things that they can unlock. While you can increase level of all buildings through studies in the library , it will only increase production speed and health. There you need Erestor for unlocking and buying some more advanced units and upgrades. For example putting Erestor in the barracks allows you to buy archers or research banner carriers.
That are my ideas and I'm more than willing to hear feedback from you as well as some ideas on how you think Imladris economy works now and if Erestor could be made more accessible.