Greetings Edain fans,
I wrote a similiar post on Moddb but I thought I also post this question on this forum as well. I always thought the Spellbook aspect of the Edain mod was one of the coolest and most well developed mechanics in the game. The unique spellbook powers especially stood out to me like Gondor summoning the army of the Dead, or Isengard bomb power that can devastate an enemy base. However some of the factions have similar powers or powers that don't fit their theme, which I think should be changed for the sake of diversity and making the factions more unique from one another.
The mod is fantastic as it is but I feel that with these changes will help enrich the game further. Note after the voting for the power changes on this forum is complete, I plan to write another forum devoted to what new Spellbook powers would serve as viable replacements.
Above I listed a series of suggestions for what could be changed. Feel free to vote on the change that is most important to you.
1. Removing Lothlórien Summon Eagle Power-
I would like to mention that the new Imladris faction also has the same spellbook power, however I won't be delving into that topic in this forum as the faction hasn't been released yet.
The Summon Eagle Power currently, is a Spellbook power that is shared between the factions of Arnor, Gondor, and Lothlórien. I think that Lothlórien Summon Eagle Power should be replaced with something else. Especially considering that they have the ability to Summon Radagast the Brown on an Eagle mount which I think is kinda repetitive for the faction. As well as the fact that there aren't too many examples in the lore where the Eagles came to the aid of the Lothlórien elves.
A new 7-cost Spellbook power for Lothlórien, summoning a Giant tree that buffs and heals nearby troops, maybe provide stealth.
2. Removing Mordor's Arrow Volley power
My problem with this Spellbook power isn't that it doesn't fit the lore of the faction. But rather the aesthetic, Mordor has always been known as the swarming faction, making large armies of orcs and trolls to overwhelm the enemy. But considering how Arrow Volley is meant to be a mass minion killer ability, it doesn't suit a faction that has no trouble assembling large numbers.
Which is why I think it should be removed and replace with something else, like a Spellbook Power that armors trolls in a selected armor similar to the Rohan's Draft Spellbook Power. Something that fit's Mordor's theme.
3. Removing Rohan's Cloud Break
Cloud Break is a very iconic power among the good factions. However both Rohan's and Gondor's version of Cloud Break are exactly the same. Personally I think Rohan's Cloud Break should be removed since the faction doesn't need a mass stun ability as compared to Gondor, after all Rohan is a cavalry oriented faction, so Rohan Players could easily retreat from a battlefield without a stun as compared to Gondor who relies mostly their soldiers.
Personally I would like to see it replaced with a power like summoning an army of armed peasants and farmhands, maybe even add a Peasant themed hero to lead them, probably put the summon on a timer as well.
4. Removing/Updating Dwarf's Lone Tower Power.
This is more of a nitpick but I thought I mention anyway. This power is shared by both Gondor and the Dwarves. Despite having different models both powers are exactly identical, if anything though I think the Dwarf Lone Tower should have a catapult on tower of it to fire rocks, while Gondor's fires arrows. As a way of making the two powers unique from each other beyond having different models.
That's all, I am not saying that two or more factions having the same Spellbook power is a bad thing, I am simply seeing more variety among the different faction Spellbooks as a way of enriching the game and making the factions feel more unique from each other in terms of play styles. Of course feel free to take this forum with a grain of salt but I hope it encourages Edain fans to give their thoughts on how Spellbooks should be changed in future updates.