Mount Depression
Creator: Jackie Milton || First Published: 02/25/2015 || Players: 4 || Size: 20x20
Categories: None
Rating: 0 in 0 ratings
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Comments:
Jackie Milton (02/25/2015 04:57pm):
This is my second map, first in a series of maps designed after funny metal band names. I
hope the community will think better of this one... For full effect, play with FoW in the
rain; it really sets the mood.
Cheers!
J.B.M
(The "B" stands for "Blackmetalnospaces")
walkerboh01 (02/25/2015 06:05pm):
If you keep improving at this rate, your 5th map will be the best map on the site. :)
Nyvelion (02/26/2015 08:54am):
I'm not sure having all the HQ's in the center is a good idea. They can still be in the
mountains I think, if each one is just closer to it's owner, either all in friendly
artillery range, or all in friendly rocket range.
destructoid (02/26/2015 06:35pm | Edited: 02/26/2015 06:36pm):
Ya you could get a mech the mountains and then it would be hard to stop it
Jackie Milton (02/28/2015 07:49am):
Yes, there is some imbalace HQ-wise. I'm playtesting right now to determine whether or not
there are major issues. I designed the map to be an infantry based endeavor, but I may
change the position of the HQs if they essiond up being poorly placed. The point is that
the units climb mt. depression to sumit at the peak of inevitable death as the implied
creedo of black metal goes. Anyway, I will definitely be making changes when I finish my
first game to make it better.
Cheers,
-J.P.M.
(The "P" stand for "Probably has bad taste in music")
Xmo5 (03/02/2015 01:29pm):
Aww don't be depressed, you poor, funnily-named metal band!

Anyway, this map is definitely an improvement over the last one, though I understand
you're designing maps around fairly specific concepts. That sort of makes it harder for
you to design really good maps because it takes practice in understanding when the map is
a poor implementation of a concept (but has potential) and when a concept is just hard or
impossible to implement well at all on AWBW.

One easy thing you can fix on this map is FTA. If you haven't heard about it yet, FTA
stands for first turn advantage and basically refers to the fact that whichever player
moves first has an inherent advantage over an otherwise equal opponent. Countering it
effectively is dependent heavily on map design, and it's easy to set yourself up for
failure (not the case here). There's a lot to write about it (I'm in the process of
putting together some nice updated guides on the subject) but you can read most of what I
say about it (as it pertains to this map) by reading the comments on the following maps in
my FTA map series (on my alt account, Ninja_Weasel):

Part 1: What is it? - http://awbw.amarriner.com/prevmaps.php?maps_id=62836
Part 5: How to Counter - http://awbw.amarriner.com/prevmaps.php?maps_id=62840
Part 8: Free for All Counter- http://awbw.amarriner.com/prevmaps.php?maps_id=62854

There are a total of 10 maps in the series with different focus areas, but they all have
to do with FTA and/or balance. Feel free to read as many as you like!
Jackie Milton (03/02/2015 06:22pm | Edited: 03/02/2015 06:23pm):
For sure. FTA is a big factor in this map considering it is a race to the center to
capture HQs. Although, this is a joke in a way (must be funny in the first place), I do
want to make a good map. After my playtest, I will implement FTA counters and rehash some
design and consider CO bans (Sturm f.e., ignoring terrain costs can summit mount
depression with ease. "That's messed up" - Ice T.) I am also considering replacing HQs
with labs and putting another in the respective corners of the countries. I might publish
a more serious version and keep this one as well. After all, there are no jokes in Black
Metal. Stop laughing.
I really do appreciate the comments.
-J.F.M.
(The "F" stands for "Final turn abhorring")
Xmo5 (03/03/2015 10:56am):
Well I'm glad you appreciate them, because you can't make them stop! My mouth (and
fingers)* are precision made and designed to last a lifetime, so watch out!

*This custom-made mouth and fingers set comes complete with Neural Operating System (NOS)
and all required interface. Instruction manual not provided.



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