Feeling a bit ... so so / All of my thoughts

[Endoperez]

Wraithlord's post also reminded me:

Dominions II actually received quite a many improvements, which would have been enough for a small expansion pack for many other company, in the patches. I'm not even sure of all the goodies we got, but the whole modding system, Black Forest of Ulm, Golden Era of Arcoscephale, Oceania (with its shapechanging units) in a mod, probably some others. Was Return of the Raptors added in a patch, or was it in from the beginning? I think it was, but I'm not sure.

Oceania reminds me of another thing. Units can change shape when they get from under water to land - if new abilities are added for new races, this gives more options, and enables more strategies and tactics. This might force some of the tried and true strategies/tactics to adapt. And that, in turn, is fun. I think I'll like Dom3.

[Gandalf Parker]

As far as new spells, Im not sure we can pass judgement on that yet. There might be new spells which are just the same code with new damage and a new graphic. Nice but possibly considered "expansion" stuff. And there might be some that obviously added a whole new dimension and needed added programming. Those would have to be considered added content I think.

[Argitoth]

Well here's the fact: Dominions 1 to Dominions 2 looked like a bigger step before it was complete than the step from Dominions 2 to Dominions 3. The key phrase here is "before it was complete." Agreed?

[Wick]

In terms of content it's going from 30 themes to 60, from 1080 unit types to 1500+, the unit resolution increased IIRC from 32 to 64 pixels, ~475 to 600 spells, etc. So there's quite a bit of new content.

Of course, since Dominions has never lacked content, it's the new features that are most exciting. I'm very interested in the AI -- building castles is great but nothing else has been specified. Things like the autotax feature (does it look at blood hunters as well as unrest?) and any other tools to help with the MM are welcome. The random maps could be good, although going into Lairloch's Realm and learning how a 13 death caster with Cloud of Death can just erase an army probably won't be there.

[Argitoth]

Holy freaking crap! I didn't know the number difference between spells and units. Now I'm excited. Screw this thread.

[Kristoffer O]

Argitoth said:
Holy freaking crap! I didn't know the number difference between spells and units. Now I'm excited. Screw this thread.

Lol You've always been my favourite enthusiast!