Well, the AoE ruleset was tentatively balanced for the Embers of Empire gameworld, which was put on hold and may never be finished.

Think of it as a pleasant set of hacks, and if you don't like them, you don't have to play with them. [img]smile.gif[/img]

And yes, it IS all WeiDU. The only major known potential compatibility conflict is due to the game's kit handling. If you have TDD, you cannot use ANY of the kits. If you otherwise have a ton of custom kits, you have to ensure that your total number of kits in any one category doesn't exceed 9--most likely to be an issue with clerical kits since that's what most of the AoE kits are now.

A stock game can easily accept all of the AoE kits.

First off, That's Tolkien and not D&D, plus, he may be waving a sword around (just a flashlight for when orcs are near) but does that mean he is effectively fighting with it? Does he initially fight the Baelrog with the sword? no, only after he's falling into the pits of the earth and can't do any other spells because of featherfall does he attack. And I might add, Gandalf has the blood of a diety, which is different than in SOA where mortals can assume to godhood and vice versa.

I hate it when I'm the last one to find a good thread....

Universal Weapons: While I agree that Mages usually have better things to do than swing Halberds, that doesn't mean that there's some powerful "U Can't Touch This" field that prevents them from picking up the nearest pointy object and heaving it towards their foe. As I said, they "can unleash a horrible barrage of arcane spell energies that can make enemies wither where they stand, but for some reason are unable to squeeze their heads into a helmet." Just because they can use cool weapons doesn't mean that they will. Sure, Edwin might be able to slap on a STR girdle and use the Silver Sword during a Time Stop--but you'd still be better off giving it to Minsc. Clerics and Druids should still be bound by the restrictions of their faith--which could easily vary from kit to kit.

Priest Kits: The README doesn't name the deities of the new Cleric kits (apart from a reference to "Priest of Laduz, whoever the hell *that* is), which is kinda shooting yourself in the foot if you want people to be interested in the new kits. A Priest of Tempus, for example, would finally give us a reason to buy Hrothgar's Axe. Just tell us the names of the kits, is that too much to ask?

Human Multi-classes: My vote is a no. One, the restriction makes the races more unique, and two, allowing Humans to Multiclass essentially kills the Half-Elf. (Of course, nobody's forcing you to make a Multiclassed Human, but I still say there's no reason to change.)

Added Armor: Why the hell not? Although I *am* surprised that you made Banded, Scale, et al, and not Gis. (Think Mage Robes, wearable by any class.)

Two Tweaked Spells: I think the only people who would object to this are Soloists. But you've made it a separate component anyway, haven't you?

Wizard Slayer Enhancement: Actually, Dundee, I was fine with 3% per level, so as not to be left behind by the Monk (who gains levels faster than a Fighter anyway), but bowed to your and Alson's wishes of 2%. Regardless of this, however.....<font color=red>Ghreyfain,</font> the 3 of us (Alson, Dundee & I) have our own plans for the Wizard Slayer, and I think you'll be pleased with what we've designed. It would probably eventually find a home in Weimer's Ease-of-Use MOD as the Rebalanced Wizard Slayer....or as a component in Ashes of Embers. PM on the way.

As a final note: WOOHOO!!!! :D :D :D

Just a nitpick: the flashlight for Orcs that are near is Frodo's. Gandalf just has his neat little short sword called Glamdring, with no glow-in-the-dark effects when Orcs are nearby [img]smile.gif[/img]

And furthermore: great work Ghreyfain!! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

Glamdring is by no means a Short Sword, and it glows when in proximity to Goblinkind, just as Orcrist, Sting, and presumably *ALL* weapons forged in Gondolin did.

Went to read the readme after SixOfSpades mentioned "two tweaked spells", and my reaction can best be summed up as... Huh? http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/sad/conf.gif

I thought he meant Project Image or Simulacrum, maybe even Mislead or Shapeshift, but Stoneskins and Ironskins? They are not even in the top ten list of cheesy spells for me, but that is my own personal opinion.

If you really want to change how Stoneskins and Ironskins work, do it the 3rd Edition Way, make them absorb a certain amount of damage based on caster's level.

<font color=white> Looks great, I'll let the guru's debatte with each other.

Now its time for some Tolkien history. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Glamdring (Foe-Hammer)is a 1-handed long sword, it was found by Gandalf in a troll hoard in the book the hobbit and identified by Elrond (for its origin was unknown to Gandalf)

It was wielded by Turgon (King of Gondolin) in the First Age (Gondolin). He also created it, Glamdring was used in 2 epic battles (Nirnaeth Arnoediad and The Fall of Gondolin).. battles mostly against the most hated Orcish kind (so not Goblinkind, though they have similaritisch).

Even after thousands of years the sword is still ever feared by the orcs (due to its history), Gandalf wore it for eighty years (so it is stated) and used it in several battles (The Valarauko at the bridge of Khazad-Dum, The Orc Mountain in the Hobbit)

These are the basics [img]smile.gif[/img] </font>

Well, they found it off of some Trolls, IIRC, that were arguing about how to east them. [img]smile.gif[/img] It was also hated by the Goblins. I can't remember whether it's nickname among them was 'Biter' or 'Beater'. Anyways, it's companion Orcrist was buried with the Dwarf King in the mountain, after the Battle of the Five Armies.

[ 05-01-2003, 08:40 AM: Message edited by: Assassin ]

<font color=white> Beater is the name for Glamdring in Orcish eyes, and Biter is the name for Orcrist ;) </font>

question for tolkien trivia experts, what are the differences between goblins and orcs, in the hobbit it seemed like orcs were the larger more fierce chieftains, but it seemed to flip-flop in LotR, what gives?