High Priestess <Suggestion>

[j2klbs]

High all!

I have a suggestion related to high priestesses for what I think is an improvement to the game design.

Currently, they cost 18,000 gold and typically 5,000-7,000 gold to use. The problem as I see it is that the initial 18,000 gold cost is HIGHLY variable depending on the number of uses. If she dies after the first use, it cost 18,000 gold which is very steep. If you get 3 uses out of her, it's only 6,000 gold.

The problem is that priestesses have such an effect on the outcome of the game that this creates a large luck factor. I view Alamaze as a game of skill and diplomacy. Yes, luck is a factor, but it shouldn't have as big of an influence as I see it with priestesses.

My suggestion is rather simple. I would suggest reducing the initial cost of the priestesses by half (9,000) and, to keep the economy roughly the same, increase the usage cost (for example, by adding 50% to the cost of each of her orders). That way, it is not as big of a game effect if she dies.

Anyway, just my 2 cents.

Regards,
~Jason

[Lord Diamond]

I'm for keeping them expensive for the reason you stated. They have a huge effect on the game.

[kevindusi]

I second keeping them as-is. It forces you to consider when to use them, similar to choosing when to send those wizards into an unusual sighting (or any combat for that matter).

[j2klbs]

Well, okay. I wasn't discussing lowering the overall cost of them. The cost would remain the same. I was proposing shifting the cost from initial to when used because as it stands now it introduces a very large luck factor to the game. Personally, I would prefer more skill to luck, but I suppose to each their own.

Thanks for hearing me out.

~Jason

[Lord1]

I spent almost half a million dollar raising my daughter, once she is grown up, I can ask her to do things for me at a relative low price, sometimes she will do them for free. I surely don't want her to die.

[Ry Vor]

For those who don't know, in Fall of Rome the gold cost is pretty much the same, but the High Priestess doesn't die from a divination - she becomes Weary and if she doesn't rest a turn, she can become Exhausted the following turn, when she must rest. The HP does a lot more healing of forces (groups) in FoR than in Alamaze.

I'm mulling over ideas for a Supreme Priestess. A High Priestess would undertake an expensive ritual like the Rite of the Magi, and then have advanced capabilities including better healing, warding, detecting, and perhaps would reveal both the short name and location of an artifact, instead of just one or the other. What do you think?

[DuPont]

I actually don't like that idea of a SP. It seems to me it would be an advantage to those kingdoms who were already doing well to pull further ahead.

[j2klbs]

I like the idea of a priestess operating at a diminished state instead of dying. I always thought that with such a high chance of mortality, why would someone ever agree to doing the divination in the first place. It is not logical. :-D

As for Supreme Priestess, I like the idea but not if there is still a chance she could die.

[HeadHoncho]

Maybe SP could be an expensive upgrade that removes the chance of dying only? I agree with DuPont, adding new powers to the SP only seems like it would accelerate the power curve of the powers that are doing better.

[Hawk_]

Maybe SP could be an expensive upgrade that removes the chance of dying only? I agree with DuPont, adding new powers to the SP only seems like it would accelerate the power curve of the powers that are doing better.

Some of those special powers would make cool artifacts. Or could be incorporated to a new kingdom design.