Recommended turn order based on play times:

== 2017 PBEM Duel Tournament ==
Zaskow is working on v1.22 to release it on the beta branch of the balance mod as I write. It should be ready in a few hours. So if all goes well, games for round 4 should be able to start tomorrow. Sorry for the delay but it should be worth it, as we get really needed boost for Dreadnought's heroes and Leaders (Inject Mana Fuel) and nerf for Exalted Martyr strategies.

== Next tournament ==
Reminder: the next tournament organized (at least by me) won't be a PBEM one but an Arena one. So time to discover that new game mode and train on it! See info on the Arena pool: https://www.the-battlefield.c...

== 2017 PBEM Duel Tournament ==
As Zaskow was quite busy, and we were very late for the release of v1.22, I stepped in and did the final 3 changes that were missing. So a "full" v1.22 is ready but not yet released through the usual Steam workshop channel, as Zaskow needs to copy my edits in his folder, maybe do some additional checks/add some descriptions (that are still not yet all in the mod) and upload the updated mod.
However, we NEED people to test the new version as much as possible, to avoid bad surprises. I did test everything, but better to have double checks. So I hope some of you will be interested to help: you can get the new version in the usual Dropbox folder for the balance mod: go to the /20170903_v1-22-alpha folder then download the .taf and put it in your C:\Users\[your user name]\Documents\My Games\AoW3\UserContent folder. Then when you launch AoW3, select "PBEM & Single player Balance Mod 1.22-3".
(known issue: the animation of Inject Mana Fuel is not yet implemented, so no "blue color")

Let's give us 72 hours of test and let's start officially the round on the 6th of September, around that time.

We are missing the class/race of the following players:
- Skunx
- Mr Hawk
- AlXStormrage

== 2017 PBEM Duel Tournament ==
Round 3 ended. However, v1.22 is not yet fully ready... The number of changes that needs to be implemented is very small so hopefully it should get ready soon. So games should wait until the new update is released + 1 to 3 days to make sure everything is OK, before being hosted. We'll confirm here when games can start. Sorry for the delay, Zaskow has been quite busy and thus unable to finish v1.22 on time.

Meanwhile, it's time to send your class/race to judges that you don't play (Fistandantilus, Marcuspers, Hiliadan) and get ready. You can check the changelog of v1.22 on the usual page: https://docs.google.com/docum... />
== PBEM 2vs2 Team Tournament ==
At least 45 days before round 6. There might be an extension (to be discussed between judges), as the round started during summer holidays, as mentioned before.

== Misc ==
Only 9 voters for Would you be willing to donate some money to cover the cost of the purchase of 4 models for the Shadow Demon units of the Shadow Realm Community Expansion? Please vote, even if it is to say you can't or don't want to donate any money.

== 2017 Duel Tournament ==
Minimum 5 days and maximum 11.5 days left before the end of the round.

== Misc ==
In order to assess the interest and donation capacity of the community to support the Shadow Realm Community Expansion, a new poll was launched: Would you be willing to donate some money to cover the cost of the purchase of 4 models for the Shadow Demon units of the Shadow Realm Community Expansion?
You can get more details on my latest post in the PBEM Player Pool.
Please cast your vote (including if you can't or don't want to donate anything, there is an option for that) so that we can get a good idea of how much money could be collected.
The money collected for the Shadow Realm expansion would be used ONLY for the models and nothing else.

== Next tournament ==
Next tournament will probably not be a PBEM tournament but an Arena game mode tournament!
The Arena game mode is for those interested by manual tactical battles between human players, but who do not want to spends hours playing a full live MP games. This new game mode has short preparation phase and then big battles, for a total of about 45-120 min per session (rather on the 45-60 min range but it depends on the relative strength of players among other things).
Please check out the Arena Pool to see how to play Arena battles. We're still in the development phase but it's stable enough for most players to test now.
The tournament might start in about 2 months if everything goes well.

== Balance ==
These changes have been confirmed for v1.22:
Dr21a
Dreadnought heroes can choose Inject Mana Fuel at level 11 for 5 points, a self-buff active ability costing 0 AP which gives them Wall Crushing, Demolisher, Tireless, Reinforced, 40% shock weakness (and add blue particle effects to represent the mana injected in the veins of the units)

Wa05a
Researching Death March allows to cast Death March for 60 CP and Scout Death March for 20 CP, which has a similar effect. Scout Death March affect only T1 Irregulars in target stack (and units can only be targetted once by Death March or Scout Death March).

Th10a (that's a temporary fix while we wait for a better one)
When Exalted Martyrs is researched, Martyrs evolve into Awaken Martyrs at Elite. Awaken Martyrs have the stats of an Elite Martyr and have Evolve into Exalted at Elite. They don’t get any bonus on medals (not even HP or defense, damage).

Confirmed for v1.23 (not v1.22)
GC26
Forbidden Sanctum's batte enchantment is Mass Bless / Mass Curse and Shock Missile cast every turn on a random enemy unit

Ne06g
Ghouling Strike does not give any damage bonus (was +5 physical, +5 blight)

These changes will be confirmed for v1.23 if there is no more feedback:
GC40a
Spell upgrades for heroes cost 4 (was 5), except:
– Chaos Rift (stay at 5)
– Chain Lightning (stay at 5)
– Last Stand (stay at 5)
– Slayer’s Doubt (stay at 5)
– Stiffen Limbs (stay at 5)
– Repair Fortification: costs 3

GC40b
CP upgrade costs for heroes are reduced to 5+5+5+5+6+7+7 = 40 in total to get to 85 CP (was 5+5+7+7+7+9+9 = 49)
Destabilized Mana Core costs 60 CP (was 50 CP)

Ha28
Farmers cost 45 gold (was 50)

Hi all! Thanks for the name suggestions! Please prefer the chat for such short and rapid discussions: https://www.the-battlefield.c... />It would also you to give some feedback on other topics currently discussed in the chat, would be very useful for the Community Expansion too!

For a really simple name, my favourite is AIXStormrage's "Battle Armor".

For a more dramatic flare, I prefer Zytozid's "Deus Ex Machina".

My own suggestion would be "Empowered Exoskeleton", which is basically just a fancier way of saying "Battle Armor". Might be a bit long though.

Hi Hiliadan,

how about naming it "Oil veins" or "Oil blood" something like that? It symbolizes well that the hero is human but embraces machinery.
Or call it "Deus Ex Machina"?

Mechanised Warfare

---

how about "Suit Up!", or Battle Armour?

== 2017 PBEM Duel Tournament ==
Reminder: next round starts at the earliest on 25 August (even if the last match of current round ends before) and will use v1.22 on the beta branch.

== PBEM 2vs2 Tournament ==
All matches started or about to start!
The round may be extended a bit as it started in August during summer holidays, to be confirmed later.

== Balance ==
IMPORTANT - these changes are considered as replacements for changes that could not be implemented with v1.22 due to technical reasons, they will be confirmed next week end: PLEASE SEND FEEDBACK QUICKLY if you think we overlooked something

Dr21a
Dreadnought heroes can choose Mechanised Warfare (in search of a better name) at level 11 for 5 points, a self-buff active ability costing 0 AP which gives them Machine, Wall Crushing, Demolisher, Tireless, Reinforced, 40% shock weakness and add some particle effects to make it more “machine-like”

Wa05a
Researching Death March allows to cast Death March for 60 CP and Scout Death March for 20 CP, which has a similar effect. Scout Death March affect only T1 Irregulars in target stack (and units can only be targetted once by Death March or Scout Death March).

Th10a (that's a temporary fix while we wait for a better one)
When Exalted Martyrs is researched, Martyrs evolve into Awaken Martyrs at Elite. Awaken Martyrs have the stats of an Elite Martyr and have Evolve into Exalted at Elite. They don’t get any bonus on medals (not even HP or defense, damage).

== PBEM 2vs2 Tournament ==
Round 5 started yesterday, @the 12 players involved, please send the class/race of your team. For the hosts (on top on the Roster), please post screenshots of the settings on the game blog.
Rule 4 has been updated to clarify that "The player who crashed must not re-enter the game after the crash, he must wait for feedback from the judges allowing the game to continue. The turn timer must be turned off by the host while waiting for judges' feedback (see rule 8)."

== 2017 PBEM Duel Tournament ==
As for the 2vs2 Tournament, rule 4 has been updated, see above.
After discussion among judges, we agreed that even if the match between Ezekiel and Olop finishes soon, the next round would start only on 25 August at the earliest, and possibly 1 September as currently planned. That is because round 4 will use v1.22 of the balance mod and we need sufficient time to let people test it and report potential issues. Another reason is that we are in the middle of Summer holidays and several players are not available (which was the reason for a round extension in the first place). The extra time allows to use v1.22 which improve XP counters, correct some remaining issues with Necro (Ghouled units did not suffer the +25% upkeep, the Necromancy I-VII economic boost was misplaced, Whispers of the Fallen is nerfed), boost Dreadnought and AD, nerf Divine Justicar and Lesser Mighty Meek, fix 1 exploit and bring a few other improvements. It also allows to look for and implement solutions for several changes which proved to be technically feasible (especially 2 new Dread abilities) and give more time to find solution to the nerf to Exalted Martyrs for future rounds.
Round 4 will use v1.22 on the beta branch of the balance mod.

== Balance ==
Confirmed for v1.23:
Ne06h
Ghouling Strike has strength 8 (was 9)

De05
Storm Magic is T5 (was T6).

GC42
Dirty Half Dozen costs 3 upgrade points (UP) (was 4)
Infiltration Squad gives Improved Wall Climbing (was Wall Climbing)
Chaplain costs 4 UP (was 3)
Pest Control Squad costs 4 UP (was 5)
Charge Command costs 4 UP (was 5)
Fleet Command gives Fast Embark and Mariner (was Mariner)
Holy Champion costs 4 UP (was 5)
Nature’s Resistance costs 4 UP (was 3)


Ne09a
Energy Drain has a physical strength 10 (was spirit strength 10)


These changes will be confirmed for v1.23 if there is no more feedback:
GC26
Forbidden Sanctum's batte enchantment is Mass Bless / Mass Curse and Shock Missile cast every turn on a random enemy unit

Ne06g
Ghouling Strike does not give any damage bonus (was +5 physical, +5 blight)


These changes need more feedback:
GC40a
Spell upgrades for heroes cost 4 (was 5), except:
– Chaos Rift (stay at 5)
– Chain Lightning (stay at 5)
– Last Stand (stay at 5)
– Slayer’s Doubt (stay at 5)
– Stiffen Limbs (stay at 5)
– Repair Fortification: costs 3

GC40b
CP upgrade costs for heroes are reduced to 5+5+5+5+6+7+7 = 40 in total to get to 85 CP (was 5+5+7+7+7+9+9 = 49)
Destabilized Mana Core costs 60 CP (was 50 CP)

Dr20
Bomb Squad gives Self Destruct (was Explosive Death) to Draconian, Dwarf, Frostling, Halfling, High Elf, Human, Goblin, Orc, and Tigran units in the stack led by this hero: units with Self Destruct can sacrifice themselves to cause 10 physical damage and 10 fire damage to units adjacent to them. Bomb Squad costs 8 points (was 5).
The AI cannot use this ability.

Dr22
Dreadnought heroes can choose Force Field Generator Gear for 7 points at level 13: Units led by this hero get Force Field Generator: self-buff ability that can be used Once per battle for no action point and gives 40% fire, 40% frost and 40% shock protection for 5 turns.

Ha28
Farmers cost 45 gold (was 50)

gladis quitted!

I fail to see reason why level 13 was picked instead of 14 or not 12 or 11? the lower level like 11 or 12 would clearly limit the high-end skills.

are there any real examples as to why lvl 13 fits better?

this is not a critique, but rather I am trying to understand the reason behind the "13 lvl".

Happy to further discuss that on the chat if needed: https://www.the-battlefield.c... />
Level 13 was chosen because:

1. It unlocks all skills


2. We wanted to limit the strength of heroes (and Leaders) as much as possible because they get clearly overpowered in the later stages of games

Level 14 does not fulfill condition 2. Level 12 does not fulfill condition 1. So that's why it's 13.

Tasslehoff quitted!

Shouldn't the cap lvl be lvl14 then?

If I'm not mistaken exactly that was the reason of max. 13 lvl for Duel Tourney - to avoid that one of the players reached 15-th level and got addition skills from the Empire Quest 

Hi all, 

just wanted to confirm with the judges - was there any particular reason why the lvl 13 was selected as hero/leader cap?
I am asking because it excludes the EQ - heroic skill

== 2017 PBEM Duel Tournament ==
Still 3 matches ongoing, round 4 is likely to start at the end of round 3's deadline (which you can see with the countdown on the page of the tournament: https://www.the-battlefield.c... i.e. in 41 days.
Please start thinking about your class/race! You can send it to the judges you don't play against: Fistandantilus, Marcuspers and me.
Zaskow told me v1.22 should be ready for the beta branch of the balance mod this week end. If it is the case, we should use it for round 4. To be confirmed tomorrow...

== PBEM 2vs2 Team Tournament ==
About 23 days left before the end of round.

== Misc ==
Check out the latest news article on the Battlefield: The AoW3 community more active than ever! Tournaments, AoW3 Veterans, polls

== Balance ==
These changes will be confirmed for v1.23 if there is no more feedback:
Ne06h
Ghouling Strike has strength 8 (was 9)

De05
Storm Magic is T5 (was T6).

GC42
Dirty Half Dozen costs 3 upgrade points (UP) (was 4)
Infiltration Squad gives Improved Wall Climbing (was Wall Climbing)
Chaplain costs 4 UP (was 3)
Pest Control Squad costs 4 UP (was 5)
Charge Command costs 4 UP (was 5)
Fleet Command gives Fast Embark and Mariner (was Mariner)
Holy Champion costs 4 UP (was 5)
Nature’s Resistance costs 4 UP (was 3)


Ne09a
Energy Drain has a physical strength 10 (was spirit strength 10)


These changes need more feedback:
Fi04a
Tropical Empire gives Inflict Scorched Heat to allied units in your domain (was Inflict Immolation)

GC26
Forbidden Sanctum's batte enchantment is Mass Bless / Mass Curse and Shock Missile cast every turn on a random enemy unit

Ne06g
Ghouling Strike does not give any damage bonus (was +5 physical, +5 blight)

Hiho, 

so when does the next round of the 1v1 tournament starts?