I think the Stones are way too powerful to be so easily obtained. The key to fun here is to make everything as balanced and as interesting as possible. You will still get items to heal and replenish mana, but the gold you acquire will be even more useful because of the mercs you can buy. With mercs you will have more units and more abilities to play with. Some of these mercs might benefit you with healing or mana regeneration (not decided yet). It's all up to you how you are going to use them. If you absolutely hate mercs then you should buy more potions. What I absolutely want to avoid is buying the Health/Mana Stones early on and then never ever think about getting any other item.
I have replaced the Stones from the Goblin Labs in Chapter 2 with some permanent items. I don't know if there are any Stones in the campaign right now, but I will look for a place to add them as they are cool items for sure.
Adding the Medallion/Scale as an ability is certainly a good idea.
Few other things, Alexstraza is the least impressive looking dragon now.
If not changed will her portrait finally get fixed?
Additionally are there any revamps planned for the Finale level. Perhaps let us be able to go ham with all 4 heroes. Have Veressa and Falstaad just spawn 30 seconds before the wave. hits WHEW WE JUS GOT HERE LADDIE? Then you don't feel locked out of artifacts you gathered across the entire campaign for the climatic battle
To offset raplace drakes and whelps not dragons with the Dragonmaw riders and just make them powerful but keep sending the same amount of whelps / drakes simply replaced. IN addition have the Green Blademaster engage your base and Give Oranj a hero aswell. I'd have them hold back shortly before the Final Caravan Wave and do an all in type surge with every unit they have similar to various Siege levels with countdowns. I think this could be turned into a truly epic level on Hardmode if done right. I almost liked how the map was before it got overhauled previously and downsized. you remember the older version? i sure do.
So in short I suppose.... Heroes For Oj and Green and use them. Make Nekros more of a Dire threat. Hell I'd up his HP another 2k since hes a 1 time kill if you keep it that way. and dragonmaw riders instead of Whelps. Build them as T3 units aka they match a Gryphon in power but do siege damage to buildings since Fire.
It will be GREAT. I'll test the hell out of this for you.
With the insane added preesure of the FInale waves. Give the Caravan 3 waves now. the normal initial one, The Rhonin and Krasus one. and then the 4 hero vs the Dragonmaw All in push through one using everything they got. Because right now the map is brief and I just never feel any pressure which is unfortunate for all the build up.
u with healing or mana regeneration (not decided yet). It's all up to you how you are going to use them. If you absolutely hate mercs then you should buy more potions. What I absolutely want to avoid is buying the Health/Mana Stones early on and then never ever think about getting any other item.
I have replaced the Stones from the Goblin Labs in Chapter 2 with some permanent items. I don't know if there are any Stones in the campaign right now, but I will look for a place to add them as they are cool items for sure.
Adding the Medallion/Scale as an ability is certainly a good idea.
Actually MOST of which are bought in lvl 1 infact I don't beleive I buy any stone past lvl 1. The 5 stones I go into lvl 2 with gets split up. Consumed when they run out and by the time I get to the first market you have enough items from the goblin labs and just grabbed the artifact hammer and then a robe from the Orc/Dwarf fight.
Rhonins inventory is useless until Grim batol after which you have a full set of gear if you picked up your Mage Staff, Paulins Ring, Deathwing scale, Artifact Ring, Medallion of Courage leaving one space to go about items within grim batol many of which are consumables and it makes it easier not having to constantly drop a perm item.
As for Veressa and Falstaad all the stones even without QUiver or eaten or sold by the time you start going through the BIG base at the end of Level 3 thats only a level and half. The by that time you have a full set of permanent items and you're level 6 you just dont need the HP and Int regen anymore because Falstaad has gained tons of str and items to become durable and he carries some things intended for Rhonin or Krasus later +6 Robe Which is HUGE for Falstaad to jumpstart his low mana and Regen with his robust set of active abilities. Then Veressa gains levels and most importantly INT from levels and Cunning hood which gives her just the perfect amount of regen and by that point (lvl 6) I have 3scatter 3searing so i start taking the Replenish Quiver.
I don't think these stones are as powerful as you are making them out to be. if their not available for lvl 1/early 2 i wouldn't even bother really just add more cool perm items.
It's just unfortunate to have to lower the funfactor of playing with Veressa and Falstaad almost all of Lvl 2 and the 2nd half of lvl 1 The mana potions won't cut it and the first market place is extremely far off.
OH OH!!!
Have you thought of calculating gold and making it take almost 80/85% of the gold you can get in the FIRST level since you see a shop before you leave for the Bandit/Villager quest area.
Put Sobi mask or various cool high level items in there and calculate it based on the gold gathered across the level. including the bonfires area. It's simple tho u just have to race Veressa or Rhonin off towards the end. Which I do anyway to get stones lol.. I think that could be cool
In additon a sneak peak at items available (and you already say GOLD DOESNT CARRY OVER as a warning message now) it will give more weight to the first optional quest. DO i save villagers... or murder them for shiny trinkets!
It's like a choose your reward scenario. Evil players who killed villagers would likely be able to afford 2 items. i'd throw a wide assortment in ONLY that level would give variety in playthroughs on how lvl 2 plays out.
I know your campaigns better than I know the Scourge of Lordaeron Campaign at this point. And everyone knows that campaign back and forth.