Hi Ragnaros, here is my review:
Big fan of mixed tilesets, and I think the red / ice combination is quite a pleasing mix you have chosen - unique and appealing.
I like the overall layout, and creeps chosen.
Here is my points you could change / add:
1) the two "Ogre Magi orange camps" toward the middle, are too strong for the reward. To fix this, only have 1 Ogre Magi, instead of 2. SO Level 5 Ogre Magi, level 4 Troll beserker, and Level 2 Priest, to make it level 11 (still orange) but reducing difficulty slightly.
2) I would personally make the two Mercenary camps in the middle, Goblin Merchant shops instead (move current location to merc camps in middle). You already have a merc camp either side somehwat 'behind' the main bases, I don't see the reason behind adding two more in the middle. I'd prefer these to be shops to fight over and control in the 'center'. (Keep the creeps from goblin shop, remove the merc camp ones the 'Bandit Lord' feel a bit out of place.
3) If you were to move the shops to replace middle Mercs, I would move the 4 / 4 / 3 /1 "Arachnathid" camp around where the Goblin Shop currently is, and facing toward the main bases. This will also make the area around the base a little more cluttered, as you have many camps around the base
4) You have x2 sets of 'Level 2 charged' drops, which I generally disagree with on pretty much all 1v1 maps, because Sentry Wards, Lightning shield are too strong, if you get twice in a row. I prefer 2x sets of 'Level 2 permanent' , which I find more balanced item drops. Maybe change the Polar bear/frost wolf/ troll priest/ beserker camp to 1 Polar Bear + 2 frost wolves + 1 troll priest for level 10 total, and level 2 permanent.
Spacing of the map is very good, you have given players plenty of options and room to fight which I like very much. the map will be unique in games, because there is many camps and options, creating potential long and epic games with options for 2 expansions each player and red camps which are in center to fight over.
Goodluck in the contest
your sugestions seems to be very good ones!!!, I don´t think I could implement them before contest ends because I am paiting my house.
1) ogre magi camp, is not that hard, it doesn´t have a tank like the orgre mauler level 5 ( 1 mauler and 1 magi is more strong than 2 magi), just the mages (spell casters and the trolls, with no ensnare skill wich makes more easy to micro the wounded)
is a level 14 creep maybe is in the middle line, a bit too much for a level 2 but to low for a level 3 items, a permenent level 2 seems ok, I prefer a bit low drop than high drop.
2) interesting, the reason is to have conection and push the center to domain the map, also the merc camps back have more easy units than the others in the center, healer and one with inmolation.
the reason is they are different tile-sets, different units.
in the dungeon merc camp , at back, tank is level 4
in the lordaeron summer merc camp, tank is level 5.
3) the creep is a 4/3/3/1, I updated that camp, I would not like to put a poison creep in a goblin merchant do to balance. Poison is bad to orcs.
4) sentry wards at 100% is a common thing, and scouting has a high value, no need to build a farm, if you have info you can use it against the enemy,. some people use the rune of the watcher wich I don´t like that much because is invulnerable and no time limit.
about the lighthining shield, while I read a lot of bad comments to that item, I saw it in use in some plays and its is quite fun.
if your units gets that thing, send it to the enemy and he will suffer,!!!, the chances of getting 2 of those are 0,16x0,16 = 0,0256
thats = 2.56 % , it means that from 100 plays only 3 plays will may loot 2 ligthing wand in a row, is a really low chance, worst that the hard mounts in wow dungeons. Is a strong item but I put them with teh charged level 3, the scroll of the beast seems to be more powerfull combined with users who upgrade weapons instead of armor, and combined with the scroll of protection of the goblin market, thats hard.
"the 'Bandit Lord' feel a bit out of place." not agree
there is a town nearby, where is a town, there may be bandits, and it fits with the bandits mages with the water elementals near the water parts.
it has much more place than my swamp creeps or my voidwalkers creeps wich don´t match with other parts.
I even recognice that the mana creeps seems a pop up invasion in that town, but it mirages the marketplace creeps (ice / fire dragons)
"the map will be unique in games, because there is many camps and options, creating potential long and epic games"
thanks a lot !!,
probably there are tons of things (hidden) in this map that I don´t know/ tested, but well , I am glad that I put a lot of effort in it.