Shatterstone Harbor

[Nudl9]

I would recommend using 1-2 offtile textures just to give the map some flavor.
It's very "ruinsy".


The center looks a little stiff, like rectangular layout.
It could use some trees for sentinel and maybe a few small squares for ancients to hang out.
Personally i would go ham with placing pillars.

The expansion can be attacked from every angle.
Seems unfsafe to expand.

Maybe add a few chokepoints.
So that there are positions of power.

Creeping looks safe, a little difficulty contesting with these distances.
Maybe a UD/Orc favored map for once?

One thing i like i want to see more of is a few undead creeps like the skeleton used here.
It means paladin "might" be played more, with holy bolt.
Just make sure it doesn't mess with DK countercreeping, since he needs to be able to coil important creeps.

 

[Cigaro]

Thank you for the thorough review!

You're right about the entrance to the expo being wide open and I've placed some trees where you have suggested it. As for any other choke points, I can always make paths narrower of course. I suppose that's the red dots in your screenshot? I've placed a few doodads in the bottom location you have suggested. There is already a cliff in the top location. Not sure about the middle ones, in the end, you do need some room to maneuver as well. They would make it a little too annoying I think.

Regarding the AoW positioning, I guess you're right about that as well. There's very little room in the center to place it. I would like to keep most of the shallow water though and I think it's okay if not every single location can be AoW-farmed, so that leaves us with making one or two of the camps "available" to nearby construction (plus a few trees).

Terrain style stays as is, I wanted to create some "pure" maps that make the best use of a single tileset.

 

[Nudl9]

The red dots are obstructions/unwalkable yeah.
You can do it however you like though, that's just how i would have done it.
I don't think open space is bad you know, it's just without the variation maps lack flavor i think?
I sort of how this new approach to game design where if a game isn't fun in open space then it's not really good.
WC3 is one of those games that is really fun in open space, but obstructions add that flavor to it.
I think it's about the change of power dynamic.

I don't think the AOW thingy is super important, but it's something to consider at least.
Just having a lot of water is nice for the looks.
I'm just not sure what i would have done as NE here except keeping expansion in check.

 

[Cigaro]

I've made some additional terrain in front of the Goblin Lab buildable and added more obstacles in the shallow water. I think this pretty much in the spirit of your suggestions.

I'll pitch the map to some players and see how they like it. Fingers crossed!

 

[mafe]

Looks good. I like how the different aspects fo sunken Ruins are used to create a clear structure on the map. Visually I think it has the right balance between being neither too basic basic nor too over-the top.
For gameplay, I have the following question marks and/or suggestions:
1. The lvl 2 charged drop at the labs is too weak. Should be lvl 3 charged.
2. General lack of trees in the "ruins" part in the middle, makes it hard not only for AoW creeping (which I think is no problem), but also for the kotg (which I think will be a problem.
3. Imho the highground area around the tavern feels unnecessary.
4. Maybe the area behind the expansions could be unbuildable. In my mind I can see Ancient Protectors eating trough the treeline from behind.
5. About the corners, I agree there could be something to make them more interesting. I again forgot about the details of the new mercs, maybe a sunken ruins merc camps could be placed there?
6. I'm unsure about the feature of several highground creepcamps. But I dont see anything immediately wrong about it either.

So, I strongly suggest you look at issue 1 again, possible also at 2-5. But Given that that otherwise the map is very good already: Map approved.

If you have any further questions, contact me in discord, since I rarely look at maps here again after approving them

 

[Cigaro]

1. Oversight, fixed. Thank You!
2. Added trees.
3. Removed high ground.
4. Added cliffs to make area unbuildable.
5. Removed high ground.