The Cross

[Moderator]

20:19, 4th Aug 2014
Hell_Master: Map rated 2/5 (Lacking) and is Awaiting Update. See my review here regarding the map:

Looking decent, I must say but can be improved to be approved. You're almost there actually!

The terrain is looking decent to good. It has a great tile variation though you are lacking a bit at some points still such as in cliffs. I feel like that you could raise it with more cliffs to make it not too flat or "straight". Some additional variations of rock instead of the original rock doodad itself would also do. You could make some cave entrance for designs. There could also be more props and doodads on the terrain, not too much on the bases though. Placing on the sides would do for the bases and some more different props or doodads instead of rocks. It seems too unnatural if the terrain only consists of rocks. Place some grasses, stumps and etc. Don't be afraid to add more! Lastly for the terrain, you should add a fog into this. It would definitely make your melee map's terrain better than it is right now. I think you could either use Light Blue or White Fog on this one. To add a fog, here's a tutorial: All about fogs

As for the melee map itself, you still have some bit of a problem here. First, the item drops. I feel like the item drops could be adjusted. The Level 6 Trolls drops Level 4 Perm items while the much lower Level 5 Ogres drops Level 5 Perm items. I think this should be interchanged to even it out. Lastly, the creeps and creep camps. Creeps here becomes too repetitive to be honest. I do feel that you could more on each sides like for the upper east area are trolls and gnolls and on the lower east area are spiders and gnolls and so on... You should as well fix the creep camp for the Gnolls near the cliff. You should add some trees surrounding these creeps and some little props. It feels like that this creeps are randomly placed or such. Well, I think that's about it but I would do add some more notes if I find it appropriate and if I got some more suggestions.

Overall, I would rate this 2/5 in its current state. Keep on improving! I know that you're doing fine in making these kinds of maps. Practicing is the key to learning more!

 

[Filmting]

So here's my feedback.

First of all you need a creep camp on player bases on maps with more then 2 players, so if you are playing the map 1v1, there is not just sitting a free gold mine there.

As for the map, it got some decent tile varitation, and thats about the only good thing about it.

The general layout of the map is just too plain, and seen a bunch of times and done better. The player bases is huge an open, with only tileset variation making them look interresting, and there is only 1 entrace to the enemy player base, and it is defended by creeps. There should always be a clear path to your enemy to allow rush strategies. I also suggest making some more paths around the base, and maybe connected all the bases through the mountain. Or if you are keen on keeping the 1 middle entrance, at least make it bigger or add some goblin laboratories to get access to zepplins.

There also should be an unguarded tavern somewhere on the map, for players to access tavern heroes as they are very importent is certain match-ups.

As for item drops and creep camps it is totally out of wack. I suggest reading my guide linked below for an idea of how to do proper creeps and item drops. I also suggest adding more creeps as 3 camps is just too little.

You might also wanna make some more doodads on the mountain edges, and or make them more natural. They are kinda natural but still also a bit linear, and doodads like some rocks of sorts might help this out.

Thats my initial thoughts, map is not worthy of an approval in its current state.

May i guide you to:

http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/general-mapping-tutorials-278/how-create-melee-maps-187652/

and

http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/general-mapping-tutorials-278/competitive-melee-map-252987/

These two guides might help you make some better melee maps.

 

[Zaramorus]

Update:
Added creeps to spawn locations.
Added rocks on mountains and near them.
Removed creeps from the middle and added a tavern there instead.
Added more trees.

 

[DUTY OF RS]

This is an quite simple map.
The terrain looks mostly flat on the picture you have created.

You wrote: ''Added rocks on the mountains and near them.''
Well, where is the mountain?
If your mountain is those who are in the middle of each player campment, it is a poorly made mountain.

And do also put in some more doodas, it would help a lot.

For now, i will look into the updates.

[You also wrote: ''Removed creeps from the middle and added a tavern there instead.'']

On your screenshot that you got now, is showing creeps at the middle, dont mind to change that, after than update on the map (important!)

 

[Zaramorus]

This is an quite simple map.
The terrain looks mostly flat on the picture you have created.

You wrote: ''Added rocks on the mountains and near them.''
Well, where is the mountain?
If your mountain is those who are in the middle of each player campment, it is a poorly made mountain.

And do also put in some more doodas, it would help a lot.

For now, i will look into the updates.

[You also wrote: ''Removed creeps from the middle and added a tavern there instead.'']

On your screenshot that you got now, is showing creeps at the middle, dont mind to change that, after than update on the map (important!)

Well yes i know they arent really mountains, but i dont know what to call them, because English aint my main language also i dont know why the preview didnt change because i did update the map and uploaded the updated one :/.

 

[DUTY OF RS]

Well is it a cliff?

 

[Zaramorus]

Well is it a cliff?

Well i guess...Anyway the preview finally changed and the screenshot is outdated.

 

[LordDz]

Replace the Golem with some lesser creeps, a green camp shouldn't have a single level creep on it.

Add an extra gnoll to the two gnolls in the lower mid usually all green camps have around 3+ creeps.

Replace the tome of experience with a permanent item.
The map was quite fun to play with FFA insane difficulty, neither could defeat the others because there was always someone ready to backstab you.

 

[Vinz]

^Agreed for the most part.

Terrain is really flat. Though there is a variation of raise and lower, I think you need to catch the 'mountain' feel more. The small passes do not allow for big armies, so the defense potential for ground based armies is high.

The bases are low on trees, especially the upper right corner. That promotes faster yet more dangerous gameplay - as LordDz said, there will be backstabbers. But if you don't risk it, your heroes' levels will remain low since the camps inside the bases are not enough.

A decent map, some improvements will be cool.

2/5

 

[Zaramorus]

New update:
Changed the creeps defending Goblin merchant
Used more of that raise tool
Made more room in the middle
Added more trees

 

[Binsu]

Looking decent, I must say but can be improved to be approved. You're almost there actually!

The terrain is looking decent to good. It has a great tile variation though you are lacking a bit at some points still such as in cliffs. I feel like that you could raise it with more cliffs to make it not too flat or "straight". Some additional variations of rock instead of the original rock doodad itself would also do. You could make some cave entrance for designs. There could also be more props and doodads on the terrain, not too much on the bases though. Placing on the sides would do for the bases and some more different props or doodads instead of rocks. It seems too unnatural if the terrain only consists of rocks. Place some grasses, stumps and etc. Don't be afraid to add more! Lastly for the terrain, you should add a fog into this. It would definitely make your melee map's terrain better than it is right now. I think you could either use Light Blue or White Fog on this one. To add a fog, here's a tutorial: All about fogs

As for the melee map itself, you still have some bit of a problem here. First, the item drops. I feel like the item drops could be adjusted. The Level 6 Trolls drops Level 4 Perm items while the much lower Level 5 Ogres drops Level 5 Perm items. I think this should be interchanged to even it out. Lastly, the creeps and creep camps. Creeps here becomes too repetitive to be honest. I do feel that you could more on each sides like for the upper east area are trolls and gnolls and on the lower east area are spiders and gnolls and so on... You should as well fix the creep camp for the Gnolls near the cliff. You should add some trees surrounding these creeps and some little props. It feels like that this creeps are randomly placed or such. Well, I think that's about it but I would do add some more notes if I find it appropriate and if I got some more suggestions.

Overall, I would rate this 2/5 in its current state. Keep on improving! I know that you're doing fine in making these kinds of maps. Practicing is the key to learning more!