exhaustion / depletion warning implementation

[Nandus]

I would really appreciate it if a depletion warning could appear, e.g. 3 turns before a strategic resource in your domain is depleted. Maybe even adjustable with a controller in the menu, how many turns before the warning should appear, e.g. 1-10.
Otherwise, in a large empire, you are constantly busy checking which resources are running out and restoring them using magic. it's frustrating!

[Kaysoky]

Wow, you actually use the spell to restore the resources? I imagine there are several of these spells which are effectively Mana-to-Gold conversions at various ratios.

But even though I've encountered that spell, I haven't considered it worthwhile (since Mana is precious too).

[Nandus]

Originally posted by Kaysoky:

Wow, you actually use the spell to restore the resources? I imagine there are several of these spells which are effectively Mana-to-Gold conversions at various ratios.

But even though I've encountered that spell, I haven't considered it worthwhile (since Mana is precious too).

Hm, I didnt go deeper in that matter. What are the alternatives?

But an example that I am not a complete idiot: if a mana altar generates 5 Mana each turn, you will get 60 Mana until it is exhausted for free. If you regenerate it, which costs 16 mana, you will have made a deal of 60-16 = 44 mana for free. Or did I miss something?

[Kaysoky]

That's a pretty good deal. Straightforwardly positive Mana returns. Although the returns differ based on Economic difficulty. On the easiest difficulty, resources run out in 16 turns. On the hardest, it is just 10 turns. You can only regenerate when there is at least one turn left, so you are left with just 9 turns on Impossible. (And I guess some room extensions make this a better deal too.)

I was thinking you might regenerate Gold mines or Shaper Ruins (not sure if you can use it on these though). Your casting points would also become a bottleneck at some point.

The other conversions I use are:
Magic Coffer = 50 Gold for 9 Mana and 10 Reputation
Follower = 42 Mana for free upkeep (usually on Tier 3+)
Primordial Forest = 25 Mana for 1-3 Allfire
Primordial Grove = 50 Mana for 2-4 Mana income
(rarely used) Transmutation = 2 for 1

I rarely will have enough casting points for anything else once I also add in unit enchantments, summons, and emergency casting.

[Rhymer]

You definitely can regen Shaper Ruins. Kept 2 up in a remote corner for most of the last playthrough.

[Jimib4158]

Originally posted by Kaysoky:

Wow, you actually use the spell to restore the resources? I imagine there are several of these spells which are effectively Mana-to-Gold conversions at various ratios.

But even though I've encountered that spell, I haven't considered it worthwhile (since Mana is precious too).

itsa a good spell, if your earth, and worth it, yeah its tiedius keep track of, but im against implementing a change just to satisfy a small sector, just like the cheating wiz kids got their nerfs :(

[MadDjinn]

Yeah, that regen spell is a very good use of mana, as long as it's on something big.

But... you already get a default 5 turn warning on the screen over the resource, so this sounds more like a desire for the game to manage things, rather than the individual knowing what is going on.

Not 100% against it, but not really pro doing it now due to much more important issues.

[Robineus]

Well it tells you when they're gone, why not just move on and exploit another area? There are so many some of which have things which don't run out *cough* Sevenkeeps *cough*

[Nandus]

Originally posted by Robineus:

Well it tells you when they're gone, why not just move on and exploit another area? There are so many some of which have things which don't run out *cough* Sevenkeeps *cough*

Sure, obviously there are other areas to exploit, but somtimes there are very good constellations I just want to keep alive...

[Nandus]

Originally posted by MadDjinn:

Yeah, that regen spell is a very good use of mana, as long as it's on something big.

But... you already get a default 5 turn warning on the screen over the resource, so this sounds more like a desire for the game to manage things, rather than the individual knowing what is going on.

Not 100% against it, but not really pro doing it now due to much more important issues.

Sure, but why shouldn't there be a warning at this side menue, (showing at the start of each turn) telling you that a ressource is depleted...just 1,5...10 turns earlier. Its no big deal and amenities, making life easier, are not a crime, especially in strategic, round based games. (which could be the reason, why there are modding communities all over the net)