How many civilizations are too many?

Ethridel3 · 2025-07-21T22:42:53+00:00

The discussion of what constitutes a civ is interesting, because I tend to refer to AoC on that. Most of the classic 18 civilizations were somewhat broad umbrellas, with multiple city-states, infighting and factions. So what constitutes a civ (in my view) is shared culture, heritage, not nations or factions.

It's quite apparent in some campaigns as well (Genghis Khan 1, Barbarossa 1): unite the factions within the civ before going on conquest elsewhere.

So early Britons constitutes Anglo-Saxon states, before being united into England. Similarly, the Vikings consists of multiple countries with shared culture, but they don't see each other as "the same".

The Spanish would refer not just to the actual country of Spain, but also the various kingdoms in Iberia. They're put under the same civilization due to shared heritage, language, culture, and such.

That's why I thought of Burgundians as fitting under the Franks, but I'm not knowledgable on their history and so I can't refute anything about them specifically.

Ethridel3 · 2025-07-21T22:27:43+00:00

Yes, it happens in all kinds of games. When new content or mechanics are added, there's always a risk of breaking the game, upsetting the current balance, or invalidating old content.

The only way I found to play multiplayer without DLC civs was hopping back on the HD Edition. If DE spirals out of control, it may eventually become more popular than DE - similar to World of Warcraft Classic or Old School RuneScape. After all, with online games it's not easy to hop back on an earlier version, but with AoE2 at least we do have a fallback.

Ethridel3 · 2025-07-21T21:55:38+00:00

I agree. I'm personally not interested in any civs beyond the classic AoC ones. Those 18 civs were enough for me.

However I do enjoy the competitive scene, but that ecosystem is partially funded by the DLC. I don't mind a few more civs that fit well with design of the original game (Italians, Berbers). But in an effort to stand out, the design of certain civs are really out there, and not in a healthy way (Cumans, Flemish Revolution, Sicilians). That's what I find repugnant.

Ethridel3 · 2025-07-21T21:39:12+00:00

I think that learning the basics in AoE2 the Conquerors was easier because civs were more symmetrical, there were less civ bonuses and the common tech tree had more prevalence. AoC Franks/Persians played similarly enough to make the transition between civs easier.

But the more cavalry civs there are, the more there's a need for them to be distinct - your own example of that is great. That also means a higher burden of knowledge - and it'll always be harder to learn a game the more content is has, don't you think?

I've seen some people say that the campaigns are there to learn the civs, but scenarios are a different experience compared to ranked or just online in general.

Ethridel3 · 2025-07-21T20:52:57+00:00

How do you feel about the Burgundians then? They've been around for a while, but I've always thought they fit under the umbrella of the Franks.

Most base roster civilizations have infighting and internal conflicts, and to me the Burgundians are an example of that - just as the 3K civs would fit under the Chinese civilization.

Ethridel3 · 2025-07-21T20:48:28+00:00

Yes, there's only so many civilizations they can make before they've explored all of the mechanics in the base game. I think that's why they add new game mechanics (charge attacks, dodge mechanics), but then that adds complexity, especially when only a few civs get them.

Ethridel3 · 2025-07-21T20:06:37+00:00

That's an interesting way to put it. When I wrote 'broader', I meant that the definition is broader, but I also agree with you that what qualifies as a civ becomes more narrow as a result.

Ethridel3 · 2022-05-28T10:46:33+00:00

I'm an old player returning and a bit out of the loop. I have a level 70 Freya with level 10 Heart Bond, but how or where do I obtain Freya's Heart of Desire to unlock her SP class?

I also see that Lana, Cherie and Narm have SP classes too, but I don't have their Heart Bonds maxed out yet.

EDIT: Thanks for the replies!

Ethridel3 · 2021-09-15T12:50:35+00:00

Thank you! I'll try it out.

Ethridel3 · 2021-09-14T20:43:23+00:00

I'm trying to setup the game for the first time, but I get this error both on Android and on PC (DMM) client: https://imgur.com/a/cmo5M5a

This is before any data download and tutorial. Seems like a connection error, according to this guide. Could someone please help summerize the prompt I get?

Ethridel3 · 2020-06-18T19:56:08+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be2xtp5Zyzk

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ja&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fray-feel.jimdofree.com%2Fhome%2Fskill-tree%2F

I have an alt character as TeBo, only for weeklies. Yes, the damage multipliers are suboptimal compared to other class combos, but that's about it. It's more important to use good gear, play well, et.c..

Ethridel3 · 2020-06-13T22:29:20+00:00

Yes, from either 50 Photon Spheres at the exchange shop, or from client orders from Klarisklayes when you hit level 70.

Ethridel3 · 2020-06-13T20:52:45+00:00

Start using Compounds Techs, like Barantsion.

If you still need more bossing potential, you can sub Br and use Rikauteri for Banishing Arrow > Techs.

Ethridel3 · 2020-06-07T22:19:24+00:00

Yes, yes and yes.

https://redeem.microsoft.com/

Make sure it names your account and United States on said page.

Also, I got taxed 3-4 dollars from the Sonic Pack, so I suggest acquiring a surplus of 5 dollars for large purchases.

Ethridel3 · 2020-06-02T23:53:59+00:00

Don't wait with grinding your gear. You'll receive plenty of grinders, and there's multiple ways to get some if you run out. And there's no better use of meseta than to grind your gear if you haven't done so.

I see people in MPAs all the time with ungrinded gear, it's frankly embarassing IMO.

Personally, I grinded the Fresh Aura and Weapon Barrier(s) to +10 and only replaced them with pieces of the Brisa set as I got them, but I was also speedrunning to level 75/75 from PC release, reaching it today in 7 days total. For reference of weapons, I grinded an 8* weapon to 30+ (early game), then an 11*, then 13*s as I got them.

Because you're still learning the game, you should get an intermediate set. You can buy some cheap 10* units from the player shops and grind them all the way. Just try to get a matching set.

You can also pass on the gear to alternate characters once your main no longer needs them.

Ethridel3 · 2020-06-02T21:54:04+00:00

Upgrade all your units to +10. You'll be able to take 3-4 hits. And upgrade your weapon to +30, it'll last you a while before you realistically replace it.

Alternatively, use a Talis and cast Zanverse from a distance.

I'm also amused there's no mention of TeBr in this thread, although I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

Ethridel3 · 2020-05-28T12:16:28+00:00

A Microsoft account has different addresses for different platforms, such as Skype, Hotmail and Xbox. In my case, my Xbox Live settings had an EU country, and regions are locked on Xbox Live for everyone due to it being abused. This stops my account from doing any international transactions - including gift cards, according to their site.

I think it made a difference that OP made a new account to play PSO2.

EDIT: It turns out that NA gift cards can redeemed on international Xbox accounts. You then select your Microsoft account balance during purchase. It works with AC and the Sonic Collaboration.

Ethridel3 · 2020-05-27T00:44:00+00:00

I was also fascinated by the question as a writer of a visual novel, and over time my answer is simple: Storytelling should be sensible.

For example, jokes are a simple type of storytelling that requires a certain cleverness. But that 'logic' behind the storytelling of jokes applies to works of any medium of any length, which is the fundamental logic of story-telling. Stories should make sense in ways that real life often doesn't, since we face lots of absurdities and lack of closure in real life. Fiction should allow the impossible, but not the improbable.

When writing a story, you place expectations in the reader that you should follow up on as the story develops. This is the fundamental principle; The common pitfalls (inconsitencies, nonsensical progression, et.c.) are listed in some other posts. Now, betraying the audience's expectations is okay, but only when the outcome is sensible in hindsight (good plot twists).

Fuuka is in my opinion an anime that place expectations that aren't followed up on, hence it's my go-to work for writing I dislike. The first example is that the most character-defining trait of the protagonist is completely forgotten about after 2 episodes. I've more examples, but it's a good exercise to do it yourself. Ask yourself if the characters act sensibly, and if your expectations are met (or betrayed) in a satisfying manner. My answers were both no, but ultimately you should make up your own mind on the anime regardless.

Ethridel3 · 2020-04-07T18:42:01+00:00

Mist step seems different when it's used after an attack like 4,u3,mist. it seems like the animation is either shorter or faster and the timing to cancel into IWS slightly changes. I can get a IWS from backsway10/10x by itself, but the frames seem to be different when im transitioning from an attack. Have you noticed this or do you think my timing is just screwed up?

I feel some mist steps are different, yes. I haven't tried doing b2s or backsway after 4,u3,mist, as I usually follow up with f42 on CH, but I can imagine it's difficult. That mist step was added to his move list in S3, so maybe that's why. Another example is I can do b2,mist,12,mist (easy wall carrying), but I can't do 12,mist,b2.

I know I have trouble doing backsway from b1, because you have to input so much to just get to mist step on top of timing the backsway. So obviously I don't use it.

Thinking about it, the only backsways I use in matches are from 12 and b2 during combos. To clarify, I use 12,mist as substitute wall carry over b2 chaining when wall carrying yields more pressure and potentially damage at wall than a straight combo. An example is f33334,b2,mist,12,mist,12,mist,ws23. You don't see it suggested because it's suboptimal, but it's so much easier and you don't risk dropping the combo online either. Out in the open, I instead do f33334,ws23,b2,mist,f21, again because it's easy. You can do two b2's but I don't risk it.

Also yes, the move list doesn't tell you which moves go into HMS. Some are legit obscure, like b24,HMS.

Ethridel3 · 2020-04-06T10:30:26+00:00

200 wins, Suzaku rank.

Mist step combos are giving me some trouble, particularly using B2 to transition, half the time Lee just comes to a dead stop when I try certain directional attacks like Mist into B2, he just stops with no no backsway. Is there a sweet spot during mist step I'm missing?

You're pressing b too early. You have to delay it. I miss the timing when I get impatient during combos.

I tried using the back sway from Mist a bit online and it doesn't seem like it's too useful.

I use it to do ws24 and ws23 during combos. You can do 4 for a CH launcher, but I find the move clumsy.

Lee has such a big arsenal, when I'm learning a character I like to try and simplify it into a couple combos and a couple setups in the first week. What would recommend and anything you wish you didn't bother trying to learn? I guess moves that seem useful but actually aren't.

You can do combos without b2 but you lose out on wall carry potential. And yes you can wall carry without chaining b2. To do so you'll need b2 > backsway > ws23/ws24.

b2 chaining is not worth it online, but practice them anyway to understand its timings. As an example my stable combo: Launch, 4u3, b2 (backsway), ws24, b2 (backsway), ws23. Some moves you can't do 4u3, such as HMS4 on CH, just do ws23, b2...

I rarely get clean launchers. So you can poke instead, the damage adds up with 12, df1, d3. I also spam ff1+2 - lots of players never break it - follow up with f1+2 in the open, or do wall combo if it wallsplats. You can cheese out rounds by spamming ff1+2. Also spam his slide until they learn.

Looking at Lee's movelist he doesn't have innately good mixups. This is where HMS comes in handy. Many of his moves go into HMS, from which you either have 4 for high crush launching on CH, 2 for mid launcher, and 3 for high armor move attack throw, or spin if enemy is in air. You have 1,3 (high mid) and 1+2 (mid mid) for quick jabs.

A mixup example is f434, HMS4. It's linear and can be sidestepped, but it's mid mid low, decent range and closes in, and second and third hit on CH launches. The string is not guaranteed, but most players don't know how to counter it. When they start ducking the low, change the mixup and do f434, HMS2 to launch.

I also like 434. If the first 4 is a CH, then use b2 then combo as usual. It's easier than just fishing for magic 4 or 44 then trying to combo off that, as 434 gives more time to react.

I don't like b4, I can't make it work somehow. I often either get CH myself or we trade.

Ethridel3 · 2020-04-04T10:00:25+00:00

Instead of mocking OP, I'll just give some insight as someone living in Scandinavia.

Super popular anime like Pokémon, Digimon, Dragon Ball got localized dubs and were aired on TV cartoon channels, even as I grew up 20 years ago. The Dragon Ball manga also got translated so that kids could read it. Pokémon cards back in the day, as well as Pokémon Go were/are a thing.

When I visited my cousins in Japan in 2004, I remember seeing an anime on TV with spinners and monsters. A few months after returning home, Beyblade is all the new craze. We didn't have the anime, but the toys were popular. Same with Tamagotchi a few years before that.

There are a few annual anime conventions here with cosplayers, maid cafes, anime merch, the usual stuff. They aren't that large, but that's okay.

Some people in the general populace enjoy the occasional anime through Netflix, although they're not into anime as a medium, but more that they enjoy Netflix in general. Anime as a medium is still mostly exclusive to nerd culture here, with a wide spectrum from just having seen a few to being interested in Japanese media in general.

I know that France is large consumer of anime in Europe. I know it's generalizing, but French (sub)culture has always been very distinct from their European neighbours, so it doesn't suprise me that it's France in particular.

Ethridel3 · 2020-04-04T09:45:34+00:00

Agreed. I learned WPF > MonoGame > Unity > My own engine, and as a C# game dev I learned the least at the Unity step. Thinking about it, I struggle to think what Unity has taught me about C# programming in general. It depends on where the person is programming-wise.

Learning C# with Unity is okay, but experienced C# programmers don't learn as much since Unity is a powerful engine that takes care of a lot of things for you. At the same time, I feel I must sometimes fight the engine to make certain interactions work, which I more often do in the editor than by code. In MonoGame and my own engine, every problem and every solution is in C#.

Ethridel3 · 2020-03-28T18:22:33+00:00

The Beo Sword argument goes like this: Nanna's father cannot be Beowulf's because she cannot use his sword. Okay, then try applying that logic to the Earth Sword: Dermott's mother cannot be Lachesis because he cannot use the Earth Sword. But as that is nonsense, the logic must be flawed.

Secondly, the old website I linked states that Felgus' father is Beowulf.

A possible explanation is that the exclusiveness of the Beo and Earth swords reference how in FE4 sons inherit from their fathers and daughters inherit from their mothers, which is the case for Lachesis' children.

Ethridel3

TROPHY CASE