Recommended turn order based on play times:

jopbem quitted!

jopbem joined !!

Old-Germany joined !!

== 2018 PBEM 2vs2 Tournament ==
About 2 weeks left until the end of round.
@all teams who know their opponents: please send your class/race to judges.

== 2019 PBEM Duel Last Tournament ==
Reminder: discussions are open regarding the settings and rules for the next (and last) Duel tournament: https://forum.paradoxplaza.co... />The idea floated at this stage is to use Fast speed (boosted research). Give your opinion on the official forum (or here).

== Balance ==
These changes are confirmed for v1.28:
Dr22
Dreadnought heroes can choose Force Field Generator Gear for 7 points at level 13: Units led by this hero get Force Field Generator: self-buff ability that can be used Once per battle for no action point and gives 40% fire, 40% frost and 40% shock protection for 5 turns.

Dr25
Great Blacksmith increases sales at your forges: Magma Forge generates +5 gold/turn (in addition to existing -10% gold for Armored)

Fi04a
Tropical Empire gives Inflict Scorched Heat to allied units in your domain (was Inflict Immolation)

Ar04
Obelisk of Undeath do not affect allied units with Curse (was: allied units are also Curse if valid targets)

GC73
Liberated from Raiders (+400 happiness for cities liberated from roamers) last 10 turns (was 15 turns)

GC74
Oyster Reef is affected by Sanctified Sites, Animistic Knowledge and Magical Structures

Dr31
Summon Spy Drone costs 60 RP (was 80 RP)

GC75
Harbours give Maintenance (+5 HP/strategic turn) to friendly Boats in the city’s domain

Wi03
Summon Lesser Elemental is tier 3 skill (was tier 4)

GC19a
Bards get Mind Control Immunity


The following changes will be confirmed for v1.28 if no further feedback:
GC26c
Forbidden Sanctum’s extra reward multiplier is 0.07 (was 0.25) so that you can get maximum 200-300 mana in addition to CP and free skill

== 2018 PBEM 2vs2 Tournament ==
@El Lobo & Longinus: as explained here https://www.the-battlefield.c... "In round 3 and later rounds, only teams who got a similar number of victories/losses can replace disqualified teams." so new teams cannot enter any more, only old eliminated teams can do replacements.

== Balance ==
These changes are confirmed for v1.28:
GC70
Warbreeds are replaced by Ogres on Destruction Mana Node. Trolls are replaced by Ogres on Ancient Ruins.

Dr27
Engineers have Tunneling and can Build Road for 4 gold/hex and Bridges for 48 gold (was 5 gold/hex and 60 gold).

GC41j
Shadow Step costs 4 UP for Rogue (was 5) and Necromancer (was 2)


The following changes will be confirmed for v1.28 if no further feedback:
Dr22
Dreadnought heroes can choose Force Field Generator Gear for 7 points at level 13: Units led by this hero get Force Field Generator: self-buff ability that can be used Once per battle for no action point and gives 40% fire, 40% frost and 40% shock protection for 5 turns.

Dr25
Great Blacksmith increases sales at your forges: Magma Forge generates +5 gold/turn (in addition to existing -10% gold for Armored)

Fi04a
Tropical Empire gives Inflict Scorched Heat to allied units in your domain (was Inflict Immolation)

Ar04
Obelisk of Undeath do not affect allied units with Curse (was: allied units are also Curse if valid targets)

GC73
Liberated from Raiders (+400 happiness for cities liberated from roamers) last 10 turns (was 15 turns)

GC74
Oyster Reef is affected by Sanctified Sites, Animistic Knowledge and Magical Structures

Dr31
Summon Spy Drone costs 60 RP (was 80 RP)

GC75
Harbours give Maintenance (+5 HP/strategic turn) to friendly Boats in the city’s domain

Wi03
Summon Lesser Elemental is tier 3 skill (was tier 4)

GC19a
Bards get Mind Control Immunity


The following changes are considered for v1.28:
GC68
The list of the spells that can be pre-researched automatically when the game starts is:
Global
* Arch druid: One with the elements, Fertile domain.
* Dreadnought: Mana fuel cells.
* Rogue: Iron grip, Treasure raiding.
* Sorcerer: Glyph of warding, Dread omen.
* Necromancer: Animate ruins, Undead plague.
* Theocrat: Beacon of faith, Paid absolution.
* Warlord: Authority of the sword, Death march.
o Tactical
* Arch druid: Root spears
* Dreadnought: Flash bang
* Rogue: Poison blades
* Sorcerer: Magic fist
* Necromancer: Death ray
* Theocrat: Smite
* Warlord: Last stand, Lion's courage
* Air: Suffocate
* Creation: Bless
* Destruction: Killer instinct
* Earth: Stoning
* Fire: Fireball
* Water: Vengeful frost
* Wild magic: Warp equipment

GC26c
Forbidden Sanctum’s extra reward multiplier is 0.07 (was 0.25) so that you can get maximum 200-300 mana in addition to CP and free skill

Can the judges please write a comment about replacing LobEarlo with a new team (LoLo).

It's not allowed to replace a player in the 2vs2 tournament so we have to found/create a new team, Longinus. What about LL, DoubleL or LoLo? Feel free to contact me!

Fortunately both of us are already in the ITT-Team! :-)

if you are looking for a partner let me know as I dont have a partner currently

== 2018 PBEM 2vs2 Tournament ==
Please start thinking about your class/race for round 3, especially for the 4 teams who already know their opponents.
Round 3 will use v1.27 and the main branch of the balance mod.

== 2019 PBEM Duel Tournament ==
A new Duel Tournament will be organized and should start around June. Discussions on the settings and rules are open here: https://forum.paradoxplaza.co... Please share your thoughts now, it will be too late in June!
Registrations should open in May.

== Balance ==
The article about v1.27 has been published, check it out to know what you'll be playing with on round 3 of the tournament.
The main branch was updated to v1.27 yesterday.

These changes are confirmed for v1.28:
GC50c
Enemy heroes cannot be targetted by True Resurrect.

Ro20
Incite Revolt gives -250 Undead Population / turn to Ghoul cities (was one-off -600 when the spell is cast)

GC11d
Warbreeds get Greedy (+25% upkeep). Gladiator Pit gives Tamed (-25% upkeep) to Warbreed.

Dr24a
Spy Drones have Night Vision.

GC36a
Planetary Alignment gives +100 % RP income for 4 turns (was complete the current research instantly)

GC72
Cure Disease costs no action point and has a 1 turn cooldown (so can be used only once per turn) (was takes all remaining AP)

The following changes will be confirmed for v1.28 if no further feedback:
GC70
Warbreeds are replaced by Ogres on Destruction Mana Node. Trolls are replaced by Ogres on Ancient Ruins.

Dr22
Dreadnought heroes can choose Force Field Generator Gear for 7 points at level 13: Units led by this hero get Force Field Generator: self-buff ability that can be used Once per battle for no action point and gives 40% fire, 40% frost and 40% shock protection for 5 turns.

Dr25
Great Blacksmith increases sales at your forges: Magma Forge generates +5 gold/turn (in addition to existing -10% gold for Armored)

Dr27
Engineers have Tunneling and can Build Road for 4 gold/hex and Bridges for 48 gold (was 5 gold/hex and 60 gold).

GC41j
Shadow Step costs 4 UP for Rogue (was 5) and Necromancer (was 2)


The following changes are considered for v1.28:
Cr02b
Domain of Life gives +5 HP  to allied units in the enchanted city’s domain (was Fast Healing (stackable) and +20% Spirit protection).

Fi04a
Tropical Empire gives Inflict Scorched Heat to allied units in your domain (was Inflict Immolation)

GC68
The list of the spells that can be pre-researched automatically when the game starts is:
Global
* Arch druid: One with the elements, Fertile domain.
* Dreadnought: Mana fuel cells.
* Rogue: Iron grip, Treasure raiding.
* Sorcerer: Glyph of warding, Dread omen.
* Necromancer: Animate ruins, Undead plague.
* Theocrat: Beacon of faith, Paid absolution.
* Warlord: Authority of the sword, Death march.
o Tactical
* Arch druid: Root spears
* Dreadnought: Flash bang
* Rogue: Poison blades
* Sorcerer: Magic fist
* Necromancer: Death ray
* Theocrat: Smite
* Warlord: Last stand, Lion's courage
* Air: Suffocate
* Creation: Bless
* Destruction: Killer instinct
* Earth: Stoning
* Fire: Fireball
* Water: Vengeful frost
* Wild magic: Warp equipment

Ar04
Obelisk of Undeath do not affect allied units with Curse (was: allied units are also Curse if valid targets)

GC26c
Forbidden Sanctum’s extra reward multiplier is 0.07 (was 0.25) so that you can get maximum 200-300 mana in addition to CP and free skill

GC73
Liberated from Raiders (+400 happiness for cities liberated from roamers) last 10 turns (was 15 turns)

GC74
Oyster Reef is affected by Sanctified Sites, Animistic Knowledge and Magical Structures

Dr31
Summon Spy Drone costs 60 RP (was 80 RP)

GC75
Harbours give Maintenance (+5 HP/strategic turn) to friendly Boats in the city’s domain

Wi03
Summon Lesser Elemental is tier 3 skill (was tier 4)

GC19a
Bards get Mind Control Immunity

Nazo joined !!

== 2018 PBEM 2vs2 Tournament ==
After discussions among judges, it was decided that in the end all games will get +4 weeks, which will technically prevent an update of the Strong Defenders Normal Rewards in the middle of round 2.
The new deadline for the end of round is thus 31 March 9:31 PM GMT+1.

== Balance ==
We have the first changes confirmed for v1.28:
GC45a
Inflict Despair is available at level 5 (was 1)

Ha21a
Halfling economic RG1: Store House costs 45 less to build (was Store House costs 35 less to build)

AD18a
Archdruid heroes can choose Call Ancestral Spirits at level 7 (was 5).


The following changes will be confirmed for v1.28 if no further feedback:
GC50c
Enemy heroes cannot be targetted by True Resurrect.

Ro20
Incite Revolt gives -250 Undead Population / turn to Ghoul cities (was one-off -600 when the spell is cast)

GC11d
Warbreeds get Greedy (+25% upkeep). Gladiator Pit gives Tamed (-25% upkeep) to Warbreed.

GC70
Warbreeds are replaced by Ogres on Destruction Mana Node. Trolls are replaced by Ogres on Ancient Ruins.

Dr24a
Spy Drones have Night Vision.

GC36a
Planetary Alignment gives +100 % RP income for 4 turns (was complete the current research instantly)

GC72
Cure Disease costs no action point and has a 1 turn cooldown (so can be used only once per turn) (was takes all remaining AP)

The following changes are considered for v1.28:
Dr22
Dreadnought heroes can choose Force Field Generator Gear for 7 points at level 13: Units led by this hero get Force Field Generator: self-buff ability that can be used Once per battle for no action point and gives 40% fire, 40% frost and 40% shock protection for 5 turns.

Dr25
Great Blacksmith increases sales at your forges: Magma Forge generates +5 gold/turn (in addition to existing -10% gold for Armored)

Dr27
Engineers have Tunneling and can Build Road for 4 gold/hex and Bridges for 48 gold (was 5 gold/hex and 60 gold).

Cr02b
Domain of Life gives +5 HP  to allied units in the enchanted city’s domain (was Fast Healing (stackable) and +20% Spirit protection).

GC41j
Shadow Step costs 4 UP for Rogue (was 5) and Necromancer (was 2)

Fi04a
Tropical Empire gives Inflict Scorched Heat to allied units in your domain (was Inflict Immolation)

== 2018 PBEM 2vs2 Tournament ==
About two weeks left before the end of round 2.

Judges decided to give extra times to games which started late due to round 1 late end, or due to judging time:
Match #9: Mab's Sons vs Dread & Mac +1 week
Match #10: Reckless mortals vs Crusher of Clans +2 weeks
Match #11: Deaf Ogres NWO vs xlnt & Henry +4 weeks
Match #14: SleepingDog & personian vs Bastards of the North +2 weeks

It is possible that additional extra time will be given, as the discussion is still ongoing among judges.


Regarding teams where 1 player wants to leave, as already announced before, it is not possible to make replacements. A team is composed of two players, if one leaves, the team is disqualified from the tournament, and needs to be replaced by a new team. In round 3 and later rounds, only teams who got a similar number of victories/losses can replace disqualified teams.

== Balance ==
The following changes will be confirmed for v1.28 if no further feedback:
GC45a
Inflict Despair is available at level 5 (was 1)

Ha21a
Halfling economic RG1: Store House costs 45 less to build (was Store House costs 35 less to build)

AD18a
Archdruid heroes can choose Call Ancestral Spirits at level 7 (was 5).

The following changes are considered for v1.28:
Dr22
Dreadnought heroes can choose Force Field Generator Gear for 7 points at level 13: Units led by this hero get Force Field Generator: self-buff ability that can be used Once per battle for no action point and gives 40% fire, 40% frost and 40% shock protection for 5 turns.

Dr25
Great Blacksmith increases sales at your forges: Magma Forge generates +5 gold/turn (in addition to existing -10% gold for Armored)

Dr27
Engineers have Tunneling and can Build Road for 4 gold/hex and Bridges for 48 gold (was 5 gold/hex and 60 gold).

Cr02b
Domain of Life gives +5 HP  to allied units in the enchanted city’s domain (was Fast Healing (stackable) and +20% Spirit protection).

Dr20
Bomb Squad gives Self Destruct (was Explosive Death) to Draconian, Dwarf, Frostling, Halfling, High Elf, Human, Goblin, Orc, and Tigran units in the stack led by this hero: units with Self Destruct can sacrifice themselves to cause 10 physical damage and 10 fire damage to units adjacent to them. Bomb Squad costs 8 points (was 5).
The AI cannot use this ability.

GC50c
Enemy heroes cannot be targetted by True Resurrect.

Ro20
Incite Revolt gives -250 Undead Population / turn to Ghoul cities (was one-off -600 when the spell is cast)

GC11d
Warbreeds get Greedy (+25% upkeep). Gladiator Pit gives Tamed (-25% upkeep) to Warbreed.

GC70
Warbreeds are replaced by Ogres on Destruction Mana Node. Trolls are replaced by Ogres on Ancient Ruins.

Dr24a
Spy Drones have Night Vision.

GC36a
Planetary Alignment gives +100 % RP income for 4 turns (was complete the current research instantly)

GC72
Cure Disease costs no action point and has a 1 turn cooldown (so can be used only once per turn) (was takes all remaining AP)

Seems like I need a new partner for the 2vs2 tournament. Earl won't play another match.

== 2017 PBEM Duel Tournament ==
gab received his physical prize: a nice mug to show off!



Based on the How should we use the 31€ remaining after prizes and overheads have been paid? poll, the 31€ extra money from this tournament will be moved to the prize pool for the 2018 2vs2 Tournament.

== 2018 PBEM 2vs2 Tournament ==
29+ days before end of round 2.

Round 3 will be played with v1.27, which introduces changes with relatively high impacts regarding Floating UG and site rewards. Please check the changelog to get ready!

== Balance ==
The following changes are considered for v1.28:
GC45a
Inflict Despair is available at level 5 (was 1)

Dr22
Dreadnought heroes can choose Force Field Generator Gear for 7 points at level 13: Units led by this hero get Force Field Generator: self-buff ability that can be used Once per battle for no action point and gives 40% fire, 40% frost and 40% shock protection for 5 turns.

Dr25
Great Blacksmith increases sales at your forges: Magma Forge generates +5 gold/turn (in addition to existing -10% gold for Armored)

Dr27
Engineers have Tunneling and can Build Road for 4 gold/hex and Bridges for 48 gold (was 5 gold/hex and 60 gold).

Ha21a
Halfling economic RG1: Store House costs 45 less to build (was Store House costs 35 less to build)

Cr02b
Domain of Life gives +5 HP  to allied units in the enchanted city’s domain (was Fast Healing (stackable) and +20% Spirit protection).

Dr20
Bomb Squad gives Self Destruct (was Explosive Death) to Draconian, Dwarf, Frostling, Halfling, High Elf, Human, Goblin, Orc, and Tigran units in the stack led by this hero: units with Self Destruct can sacrifice themselves to cause 10 physical damage and 10 fire damage to units adjacent to them. Bomb Squad costs 8 points (was 5).
The AI cannot use this ability.

AD18a
Archdruid heroes can choose Call Ancestral Spirits at level 7 (was 5).

Cat and Cat and Pat joined !!

A message to be transparent about how the money donated by players here is used.

== 2017 PBEM Duel Tournament ==
After some delay, the physical prize has been sent to gabthegab! I hope he'll send us a photo after he receives it! It's an item to remind him of his great AoW3 deeds.

31€ are left after all the prizes and overheads have been paid for, see details on the prize page for the tournament.
A quick poll has been launched to decide what to do with these extra money. Could the 11 players who made donations for the 2017 Duel Tournament and the 12 players who did for the 2018 Team Tournament please vote (some are the same players)?

== 2018 PBEM 2vs2 Tournament ==
Depending on the result of the poll, we might have 31€ on top of the current prize pool of 86€. On top of that, we have a late donor, so we might end up with about 127€ in total. As explained in the prize page of the 2vs2 Tournament, that would cover 60€ for the prizes and 67€ for the Shadow Demon models for the Shadow Realm Expansion (see Wikia about it, and the main mod and RMG mod).

About 43 days left before round 3. The games which got delayed due to delays in round 2 should get an extension.

== Misc ==
So far, we have the current results for the poll on Ultimate Spells:
The Wild Hunt (Arch Druid) (Slightly UP)
The Great Mobilization (Dreadnought) (Well balanced)
Age of Death (Necromancer) (Slightly OP)
Age of Deception (Rogue) (Well balanced)
Age of Magic (Sorcerer) (Well balanced)
Armageddon (Theocrat) (Slightly OP)
Global Assault (Warlord)(Slightly OP)

== 2018 PBEM 2vs2 Tournament ==
Round 3 starts in 56 days. It should use v1.27.

The last game of round 1 which had benefited from a time extension ended today (report still to be updated).


== Balance ==
If you haven't yet, please check the article on v1.26 and the preliminary changelog of v1.27.
v1.26 has been updated today through updates to the beta branch and the SDNR mods have been updated today, see the changelog for details.


== Misc ==
A poll has been launched both for fun and also to help with future balancing work: How balanced are the Class Ultimate Spells according to you? Please vote!


And if you haven't read it yet, check out the Stronghelm Globe #4 with:
- interview of AbedNego, a legend of AoW3 Live MP
- lore on Yaka (Wizard of AoW2)
- article on a custom campaign under work by Refineus
- the story of a 1vs1 game between Fluksen and BBB

darkapothem quitted!

== 2018 PBEM 2vs2 Tournament ==
Match #4 ended with a score victory for Crusher of Clans.
The roster is not yet properly updated but information on the game blogs is correct so Crusher of Clans face Reckless mortals while Bastards of the North face SleepingDog & personian. Missing the class/race of Crusher and Bastards. Also, @Reckless and Sleepingdog & personian: please host ASAP and post screenshots of the settings.

Match #5 ends in about 3 weeks.
xnlt, Henry, please get ready!

Fluksen launched an interesting discussion on the interest of the Strong Defenders settings we currently use and how it potentially impact more players with less time or who don't abuse the AI. Opinions sought here: https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/strong-defenders-good-settings-for-competitive-games.1142816/

== Balance ==
An article describing v1.26 has been published (a bit late, sorry), check it out.

The preliminary changelog of v1.27 is ready, please check it on the development thread of the balance mod on the official forum.

These two changes were confirmed for v1.27:
GC11c
Independent Trolls, Naga Slither and Naga Guardian units with Regrowth get "Greedy": The unit costs +25% upkeep.

Wt03
Rot gives Weakened to Machine and Undead it affects (was Deteriorated in the balance mod and Weakened in vanilla).

== 2018 PBEM 2vs2 Tournament ==
Match #4 is playing its last turn, so matches #10 (with Retromancer and mahimka) and #14 (with SleepingDog and personian) will be able to start soon.

== Balance ==
There is no consensus on two proposals, one about increase upkeep for mind-controlled Regrowth units, and another about Flying/Floating/Swimming units. So it would be good to have more discussions and opinions on the forum about these two topics. Please join the discussion:
https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/trolls-regrowth-mind-control.1133455/
https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/balancing-flying-and-floating-units.1122078/

The changelog of v1.27 should be ready by next week, with potentially the 3 changes listed below on top of those already confirmed.

The following changes will be confirmed for v1.27 if no further feedback:
GC11c
Independent Trolls, Naga Slither and Naga Guardian units with Regrowth get "Greedy": The unit costs +25% upkeep.

GC11b
Mind-controlled units cost more in upkeep:+50% gold / turn (was +25%)

Wt03
Rot gives Weakened to Machine and Undead it affects (was Deteriorated in the balance mod and Weakened in vanilla).