Recommended turn order based on play times:

SanTiL quitted!

I think the Winter is Here still has 1 slot open: join to play in the world of Games of Throne season 6 with some very nice players!

A new article has been published to analyse the results of the poll about the best mods for AoW3 that was run in December-January: Best mod of AoW3, as of the end of 2017 Check it out, there are many very good mods in it, you could try them in your next casual games!

The January Tactical Challenge is still open! You will face a dangerous Frostling Sorcerer armed with Chaos Rift and a powerful army: how are you going to beat her? With what troops? Train yourself to analyse your opponent and plays to its weaknesses, and improve your tactical skills in this nice challenge!


Personally I went for the easy solution and took Nightshade Fairies to beat her, and it worked! So will you go for Feys too or try another strategy?



To set up the Arena, you'll probably need 10 to 30min (depending on how well you understand the explanations from Marcus and me ): Arena game mode presentation and set up explanations. Then you'll just need to download the map file in the Tactical-Challenges folder https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ea... and put it in your Map folder. After you have designed your army in your head, it should take you about 30min to build it in the Arena (more if you design it as you go). And then the fight is yours, so 40min to much more depending on your fighting speed!
Good luck and don't hesitate to ask for advice on the chat!

== Balance ==
v1.23 of the balance mod should be updated this week end on the beta branch and in about 10 days on the main branch.

Winter is Here map has an opening.  You can play as Jon Snow or Queen Cersei.

You think you're good at tactical combat to clear sites? You want to show off?
Or you think you're bad and you need a good training?
Good! The new Arena game mode allows to create quickly some fun tactical battle challenges! I created one on the 31st of January, so that's the January 2018 Tactical Challenge! So far, Blackwill and Marcus have beaten the challenge, congratz to them! Who will be next? Report your results and ask for advice on the chat: https://www.the-battlefield.c... />
To play the challenge, go to this Dropbox folder: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ea... and go to the Tactical-Challenges sub-folder: open the .txt file for the instructions. Basically, you need to set up the Arena game mode first (5 mods), then copy the map file in your map folder.

SanTiL joined !!

There is a few open games to join!
- Igloo Wars 3v3 hosted by SeeR with 11 mods + the balance mod - a good opportunity to play a fun game with a master of mods! (it looks like some players not registered on the BF are already in, so the amount of seats available may be lower than displayed)
- Challenge #15 the usual Duel game vs DreadReapr. He has lost several games recently so if you want to gain free ranking points, join that and destroy him, he's in a losing streak!
- Empire Building Mod$ Duel SeeR wants to build a nicey empire and duel people, why not?
- Duel a 3rd duel, opened by SanTiL to fight new opponents, DreadReapr: DON'T JOIN!

By the way, there might be a 2vs2 Tournament this year (there will be a vote to decide if it's Duel or 2vs2), so might be a good idea to look for partners!

== Misc ==
Arena games will be played this Saturday, you're all invited to come to discover the Arena mode, a new way to play AoW3 with short tactical battles between human players (no empire building, only fights)! We should be there at least from 8am to 9am GMT.
Check out the Arena Player Pool for instruction on how to play the Arena. Come to the chat to get help or find an opponent!

Videos of two Arena fights:

AbedNego (Dwarf Sorcerer) vs Nemesis Zero (Draconian Necromancer)


AbedNego (Dwarf Necromancer) vs Nemesis Zero (Shadow Elf Sorcerer)

IIaanor joined !!

Still looking for a couple players for the Westeros Winter is Here map:

https://www.the-battlefield.com/aow3/index.php?page=bfmgames&listid=747

gladis joined !!

Hi all and welcome to our newest members! You may want to have a look at this article presenting the functions of the Battlefield (BF).

== Misc ==
There is a poll ongoing about the best mods for AoW3. Please vote in that poll if you haven't yet.
If you have never used one mod, please choose the option "Don't know" (and not "Neutral").

== Balance ==
v1.23 has been released on the beta branch of the balance mod. You can check its changelog in the usual document: https://docs.google.com/docum... />It should be released on the main branch in about 74 days.

Also, reminder: a discussion was launched about making rarely used Dwelling units more useful. You can still contribute here (and in particular give your opinion on the changes proposed): http://aow.triumph.net/forums/topic/making-currently-rarely-used-dwelling-units-more-useful  We should soon move to the next steps and gather feedback on the most promising ideas, to include them in the balance mod.

And finally, if no further feedback is provided, this change will be confirmed for v1.24:
GC46
Domains of XXX spells can be researched by Necromancer (were not displayed in the research book of Necromancer) and their non-morale bonus apply to Undead, Elementals and units of Magical Origin (these three types of units still do not start to “Like” the climate due to the spell) (was Undead, Elementals and units of Magical Origin do not benefit from the stat boost)

Hello,

I've created a 1v1 duel in preparation of the next round in the duel tournament, join if you want!
Link is here: https://www.the-battlefield.com/aow3/index.php?page=bfmgames&listid=744
And the settings are:
Normal tournament settings with the following options up for discussion: 
Include Pbem++ mod 
Allow max hero level 15 
Land only map 
Trial the new mod for removal of rapids

Hello,

Game "There can only be one" had a drop out and looking for a 6th player to start the game.
A few mods are needed:
Beast dwelling 
Dark Elf Dwelling 
PBEM 
PBEM ++ 
Extended Settings 

URL to game: https://www.the-battlefield.com/aow3/index.php?page=bfmgames&listid=736

Henrysix joined !!

TheLegendaryBen quitted!

Fanjo joined !!

New FFA deathmatch, 6 players. Check out the details and join up if you are interested.

https://www.the-battlefield.com/aow3/index.php?page=bfmgames&listid=736

darkapothem joined !!

Hi friends. I created new team game. Anyone interested can join it. I'm open to your suggestions about using new interesting mods.

It's nice for fun or for others to learn but I also think it's stressful, wouldn't want to do it.
edit: or not for ALL games, if necessary, then only tournaments

I am against recordings, i play some turns per day for recreation and live is stressful enough, plus i often have to make breaks in the turn cause someone is crying or wife orders me around. So it´s a lot of extra efford, that i don´t like cause i am lazy.

On the other side, as Hiliadan said, cheats may not be seen on the recordings at all, so what use has it anyway? It only works against the normal user, who has trouble with it and if he forgets to record or has technical problems, it´s bad for him cause that´s suspicious.

If the judges order recordings in certain cases that´s ok, but for all, i don´t think that´s appropriate. Best would be if the game had an review option like starcraft, but that´s not the case. So i´d say leave it as it is.