New Fellowship Adventurers Coming Soon!

InnoGames is adding something new for fellowships.  Right now it's being tested on the Beta server, and will probably go live within a few days.

At first glance, to me, it looks very similar to the tournaments we have now.  But instead, it looks like the rewards will be Instants.  And if you open the bigger chests, the possibility to receive some of the reward buildings from previous events.  But from the overview I'll link below - it will take quite a lot of coordination.

Which means we will need everyone in the fellowship to start participating in the fellowship only stuff, like tournaments and the new "Fellowship Adventurers".  I am not sure how often these will run, and whether it will be a permanent addition or only something they run for awhile.  I will let you know as I find out.

Check out the video in the link below:
New Fellowship Adventurers Coming Soon

Why cross-tier trades are uneven

There's one aspect of trading that I never took part in, and that's cross-tier trades. A cross-tier trade is when someone is willing to give up a good from one tier, wanting a good from another tier in return. This is most often done where someone posts a trade giving up a higher tier good, like tier-3 Magical Goods (elixir/magic dust/gems), in exchange for a lower tier good such as tier-1 Basic Goods (marble/steel/planks).

Everyone has their own opinion on it, and those opinions are usually very strong! But personally, I have always thought that it was unfair.  Especially when someone is giving up a higher tier good for a lower tier good. And, I think it's extremely bad for a fellowship! I know – at first, this sounds backwards, maybe even downright crazy, but let me explain why.

First, we must understand how the game suggests trades. When making a trade, the game groups the trades into four categories: 0-star through 3-star trades. 2-star trades are considered “even”, basically a 1-1 ratio. 0-star trades are just bad, and I won't even mention them here. 1-star trades are a little off balance and happen most often when you come across someone in the trade window that you haven't found on the map yet. Then the game imposes a 50% penalty. So if the person is really asking for 100 units, the game will tack on another 50 units for a total cost of 150. 3-star trades are good for the “buyer”, and it happens when you are getting better than a 1-1 ratio. Usually, someone needs something bad and they are willing to give up more to get it.

Now, when placing a trade, the game will suggest a 1x4x16 ratio between the tiers to achieve a 2-star, or balanced, trade. You are allowed to waiver from that ratio some, but get too far away from it and the game will reject your trade offer. So that means for every 1 tier-3 good being offered it would be “worth” 4 tier-2 goods, and 16 tier-1 goods.

So, some examples:

(Tier-1 Basic Goods offers)

You offer 100 steel and the game will suggest you ask for 25 crystals/scrolls/silk

You offer 100 steel and the game will suggest you ask for 6 elixir/magic dust/gems

(Tier-2 Crafted Goods offers)

You offer 100 silk and the game will suggest you ask for 400 marble/steel/planks

You offer 100 silk and the game will suggest you ask for 25 elixir/magic dust/gems

(Tier-3 Magical Goods offers)

You offer 100 gems and the game will suggest you ask for 400 crystals/scrolls/silk

You offer 100 gems and the game will suggest you ask for 1600 marble/steel/planks

So you can see that if you are offering a good, it will require more lower tier goods to fulfill the offer, and less higher tier goods. Why does this matter? Because of the difference between what each tier factory produces. The lower tier factories yield a lower amount of goods per production run. While the actual amount depends on which race you are (Elf or Human), and on your current boost rate based on the number of relics you have – overall the lower the tier factory, the lower the yield per run.

While the actual production numbers will be personal, let's use some numbers from the wiki. In chapter 5, you could have max level 15 marble and elixir factories. Their base productions per day would be 173 for marble, and 571 for elixir. That is already a big difference in their production amounts. But that's just base amounts. Let me use my factories on my Elf city as a real world example (all puns intended):

Factory     Factory level     Boost amount      9-hour Production yield

Marble      14         433%             496

Crystal      9         402%             477

Elixir       5         472%             584

That's a noticeable difference between tier-1 to tier-3 production. But especially when you consider I could upgrade the elixir factory another 10 levels to level 15! Even when you take into consideration that tier-3 goods cost more coin and supplies to run, tier-3 can easily outproduce tier-1 when spending that same amount of time, coins, and supplies!

Right now, on my server, there is a trade posted where someone is giving up 300 gems and wants 4000 marble in return. This, by the way, is considered a 3-star or really good trade by the game. So using my example city above, it would take me 8 marble factories all running 9-hour productions to produce 3986 marble. Better hope I already have some marble saved up or I would need a 9th factory to fulfill the offer. Assuming the numbers for gem factories are somewhere close to my elixir factories, it would only take that person 1 gems factory to produce the 300 gems they are giving up. And they would have a surplus amount of leftover gems for themselves!

This is why, unless it was dire circumstances, I never take cross-tier trades. They aren't fair and equitable trades. Now I know people might still need them, and some people like them. But you usually see the same people posting the same cross-tier trades over and over. And that's just a drain on the “economy”. Those people usually cut down or eliminated their tier-1 factories to save space. But it is very inefficient and forces others to carry their deficiencies

That's why all it takes is one fellowship member running their production like this and it will drain the fellowship of resources.  Especially if not everyone in the fellowship is participating in trades.  But that is a topic for another post!

The Masquerade Pt 1 help

Sorry I didn't get this out sooner.

Here is a link to a page with great information about this small mini-event.  And from the sounds of "Part 1" in the name, I am guessing there will be more to come.  InnoGames seems to like putting out some small events in the middle of some big ones.  So far, the event has seemed very manageable - but I'm not sure how it would be for the lower levels.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in game!  And good luck!

Masquerade Help

AWC Rotation for 8/14 - 8/20

This week we will be working on Lanthum's Golden Abyss.  If you are an AWC member, please donate at least 5 KP's to his AW this week.  And if you can afford more - please do!

The Golden Abyss provides an excellent sources of both coins and population!  It is a great building even at relatively low levels.  And at the mid to higher levels, it produces more than any other building out yet!

The Golden Abyss's production is stated in percentages: coin production is a percentage based on the maximum capacity of you Main Hall; and the population is based off your current Working Population.  You can see both by hovering over your HUD (Heads Up Display - the top bar).  Hover over your population, and you see the breakdown including Working Population.  Hover over your coins, and you will see a breakdown with the you maximum you can have.

Let's come together to help Lanthum build his Golden Abyss Ancient Wonder!

AWC Rotation for 8/7 - 8/13

This week we will be working on sheeplady4558's Golden Abyss.  If you are an AWC member, please donate at least 5 KP's to her AW this week.  And if you can afford more - please do!

The Golden Abyss provides an excellent sources of both coins and population!  It is a great building even at relatively low levels.  And at the mid to higher levels, it produces more than any other building out yet!

The Golden Abyss's production is stated in percentages: coin production is a percentage based on the maximum capacity of you Main Hall; and the population is based off your current Working Population.  You can see both by hovering over your HUD (Heads Up Display - the top bar).  Hover over your population, and you see the breakdown including Working Population.  Hover over your coins, and you will see a breakdown with your maximum.

Let's come together to help sheeplady4558 build her Golden Abyss Ancient Wonder!

AWC Rotation for 7/31 - 8/6

This week, 7/31 - 8/6,  we will be working on matticus1181's Martial Monastery.

The Martial Monastery is the elven version of the human's Sanctuary - both of which use the same ruin.  Both Ancient Wonders boost your troops' health and gives you additional culture!  A great building to have for any fight!  Plus, since it gives you bonus culture based on your required culture, at higher levels the buildings give more culture bonus than almost any other building!

So let's help matticus1181 out - it looks like their AW is close to being ready to raise a level!

If you are a member of the Ancient Wonder Club, remember to donate at least 5 KPs to his AW this week.  And even if you're not a member of the AWC, donate some anyway!!

AWC Rotation for 7/24 - 7/30

A new week, and a new member to the Ancient Wonder Club!  This week let's all help out Karthor and his recent AW the Tome of Secrets.

If you are an AWC member, please donate at least 5 KP's to his AW this week.  And please as always, if you can afford more - help them out and donate more!  Even if you are not an AWC member, helping out your fellowship mate helps you out in the long run - as it gives rewards and will benefit you in stronger members and a stronger FS!

The Tome of Secrets gives Knowledge Point (KP) tomes every 24 hours, and rewards the owner with tools for every province you scout.  The additional KPs are a huge boost - especially at higher levels were you get multiple KPs every 24 hours.  And they added tools per province really helps also!

Let's work together, as a strong fellowship, and help Karthor build his Tome of Secrets!

AWC Rotation for 7/17 - 7/23

This week we will be working on Lanthum's Golden Abyss.  If you are an AWC member, please donate at least 5 KP's to his AW this week.  And please, if you can afford more - please do!

The Golden Abyss provides an excellent sources of both coins and population!  It is a great building each one at relatively low levels.  And at the mid to higher levels, it produces more than any other building out yet!

The Golden Abyss's production is stated in percentages: coin production is a percentage based on the maximum capacity of you Main Hall; and the population is based off your current Working Population.  You can see both by hovering over your HUD (Heads Up Display - the top bar).  Hover over your population, and you see the breakdown including Working Population.  Hover over your coins, and you will see a breakdown with your maximum.

Let's come together to help Lanthum build his Golden Abyss Ancient Wonder!

AWC Rotation for 7/10 - 7/16

This week we will be working on sheeplady4558's Golden Abyss.  If you are an AWC member, please donate at least 5 KP's to her AW this week.  And please, if you can afford more - please do!

The Golden Abyss gives you extra coins and population.  Both are percentages: coins are a percentage based on the maximum capacity of you Main Hall; and the population is based off your current Working Population.  You can see both by hovering over your HUD (Heads Up Display - the top bar).  Hover over your population, and you see the breakdown including Working Population.  Hover over your coins, and you will see a breakdown with your maximum.

The Golden Abyss provides an excellent sources of both coins and population!  And it becomes one of the best buildings in the game for either at relatively low levels.  At the mid to higher levels, it produces more than any other building out yet!

AWC Member Rotation List

As of 07/11/2017, our current AWC member rotation list is as follows:

matticus1181 - Martial Monastery
sheeplady4558 - Golden Abyss
Lanthum - Golden Abyss

Karthor - Tome of Secrets

If you would like to join, or would like to change your AW, please send either Lanthum or sheeplady4558 an in-game message.

The new "Pay some amount" mechanic

This event has a new mechanic that I've not seen before in an event.  I have taken some screenshots to help make it easier to understand.  This first pic shows what the window looks like when you click on the quest to view it.

The red arrow points to a plus sign, that I am assuming will either be green (if you can afford it right now) or possibly gray (if you can't afford it).  If you click on the green plus sign, you will get the next window.

Once you get to this screen, you have two choices on how to pay.  You can click the "Maximum" button on the right side which will automatically add whatever is required.  Or you could click the green plus sign to increase the amount to whatever you want (say, if you didn't want to pay it all right now for some reason).  Either way, once you are done, then click on the "Pay" button which should be green once you decide how much you are going to spend.

Just a new mechanic, and easy to use once you figure it out!

March of the Herds links

Here are some good links to check out.  You can see what rewards were are working for.  Plus the link at Crazy Wizard Info updates often showing what day each reward is coming.  That way, you can save up for the things you really want, instead of wasting your beets on buildings that might not help you.

Crazy Wizard Info

Some basic info on how the event works

Gamers Gems of Knowledge

I hope this helps!

New Event - March of the Herds

So the new event just started!  I'm not sure about the rewards this time - but I'm a sucker for collecting and upgrading, so why not!!??  I will be putting out info to help everyone out.  I'll start with a list of the quests that are required:

1 Produce Beverages 1 time
2 Spend 1 Knowledge Point
3 Gain 500 Coins
4 Gain 100 Supplies
5 Gain 1 Relic
6 Solve 1 Encounter or gain 1 Relic
7 Gain 50 Marble
8 Gain 50 Steel
9 Gain 50 Planks
10 Pay a good amount of Marble
11 Pay a good amount of Steel
12 Pay a good amount of Planks
13 Upgrade 5 buildings to level 4 or higher
14 Gain Power of Provision Enchantment 2 times
15 Pay a good amount of Coins
16 Gain a good amount of Coins
17 Solve 12 Encounters or Gain 12 Relics
18 Produce Beverages 50 times
19 Gain 14 Relics
20 Pay a good amount of Crystal
21 Pay a good amount of Scrolls
22 Pay a good amount of Silk
23 Gain Power of Provision Enchantment 2 times
24 Train 100 Units
25 Produce [Bonus Tier 1: 3h] 5 times
26 Produce [Bonus Tier 1: 9h] 4 times
27 Produce [Bonus Tier 1: 1d] 3 times
28 Spend 7 Knowledge Points
29 Research 1 technology or upgrade 1 building to level 12 or higher
30 Pay a good amount of Elixir
31 Pay a good amount of Magic Dust
32 Pay a good amount of Gems
33 Produce Simple Tools 30 times
34 Scout 1 Province or upgrade 1 Building to level 12 or higher
35 Pay a good amount of Supplies
36 Produce Bread 40 times and Gain Supplies
37 Produce Advanced Tools 20 times and Gain Supplies
38 Produce Basket of Groceries 10 times and Gain Supplies
39 Spend 14 Knowledge Points
40 Pay a good amount of Crystal
41 Pay a good amount of Scrolls
42 Pay a good amount of Silk
43 Gain Power of Provision Enchantment 3 times
44 Train 200 Units
45 Produce [Bonus Tier 1: 3h] 10 times
46 Produce [Bonus Tier 1: 9h] 8 times
47 Produce [Bonus Tier 1: 1d] 6 times
48 Spend 15 Knowledge Points
49 Research 1 technology or upgrade 1 building to level 12 or higher
50 Pay a good amount of Marble
51 Pay a good amount of Steel
52 Pay a good amount of Planks
53 Upgrade 6 buildings to level 5 or higher
54 Gain Power of Provision Enchantment 3 times
55 Pay a good amount of Coins
56 Gain a good amount of Coins
57 Solve 18 Encounters or gain 18 Relics
58 Produce Beverages 100 times
59 Gain 20 Relics
60 Pay a good amount of Elixir
61 Pay a good amount of Magic Dust
62 Pay a good amount of Gems
63 Produce Simple Tools 60 times
64 Scout 2 Provinces or upgrade 2 Buildings to level 12 or higher
65 Pay a good amount of Supplies
66 Produce Bread 60 times and Gain Supplies
67 Produce Advanced Tools 30 times and Gain Supplies
68 Produce Basket of Groceries 15 times and Gain Supplies
69 Spend 22 Knowledge Points
70 Pay a good amount of Marble
71 Pay a good amount of Steel
72 Pay a good amount of Planks
73 Upgrade 7 buildings to level 6 or higher
74 Gain Power of Provision Enchantment 3 times
75 Pay a good amount of Coins
76 Gain a good amount of Coins
77 Solve 24 Encounters or gain 24 Relics
78 Produce Beverages 200 times
79 Gain 26 Relics
80 Pay a good amount of Crystal
81 Pay a good amount of Scrolls
82 Pay a good amount of Silk
83 Gain Power of Provision Enchantment 3 times
84 Train 300 Units
85 Produce[Bonus Tier 1: 3h] 15 times
86 Produce [Bonus Tier 1: 9h] 12 times
87 Produce [Bonus Tier 1: 1d] 9 times
88 Spend 23 Knowledge Points
89 Research 1 technology or upgrade 1 building to level 12 or higher
90 Pay a good amount of Elixir
91 Pay a good amount of Magic Dust
92 Pay a good amount of Gems
93 Produce Simple Tools 90 times
94 Scout 2 Provinces or upgrade 2 Buildings to level 12 or higher
95 Pay a good amount of Supplies
96 Produce Bread 80 times and Gain Supplies
97 Produce Advanced Tools 40 times and Gain Supplies
98 Produce Basket of Groceries 20 times and Gain Supplies
99 Spend 30 Knowledge Points