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Underway Expanded [Kinda Beta?]

Underway Expanded

Hail and well met, traveler! This mod today is brought to you by Vandy and PrussianWarfare. Its sole purpose is to expand the Underway mechanic. Get the name now?

This mod actually fully disables the Underway Stance as it exists for the Greenskins and the Dwarfs, and replaces it with a new mechanic involving some strange teleportation, money, maybe some sieging, and a map. If that interests you, read on! If not, read on!

NOTE: This mod has been tested, but there are some potential issues with it, specific edge break cases, and things like that. Until I feel more comfortable with it, I'm going to keep the "Kinda Beta?" tag on it. Please let me know of any issues and balance concerns with it, but PLEASE provide specific repro cases!

How It Works

Before we carry on, I should specify that due to the complex nature of this mod and how UI-oriented it is, it does not and probably will never work for the AI. That's simply a limitation to modding, but I don't want to not have fun with some neat mod ideas because of AI limitations. I may in the future look into simulating the AI's movements via the Underway.

This mod entirely replaces the Underway Stance as it stands with a new mechanic, complete with a new button when you select one of your own armies as Dwarfs/Greenskins.

There are several regions throughout the mountainous regions of the Old World and the Southlands that have ancient Underway Entrances, with passages to other specific nearby Underway Entrances. Travel is restricted between these specific passages.

As the Dwarfs, your goal is to own these regions and build the reclaiming buildings which reenable the Underway passages. Dwarfs can pass between any two connected regions, as long as one of the Underway reclaiming buildings is built, the regions are owned by fellow Dawi, and relations are good between the two factions.

As the Greenskins, your goal is to keep these buildings destroyed, preventing Dwarfs from using them. Greenskins can use the Underway as long as the max-level Underway reclaiming building isn't built by Dawi in the region, or as long as the region they're entering or leaving from isn't owned by a neutral Greenskin faction - only allied tribes!

Beware that using the Underway still has a chance of being intercepted en route!

Compatibility

Compatible with basically anything! Except for maybe, like... Underway overhaul mods?

There's some special compatibility with Cataph's Kraka Drak, too. Cool, right?

Known Issues

• May be some Greenskin bugginess - they didn't go through very rigorous testing, like the Dawi. Their balance is also definitely wonky, give feedback.
  
• As mentioned a bunch of times, AI does not use this mechanic, it's absolutely a nerf for AI Dawi and Greens. I'll look into some way to rebalance that.

Bug Reports

If you find bugs or have feedback, please share them in the "Bug Reports/Balance" discussion that's pinned.

Planned Updates

Let's start with this. I DO NOT plan on giving this same mechanic to the Wood Elves or the Beastmen. Full-stop, no thanks.

I might return and do some Skaven integration later on, but it'd have to be pretty super nerfed due to the fact that they should have the Tunneling stance wherever, whereas the Dawi and Grobi are realistically limited to regions that actually have actual Underway passages. If there are ideas on how to do this, share away.

This version is a pretty early one, I expect needing a few balance patches. I also mentioned previously the AI thing. I don't love the fact that it doesn't work for them - if I figure out how to simulate the AI, I'll totally do it.

I'm also hoping to improve some UI stuff eventually and doing whatever QoL improvements are possible!

Thanks and Stuff

Thanks to Marthenil for help with figuring out specific technical difficulties, you go Marth.
Thanks to the Modding Den for help with balance and design discussions!

Contact Me!

If you'd like to get in touch with me about my mods or whatever, don't bother with Steam. Join me and a bunch of awesome modders- including PrussianWarfare!- in the Modding Den[discord.gg], a Discord channel. It's a great place for people who love mods, or Total War, or gaming, or want to learn how to mod. Come join the fun!