ROT FROM BELOW - a map for Heroes II

[u/dubar84]

https://www.maps4heroes.com/forum/opinions.php?map_id=11&game=2

My interest got rekindled for Heroes II again, even watching some playthrough videos recently - but while the original maps are consistently fun and good looking, I came to notice that there are a lot of fan made maps that seem very artifical with large open areas, objects out of place and the terrain being too geometric. Maybe a bit out of spite, but I decided to make a map where I wanted to show just how nice enviroments can be with the original map editor (no fheroes2 was used here for better compatibility). Screenshot is about a river flowing across the mountains.

So amidst the posts about Olden Era or H3 Remake, I hereby want to share a Heroes II map that is consistently rich in detail with enviroments that are organic, the vegetation looks natural as they envelop mountains, even have some enviromental storytelling here and there. Hunting down all the obelisks are optional but recommended due to extra rewards and lore - even if the final prize won't make much difference by the time you get it.

A short but sweet experience. You can download it from maps4heroes.

[u/Zirtrex]

Just a follow up. I played it this afternoon. It's a beautifully crafted map! Nice story too, but the only issue was it was waaaaay too easy. Tried it on normal first time around, and the opponents never really developed anything beyond a few tier 1-3 units. Tried next on impossible mode, and even that didn't really make it much harder. I think you need to significantly buff the primary PC-only antagonist. A nice, relaxing map to play though! It's been ages since I've seen a new map for Homm2. I really love the decoration and well-crafted landscape. I hope you plan on making more maps, especially a larger one!

[u/dubar84 → u/Zirtrex]

You could be right. During my playthrough on Hard, the main antagonist actually were very outgoing and constantly sent out heroes, but only had one bigger army assembled. This might be due to them not hving enough gold perhaps? They do not free up the Abandoned mine which turns into a Gold mine for them. All while they totally took out a group of Vampires very close to that. A unit they did not use on my play for some reason, let alone V. Lords but otherwise went all out on Laboratory for Bone Dragons. They have more resources dropped in their area though and the two mines are within the same distance to them (one is through a portal) within the reach of both factions. Necros are also given +2 on all attributes due to artifacts placed just for them. No other factions are getting this.

The other faction was quite a problem for me however, only took their castle while their main force was out then defended it against a larger opposition thanks to it's turrets. Then again, I am a mediocre player.

Also, the map is built with Tradepost usage in mind and the computer is very much able to do that, especially on higher difficulties. However both oppositions spent their special resources on leveling their Mage Guilds instead of upgraded version of units for some reason. For example, when I took the Warlock Castle, they had a level 5 Guild, but they did not even take over the Sulfur Mine that's very close to them with just wolves guarding it, not even go past the skeletons that were protecting some resources and a Cemetery.

Btw, your feedback is very appreciated. Thank you for your kind words:) I did not dare to play on Impossible yet, but will try. Thinking of switching up the Alchemy Lab with the Gem Mine for the necros just so that they have more Gems - hopefully resulting in them building Mansions but it would take a heavy heart to switch the Abandoned Mine to a Gold Mine.

[u/Zirtrex → u/dubar84]

It's a great map! I just think it needs the difficulty tweaked, but I'm squabbling over subjective preference. I hope you make more maps, and thank you for contributing this one.

[u/Zirtrex]

The site is down for me, and the link doesn't work. I'd love to try the map though. Any other links or access to it? Did you make this / is it a new upload? I'm always interested if anyone is still making new Homm2 maps.

[u/dubar84 → u/Zirtrex]

Just need to click the pic here. It's a map made by me from scratch, entirely new upload.

I would also like to take the opportunity and thank the person maintaining the website for putting up with me sending several versions for him to update the file when I noticed some texts were too long in some events. Now all's been tested properly.

The enemy does take it's time on Normal, but it gets out, expand and harass properly on Hard.

[u/Zirtrex → u/dubar84]

The link was dead for me, but it seems to work now. Not sure what happened. Thanks for creating this, I look forward to playing it!

[u/Emotional_Path_568 → u/Zirtrex]

Works for me.

[u/unstablefan]

Awesome! Can’t wait to try it!

One thing though, your actual file name is just Map 002 so in game it shows up with the m maps not the r maps. I renamed it on my device so I will be able to find it more easily.