I am one hundred percent aware that this design idea, is probably too late for consideration, baring in mind Endless Legend has just entered into beta. However I feel that I should at least put this idea forward non-the-less because this could perhaps improve upon some of the mechanics already included in the game in its present state.



It dawned on me the other day that sieges and conquering cities seems to be a bit fiddly and problematic; and to some extent this area of the game needs ironing out. Well whilst playing the game, I had a slight moment of great inspiration, and an idea befell me. This idea, is what I will henceforth refer to as Vassal States.



Bare with me as I use images to explain this game mechanic. I feel this is best broken down into stages, because it encompasses a number of pre-existing game mechanics but fuses them together to make something quite interesting and unique.



These game mechanics are:



1. Heroes

2. Conquering and occupying other Faction's cities

3. City Approval and Rebellion



So let me give a basic overview of what we currently have, and then I will move on to what I'm proposing. At present when we conquer a city, the core buildings convert to our own faction. but the 'fields' and extractors retain the look of the previous faction. I think - but don't quote me - once the approval rate goes up, these structures convert over to your faction, and the city eventually becomes a fully functioning one. Whilst this game design idea has a lot of promise. I'd like to put forth a different one.



I'll break this game design idea down into the relevant stages of progression.







At present upon conquering a city; the city structures convert over to your faction. What I'm proposing, is that instead of converting to your faction. The city should for all intents and purposes, remain permanently the faction of those that 'settled it'. This would mean you were occupying and conquering, and thus accessing the city of an opposing faction. Potentially giving you access to their units (only their tier 1 units, tier 2 and 3 are unlocked via a tech introduced in Era 5). These units would however only be able to be produced in that city. And not in those owned by your own faction. This would mean implementing a city/unit lock, so faction specific units can only be built in the appropriate city.



However, it is not as simple as just occupying/conquering a city...







Upon conquering a city, the city approval is 0%, and in the present game, needs a certain amount of turns to return to a healthy state of approval. Instead of forgoing a certain amount of turns, I'm suggesting a different prerequisite... Vassal Heroes.



To access, control and assimilated properly these conquered cities, first you must install a Hero belonging to that city's faction. For example when playing as the Wild Walkers, if I was to conquer a Roving Clan City, I'd need a Roving Clan hero to subdue the rebellion and to access their tier 1 units.







Likewise to field these units in battle without them suffering a severe penalty to moral, it would require a Hero (either of the same faction, or one with the Hero Skill: Charismatic Leader).



I am aware of the criticism of this idea: "This could totally disrupt the balance of the game"



However; firstly the game hasn't been fined tuned for balance as of yet; and secondly the player can already access other factions units and heroes through the market place. This idea just adds a nice layer of depth to conquering cities, and also makes war and conquering cities, a more difficult process (occupying cities, should never be easy). Likewise it gives greater weight to the 'Siege' and likewise the 'Raze' options. These options are rarely favoured over conquering and taking ownership of another's city.



I hope that I explained this well enough



Thank you for taking the time to read over my idea. Feel free to comment and chip in, or ask me any questions. Like I said I'm aware that this is probably too late to even be implemented. But I just thought I'd share it none-the-less.

I loooooove the idea of Vassal States in EL !



I have to say I did not read everything, will be done later !



But as I saw, I can say that I support it, even if that is a very dangerous path about the balance of the game !

I like the idea of introducing vassals into Endless Legend, but I'm not sure this would be the right way to go about it. However, I do agree that simply gaining control of the cities by waiting for a few turns is a little plain.

Perhaps conquered cities should offer a "vassalize" option that would take one turn to finish, and turn the city into a "neutral" city permanently allied to you and paying tributes in the form of dust and resources (and perhaps a research bonus), but not messing up your approval (and booster costs) because it's not fully part of your empire. Ideally, this option would also be available as a diplomatic contract, offering your enemy mercy in return for him pledging himself fully to your cause and supporting you with Dust, resources, and a research bonus. On that note, "Military support" would be an interesting diplomatic option, asking another empire to gift you a few military units to help you out in a pinch (or demanding them as tribute because you're already ruling them with an iron fist.)

Implementing such vassalization through diplomacy might also require less development effort, though I of course can't tell for sure.