China & Zhu Xi's Library Dynastic Protectors Rework Suggestion

Age of Empires IV IV - Discussion
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Hello,

Would it be a problem for anyone if Zhu Xi was given Dynastic Protectors by default, via a Dynasty unlock, and not having to choose them as one of the 2 of 5 selections from Zhu Xi’s Library. I feel like these units should be standard for the faction and not gated behind a choice, or specific unique group. Zhu Xi’s Library’s perk selection needs a rework, as there really isn’t much choice with regard to the unlocks there. Am I the only one that always chooses Dynastic Protectors as one of the unlocks? Along with 1000 Bolts, those two are almost guaranteed to be chosen.

I think the Dynastic Protectors should not be gated, as this will help balance these choices. If those units were given as a separate unlock, via a Dynasty, than that would leave 4 choices instead of the 5 for Zhu Xi’s Library, and this change alone would rebalance the selection. I would also suggest allowing the Lancer to have a unique upgrade for China to help them stand out more as their signature Stable unit in comparison to Zhu Xi’s Lancer, or consider removing the Lancer from Zhu Xi to help separate the identities of the factions, particularly with this change to the Dynastic Protectors in mind. I never pull Lancers with Zhu Xi, so I doubt it would upset any balance there.

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I also feel like Hard Cased Bombs should not be an exclusive upgrade for Zhu Xi’s Grenadiers either. That upgrade alone makes picking China over Zhu Xi very difficult. China could maintain their gun powder aesthetics over Zhu Xi, but that would entail this upgrade. It is an awesome upgrade, it almost gives the unit a wizard like ability. Next, I would like to also point out how China’s unique Pyrotechniques upgrade for the Handconnoneers can be accessed by Zhu Xi as well, via Temple of the Sun, making this another irrelevancy for China in comparison to Zhu Xi.

If China is supposed to be more so the gun powder variant, I suggest doubling down on that aspect and taking these mentions into consideration. Then again, Hard Cased Bombs is more of a spell rather than a gunpowder. You could also apply that logic to Zhu Xi when making adjustments. Big Trouble in Little China style. China could favor gunpowder damage buffs, while Zhu Xi could favor spell like debuffs, for example. That could work well.

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