A few of my suggestions for Saracens and related general changes, for Monks and Illumination.
Monastery
-
Monk
Base faith regeneration rate changed from 62 seconds to 60 seconds.
-
Illumination
Effect changed:
From: Monks regain their faith in 33 seconds ((old) base 62 seconds) (~88% faster).
To: Monks regain their faith in 40 seconds ((new) base 60 seconds) (50% faster).
Research Cost changed: From 120 gold to 200 gold.
(This is more of set up for the following, but I think Monks could get a tiny adjustment to their faith regeneration. There might be a reason for why they are at their current values, but Illumination currently offers 88% faster faith regeneration, while advertising 50% faster. I’d set the base regeneration rate at a round 60 seconds and the effect of Illumination at the advertised 50% faster; 40 seconds recharge time. I’d also increase the price a tiny bit, as the tech is rather cheap for its effect.)
Saracens
-
Zealotry: Removed
-
Civilization bonus changed from ”Camel units +10 HP” to ”Camel units +25% HP”.
-
(Elite) Mameluke base HP changed from 65 (80 elite) → 60 (88 elite)
With the HP bonus: (75 (90 elite) → 75 (110 elite) -
Elite Mameluke upgrade cost changed from 600 food 500 gold to 1000 food 950 gold.
(Saracens have been recently explored with a new or more reinforced identity as a Camel civ, with changes to their bonuses, unique techs and their unique unit, Mameluke. I find this nice, but I feel the chopping up of Zealotry wasn’t the way to go. Camels are already very specialized - performing about the same as Light Cavalry vs non-cavalry and buildings, while having a higher price tag. I’d rather see Zealotry turned into their civ bonus, with a few tweaks, to make it more streamlined to use their camel units.
I’d make the HP bonus percentage based, as it aligns nicely with the intended values already, and allows for natural staggering of the effect, based on unit upgrades. I’d then adjust Mameluke to have the same HP as it does currently in Castle Age, while increasing the HP of Elite Mameluke, so it also remains the same as the current fully upgraded one. To compensate for the change, I’d increase the cost of Elite Mameluke upgrade.) -
(New) Madrasah reintroduced as Castle Age unique technology.
-
Effect: Monks regain their faith 100% faster after a successful conversion. (30 seconds instead of 60.)
-
Cost: 300 food 300 gold
-
Research time: 65 seconds
-
Can no longer research Illumination.
(Saracens are known as a Monk civ. The removal of Madrasah didn’t really affect them, but I think a Monk based unique tech could fit them, with the removal of Zealotry. One that rewards the player for keeping the monks alive instead of losing them, which is better game play anyway. The effect is perhaps uninspired, but could offer something unique that other civs wouldn’t get both in Castle and in Imperial Age, in fastest recharging Monks. Think this also fits the theme of the rapid spread and expansion of Islamic faith.)