This patchmakes makes some long overdue changes to 0 A.D.'s so-called ‘royal stoas’ :
* Changed `other/hellenic_stoa.xml` parent to `template_structure_civic_stoa.xml` and removes unnecessary lines, giving it the same stats as the other stoas.
* Moved `other/hellenic_stoa.xml` to `structures/mace_stoa.xml`, deleted `mace_royal_stoa.xml`, renamed `athen_royal_stoa.xml` to `athen_stoa.xml`, and `spart_royal_stoa.xml` to `spart_stoa.xml`.
* Updated map files accordingly.
* Structure footprint, obstruction, and actor don't belong in the generic parent template, therefore moved those lines into the specific child (`athen_stoa.xml`).
* Removed the 10 population line of the stoa (belongs to house).
* Removed the mercenary champions from the stoa production queue.
* Removed the ConquestCritical class, since they can no longer train units.
* Because stoas now no longer have a function in game, they're removed from the athen and spart building lists (mace couldn't build it anyway). In the future they could get a different purpose and be reintroduced (ptol and sele need stoa actors too).
* Kept the `merc_black_cloak.xml`, `merc_thorakites.xml`, and `merc_thureophoros.xml` units but deleted their `{civ}_*` children. Like other mercenary champions (gladiators, legionaries, Samnites, Thebans, Thespians), they are used in specific scenarios.
* Updated map files accordingly.
* Introduced a mace champion swordsman, using the black cloak actor, trainable at fortress and (with technology) barracks. This gives mace a much needed counter vs rams (athen has marines and spart skiritai).
* Renamed `maur_champion_maiden_barracks.xml` to `maur_champion_infantry_swordsman_barracks.xml` because it's functionally identical to the new mace champion and there is no point in having two lines in the barracks template instead of one.
See also D2742.
0 A.D.'s implementation of royal stoas and their mercenary champions is historically rather problematic, as has been pointed out numerous times on the forums. A quick selection (there are more):
* https://wildfiregames.com/forum/index.php?/topic/28464-can-we-give-macedonians-some-love/
* https://wildfiregames.com/forum/index.php?/topic/28099-thracian-mercenaries/
* https://wildfiregames.com/forum/index.php?/topic/28002-royal-stoa/
* https://wildfiregames.com/forum/index.php?/topic/27997-macemen/
* https://wildfiregames.com/forum/index.php?/topic/25504-special-units-and-so-on/
* https://wildfiregames.com/forum/index.php?/topic/25503-special-buildings-and-so-on/
The Thracian black cloak is historically justifiable as a Macedonian champion: Philip V of Macedon (r.is patch therefore makes makes some long overdue changes to 0 A.D.'s so-called ‘royal stoas’ :
* Removed stoas from the athen and spart building lists (mace couldn't build it anyway). In the future they could get a different purpose and be reintroduced (ptol and sele need stoa actors too).
* Structure footprint, obstruction, and actor don't belong in the generic parent template, therefore moved those lines into the specific children (`athen_royal_stoa.xml` and `mace_royal_stoa.xml`).
* Removed the 10 population line of the stoa (belongs to house).
* Removed the mercenary champions from the stoa production queue.
* Removed the ConquestCritical class, since they can no longer train units.
* Kept the `merc_black_cloak.xml`, `merc_thorakites.xml`, and `merc_thureophoros.xml` units but deleted their `{civ}_*` children. Like other mercenary champions (gladiators, legionaries, 221–179 BC) had an elite unit of Thracians equipped with rhomphaiaSamnites, black cloaksThebans, and white shieldsThespians), serving as a vanguard (Plutarch //Aemilius Paulus// 18.3)they (i.e. `merc_*`) are used in specific scenarios.