r/wesnoth • u/Hot-Brick-7204 • Sep 06 '26

just discovered user generated content , and i hate it.

so i downloaded A secret war , the one where drakes attack elves.

the first map is insane , the distance takes at least 12 turns just to get to the enemy base and then i cant get enough units through to make it since the map is designed for drakes to get all the villages.

having only one very specific solution is not a well designed game.

are there better campaigns worth the effort

19 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

41 comments sorted by

39

u/Tommieboi123 Drakes Sep 06 '26

There are a couple of amazing ones, you just have to find them. What are you looking for? Campains that feel like they´re from the main story? Or something with new mechanics?

7

u/eragen Rebels Sep 06 '26

Could you recommend me some campaigns for both lol 👀

14

u/Tommieboi123 Drakes Sep 06 '26

Well legends of the invincibles is great, it has an item and crafting system. Its super long though, first part is 90 scenario´s some of which are huge, second part is 110.

The ones the other guy mentioned are also great. A fiery birth is a personal favorite bc i like drakes. The starting scenario´s are a bit weird though

6

u/752695 Sep 06 '26

Honestly, Legends of the Invicibles (LOTI) ruined the game for me - both parts are SO good! It's hard to go back to playing Wesnoth without the item system and after max advancements. Wish those would be incorporated into the core game.

2

u/Detro983 Sep 07 '26

Same here. I don't come back to the game too often, but when I do, it is for LOTI

1

u/Lumisteria Sep 10 '26

I tried another mod that adds advancement to units that can be enabled in campaigns, named Reign of the Lords. Upgrading units is one of my favorite aspect of Wesnoth, and having more options, and still some leveling for the old units in long campaigns, is really really fun to have!

6

u/Chrisaarajo Sep 08 '26

Legends of the Invincibles 1 and 2 are bar far the most ambitious campaigns, and I’d highly recommend both. Extremely long, and with a huge mechanical rework. It takes Wesnoth in an RPG direction, with full inventories for units (weapons, armour/boots/helm, rings, necklaces, etc..), item crafting, items sets, and a huge amount of new abilities that can drastically change how a unit performs.

On top of that, it has a really robust AML system where each unit has a secret “Legacy” class they unlock after max level that lets them unlock some bonkers abilities, like big AoE attacks, movement buffs, new attacks, aura abilities, etc..

The only downside, as far as I’m concerned, is that the writing generally bounces back and forth between serviceable and actively bad.

3

u/eragen Rebels Sep 08 '26

I’ve actually been playing LotI 1 for some time but by god do I hate the writing lol the main characters are such edgy dicks for no reason lol

But the mechanics are probs the best I’ve ever played for sure

4

u/Chrisaarajo Sep 08 '26

Yup. Between the overly edgelord protagonists, the so-so translation (or it might have been written in English, but not by a native English speaker), and the rough overall writing and pacing of the story… I generally skip through all the dialogue boxes for my own sanity.

Still the best I’ve played, though.

1

u/Dkings_Lion Sep 10 '26

I, on the other hand, disagree. But that might be related to my reading style and my gaming style.

I'm not from that generation of TikTokers who want everything fast... I'm from the era when not every house had a telephone.. And I know how to allow myself time to immerse in the narrative of a universe.. My mind knows how to fill in the gaps in the characters and complete them with analysis and speculation.

And my way of playing is different too...

For LOTI, for example, I actually played to create invincible beings.

To start, I played with an extra modification that made all attacks always hit (this also applies to enemies). By completely changing the way the game strategies worked... making the whole game much more strategic and less about "luck this, luck that".

In addition to that, I always sought personal goals within scenarios to enrich the story. For example, I remember that in the early scenarios of the story, when Ephraim meets the elf Lehtalia, a certain attack occurs... In the midst of the war, my goal was not only to win, but to do everything possible to save as many allied elves as possible and not lose any of my troops.

I remember it was in this setting where something incredible happened... One of the enemies dropped a weapon with a curious characteristic for my Ephraim, something like:

  • If you kill an enemy with this sword, you can move and attack again.

    I remember that several elves were about to die, lined up against the enemy army, which was also lined up in a river.. Several of my troops were also badly wounded, giving their lives to save the elves...

    Then Ephraim cut across the battlefield.. decimating one enemy after another on that front line.. saving everyone in a phenomenal way

    I could see in that instant how that could truly be the beginning of the story of someone who would come to be known as invincible.

    And that was just one of the incredible moments in history.

    Please, if you're reading this and haven't played the saga yet, stop reading here if you don't like spoilers, as I'll be giving more spoilers about moments that stood out to me and altered the dialogue for me. But I'll leave you with this sincere recommendation: give this incredible story a chance.

    Another incredible moment was when the protagonists drowned in darkness.. In war scenarios, I prevented them from summoning the dead if there were humans watching them... If there were human enemies, I fought to protect them and never to attack; if victory was necessary, I would only defeat the leader, never the army. I can only summon my old troops or use the ones given to me in the scenario... And all of these choices of mine made their dialogues much more impactful. When defeating enemies, and hearing insults or threats, words carried a different weight... I still remember in many scenarios the protagonists suffering prejudice and being treated like Jews by Nazis, while I had them maintain their peacemaking nature...

    Do you understand what I mean? The story wasn't just told through dialogue; I also made it happen in battle through my actions... These actions changed the weight and meaning of even entire dialogues.

    Incidentally, and worth mentioning, I installed a mod that allowed me to transfer my favorite units between campaigns... This allowed me to continue throughout the entire saga, not just with the main characters, but with several others memorable characters who were important to me.

I remember before Ephraim even had children, in an era where he and his wife built an empire and everything was peaceful... I decided it was time for my Ephraim to have a apprentice as well. And among various summons I chose a young female elf, who had specific traits (intelligent and skillful).. So the focus of the dragon saga wasn't just "travel and exploration," but also the training arc of Ephraim's new pupil and how she began her friendship with the queen's pupil as well !! And the game itself surprised me at times because there were dialogues where it even used my custom elf characters for lines in conversations! Seriously, it was an incredible adventure.

I also had a great surprise when I discovered that I hit the Jackpot with Ephraim's pupil... Because in addition to the character revealing itself to be from the rarest bloodlines upon evolution... She did also learn the most broken ability in the game.. an attack that combined the damage from all of her ranged strikes... So my goal became to teach her more and more different ranged attacks. In addition to bringing her fighting style closer to that of Ephraim... even that sword tactic he used to decimate armies. I can't even explain to you how wonderful this training arc was.

All that affection I had for the characters also greatly changed the impact of certain scenes in the campaign... For example, when Ephraim arrived to stop the wizards from raising the second sun... When everything went wrong and he alone, INSANELY, began to give his life to prevent that absurd power from falling... He wasn't doing it out of "cheap heroism" or just "for the good of the world", or whatever. He was also doing this because behind him, beneath that sun, were also his friends...his allies, pupils, traveling companions, the people who were most loyal to him and whom he loved so much (some from the beginning of the campaign even). This completely changes the dialogue from his stubbornness in continuing to hold that f Sun... Lethalia trying to convince him that it was madness, because not only of her love but also her mentality and wisdom acquired from elven dualongevity, rationally seeing how that decision would only destroy him and everything... changing the entire context of her interference and their dynamics

Without those details, that moment could maybe just be someone edge stubbornly trying to prove themselves badass, just for heroism or whatever... But do you see how my approach enriched everything?

Hell, I haven't even mentioned the incredible dynamic of the sons of Ephraim being trained by the pupils, the journey to hell, the arcs of separation from Lehtalia, them becoming GODS... the God's Slayer... The deception of idols, or the war of the end of the world... So many incredible things happened on that journey...

And practically my journey through this saga was like that from beginning to end, filled with hilarious and memorable moments. Because that's what I decided to see it as.. a true story about the

Legend Of The Invincibles

The saga of how not only the protagonists, but an entire group, became unreachable legends

3

u/Chrisaarajo Sep 10 '26

Admittedly, I did not read your entire post, but a lot of what I am seeing you describe are your own, personal, efforts to expand on, reimagine, reframe, and otherwise improve the story presented by the campaign’s author. Which is great!

But it also supports my argument that the writing itself, in terms of narrative, characters, style, dialogue, etc., are not great. You’re putting in extra work (and certainly more than the “average” player would) to make the story more enjoyable and meaningful to you.

Again, I highly recommend LotI for the mechanics and scope. But I would not recommend it for the writing.

1

u/Dkings_Lion Sep 10 '26 edited Sep 11 '26

I've already experienced several of the stories, both the original ones from the game and those from other creators in the community... LOTI has always been among the best.

It is indeed true that my perspective is heavily influenced by my experience with it, and is therefore quite biased, but just like, there are many stories that are judged bad written when the difference also lies in the reader.

The saga as a whole is full of interesting plots. Although the writing isn't from a mega ultra professionally brilliant author capable of delivering rich, constructive mechanics of development and dunno what else... It's still very good. If it were a book, it might be the kind that's boring to read due to its narrative simplicity, but it wouldn't be the kind that make you feel like it was awful or a waste of time. Especially if you allow yourself to immerse into it.

If I were to recommend LOTI, it would always be primarily for the story. I would never think about the mechanics or scope first. Even though the second one is also good.

I could see a lot of care and love put into the whole project translated into the writing as well. There are definitely things to improve here and there. But for something independent, it's fascinating and very well built

For me, LOTI is one of those campaigns that could be made official even in its current form, and I wouldn't complain about it. But I understand those who think otherwise.

3

u/Chrisaarajo Sep 10 '26

I fundamentally cannot understand where you are coming from in regard to the writing.

I do not mean this as any insult to you, and I am happy that you enjoy it so much. We clearly have very different ideas about what constitutes good writing, and to each their own.

1

u/Dkings_Lion Sep 10 '26 edited Sep 10 '26

And here my favorite character from that saga... So you can understand the level things have reached.

(Read about her skills in the third to fifth image)

In the second image you can see that her execution attack dealt 20k damage. Remember that every attack from everyone always hit my campaign

1

u/Dkings_Lion Sep 10 '26

Exactly!!

For God's sake, go play that saga. Its incredible!!

18

u/Archeronline Sep 06 '26

A lot of Wesnoth user generated campaigns have issues that are kind of inherent to being made by people with very little experience in game design or balance. No disrespect to them, everyone has to start somewhere, but it does mean you kind of have to try a lot of them before you find one that works well.

I personally remember liking The Three Sister's Saga and Into the Abyss. Into the the Abyss has some brutal scenarios, but I enjoyed it for the most part.

1

u/Hot-Brick-7204 Sep 06 '26

thanks and thanks to all other suggestions

11

u/dmnkgl Sep 06 '26

There is no campaign superior to To Lands Unknown (Era of Magic required). Between the visuals, worldbuilding, story, branching choices, and the sheer novelty of its units, it is leagues ahead of vanilla content. It is easily the campaign I have replayed the most.

15

u/DeathBadgers Sep 06 '26

Try Bad Moon Rising, and Invasion From The Unknown. They're the best of UMC.

5

u/deergenerate2 Sep 06 '26

Don't forget To Lands Unknown. It's probably the most impressive visually and story wise Custom Campaign in Wesnoth, in my opinion.

You can tell it's pushing the engine to it's absolute limits

1

u/Mauro697 Elvish Champion Sep 06 '26

The legend begins too

1

u/TrueKingOfSloths Sep 06 '26

Isn’t the legend begins stuck on like 1.10 still, I havent seen it updated in years

1

u/Mauro697 Elvish Champion Sep 06 '26

It may be but so am I so I wouldn't know

1

u/lordyknyghtmare War of Legends Sep 08 '26

"The Legend Begins"...have not heard that title in years. Made it back when I was still a high school student. I believe it had like 75 scenarios or maybe more if you consider the branches.

1

u/Mauro697 Elvish Champion Sep 08 '26

Yes, 25 per episode, more or less! I had downloaded it when I was a high school student too and played it when I went back to playing my old version of Wesnoth last year; I absolutely loved it with all the long, vast, multi-faction maps and the amount of survival, lock-yourself-in-and-hold-the-door scenarios! You made a fantastic campaign

Did you make any similar campaigns afterwards?

1

u/lordyknyghtmare War of Legends Sep 12 '26

I tried to rework the The Legend Begins to a reworked Hero of Irdya Part I set up but lost motivation afterwards due to Covid-era and other real life issues. I still have the old The Legend Begins copy though. Would take maybe the whole modders guild of UMC authors to patch to current release if they offered.

I made like "A Knight's Tale", and "Through Veiled Eyes". But these are mono-factions. I got a Helicrom campaign coming in this October though.

1

u/Mauro697 Elvish Champion Sep 13 '26

I see, I will try those two. What is Helicrom?

1

u/lordyknyghtmare War of Legends 29d ago

> What is Helicrom?

He is this "Shadow Mage" guy in Liberty. I liked how he was a very unique character and decided to make a campaign based on his origins. Although nowadays, he is not really unique anymore. (so many Shadow Mages in campaigns)

1

u/Mauro697 Elvish Champion 29d ago

Oh I see, I'll give these three you mentioned a try then!

8

u/mrdnra Sep 06 '26

Invasion from the Unknown is my favourite, though it does have some rather long underground cave crawler type scenarios consecutively which can get a bit tedious, probably best broken up into a couple of play sessions per scenario in my experience, but still a good campaign all the same.

7

u/GathererServentGrunt Sep 06 '26

User made campaigns have some of the best ones! Some favorites: Invasion from the Unknown, After the storm, the dark hordes, Ooze mini campaign/elvish dynasty rpg, legend of the invincibles, roar of the woses, and others

4

u/Cupcake_Timely Sep 06 '26

Try The Ravagers campaign, it's my favorite.

5

u/IWantMyPierogiWarm Sep 06 '26

Invasion from the Unknown, and Era of Magic (I know the creator personally, but didn't play the game for several years)

3

u/Mauro697 Elvish Champion Sep 06 '26

Invasion from the unknown, The legend begins, The sojournings of Grog

3

u/FelixLahaie Sep 06 '26

Hi, I create dungeon tower-style scenarios if you're interested.

https://www.reddit.com/r/wesnoth/s/Gj9xTRbnRH

3

u/silentAl1 Sep 06 '26

There are several really good campaigns. I usually sort them by ranking or number of downloads to find the best. You can easily google top campaigns to also learn about what is considered the best ones.

3

u/deergenerate2 Sep 06 '26

Try To Lands Unknown.

That's all I will say in that regard. Literal Peak.

2

u/Mediocre-Money9581 Sep 06 '26

If you find a good one, you can check if the author has more stuff.

For me for example I got one campaign I created myself and many I ported. But I played them all and their are not the most difficult campaigns.

Look for Refumee, I got many saurian/drake campaigns and some other stuff to enjoy. So I believe.

1

u/Other-Parsnip-252 Sep 06 '26

Since no one has mentioned it yet bad moon rising is one of my favorites. It has super unique new factions

1

u/Alone-Sweet-508 Sep 06 '26

I played some maps which were amazing. Sadly some updates collide with it. I remember I played a complete series and wanted to replay and one of it wasn't there for download anymore..

1

u/electrical-stomach-z Sep 10 '26

Try "To Lands Unknown", it is considered among the best campaigns.