If I had a choice to pick anyone to advance DF modding for new versions in case I die, it would definitely be Meph
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I really like how you're thinking.
Now don't think that I consider myself to be a major modding community contribution, I am one of many, but still... I consider this hobby very important, and while DF has people like Mephansteras, Knight Otu, IT 000, darkflagrance, Lofn, narhiril, Phoebus, Ironhand (and many others, I don't want to list all for obvious reasons) I feel that the modding community has a chance to have a looong life
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After reading your ideas I want to remake major parts of Genesis. It still has so much from my early modding when I was a total newbie so I was unable to make everything I want
. I will probably start a new mod after the new DF version is out, from the fresh.
The magma workshops are great ideas
. You could also make improved weaponry, like axebows (crossbows with cutting attack) avaliable through a research in inventor's workshop.
About the cavern exploring rewards: Adding blobs, slimes and jellys, (from a existing mod) These drop jewels upon death. Make them spawn in groups in the caverns. Now you militia will go hunting
That's a great idea. I've already made gem golems to drop gem statues, but they are really deep and they are hard to kill enemies, so nobody hunts them for statues. Weaker enemies like jellies (which I planned to add to the 1st caverns and swamps) is a great choice.