[WIP] Bastion of the Dancing Bear

[Julia.]

"Minimalistic as in no props/decoration/plants or based on the bare map structure?"  
The map is very bare bones aesthetically. Generally how it works with big maps aesthetics are an issue because there is so much space to cover with detail whereas with smaller maps aesthetics are one of the most important because its so confined and your attention to detail can be focused rather than spread all around like a large map. Additionally, aesthetics outside the actual map are important to add as well. (I personally think that overall this map is too small but thats just me)

I agree in terms of astethic stuff, but that's literally the last thing to do (in my eyes). What helps a lot of deco if I end up moving it completely bacause I have to readjust the map layout?

"You mean the nords would stay in spawn bacause they have "vision" on the Swadians immeadiatly? If yes, would that be too bad? They can technically be peeked and other maps (such as Praven) have the same thing happening with one of their spawns."
Its not encouraged. Shooting gallery maps are trying to be avoided as much as possible (Im aware of current maps that are in that are like this but sadly that is out of my control)

Well, I am aware of avoiding long distances. The question was refering to the bot-spawn in relation to the cading area and nords barely moving out from it (what would have to be checked in first place). The distance the bots have to walk from their spawn to the cades is not extemely long. If they'd spawn elsewhere and had to walk from there [outside the castle], the amount of time swadians have to shoot them would be rather longer than shorter.

"About the first cading area, this should mostly be in cover of the house directly at it's side (besides the peeking spots, which are meant to have a greater angle ofc), whats too small about it?"
When making a map, especially a cade area you have to take into account if the cade area is big enough for 20 people. In the picture youve shown on that above peeking area you can get 3 maybe 4 up there, if people were on the stairs themselves it doesnt seem like theyd have a very good angle seems like a 5 man gap entrance if you arent using cades then 5 slashers covering then 3 people shooting from those side covers so just a rough estimate is that without cades at all you  can fit 16 people and 16 people in that area just looks way too cramped in such a small area. I can only suggest you expand the map and adjust the layout a bit to compensate.

Thats quite similar to Swadian Old Village right here (besides the fact that gives like 2.5 peeking spots). The rest of the people will probably stay at the cades and shield/slash/throw at them. But that is how maps are played these days. I can extend the area and all that will happen is that it most likely won't be used. We've a lot of maps where only about 10-20% are used and tbh I don't think we need another of those.



E: Also added some more deco to cading area 1 and updated the pictures (not the overview yet).