1.9.6 Desirability Update

Released September 14, 2023 on Steam & GOG. Read full news post on the Foundation blog. See Changelog for other changes.

New

• Houses now have House Quality requirements to upgrade, which are displayed in their building window:
  • Desirable Neighborhood
  • Beautification Area
  • Villager of Commoner (or above) status looking for such a house
• Tooltips have been added to the the house window UI
• Buildings providing Beautification now have a Beautification Area. The range is based on the decoration’s Beautification value and its visual footprint
• Noisy or filthy buildings can create an undesirable area, which affects Neighborhood Desirability. Such is the case for the following:
  • Brewery
  • Butchery
  • Cheesemaker
  • Charcoal Hut
  • Dairy Farm
  • Fisher’s Hut
  • Gold Smelter
  • Hunter’s Hut
  • Iron Smelter
  • Quarries
  • Sawmill
  • Sheep Farm
  • Stonecutter Camp
  • Stonemason Hut
• Upgraded houses can now revert to a prior level if their Desirability requirements are not met. This happens after reaching a deadline and only if players don’t remedy to the situation
• Added the following visual filters:
  • Beautification
  • Undesirable Neighborhood
• Needs are now split into two categories:
  • Essential Needs (must be fulfilled)
  • Additional Needs (facultative)
• Contextual help
  • Housing Quality
  • Beautification
  • Prosperity
• Help menu:
  • Beautification
• Important notification : Equipping your soldiers

Update

• Renamed the “Comfort” need to “Housing”
• Localization
• Help menu
  • Desirability
  • Housing

Balance

Legacy Desirability (House Placement)

• Pre-1.9.6 Desirability (Legacy Desirability) has been specialized into a system that dictates Villagers where to settle
• Beautification no longer provides Legacy Desirability
• The following buildings provide Legacy Desirability:
  • Village Center
  • Churches (except Chapel and Abbatial Churches)
  • Market Stalls
  • Tavern’s Service Counter
  • Well

• Villagers now follow these rules:
  • They settle in Residential Areas
  • They settle close to the Village Center
  • They aim to settle close to Need providers
  • They aim to settle close to their Workplaces
• The Desirability Visibility layer has been removed

Decorations’ Costs & Effects

• As Beautification Decorations no longer provide Legacy Desirability; costs and Beautification values have been modified:
  • Village Tree Beautification value has been increased from 1 to 2
  • Village Tree upfront cost has been increased from 7 to 20 coins
  • Tall Banner upfront cost has been reduced from 25 to 20 coins
  • Fountain upfront cost has been reduced from 330 to 320 coins
  • Plant Arch upfront cost has been reduced from 82 to 80 coins
  • Knight Statue upfront cost has been reduced to 320 coins
  • Sheep Statue upfront cost has been reduced from 325 to 320 coins
  • Cypress upfront cost has been reduced from 47 to 45 coins
  • Large Wall Banner upfront cost has been reduced from 90 to 80 coins
  • Polished Stone Arch upfront cost has been reduced from 50 to 45 coins
  • Stone Gateway upfront cost has been reduced from 85 to 80 coins
  • Stone Arch upfront cost has been reduced from 25 to 20 coins
  • Grand Fountain upfront cost has been reduced from 730 to 720 coins
  • Elegant Fountain upfront cost has been reduced from 255 to 245 coins
  • Marble Basin upfront cost has been reduced from 415 to 405 coins
  • Elegant Stone Arch upfront cost has been reduced from 130 to 125 coins
  • Polished Fountain upfront cost has been reduced from 135 to 125 coins
  • Elegant Tree Planter upfront cost has been reduced from 82 to 80 coins
  • Large Tree Planter upfront cost has been reduced from 127 to 125 coins
  • Elegant Post upfront cost has been reduced from 47 to 45 coins
  • Polished Basin upfront cost has been reduced from 135 to 125 coins
  • Large Font Beautification value has been decreased from 6 to 4
  • Large Font upfront cost has been reduced from 190 to 80 coins
  • Small Font upfront cost has been reduced from 190 to 180 coins
  • Elegant Balustrade upfront cost has been reduced from 47 to 45 coins
  • Simple Tree Planter upfront cost has been reduced from 22 to 20 coins
  • Polished Planter upfront cost has been reduced from 22 to 20 coins
  • Wall Fountain Beautification value has been increased from 2 to 5
  • Wall Fountain upfront cost has been increased from 25 to 125 coins
  • Quatrefoil Basin upfront cost has been reduced from 50 to 45 coins

Masterpiece Beautification

• Masterpiece parts now yield Beautification in addition to Splendor at no extra cost
• Automated Fountain
  • Automaton Tower, Columns yields 1 point
  • Marble Basin yields 1 point
  • Marble Steps yields 1 point
  • Automation Tower, Spire yields 1 point
  • Automaton Tower, Fountain yields 1 point
  • Bird Automaton yields 1 points
  • Jacquemart yields 2 points
• Fountain Sculpture
  • Fountain Pedestal, Quatrefoil yields 1 point, plus 1 point per tiling
  • Fountain Pedestal, Hexagonal yields 1 point, plus 1 point per tiling
  • Axe Lady, Gold yields 3 points
  • Laborer, Gold yields 3 points
  • Shoveler, Gold yields 3 points
  • Pickman, Gold yields 3 points
  • Axe Lady, Marble yields 2 points
  • Laborer, Marble yields 2 points
  • Laborer, Gold yields 2 points
  • Shoveler, Gold yields 2 points
  • Quatrefoil Basin yields 2 points
  • Octogonal Basin yields 2 points
• Gem Encrusted Cross
  • Large Pedestal, Hexagonal yields 1 point, plus 1 point per tiling
  • Small Pedestal, Hexagonal yields 1 point, plus 1 point per tiling
  • Small Pedestal, Square yields 1 point, plus 1 point per tiling
  • Large Pedestal, Square yields 1 point, plus 1 point per tiling
  • Cross of the Faith yields 10 points
  • Stepped Base, Hexagonal yields 2 points
  • Stepped Base, Square yields 2 points
• Knight Statue
  • Octogonal Plinth yields 2 points
  • Octogonal Pedestal yields 1 point
  • Small Octogonal Pedestal yields 1 point
  • Alcoved Pedestal yields 1 point
  • Square Plinth yields 2 points
  • Large Pedestal, Square yields 1 point per tiling
  • Blue Banner, Swallowtail yields 1 point
  • The Vainquisher, Gold yields 5 points
  • The Peacekeeper, Marble yields 3 points
  • Small Bowmen, Marble yields 2 points
  • Small Knight, Marble yields 2 points
  • Blue Banner, Round yields 1 point
• Lush Garden
  • Stone Pillar yields 1 point per tiling
  • Stone Basin yields 1 point per tiling
  • Bush Pergola yields 1 point
  • Royal Balm Bush yields 1 point
  • Stone Planter, Quatrefoil yields 1 point
  • Pear Tree yields 1 point
  • Plum Tree yields 1 point
  • Almond Tree yields 1 point
  • Stone Planter, Diamond yields 1 point
  • Almond Espalier yields 1 point
  • Plum Bush yields 1 point
  • Stone Fountain yields 1 point
  • Ogive Bush yields 1 point
  • Oval Bush yields 1 point
  • Roses Pergola yields 1 point
  • Round Bush yields 1 point
  • Stone Planter, Round yields 1 point
  • Stone Bench yields 1 point
• Officinal Garden
  • Sunvines Planter yields 1 point
  • Tailor’s Tongue Planter yields 1 point
  • Treillis Fence yields 1 point
  • Royal Balm yields 1 point
  • Cleansing Fountain yields 1 point
  • Sunvines Pergola yields 1 point
  • Crossmint and Pennybane Planter yields 1 point
  • Cattlegold Planter yields 1 point
  • Rainmilk and Tailor’s Tongue Planter yields 1 point
  • Knightworth Planter yields 1 point
  • Seeling Planter yields 1 point
  • Royal Balm Planter yields 1 point
  • Crossmint Planter yields 1 point
  • Rainmilk Planter yields 1 point
• Shrine
  • Stone Alcove, Wide yields 1 point
  • Stone Alcove, Narrow yields 1 point
  • Marble Altar, Wide yields 1 point
  • Marble Alter, Narrow yields 1 point
  • Votive Candle yields 1 point
  • Votive Candles yields 1 point
  • Indigo Spire Flower yields 1 point
  • Fragrant Bouquet yields 1 point
  • Pleasant Bouquet yields 1 point
  • Cardinal’s Robe Flower yields 1 point
  • Sunvines Cluster yields 1 point
  • The Mother of Peace, Marble and Gold yields 10 points
  • Stone Steps yields 1 point
  • Stone Bench yields 1 point
  • Votive Stone yields 1 point
• Majestic Stained Glass
  • King and Monk, Stained Glass yields 15 points
  • Mother and Child, Stained Glass yields 15 points
• Giant Gate
  • Buttress yields 1 point
  • Fortified Gatehouse yields 5 points, plus 1 point per tiling
  • Round Turret yields 1 point
  • Great Tower, Rounded yields 3 points
  • Great Tower, Squared yields 3 points
  • Watchtower yields 1 point
  • Wooden Brattice yields 1 point
  • Stone Brattice yields 1 point
  • Wooden Hoarding yields 1 point
  • Stone Gate yields 1 point
  • Small Window, Closed yields 1 point
  • Small Window yields 1 point
  • Small Window, Fortified yields 1 point
  • Wall Banner, Blue yields 1 point
  • Wall Flag, Blue yields 1 point
  • Wall Heraldic, Blue yields 1 point
  • Wall Heraldic, Spliced yields 1 point
  • Wall Heraldic, Splits yields 1 point
  • Wall Heraldic, Striped yields 1 point
  • Lancet Window yields 1 point
  • Porticullis yields 1 point
• Stone Bridge
  • Beautification values have been removed from the Stone Bridge structure (its decorations still yield Beautification)

Masterpieces’ Costs, Splendor & Ordering

• Golden Cross
  • Large Pedestal, Hexagonal base Splendor yield has been reduced to 2 Splendor
  • Large Pedestal, Hexagonal base Tools cost has been reduced to 5 Tools
  • Large Pedestal, Hexagonal base Upkeep value has been reduced to 2 Coins
  • Small Pedestal, Hexagonal base Marble cost has been reduced to 10 Marble
  • Small Pedestal, Hexagonal base Tools cost has been reduced to 5 Tools
  • Small Pedestal, Hexagonal tiling Tools cost has been reduced to 5 Tools
  • Small Pedestal, Square base Marble cost has been reduced to 10 Marble
  • Small Pedestal, Square base Tools cost has been reduced to 5 Tools
  • Small Pedestal, Square tiling Tools cost has been reduced to 5 Tools
  • Large Pedestal, Square base Splendor yield has been reduced to 2 Splendor
  • Large Pedestal, Square base Tools cost has been reduced to 5 Tools
  • Large Pedestal, Square base Upkeep value has been reduced to 2 Coins
  • Stepped Base, Hexagonal base Marble cost has been reduced to 40 Marble
  • Stepped Base, Square base Marble cost has been reduced to 40 Marble
  • Stepped Base, Hexagonal and Stepped Base, Square have been reordered before the other bases.
• Knight Statue
  • Octagonal Plinth base Splendor is set to 2 Kingdom Splendor
  • Octagonal Plinth base Upkeep is set to 2 coins
  • Octagonal Plinth base Marble cost has been reduced to 30 Marble
  • Octagonal Plinth base Tools cost has been reduced to 5 Tools
  • Octagonal Pedestal base Splendor is set to 1 Kingdom Splendor
  • Octagonal Pedestal base Upkeep is set to 2 coins
  • Octagonal Pedestal base Marble cost has been reduced to 10 Marble
  • Octagonal Pedestal base Tools cost has been reduced to 5 Tools
  • Small Octagonal Pedestal base Splendor is set to 1 Kingdom Splendor
  • Small Octagonal Pedestal base Upkeep is set to 2 coins
  • Small Octagonal Pedestal base Marble cost has been reduced to 10 Marble
  • Small Octagonal Pedestal base Tools cost has been reduced to 5 Tools
  • Alcoved Pillar base Marble cost has been reduced to 20 Marble
  • Square Plinth base Splendor is set to 2 Kingdom Splendor
  • Square Plinth base Upkeep is set to 2 coins
  • Square Plinth base Marble cost has been reduced to 30 Marble
  • Square Plinth base Tools cost has been reduced to 5 Tools
  • Removed Costs and Yields from Large Square Pedestal as it is stored in the Tiling part
• Fountain Sculpture
  • Fountain Pedestal, Quatrefoil base Splendor has been reduced to 2 Kingdom Splendor
  • Fountain Pedestal, Quatrefoil base Upkeep has been reduced to 2 coins
  • Fountain Pedestal, Quatrefoil tiling Marble cost has been reduced to 5 Marble
  • Fountain Pedestal, Hexagonal base Splendor has been reduced to 2 Kingdom Splendor
  • Fountain Pedestal, Hexagonal base Upkeep has been reduced to 2 coins

Food Grace Period Delay

• Increased Villager Food first consumption Grace Period delay to 180 days
• Increased Monastics Food first consumption Grace Period delay to 180 days

Improvements

Monuments

• Monuments now have their own category filter in the Build menu
• Monuments’ building windows have been cleaned in a bid to enhance the player experience:.
  • Down to two tabs: Monument Overview and Sub-Buildings
  • Upkeep and effects have been moved below the monument’s description
  • The Edit Building option now shows all Sub-Buildings with their respective Upkeeps and Effects
  • Players can change the functions of existing Sub-Buildings
  • Players can add more Sub-Buildings
  • The list of parts in Preview mode has been simplified to only show the size and the action buttons
  • The Sub-Building back button has been simplified to only show the Parent Monument’s name
  • Free Build is now found at the end of all available Sub-Building functions

Book

• Resources tab (F3): label icons used for the Buy from them and Sell to them sections have been modified to up and down arrows in an effort to convey trading feedback more efficiently
• Progression tab (F5): Influence cost information for Estate unlockable elements is now displayed in the tooltips

Main menu

• Players can now sort mods using a Date Updated filter

Other Fixes and Tweaks

Advanced Onboarding Starting Conditions

• In addition to previous conditions, the Commoner Promotion Advanced Onboarding now checks for either:
  • You have at least 30 population
  • You have a job that requires a Commoner
  • You have a Serf is ready to be promoted
• Decorative Advanced Onboarding now checks for either:
  • You have unlocked the first Decorative unlockable
  • You have a Commoner
• The quest for the Decorative Advanced Onboarding now requires you to unlock the first Decorative unlockable.
• In addition to previous conditions, the Monastery Promotion now checks for either:
  • You have 10 Manuscripts
  • You have a job that requires a Monk/Nun
  • You have reached the Tier 3 Clergy
• Fixed incorrect notifications in the the Monastery Promotion Advanced Onboarding
• In addition to previous conditions, the Second Food Advanced Onboarding now checks for either:
  • You have at least 30 villagers
  • You have a job that requires a Commoner
  • You have reached the Tier 3 Common Path

Bug Fixes

• Churches could only have one masterpiece part
• Rare crash with a monk visiting a Hospitium
• The ‘Near Riverside’ masterpiece condition wasn’t updated when removing or adding an individual part
• Workers didn’t fetch additional resources if they were missing some during a work cycle

Modding-specific

• Exposed the scissors prefab for Tailors
• Vehicles can now be unassigned from agents