As the maps designer, my first impression is that despite all the suggestions, I still feel the map should stay exactly as it is. With that said, lets talk about it for a few moments:
-- Nice idea, but 15 is a bit too small, especially for 6 players.
-- With only fifteen territories, you're going to need a lot more for this map to be playable, so add a bunch more.
I say, that with 2 circles each, and 3 neutrals, that's survival of the fittest. That's the whole point of this map. However, I am willing to agree that someone can just as easily be knocked out 1st round without even playing yet. So, why does there only need to be one map? no reason this couldn't stay as is for 2-4 players, then another map for 4-6 which could up the complexity with 4 paths instead of 2. If i just make it bigger, then the point may well be lost for the smaller group. I will try my alternate idea, and see how that comes out.
--The bonuses should be toned down to three or four, because with the amount of territories on this map, someone with a five bonus could knock out a person or two just off that.
Possible. However, if your lucky enough to have gotten 3 circles of a color, you still have to defend all 3 equally from the other 6. On a regular map, 6 attackable points-of-entry would gain 7 points to hold it.
--The gameplay looks strange, I can't tell where can attack where, or why, or who, so make those more clear.
Yeah, I'll see what I can do.
--One last thing, the map looks too symetrical. Just kidding, have fun with this.
I like symmetrical. It's a comfort zone for me.
