This page, Research, is a page for community research. Most of the information you'll see here are non-canon and non-official, meaning that this page is not definitive and may be just mere speculations based on someone else's gameplay.
Origins
Although Midjiwan has clearly stated that the tribes are not from earth, he does say that they resemble some cultures.
| "Polytopia is not earth and no tribe is supposed to exactly resemble any existing cultures on our planet. (Although I agree that some of them are very inspired by earthly customs)" -Midjiwan (Thread:847) |
|---|
Xin-Xi
The Xin-Xi tribe appears to be inspired by Japanese and Chinese culture. It is generally agreed that this tribe is inspired by various East Asian cultures. It is probably a mix of both Japanese and Chinese culture; since the trees resembles sakura trees (cherry blossoms), and the mountain resembles Japan's Mt. Fuji. The helmets resemble Japanese Kabuto helmets used by samurai, but they could also be inspired by Chinese helmets. The city naming is based off of Chinese Pinyin transliteration, and the city names usually contains the letter "X" rather than "Z".
Imperius
The Imperius tribe is obviously based off of Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. Their trees are cypress trees, which were common in Rome and Greece. Their helmets also resemble helmets common in these cultures, although they do appear to be more Greek than Roman. Their architecture also resembles Roman architecture, and maybe some Greek buildings. For naming, we think it leans more toward the Roman side.
Bardur
The Bardur tribe is probably based off of Scandinavian, Germanic, and to a lesser degree, Slavic people. They live in a cold habitat, they usually spawn with a lot of trees, and their helmets are based off of stereotypical Viking helmets. Midjiwan himself once wrote on Instagram that he was having a "Bardur Style" party for releasing the game, and we do know that he resides in Stockholm, Sweden.
Oumaji
The Oumaji tribe is probably a blend of Arabian, Berber, and Egyptian culture. Their Emperor's Tomb is a pyramid, common to Egyptian culture, and their Eye of God somewhat resembles the Kaaba. The forests they have are palm oases, which were really important for settlements in Arabia. Their Headscarves are very Berber.
Kickoo
Like the Xin-Xi tribe, there is much debate surrounding the origins of the Kickoo. It is debated whether it is Amazonian, Caribbean, or Austronesian. Its fruit, banana, is common to each said cultures. The animal, Leoon, that resembles jaguars, are commonly found in the Amazon. But, the terrain seems to be archipelagic and has white shores, that resembles Austronesian and Caribbean terrain.
Vengir
It has been confirmed by Midjiwan that Vengir are inspired by Mordor from The Lord of the Rings. Their buildings also contain elements of Gothic architecture of the late Middle Ages.
Luxidoor
The Luxidoor tribe seems to resemble North Indian and Persian culture with their turbans and elephants, and their elusive luxuries which dazzled the ancient and medieval traders and explorers.
Hoodrick
The Hoodrick tribe seems to be based off of Medieval European, particularly English/British, culture, due to their very European oak forests and style of cities. Their appearance and tech also seem to be based off of the British folktale of Robin Hood.
Zebasi
Based off of southern African culture, as evidenced by the clay cities, multicolored tribal color pattern, giraffes, acacia trees etc.
Ai-Mo
The Ai-Mo tribe's origin seems to be confusing. This one is probably based of Tibetans ("Prayer Flags", shaved heads, meditation) and Andeans (chilies, llamas, whitewashed pueblos, decorative flags). However, the llamas that the Ai-Mo hunts do originate in Peru, which is also quite mountainous. Overall, the Ai-Mo were probably based off of Tibetan and Incan cultures.
Aquarion
Probably Atlantis. There really is no better way to put this.
Quetzali
Based off of Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Aztecs and Mayans. Their mountains resemble Mesoamerican stepped pyramids and red soil like theirs is predominantly found in rainforests like the Amazon. Corn is also from Mesoamerica.
∑∫ỹriȱŋ
The ∑∫ỹriȱŋ (pronounced Elyrion) are based of off fairy tales, magical worlds, folktales, and elves. Their giant lilies (or whatever they are) and giant trees are a common theme in the world of fantasy. Their unicorns are mythical creatures. The belief that elves are tied to nature is as well a connection, not to mention the fairy-tale city design.
Polaris
Based off of Arctic indigenous cultures, as seen with the Inuit hoods as their helmet. Their biome is also completely frozen, with ice and snow on every tile, indicating a polar region flavour.
Yadakk
Probably based off of Central Asian/Turkish cultures.
Map
Here is a map of where the tribes' habitats would be if they lived on Earth. Please note that the natives of Madagascar are actually Austronesian, and that the Kickoo may actually be Polynesian.
Below: A fan-made map of where the first 10 human tribes might have been inspired from.
Naming System
Cities
So far the naming system for each city is randomly generated from a list of syllables. "At the moment the names are just randomly generated based on a list of syllables." - Midjiwan
If a village is captured, the city gets a name in the style of the tribe who captures it. The name doesn't change if another tribe captures the city.
The names are generated from 1-4 syllables, as following:
| Tribe | Syllables | Special | Average | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xin-xi | bu, cha, gu, li, po, sha, szu, xi, yo | hyphen | 3.00 | |
| Imperius | ca, do, ica, ip, lo, lus, ma, mo, mus, nu, pi, re, res, ro, te, sum | 3.02 | ||
| Bardur | ark, bu, fla, gru, gu, lak, lin, ork, rø, tof, ur | 2.56 | ||
| Oumaji | ba, dor, gh, ha, ji, ke, la, lim, mu, on, si, ye | 2.92 | ||
| Kickoo | si, va, an, nu, lu, ko, no, lo, oki, li, ma | space | ||
| Hoodrick | th, ley, lo, ol, ber, don, ick, we, in, go, wa, ry, do | |||
| Luxidoor | iss, lô, ga, exi, pô, ni, au, ki, em, ly, ux, uss, ou | ",' | ||
| Vengir | gor, tu, dis, bu, nt, ar, pe, rz, cth, na, xas, th, he, st, im, ck | |||
| Zebasi | la, zan, mo, za, zim, ya, bo, wa, co, zu | |||
| Ai-Mo | so, to, po, lee, dee, tï, pï, fï, sï, nï, lï, kï | Space | ||
| Aquarion | quo, do, tis, nép, ico, éid, po, fic, tun, pol, lan, aq, at, tic, nau, séi | |||
| Quetzali | ja, ix, ex, was, tz, el, qu, ill, chu, ca, ya, wop, cho, tal, tek, | space/two spaces | 2.54 | |
| ∑∫ỹriȱŋ | πo, ⫛△, ‡, Ŧo, ‡o, △Ħ△, Ωm, ϸa, ⵠⵠ, πo, i₺, ⫛‡, ţe, ∑, ~, ഽi, ȱȓ, ⫛ȱ, | |||
| Yădakk | ül, tsa, ber, ki, st, ăn, ol, mer, kh, ar, üm, tja, ge, urk, ark, az, gy, ug, sh, kă, kol, sam, ez | |||
| Polaris | ta, to, nuu, il, pi, do, iq, aa, an, pol |
(Average based on the data of 50 cities in a row.)
Multiplayer Games
The naming system for multiplayer games is constructed from various words added to phrases.
[place] is constructed from syllables.
- [action] of [place]
- [nature] of [place]
- [place]ian [action]
- [place]ian [nature]
- [superlative] [action]
- The [nature] of [action]
- The [superlative] [nature]
- [nature] & [action]
| Types of phrases |
Words |
|---|---|
| [action] | War, Spirit, Faith, Glory, Blood, Empires, Songs, Dawn, Prophecy, Gold, Fire, Swords, Queens, Knights, Kings, Tribes, Tales, Quests, Change, Games, Throne, Conquest, Struggle, Victory, Battles, Legends, Heroes, Storms, Clouds, Gods, Love, Lords, Lights, Wrath, Destruction, Whales, Ruins, Monuments, Wonder |
| rare [action] | Clowns, Bongo, Duh!, Squeal, Squirrel, Confusion, Gruff, Moan, Chickens, Spunge, Gnomes, Bell boys, Gurkins, Commotion, LOL, Shenanigans, Hullabaloo, Papercuts, Eggs |
| [superlative] | Epic, Endless, Glorious, Brave, Misty, Mysterious, Lost, Cold, Amazing, Doomed, Glowing, Glimmering, Magical, Living, Thriving, Bold, Dark, Bright, Majestic, Shimmering, Lucky, Great, Everlasting, Eternal, Superb |
| rare [superlative] | Gruffy, Slimy, Silly, Unwilling, Stumbling, Drunken, Merry, Mediocre, Normal, Stupid, Moody, Tipsy, Trifling, Rancid, Numb |
| [nature] | Hills, Fields, Lands, Forest, Ocean, Fruit, Mountain, Lake, Paradise, Jungle, Desert, River, Sea, Shores, Valley, Garden, Moon, Star, Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Divide, Square |
| rare [nature] | Custard, Goon, Cat, Spagetti, Fish, Fame, Popcorn, Dessert, Space |
| [place] (syllables) | po, ly, lu, mi, lo, da, bi, oo, sa, ko, me, da, to, pi, as, an, ki |
Trivia
- It is possible to get an Imperius city named "Roma".
- It is possible to get Aquarion cities named "Atlantis" and "Néptun".
Damage Calculator
Created by FrothFrenzy
https://frothfrenzy.github.io/polytopiacalculator/
Time Period
AI Preferences
Warning: Most of my research is based on theory. Don't rely on my research unless you can prove it.
Research by Oaskldk
Keep in mind that my research was only for my games. You might get different results in your games.
City Upgrade Preferences (Easy mode)
- Lvl 1 to Lvl 2: Most of the time the AI chooses explorer over workshop.
- Lvl 2 to Lvl 3: This time its's pretty split. Most games I've played had the AI choosing city wall over resources.
- Lvl 3 to Lvl 4: Most games have the AI choosing population growth.
- Lvl 4 to Lvl 5 and on: Super Units, no doubt. However few cities ever grow to level 5 in easy mode.
Unit Preferences (Easy Mode)
- Early game: Most enemy tribes like to spam warriors. Usually the only tribe that spams riders are the Oumaji, although it’s quite probable that Imperius does it too. Archer spamming also occurs sometime during this period. Usually the tribes that I've seen archer spamming are the Imperius, the Hoodrick, and the Bardur.
- Mid-game: By mid-game, many tribes will use defenders, boats, and archers. Some tribes (notably the Imperius, Bardur, and Kickoo) will have Navigation unlocked. During this period, usually archer spam is at its peak or it has already faded away.
- Late-game: During late-game, few tribes will use swordmen and knights. The only tribes I've seen using them are the Bardur, the Imperius, and occasionally the Oumaji. Most tribes will use catapults, ships, and giants.