Scenario Distribution
Scenario Distributions allow map creators to control how territories are assigned at the start of a game. Instead of distributing territories randomly across the entire map, territories are grouped into predefined scenarios. Each player or team is then assigned one of those scenarios and will start entirely within it.
For example, the Double Earth map includes a scenario distribution called Top/Bottom. One scenario contains all territories in the top half of the map, while the other contains all territories in the bottom half. When the game begins, each player or team is randomly assigned one of these scenarios and receives starting territories only within that area.
Teams are always assigned the same scenario.
Scenario Distributions are useful for more than just symmetrical maps. For example, a World War II map could define separate scenarios for Germany and the United States, ensuring that players begin the game in historically appropriate regions.
Balance Considerations
Scenarios do not need to contain the same number of territories. However, if scenarios are different sizes, players may begin the game with different numbers of territories. Game creators can mitigate this by using the Limit setting, but it is ultimately the responsibility of the map creator to ensure that scenarios are reasonably balanced.
Interaction with Wastelands
Scenario Distributions and wastelands generally do not work well together. Because wastelands are placed randomly, one scenario may end up containing significantly more wastelands than another, creating an unintended imbalance.
For the fairest experience, either disable wastelands or use custom scenarios to place them manually and evenly across all scenarios.