Re: Why am I so bad with Dom3
 

To get better at early game, start games and try to get a second conquest force up as soon as possible, and to start building a second fortress or a place to recruit independent researchers as soon as possible. You might need to re-evaluate your early strategy, but it's very possible. As an example, I've played MA Ulm since Dominions: PPP, and have trusted in the Arbalests as my main expansion force. Just recently, thanks to a comment on these forums, I tried expanding with just their infantry and could suddenly expand at much higher rate.

Read the strategy guides from the stickied post. Magic booster guide is very important, and I also suggest reading Baalz's guide for EA Marverni. I loved how that guide explained in detail why good mages are so deadly, and why supercombatants are so deadly, and it all seems to work out just perfectly. That's what you have to be ready for, whatever your nation.

Re: Why am I so bad with Dom3
 

for expension training, what's force of indep do you take ?

I usually play in solo with indep 8

Re: Why am I so bad with Dom3
 

I've been playing with basic settings, but I wouldn't put more than 1 extra point to indeps. If you are too careful, it hurts your expansion. Of course, if I knew I was going to play with high indep strength, I'd adjust accordingly.

Re: Why am I so bad with Dom3
 

First thanks for all your replies and advises. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
Yes, that exactly what I try, but something is not well good enough, with my Niefel giants I usually go for a heavy bless strategy, but I one game I just get splashed in parts by EA Abysia. Too few giants, too few castles, to few provinces...

As for SC I still have to learn how to equip them properly, even with Const 8 Find they are always beaten one day or other, even by AI. I think i will check ARENA SC replays one day to look how you equip them. I think I don't make them enough cast the good spells, I'm more in multiple attacks melee SC.
Well, I certainly don't pretend (!) to know well Niefels or R'yleh, that just that I like them so much that every time I start a party I ask myself... ' Hmmm what nation will I choose ... Man ? No, never liked longbowmen since Azincourt... Hmmm why not to stomp over those small humans with some powerful giants... you got it ' http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

I know that no SP game will make me ready for MP, but in fact i clearly lack time for now to play MP, even one turn every 24 hours is a lot for me, hope that it will change in future but now... So I have to keep with SP and to improve it. Maybe I have to diversify my gameplay and my nations and pretenders to see simply what happens.

About the guides, yes I should really read them, they are done for that, but I love too to try bymeself, I found it very rewarding. I think the guide about magic is one that I need the more.

Will tell you if I made some progress http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Re: Why am I so bad with Dom3
 

There are occasionally games that run slower. PashaDawg runs games that are 1 turn/day for 15 turns (which is usually manageable), then 3 turns/week after. The one game I ran had the same schedule, and if I run another, it will be the same. You have to keep your eyes open, but now and then there are slower games.

Re: Why am I so bad with Dom3
 

If you aren't good at SCs, then try building thugs. As Jotunheim, have one or two castles dedicated to building Jotun Jarls or Herses, give them cheap equipment and experiment.

Things that kill thugs:
Spells they don't resist: e.g. Black Lords of Ulm against an AI Prophet get Smited and die.
Fatigue (pg 76 of manual): 40 fatigue gives -4 defense, -2 attack and there's a chance of protection being halved.



We really need a fatigue -> critical hit table somewhere.

Re: Why am I so bad with Dom3
 

And what do you do underwater?

Again, doesn't work underwater.

Re: Why am I so bad with Dom3
 

Endoperez : Should Thugs be used in mass by themselves or rather assist armies ? If I have one or two castle to build them I will have more them than armies, and I don't thing they are able took out by themselves an army or event indies. I'll try to use a 'squad' of thugs and see what happens.

Loren : Shark attack ?

Re: Why am I so bad with Dom3
 

I'm not good with thugs, myself, but it depends. If you're facing huge armies of chaff, several commanders equipped with Charcoal Shields even the odds greatly. If you're facing armies of Soul Slaying mages, several high-hp commanders with outstanding magic resistance (through Starshine Skullcap, Amulet of Antimagic and/or Lead Shield) will protect your other units.

Couple of strong thugs equipped with cheap items (for luck and ability to kill several troops/turn without getting too much fatigue) rampaging through your enemies' weakly defended provinces can be quite annoying as well, especially if they can fly, sail, are stealthy or otherwise able to move in ways your enemy can't easily anticipate.

Re: Why am I so bad with Dom3
 

I've also seen thugs used as "Just another unit". 2-3 banelords with boots of quickness, charcoal shields, firebrands, and amulets of luck can be quite nice.

Jazzepi