Re: Should returning be overridden at all?
 

Seems like we should have no hope for this to be changed because JK said "yes" :(.

Re: Should returning be overridden at all?
 

In general, you don't. But, I suppose a Round 0 Howl from the SoulStone of the Wolves might do it. I'd have to test it out.

Every counter and then counter counter and the counter counter counter has to end somewhere, right? In this case, the last counter is "be on the Defense."

Re: Should returning be overridden at all?
 

But for returning to work without risk of magic duel, you have to be on defense as well. So I guess you already have your counter here.

Re: Should returning be overridden at all?
 

Not really. Retreat has another counter which is "Assassinate/seduce or take the adjoining provinces." It's hard to do, but it's a decent counter for the guy who has his mages cast a few instants and then retreats them.

Returning's only counters are a small unit that won't set off the AI and not being the attacker and having a chance to kill on Round 1. Take out the first, and it has no real counter since "kill a guy before he can use his X" is the universal counter.

Re: Should returning be overridden at all?
 

Damn, I can't believe that my first post to the forums after years of lurking is to say that:

"I hit YES by mistake, please, do not count my vote" !!

It is very annoying to have the AI override your scripts. I still remember my first time casting "Summon Lamashtas" -- it took me 10 battles to see what the spell does, because my Death ubermage decided not to use gems in the battle!!

Anyway, I use "Returning" a lot with R'Lyeh summoners without ever noticing a single case of being overriden. But if it ever happened it would make me furious: to risk loosing a summoner after 30 turns is a BAD thing.

Re: Should returning be overridden at all?
 

I think it should be capable of being over ridden, same as any other spell. One of the things I like about Dominion's combat system is the way the scripting works as more a "suggestion" than orders. It adds a bit more character to otherwise generic mages to see one get a bit over confident in his abilities and decide he really can take on the entire army by himself.

Besides, you can always force the effect through items if they're that important.

Re: Should returning be overridden at all?
 

Returning should be overridden at times yes. What if your pd uncovers a scout? And what if the only thing you fear is a magic duel. In this case the AI is doing its job in not making you retreat to a scout.

Re: Should returning be overridden at all?
 

Another thing is getting Returning override normal spell, I had my Couatl cast Vortex of Returning instead of Astral Healing after my army annihilated small enemy suicide squad.

Re: Should returning be overridden at all?
 

A related question, does returning work if home province is protected by domes?

My KB says returning should work (sec. 6.14.5). It refers to dom-II so my question is whether or not this was changed in dom-III.

Re: Should returning be overridden at all?
 

Yes, it 100% works