Re: New Player questions
 

You could try Conj-1 for a black servant prophet, Enchant-3 for skelly spam, Thau-1 if needed for curse, Thau-4 for panic/terror/communion-paralyze if elephants are a threat, Evo-2 for site searching, then Const-4 for research skulls, Const-8 for the chalice and Conj-9 for tartarians.

Re: New Player questions
 

Construction seems to be on everyone's list. I guess magic items are considered crucial additions. Gonna have to experiment with that a bit. Thanks for the suggestions.

Re: New Player questions
 

1. Dragar had it right on the affliction chance.
2. I would absolutely not go construction first with ctis. Rather consider vfb's excellent advice. Your mages are all death aspected - so research schools that use that.

conj for black servent, dark knowledge.
Enchantment (iirc) for skelly spam).
Darkness should be a major goal sometime thereafter.

Re: New Player questions
 

More questions. I'm curious what kind of routines you vets play. The efficiency junkie and RTS player in me wants me to be recruiting a commander and maximum units every turn, but this detracts from other goals. So I'm wondering: do you guys find yourself always growing armies, or do you ever reach some kind of equilibrium point where you leave your armies relatively static (until reinforcements are needed) and start devoting assets to other goals? Will I fall hopelessly behind if I'm not growing my armies every turn?

I'm experimenting with Death magic, and I find that some of the cool spells cause destruction to most units while sparing undead units. I'm summoning undead commanders and lots of undead fighting units with the idea that I will focus on researching skills that wipe out all but undead. Of course, this strategy will be diminished by another nation with lots of undead, but in that case I can change my commanders' orders to focus on other spells. And anyway I'm just learning my way around.

I'd love some input on these ideas and my question above.

Thanks,

Re: New Player questions
 

Oh, another thing. I've been summoning black servants to act as scouts and I noticed that vfb suggested I summon one as my prophet. Right now I have one of my main generals as a prophet since he's always on the road and I like the idea of spreading my dominion, but I can see now that I rarely have the opportunity for him to preach, he's always fighting. Is that why it's better to put some utility player into service as a prophet, like the Black Servant?

Re: New Player questions
 

prophetizing an undead is the easiest way to get someone that can reanimate dead.

Re: New Player questions
 

as for growing units all the time... no. toward the mid game Sc's play an increasing role.

research is at least as important as armies. Also, think about it.. if you make only armies.. assume your prod capacity is x.

Make a fort, and your production may be 2x, 3x 4x.... So obviously you have to balance all kinds of production.

Re: New Player questions
 

In solo games of Dom3, efficiently isn't as critical, because the AI nations aren't nearly as strong opponents as you'll face in multiplayer. One of the strengths of the game design is that there isn't one "best" route to victory. Solo games are especially good for experimenting with strategies that you aren't ready to commit to against human opponents.

Re: New Player questions
 

Hmm. Are SC's that much a part of the game that I have to expect them in multiplayer? Is that what the battle order "Attack Large Monsters" is meant for?

Re: New Player questions
 

You will definitely meet SCs in MP. Play around with them a bit in SP. You'll find that they can often completely dominate the AI. Then try using them in MP and watch your army killers get casually killed by clever spell use or anti-SC thugs.

Attack Large Monsters is for them, or elephants or anything else big and ugly.