Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Hmm I actually looked at it which I guess I should have done before typing and verily there is a host of things in the sea. Good fun.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Well, as I see it, LA Atlantis is really a land nation. They can conquer the seas easily enough (normally), but they don't really get anything from them other than money and gems. Their recruitment underwater is crap, with no good mages or priests, and crappy troops.

That being said, if the sea indies were un-boosted, Atlantis, being the only underwater capable nation, could easily conquer all the oceans. A huge advantage to them. I believe that is why the ocean provinces are so damned deadly.

I played LA Atlantis in an MP game once, where I was placed 15 provinces from the closest sea. It wasn't till the end-game before I even got into the water.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

I see a lot of #commander 2981, are the commanders supposed to have the same numbers?

Also, #additem "The Aegis" says it's not working.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Midgard has similar issue w/Pebble Skin suit - but I don't see any way to get the 10hp dude to drop it.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

That was the reason i took them. To possible control the oceans. I don't want to discuss my other strategies here.

I just say that the fact oceans are modded should be announced before poeple choose their nations.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Click 'Change order' and choose 'Change Shape' on the ape.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

My guys with the artifacts are not apes and don't have the Change Shape order available.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Ah sorry.

You need to activate the Artifact Mod. Its in the package 7 posts above of the actual map file.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Thanks calmon. I didn't notice that mod file - just dumped them all into the map folder as I saw CBM listed as the only Mod on the game summary post. All good now.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

To address Calmon: You're right, it was an oversight not to mention it earlier. I do think Atlantis (and mictlan) would be positively insane in this map otherwise. I really do feel for your frustration, but I'm not sure how to fix it. I don't think removing the indies would make for a very fair game. Atlantis does have some very strong items (and sailing) so personally I do not find them so weak.

All I can think of is to offer my nation if you truly feel cheated. At this point seeing as everyone has been practicing with their nations I don't think a general reassigning would be fair to everyone either. Maybe some of the other players would also be willing to trade, if you don't like Ulm or Atlantis.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Honestly i would be very happy by playing LA Ulm. I like the nation theme i don't think the items are that worse than atlantis (magebane http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif).

On the other hand i would feel cheesy to take away your prechosen nation. So i think the best way is that we ask the people from the wait list to fill in. I can still play in the second artifact game.

(Besides Atlantis and Mictlan, Patala's Nagas are also able to enter the ocean)

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

What's this crap! LA Atlantis rules http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Besides you are about to get new UW units if you survive until the next patch http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

You can positively go far as LA Atlantis, at least with a PoD http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Played them in a team game with QM (his suggestion on the overly useful PoD). It was nice but quite disappointing to enter the sea. Only crappy troops. I should probably blame myself http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Now they will be more spiffy.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Thanks KO but the problem is the ocean is modded so you're not able to enter the sea soon and even later you will have your difficulties.

You are also limited to human pretenders in this game so you have to use the items and the honestly at best substandard land troops combined with 1 (crappy) non-capital mage.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Substandard? Frogs rule you know http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Just take lots of prod. Or less if you prefer Mournful. They are cheaper in CBM IIRC.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Well substandard because there isn't any special inside to do damage without losing much troops.

Good early stage armies have a block of archers do the damage behind of some blockers or have high HP tramplers or giants.

And like i said the mage support is one of the worst in LA. The only real mage costs 350, is capital only and one side of him is water magic which isn't considered strong - and even worse without the ocean.

However i'm sure there are players which have fun playing atlantis without the seas. Dragor, JimMorrison you're on the wait list. Are you interested?

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Calmon, why don't you and QM just switch nations. That would solve the problem.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Jomon is still free to. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

So where do we get this artifacts mod? We need to make our pretenders with that?

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

The only mod you need to design your pretender is CBM.


However, due to the confusion I'm seeing the thread, I posted the Artifacts Mod on the original post. I will add the finalized .map file when the nations have recieved thier final placement.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

No one on our waitlist is even around anymore due to the second instance of this game type starting. If you are unhappy with your nation pick and are opting not to swap with QM, we will simply have to drop LA Atlantis and continue on. There is not enough time to find a replacment.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

I'm unhappy with your unannounced map modding http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

So feel free to close the atlantis chapter.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Calmon, be civil. Just switch to Ulm, and QM can take Atlantis.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

You can have Gath to if you'd prefer, I'm easy.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Ok Baalz, i'm fine with this. Gath was my first choice before i changed to atlantis.

Thank you!

I'm still against an ocean modding. Atlantis may control most of the seas but it will have difficults to hold the capital on land. And without it only sites bring up (pre patch) any mage underwater.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

The high site setting (indy mages) and rainbow pretender selection should mitigate Atlantis' crappy mages somewhat at least. And it could be worse, you could be Jomon. =)

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Thats true, the rainbow helps but you still recruit most of your mages with gold probably. Jomon has acceptable mages if they survive the early game, i'm not sure which is worse.

I'm happy with gath now http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Did someone say Jomon is free? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

The lovely host has my email in a PM still. *cough* If this is true, I need a bit of time to design my pretender properly, so the sooner I know, the better. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Nah, Jomon isn't free. It was just taken by a player (Boron) who said he'd take the leftover nation - and thus presumably would have been willing to trade with Calman.

Sorry to disappoint you. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

I'm totally confused now. Can we just start the game and figure things out later?

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Nothing confusing left really. Baalz and Calmon swapped nations (thank you to baalz for resolving the problem so nicely). Jim thought there was a free nation, but it was actually a misunderstanding.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

gotcha. Game on!

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Who do we send our pretenders to?

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Llambeast, tomorrow, after he sets up the game.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Once llamabeast gets back, he'll set up the game on llamaserver and we email them in.

See here.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

The starting positions have now been set. I've bundled together the map and the two mods you will all need for this game in the attachment on the original post.


Now all we have to do is wait for llamabeast to fire up the game...

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Game should now be up on llamaserver.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Quick question to you guys - I dont know if QM did the setting or not when he started the game - but how do you feel about capital VPs in this game?

With this many players and on a map this size I dont see how we could play without them. But I just wanted to bring it up.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

You can now see the game settings by going to llamaserver.net. Capital VPs are on, apparently.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Sounds good to me

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Last confirmation, create pretender with CBM 1.3 enabled, right?

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Yes. And don't forget to use a human (10 point path cost, less than 20 hp) pretender.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Yes, Cap VPs, please. Somewhere 50-60% for a win maybe?

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Thats correct CBM 1.3 (the latest). If there is any doubt, just download the .zip attached to the first post. It contains CBM, the Artifacts Mod, and the finalized Antilarium. Everything you need.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

I vote also for capital VPs (if we have to play with VPs) and would be happy if its at least 50% so 10 out of 19.

I really want to see some endgame action with CBM and my last 2 mp games ended definitly to early.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

I'm afraid it's set to 8 to win. This still seems like a lot, especially since CB 1.3 boosts domes, largely to reduce teleport VP grabs.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

To be honest i start to hate all this VP win conditions. It can run so fast at the end and its definitly boosts the already good teleporting/cloud trapezing/etc. nations in both ways to attack and even better to defend castles!

Why we can't just play untill all remaining players agree to crown a victor? I never had a boring game with it in dom3.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

Amen to that.

I mean, some large maps do require VPs in order to complete in a sane time but lately I too had a similar experience with VP games. They end quickly, quite some time before the real fun begins.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

I agree that regular VP games often end too quickly, due to the ease of a teleport victory. I've done it myself. But Cap VPs are a whole different game. Since each is a cap, you are gauranteed that it will 1) have a fort protecting it and 2) will be heavily defended. Both of these mean that there can be no surprise victories.

Additionally, we are playing with graphs On, so everyone will know who is approaching the goal and can act accordingly.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

To bring up the first RAND game:

Micah (Fomoria) imposing used 2-3 SC strike forces beaming to unprepared castles, cast the underestimated spell "Crumble" one or more times in the same turn (the spell is even cheaper with CBM) and stormed one turn later.
The defender had exactly 1 turn to do something. Perfect targets are non-air/astral nations which normally can't react.
His own castles were nearly impregnable. He just waited untill someone was ready to storm and beamed defence in.

Well to be fair there are counters but its not as difficult as many people believe to take out numbers of castles in a short time in the late game.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [nation selection]
 

RAND was something of a special case though, where organized opposition was not possible. And it's my hope the cheaper/easier domes should make that sort of victory more difficult.