Re: Pointy Sticks MA started
 

On the plus side, I am putting some lections from RonD to use in a game where I am playing Shinuyama :)

Re: Pointy Sticks MA started
 

I have postponed the next hosting until after I return from my trip. I might be able to do the current turn before I leave - but probably not (I have a huge amount of more important stuff needing to get done first).

I expect that once I return, I will have absolutely no recollection of all the cool plans I've made :)

Re: Pointy Sticks MA started
 

Hmm, I am switching from "try to win" to "cause lots of damage" way more fun that way!

Re: Pointy Sticks MA started
 

"cause lots of damage" is a big part of trying to win....

I am back. I might need an extra day to wrap my head around the game, so don't be too surprised if I postpone hosting by another 24 hours.

Re: Pointy Sticks MA started
 

Hah! Nutty things happen when you go away for 10 days and then try to cram planning a big complicated turn into a couple of hours.

I had no idea my Asynja would show up in that one battle. That was supposed to be a quick little "golem teleports in, returns out" info-gathering trip...

A bunch of other littler things got neglected as well.

Re: Pointy Sticks MA started
 

Was a bit suprised about that too :)
Not going to complain about it though.

Hmm, "s" is doubtlessly up to absolutly no good though :)

I was also a bit in "Oh crap, Rain of stones?" mode when I saw her showing up.

Re: Pointy Sticks MA started
 

Eh, that went badly, Shinus assassination spell output is also quite impressive.
Unless Caelum does something while I still have armies, they will definitly win. From my own scout networks, Caelum would stand absolutly no chance 1on1 against Shinuyama. Shinuyama can cast Storm Warriors, can very likely cast Gaias Blessing, and can definitly cast warriors of Niefelheim.
Shinuyama can counter even large armies of me due to having major access to all spell schools (other than Blood). Bakemono Sorcs with Reinvig 8, are quite tough, especially if supported by mistform, arrow fend and army of gold which makes killing them with random shots unfeasable. I can at least do something about Heat from Hell and Firestorm, which will propably rip Caelum a new one if they end up in a major battle.

My main issues is still being in "late midgame" while Shinus is fully in the lategame, as well as some mistakes in Pretender design (should have gone for a rainbow), diplomacy and a lack of true lategame options.

I did kind of precict things, which is why I tried to end Shinuyama early, but Acro intervened. Than came Mictlan, followed by the war with Pythium.
I made another mistake there in offering to prop up Pythium after Shinu/Caelum went for it, which totally faeled due to the subbing issues.

Overall, Black Rose still has the following weaknesses:
-No access to Wards of any kind
-Highly dependent on Earth Income, which was not particularly forthcoming. I didnt check for the -1pathboost on my pretender, who actually cant cast Bloodwell -.-
-Poorer Magic diversity than CBM Ulm.

I failed to transport my midgame advantadges into a truely powerfull lategame position.

Re: Pointy Sticks MA started
 

Aww, that was just a border skirmish way far away from where the main armies are staring at each other. You had actually had quite a lot less capability there than what you used against Pythium 25 turns ago.

Really? You had really early access to 50% resist to all elements, which is all that fire ward, etc give anyway. Or do you mean domes?
Lots of nations have the risk that they won't find the right kinds of gems. I have another game as shin where I have only maybe 5 fire gems/turn and not much more death - well into the late game.

Re: Pointy Sticks MA started
 

I mean Domes yes :)
That you played your game better than I did (I think I got a bit of Victors disease after dealing with Pythium) of course is also a factor :)

Re: Pointy Sticks MA started
 

I have to think a bit more about my next turn, can I have a 24 hour delay?