Re: The Ages
 

Nice post noname. You have earned yourself a bachelors degree in dominionology http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I think I would recommend starting in the mid era. The game was designed from here, and the other eras were added in dom3. Thus the early and late eras deviate from the more basic balance of the mid era. Playing mid will give you basic knowledge of how the game and nations works, and less surprises from specialized nations. I think some of the descriptions on early and late nations refers to the mid era, so it might be thematically reasonable to test the mid era first. This is not true to all nations however. Agatha and the japanese inspired nations are new to dom3 and are probably thematically easier to follow from beginning to end.

Ulm was suggested as an opponent. Probably a good choice.

I think MA Man might be a good starter. Some diversification in human troops: longbows, medium infantry and knights. Some specialists to explore: bards, stealthy mages and wardens, elite knights. No unique national summons that steer research away from the basics. Air magic to test counters vs Ulm and offensive battle magic. Nature magic for some buffing, summoning.

Re: The Ages
 

I don't think nation choice makes too much of a difference, as long as there aren't any radical specialisations (Ashen Empire for example). One of the good things about Dominions is (for the most part anyway) is that the way the nation operates and the theme of the nation are pretty similar. Find a nation whose theme matches your play style and you're off to a good start.

One thing to point out is that the stronger you set the independents, the slower the AI will expand. It also gives you plenty of experience with what works and what doesn't on the battlefield before you need to worry about enemy pretenders. I'd go for Silent Seas, with one or two AI opponents and high Independents for a good introductory game. The map is large enough to give you a bit of time learning about your troops and the basics of combat against the independents, but not too large that you'll not be able to encounter and defeat (hopefully) an AI.

Re: The Ages
 

This is a great board, thanks. Hopefully this thread will be useful to all new players when taking their first baby steps into Dominions.

Re: The Ages
 

I always thought Abysia was a good first nation. You can do well with just the heavy infantry and some evocation (which won't hurt your troops, since they're immune to fire); by the time you're comfortable with the game, you can start thinking about fun things to do with blood magic, or just ignore it and focus on things you can do without it (which is still quite a lot, later in the game).

Re: The Ages
 

I second that. Good work!

Re: The Ages
 

Great thread. Would it be possible to make a sticky of noname's and KO's responses? Between the two of them there is significent insight to the game.

And I'll throw in my two cents. After reading all the inputs, I think a real god starting setup for a new player would be to play MA Bandar Log vs an AI Ulm. Bandar Log offers great troop diversity, and one can learn a lot by watching your inexpensive monkeys get shredded. Acceptable magic diversity,great national summons, maybe the best diversity in troops available in secondary castles.

Re: The Ages
 

My small advice would be : play what maximize fun for you !

-You like undead movies, always live at night, and know the difference beetween skeletons, zombies, ghouls and other flesh eating critters ? The Undead Army of Ermor Ashen Empire in LA age wants you !

-You are rather fan of Conan and Szwarzy ? Go and try EA Ulm

-If you have read all Lovecraft and wants to travel on a shantak, MA R'Lyeh is for you.

-If yo are in trolls, vakyries and mighty giants and if you prefer snow to sea and sun you should try one of the great northern nations in any era.

-If you like hisory of Caesars try EA Ermor, if you find than nothings is better than a mighty hoplite unit go for Acroscephale, if yo write samurai novels try LA Jomon,... etc.. etc..

Go for fun, maybe you will fail in your first games but loosing is fun too. At least IMO.

Re: The Ages
 

It is more fun to loose actually. Especially if you get yourself a hero that fights and slowly succumbs to afflictions and old age in his glorious attempts to save your nation from the inevitable doom http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: The Ages
 

MA Man is a good race to start with, and that is what I recommend. If you eventually want to test the waters in MP games, getting attached to MA Ulm is not advisable.

Re: The Ages
 

Some of the castles from late age MAN have no walls... the battle starts with the defenders standing in front of some fences. I noticed this within a recent game.