Re: Status report
 

Fantastic report Zenzei!

Just as a note: Dust to dust with 1 mage? Did you check it in SP? Ithas an awfull precision son it is better to have it casted multiple times by small boys than a pretender. Also I do not understand why Jomon leaded a communion for the mind duel. Did you know that the communion bonus is not added to the S level for astral? you only use innate bonus, not even items.

********

Regarding the power relations I do not think I am so ahead. Until ths turn I had less research than Midgard and this can change easily taking into consideration the number of forts we all have (we are tied with 4!). You had very bad research and see now where you are!

I have more provinces because you were figthing Jomon in the south and he had his main armies there, now I think that I will be punished by him and it will probably hurt. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif. Nothing is decided yet.

Of my 2 thugs (well at leat I think they are thugs, not SCs, your god is an SC, this are thugs) one died last turn. The wonderful fire bless bug converted my frost brand in a one shot weapon and the poor boy was anihilated by the samurai warriors http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif .

So well I really think that this game still has many things to say: I just watched recent Midgard fight and I have to admit that I was impressed. However Jomon will probably take care of his upkeep problem soon http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif (if he has it).

BTW I knew there should be an explanation to your drop in army size.

Re: Status report
 

@James: Haha. I'm by no means an expert player myself but I do have read some stuff in these boards. Most notably reports like I just wrote and nation guides (I especially recommend those written by Baalz, I find them fundamentally educating). The spell range calculation was pretty extreme for me too, I certainly don't do it normally, but this battle was so important I wanted to have every advantage I could think of.

For upkeep my own rule thumb is as long as your upkeep is less than ~40% of your total income, you're doing great. More than that and you're starting to have increasing trouble getting money for new forts/temples/labs or replacing those that got destroyed. Of course sometimes, most notably during war, you just need those troops and upkeep gets high but that's the time you save gold in other pursuits.

For research/battle I aim to have as low number of mages in the battlefield as humanly possible to minimize the research loss but I usually make those mages count. In battle a single power mage is way stronger than dozen crappy ones imo. Also, use the most cost effective mages for research, that is the one with the lowest cost/upkeep/research value ratio, because it saves money in the long run. For any particular mage I consider this ratio good if it is equal or less than 0.8. For example EA Ermor Augur Elder has cost of 250 gold, upkeep 16.7 gold/turn (250/15) and base research value of 8 iirc. So for him the ratio is ~2.1, not very good. However he is very good battle mage/item forger/ritual caster so you should use him for more those kind of tasks and less on research. EA Ermor also has Flamen 120 gold, upkeep 4 gold, research value 4 sacred mage. His ratio is exactly 1, which is not super but way better than the Elder for research job, no? If you took magic scale 1, the Flamen's ratio improves to the target number of 0.8.

For mage improvement find ways to create magic path boosters(for ritual caster and later on for battle casters) and use booster spells in battle (summon earth/phoenix/storm etc power). They make a huge difference in mage perfomance. I hope some of this was helpful and not some crystal clear rambling. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I 110% agree with you that the better understanding of the game you have, the more enjoyable it becomes.

@Karlem: Glad you found it a good reading.
I ran some simple tests in SP and Dust to Dust worked fine then. My PoD has a pretty good precision and there's no way a master lich can survive 22+ damage, no MR, armor negating punch if it hits. You're right about more death mages being more safe choice but I don't have so many of them to begin with and moving them to front lines would have taken many turns, more time was something I didn't want to give to Jomon. Afterall I got this master idea just previous turn when I was brainstorming ideas for how to bybass the mind duel. The communion Jomon had was for Power of the Spheres to boost the slaves so they could throw Blade Wind, it wasn't important for the duel itself. Now that I think more carefully the master lich's levels were in fact boosted by the spell and not by empowering, so a slight error on my report there. This means my loss in the mind duel is even more bitter but now I do get to erase the props I gave to Wazooking earlier. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif
Yep, I know mind duel is only affected by base astral skill, can't speak for Jomon though.

My prediction about Midgård upkeep is based on the fact Aezeal advertised having found a sage guild some time ago in this thread. Midgård has pretty horrible national mages for research but sages have high research. If he has bought a lot of sages, it would explain his great research accumulation but sages are pretty high upkeep mages (and therefore not very cost effective), which would translate into money issues. Especially so because Midgård has had its share of conflicts and province losses, which have reduced Midgård's income. It would actually be pretty interesting to know if Aezeal could confirm whether or not my theory is correct.

Re: Status report
 

Did Jomon use Reverse comunions? That must be nasty http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif I was on the received end of 5 bladewinds so 4-8 mages casting it will be... ufff.... I cannot think a word bad enough http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Status report
 

Thanks so much for the tips - much appeciated. This is a beginner game so half the point is to teach and learn. So please, any tips welcome!

Re: Status report
 

Personally I wonder why I keep loosing so much troops every time.. I'm loosing much more troops each battle than I expected. But soon my mages will be even better (Jomon beware http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif) since I just researched storm power and I think I will just have to keep on buying troops to replace losses.

PS Arco how much PD was that.. it killed 40 of my troops because I didn't expect it to be there but there where LOADS of troops, must have cost you a fortune???

Bladewind is nasty I lost my bladewinder and haven't gotten a new one yet http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

My research is indeed due to sages and I have upkeep problems as you mention Zenzei HTF do you know the upkeep of troops? currently I can't train much troops if I train 2 mages and a sage.. then again.. 2 mages a turn are reasonably powerfull atm and can each kill dozens of troops with only little protection http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif and I don't think my upkeep is more than 40% of total income btw

Re: Status report
 

I thought that communion might help the mind duel, so I had it scripted first. Either way, it would help after I won the mind duel. I was pretty much thinking the same thing for power of the spheres. If I lost the mind duel, I would totally lose anyways.

As for the dust to dust question, when I look back at the replay, it looks like you are on the order of 35 squares away depending on how it calculates diagonals.

I am not sure what a reverse communion was, but without the PoD, my troops were good enough to mop up.

Mictlan is the front runner. After having faces major armies from 3 nations, I know what the current situation is. Disease Demons are a very good deal on a low gem map.

Re: Status report
 

Too many early fights, and a few mistakes have made my game go downwards from the start, I was also a bit cornered in , not so much indies before encountering the rest of you.

Arco and Jomon could send large parts of their armies against me, not to mention pythium who's starting fight with me (for no good reason, just like arco) cost me a lot of army early on... hydra's are just not easy to kill

Re: Status report
 

Hmm... 50 province defense? Cost me about 1000 but figured it might hold the province. It saved me when you attacked previously. And the manual says you can't have enough of it. So my pretender came back... Minus a magic level in each school. Are there items or something that can boost it back up? And doesn't the loss of levels argue against rainbow pretenders? A pretender highly skilled in one path suffers less than a rainbow right?

Re: Status report
 

hmm lol that makes me happy.. it would have sucked to loose 1000 gold of skinshifters to 25 PD which would have cost only 250 or something. That much PD is hardly ever worth it, though your PD IS rather nice.

Your Pretender is back... I'd keep him away from me right now though,manticore steak is now legendary amongst the skinshifters http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Indeed rainbow pretenders suffer more from dying.. but generally you shouldn't let your pretender die at all http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif
you can empower him back or you could use boosters just like normal.

My suggestion though would be to give me that castle you have (it was MY province originally remember) and then NAP me and focus on Marignon. Fighting 2 wars is never good.

Re: Status report
 

Hmm... Manticore steak... Actually my whole pretender design was simply what they suggested in the manual. Next time around I'd do my own thing. And sorry but I can't give you that province. And strictly speaking it belonged to some poor independent in the first place. And it has a huge pd so even if I have it to you you'd suffer a lot. But as I'm sure you can see I just don't have the resources to attack you for quite a while. Happy to kick back for a bit right now...

Re: Status report
 

As you saw PD dies from thunderstrike really really fast.. and with storm power all galdermen can do thunderstrike http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Boom, Boom, boom... let's just say I wouldn't defend the castle any further http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: Status report
 

I was late for work and didn't have time to watch the battle. On that topic - ice heard people refer to watching old battle replays... Are they saved somewhere?

Re: Status report
 

always watch battles, certainly the ones you loose.. how else can you counter it next time?

Re: Status report
 

hmmm nice I've gained lands, better strategy, build retrain army and then attack instead of attackign each turn http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Well a few turns more mages and that PD arco mentioned will be fried http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: Status report
 

I am the lord of the seas! Other than that I think I am kinda shot doomed for this game.

Re: Status report
 

Yeah I try to watch battles but sometimes I have to race out my turn. Unfortunate but reality of family work etc. So wish I was a student again! Ghill I have a lot of seas too, but they're nerfed in this game right? They don't even have enough resources for the cheapest commander.

Re: Status report
 

Unless you peace me soon all you have will be seas... so get used to it

Re: Status report
 

I'm so glad were neighbours aezeal! Your "offer peace by threat" strategy has not only been entertaining but also half the reason I haven't followed the doubtless wiser course and actually made peace with you! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Status report
 

Well I do need to have some advantage from peace since when Jomon is gone I need somewhere to expand http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

The fact I'm offering it to you is because I'm such a nice guy.. not because I actually need peace with you at this moment http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

PS we are waiting for you stop posting and get the turn through http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

Oh, sorry... On my way home from a hockey game of all things... Will try to get it done tonight new York time but certainly in the morning. Aezeal,I'm being quite honest, I don't think this game would have been quite as fun with a different neighbhour. Part of me is now thinking it would be good UN
Training...

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

Hehe I'm so gonna enjoy destroying someone who puts his own pride above the needs of his nation, mr dictator, prepare to go down. And dictators are not allowed in the UN so no good training for you.

People of arcocephale rebel against your egoistic master who sacrifices you for precieved slights against his person.
He has openly admitted rejecting peace offers against his better judgment just because he's to proud to give a conquered province back to it's rightfull owner.

And WORSE: he's slow doing his turn, as if his crumbling empire needs that much management.

PS manticore steak is delicious

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

yikes...touche!

lol... yeah, looks like my goose is cooked...and yes, most of your accusations are probably true! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif There's something about your posting style Aez that brings out a very petty side in me! Ultimately to my detriment, but I daresay also to yours. But early on I saw you as the leader which is why I attacked you in the first place - that was good honest strategic thinking. And we've had some entertaining battles, and I think one of the best things about a game like this is the characters of the players themselves.

Well, like I say, I think Khan'Gar is soon to be off this mortal coil, but it really has been fun!

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

Something about my posting style has that effect on more people.. that is how I splitt the chaff from the grain... or better the truly righteous defenders from tyrants http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

I must admit it's also why I get attacked a lot probably but I fear that is the way of the world http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

PS since Khan'Gar is coming northwards as we speak I also think you are trying to position yourself in a underdog position.

Einheres like stake too if patala does the turn we can see who wins... that battle will be close http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif (I can't remember what you had in your castle http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif)

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

Well, thanks for being a good sport http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif - better than me I fear! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif If I end up losing to you Aezeal then it will have been an honour and it will have been because I was out-thought - I'm impressed at how easily you figured out how to beat my province defense for example http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Can't wait to see this turn...totally forgot (again) to put my defenders on 'patrol' instead of 'defend'. All a good learning experience...

And me trying to be an underdog? Well, maybe... lulling everyone into a true sense of security would be closer to the mark!

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

well I thought the battle against the PD was a disaster really. I lost troops while I wanted the artillery to do the work.. but my troops can't do hold 5x... so I did hold and attack.. which wasn't what I needed for that battle... hope that it'll work better for the next one.

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

/me wants next turn

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

Come on Ghill, send your turn! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

Sorry about that, I have an RP addicted sibling.

Anyway, I realized recently that this whole 'peace' thing is dangerous for me. While I sit in my tiny little realm all of you fight to the death, and slowly the winners become larger and more powerful! I think that I am gonna get involved pretty soon.

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

I dont'get it how can I have lost that battle against you.. my troops didn't have to do anything.. only 10 mages had to cast thunderstrike 2x.. you shoul've been so dead.. but i've seenonly like... 2-4 thunderstrikes intotal.. wtf is the use of those galdermen if they DO NOT do anything

the spell is friggin range 100.. it should've blasted all your commaders into eternity and your troops even sooner

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

I think you mightve been the victim of the ai thinking my elephants were the bigger threat. And my priestesses were healing them. But don't
Worry... I think it just delayed the inevitable... You basically annihilated my army... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

you HAD no army I did have mages.. well I'm creating more

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

Hey? I had probably 40 troops, mostly heart companions. Not huge but not the usual pd either - those guys can bless and they regenerate. But you can't script your spell targets - I reckon the ai was the issue.

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

yeah I known it was,...but its not only wrong targetting..ustd NOT CASTing

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

At work... Anything interesting happen in the latest turn?

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

Aezeal
, I had a thought... Maybe your mages got fatigued?

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

If they had done their thunderstrikes they sure would have been.. but they didn't do them at all. well only 2

waiting on you James.. and on Ghill.. maybe do 2 turns if you are short in time and are last

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

Who is winning?
Mictlan?

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

I do not think you can say who is winning yet. I entered in Jomon's war third and that made my part easier. Also my troops are quite well suited against Jomon tactics however the final battle has not been fought yet.

The provinces statistics don't show everything. I am paying my bless and awake pretender with the awfull scales now and my income is not specially great because of sloth and turmoil. I am good at research but Ulm, Midgard and Marignon too. So I do not think that , as we say here, the fish is already sold http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif. There are still many big contenders, for example if you loose fast against Midgard or Marignon they will be a super powers with GOOD scales http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif. So, lets see, we are still at turn 38.

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

ehm I think mictlan is strongest

but he can have the victory too.. I just want to kill arco now http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif I just want to be strong enough so Mictlan doesn''t turn on me or if he does he'll pay enough so others can take him on http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif but he should fear me "taking over arco" fast or something.. so far I've not taken anything..

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

Aezeal I do not "fear" you, we are allies! We can rule the world together http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

Mwaahaahah, Ixil the Shadow has returned to this world! After all it's quite obvious that minor things like death don't hinder a being such as he. While the true god's command over magic is slightly weaker than before and he is plagued by beings beyond time and space, he hasn't loss a bit of his physical might and will to see all enemies of Ulm to wither and die...slowly and painfully.

Soon the armies of Ulm will march with renewed vigor and this time they will be backed by powers unfathomable to mere mortals.

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

Hey James what happened to your pretender..

I couldn't really follow it he was suddenly gone. If he'd fled he should've been in one if the neighbouring provinces and he wasn't.

Did I soulslay him?? It's the only thing I can think of. Or is he still alive?

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

I have no idea... Even watched the battle twice. Suffice to say that "call god" is now an option... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

must've been soul slay then your 260 hp manticore doesn't die out fo it self

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

and do your turn http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

/me pushes the dead manticore

HEY, TURN, now!

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

Sigh...

Just done, and relax, i'll do my next turn too...

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

Hmmm...galderman steak isn't bad either...

Wow, you don't have much respect for my PD huh? An invasion force of 2 galdermen?!

Re: VampireBat - LA game for new players
 

Heheh, props to Aezeal for boldness regarding his choice of attackers. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif