Re: Why am I not able to win the Orania Map ?
 

Of course, with nations with solid PD ( Jotuns especially, but also Ulm & Abysia, etc ) there are some interesting ways to use high PD values. For example, when I've been positive someone was about to attack a particular province I had a good army in, I've cranked the PD up to a very high value (35-50) just as I'm expecting them to attack.

The PD then soaks up the bulk of the casualties for me (troops are all moved to the rear) while mages are buffing the troops with all the good things like body ethereal, legions of steel, mass regen, luck, etc. The enemy troops and mages get tired going after the PD, and then have to deal with the real forces. In theory, this results in very light casualties for the army, and the PD regenerates after the battle.

Re: Why am I not able to win the Orania Map ?
 

I use same tactic whenever possible. Actually I use it with nearly all nations as they can soak damage just as well. Those you mentioned are best for the job though.

Re: Why am I not able to win the Orania Map ?
 

That is certainly interesting. Has anyone made a chart containing approximations of what the nattion-specific PD units are worth? I think something like this would be a useful reference for people who want to play a Nation for the first time.

=$= Big J Money =$=

Re: Why am I not able to win the Orania Map ?
 

As you have seen, Mystics are good vs the AI becuase the AI just mobs all its troops together and sends them out. This makes excellent targets for thier large AOE spells like Falling Fires, etc.

But Astrologers have strong astral which is very powerful against single targets even at low levels (like Paralyze!). This is not so useful versus AI, but is incredibly powerful vs. humans who will use SCs against you. Also, some of the really high level astral spells are powerful, like Master Enslave. Doom and Will of the Fates are also great high level grief/buff spells.

Re: Why am I not able to win the Orania Map ?
 

true but one of the greatest anti SC's any one can employ is petrify, boosted/empowered mystics handle that well.

Re: Thank you all for your overwhelming support
 

If you are going after a SC, you generally need to worry about magic resistance. In cutting through magic resistance, that extra level of astral can sometimes make the difference. Also, the higher level of astral helps keep fatigue down, which is important if you are trying to cut through magic resistance through sheer volume of spells.

Re: Thank you all for your overwhelming support
 

thats the thing, petrify kills if it isnt resisted and paralyzes even if it is resisted (so your vine ogre hordes can pummel the enemy)

Re: Why am I not able to win the Orania Map ?
 

Ahh! Thanks for the tip, I will try that out. Hmm, I wonder if that is going to be nerfed in Dom III, as it seems too simple. Most very powerful things in Dom are a bit more complex.

Re: Why am I not able to win the Orania Map ?
 

One of my favorite tactics involves PD. Using stealth armies of Pangaea I would take a province, crank the tax to the max, buy as much PD as I can and maybe recruit units if they are good, then fade my army back into the woods to move a few provinces off and do it again. By the time he kills the PD there he finds that they are too unhappy to allow building any units or tax.

I could tie up alot of his armies trying to stop me until he figures out to buy lots of PD. Its not really a winning strategy but its a very useful ally strategy.

Re: Why am I not able to win the Orania Map ?
 

As the starter of this thread I have to thank you all. I was really frustrated with this game. I wasn´t able to win this map. But now I am able to do so.

Regarding the PD discussion: I think 10 should be the minimum. In border provinces I usually raise it to 25 (supported by mages) if my AI neighbour hates me and I´m not able to deal with him/her the way he/she deserves.