Re: I have never won a sp game...
 

IIRC, higher starting dominion increases the chance for each temple-check to succeed, so a high dominion is useful for those without priests.
You need to remember, though, that dominion has to "fill up" before it can spread further, so a higher dominion score also means it will take your dominion longer to spread further.

Atleast, that's what I remember from all the previous "how does dominion work?" threads...

Re: I have never won a sp game...
 

On the other hand, Ulm usually has enough money to build a couple of temples. AFAIK, each temple would spread the high dominion, even if it would first have to fill up the province it starts from. Also, every temple stops enemy dominion from going further, even if the temple province's dominion can be lowered.
There is a great document explaining dominion in great detail. I think it's on www.dominions-2.org, but I don't remember even its name ATM.

I think you did quite well in the army department, and did use your mages quite well. The fact that you used a support mage with a Golem was also very good. Just learn to use and look out for your dominion a bit more. It also helps if you know what priests can do for you, and knew little more of the Evocation spells, but that will come with different experiences. You're doing very well IMO, especially for a first win.

Re: I have never won a sp game...
 

Well, unfortunately, they often don't http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Lifelong Protection and Soul Contract give horror marks, and some armors and artifacts do as well. I suggest you download Zen's Magic Item Quick Reference guide (http://www.shrapnelgames.com/Illwinter/d2/6.htm) as it lists some of the unmentioned side effects... of course, it also spoils some of the fun, so don't read things you don't need to read http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

A unit with horror marks eventually gets attacked by a horror, which is usually fatal, unless you gear it specifically to fight horrors (they have high defense, are ethereal, and ignore protection - lucky coin + fire sword are a good cheap combo that will often keep soul-contracted Jotuns safe from horrors). Horror marks can also be a result of magic sites and random events (IIRC) and hostile battle spells, though. Never put horror-marking items on your god, even if (s)he is very powerful; it's just not worthwhile.

Re: I have never won a sp game...
 

Thanks. Useful guide. Have a much better picture of how dominion works now.

Going to start the next game soon.
(plz no horrors, plz no horrors) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Re: Game #2 is over
 

Game #2: Arcocephale vs. Mictlan at Siltrock (great map!)

I was going to go with Machaka but I decided what the heck and picked Arco. The combination of astral and nature looked fun. Picked Titan for pretender. Spent a lot on magic but specialized in only 3 schools. 5 dominion, don't remember the scales but I think I had magic 1. Decided I was going to get tons of spells and try some global enchants etc.

After getting used to arco's units and making some armies I put up gift of health which was neat. Killed the dragon at Siltrock which was a lot of fun. Once I took his province and could train Trogs, Mictlan was in a world of hurt along with all the remaining indies.

I don't know if it's just that Mictlan AI is weak or I dominated that much, but they hardly did anything the whole time except build armies. I made it a priority to take as much land as I could ASAP. Maybe that cuased them to turtle as they only took 5 indie provinces then entire game.

The only thing Mictlan ever did that cost me was casting over my enchantment Eyes of God or whatever (for seeing all the provinces)

I made it a point this time to have a prophet ASAP. Trained atleast 5 priests and built 4 temples. Did much better with dominion this time. Even though Mictlan didn't do much I think it would have been good enough to hold my own against a more aggressive dominion.

Went crazy with research. By the time it was over I had atleast lvl 5 in everything except blood. Built 3 big armies, loaded them with support mages & went right at Mictlan. The whole show was over in about 5 turns from there. There was 7 battles, 6 of which I won. The battle I lost was a stupid mission to see if my golem could kill their prophet who was lightly guarded on an island. The golem didn't quite live up to what I thought based on the items I gave him. He lasted a looong but didn't deal near as much damage as I thought. All the other battles were very easy. Think I only lost 20 something troops all told. I usually set up battle fortune+weapons of sharpness and then launched into attack magic.

Trogs are some bad dudes. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif Spirit Helmet is nice too. Game was over at turn 49.http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/6337/arcbt17jx.jpg
I hope the next game is much harder. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif (and no horrors killed anyone this time lol)

Re: Game #2 is over
 

congrats dude (that fight looks a little bit one sided though :p

Re: Game #2 is over
 

yes, it was just a tad one sided http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Game #2 is over
 

ever tried a golem with hammer of the mountain and a few attack boosters under cb 5.2? with astral weapons he does like 120 AN damage (ultimate sc killer if hes loaded with attack boosters)

Re: Game #2 is over
 

You really like overkill, don't you? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif

Re: Game #2 is over
 

how did you guess? but against some bigger scs its needed (or else they would flatten him)