Any games going up soon?
 

Reading through most of the threads seems this is a MP oriented game, would like to get in on the action. If a new game is going to be started soon, please let me know.

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

Log into #dominions on irc.gamesurge.net on Fri,Sa,Su 19:00 GMT to do some blitz games.

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

yea, and the best part is dying isnt bad

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

*snicker* Yeah - the bad part is waiting to die. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Seriously, a blitz probably isn't the best introduction in MP Dominions : some of the hardcore players are usually in the games, the quick pace means there isn't much time for pondering moves, and you have to be willing to commit to 3-5 hours in one sitting, when the game finally starts.

But on the other paw : you can learn a lot (both the hard way, and by talking on channel) especially if a loose team game is going. (Great to be able to talk about everything with your teammates, while in a free for all blitz, you don't want to give away any free information to enemies http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif )

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

IRC will definitely teach you a lot and VERY fast. You dont even need a ton of time for a blitz either - just ask someone to duel. Tell them you are a noob and they will give you advice along the way too.

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

We should start another long-term game. Trouble is, I don't have a permanent connection so I can't serve. I could theoretically start a PBEM though after Feb 5. Whatever happened to the Rome vs Barbarians game? Any other ideas? I'm definitely not "hardcore", but I do love this game. Don't feel bad about joining games, as a n00b I noticed people don't really stomp you just 'cause they think you're a n00b. They stomp you because you send assassins after their sages.

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

or you 'steal' their mercs

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

I can host games if people like. Just get all your players and maps and mods lined up and i will run it for you.

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

I would be interested in a longer-term game as a total multiplayer n00b. The rome vs. barbarians sounds okay, although I sort of wish the undead vs. humans had taken off a bit. I can imagine a game where utterdark drops on turn 12 or so, and all the non-undead are forced to play non-astral paths (Machaka, Ulm non-black-forest, Pythium serpent cult...). Or something vicious like that.

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

We are generally a pretty noob-friendly bunch. And why not? I still frequently play like one...

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

I'll throw something together for the noobs in the next couple of days. Keep your eyes open on this forum

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

that sounds wicked. i haven't really been posting on the forums, but i've been reading for weeks. i play with a few friends at home, but we are all still pretty new at it, and we have trouble organizing games on our own, so i've been watching for games to go up here, especially noob friendly ones http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

i think almost all of us here watched for a while befre posting, as said our irc channel is really helpful

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

Awesome, I'm in like flinn. When do you think it will be setup?

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

join the irc channel, theres almost always some-one on to talk to and half, ironhak, QM and boron are on ALOT

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

By the weekend, at the latest. I am juggling a couple of things right now so time is short for the next few days. Keep reminding me tho!

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

can you post something here about it too?...i often read this stuff while at work, and i can't always get on irc from work :\

edit: that and i'm still too intimidated to go on irc and talk to all the godly players i've been reading the strategy discussion of...

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

dont worry, just talk to me when im on http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

In defense of blitz - I think its absolutely the best way to learn. A long drawn out game spanning weeks where you're getting your *** kicked is no fun. Much better to play a 2 hour game and lose, then go over your lessions.

My big suggestions to anyone learning to play is:

Learn to make a good SC. Learn the useful buffs, and don't handycap yourself with one of the weaker forms (even with balance mods there is a large range). I always made wimpy pretenders in SP cuz it didn't matter, in MP its a diff story.

The acid test for your strategy is: by turn 10 can I have a good force in the field and enough flexability to handle raids?

Learn to be aggressive - in a 1v1 duel on nile the game will likely be decided by turn 20, with some early contact going at turn 7-13. In a ffa on urgana its not uncommon for skirmishes to begin on turn 5.

And finally, play QM - he will crush you so hard and so fast you won't have any option but learn to be decent, quick.

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

also since in blitzs generally check irc between blitz turns if you die you can ask where you went wrong (they are more than happy to point out gory details)

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

One non-blitz possibility for new players is to make a game with "advisors". Each player would get one experienced player assigned as a dedicated helper/advice-giver.

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

or it could be done almost as effectively in a 1v1 duel blitz?

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

Of course it could - I was just offering up an idea for those (like me, for example) who do not have 2-5 hour blocks of uninterrupted time.

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

How common is diplomacy in MP Games? I have only played Ulm so far, and don't really understand the finer points of the magic system.

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

in non-blitz diplomacy is quite common but in blitz its a bit more frantic (but still possible). if you want a gentle intoduction try abysia who is very similar to ulm but with better priest, mages and no bows (but they have flaming people) and OG, on saturday at around 6gmt id be happy to duel you if you want a gentle mp intro (and with my mp record of about 4 losses and 0 wins a good chance of winning for you)

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

Diplomacy actually plays a pretty good part, though less when it's a blitz. When you first meet, some people ask for a non-aggression pact with 3-turn notification before attacking, unless they think they can rush you or gain a particularly early advantage. Then you can focus on one-front wars without too much of a disadvantage. Everyone seems to start with Ulm... but they're a bit of a handicap in long games. Nifelheim is a nice nation to get used to casters. Just be sure to take Order, they're expensive!

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

Abysia is a bit of a snare and a delusion, on account of all those nifty fire mages never HIT anything with their spells. (And to make much headway with Abysia I had to go into blood magic, which is complicated). I do like Jotunheim/Niefelheim (or Iron Woods) for an intro to summon spells, since they have the really wicked kick-*** longdead giants available early on.

Machaka and serpent-cult Pythium are also nice for giving you some kick-*** cavalry units to play with as you wean yourself off of full-time steel dependency.

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

Sure I'd be happy to play on sat. I like Ulm because of the troops and item forging abilities. I just liked their flavor, as I normally shy away from magic whenever I can, opting to play warriors and the like whenever given the option.

Shovah, my X-fire name is 0ggleep (with a zero instead of a o).

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

x-fire isnt really my thing, but if you could just do /join #dominions on irc we could sort it all out (would you be free around 5:30gmt?)0

Re: Any games going up soon?
 

I have not forgotten about you http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif The noob game is now open for nation selection. Be the first to get your favorite nation in:

The Winnowing