Newb Casual Network EA Tyrande (Full and Playing)
 

I don't see any open newbie games here, so I'd like to get a new Network one going. I've played a total of 90% of one 2-player MP game, and finished about 3 in SP (though I started maybe 15 in SP). Network instead of PBEM because I think I've figured out how to run it, and it looks easier to manage than emailing files everywhere. I can probably play about one turn a day, maybe more at the start.

I like the Tyrande (random starting positions, 82 land 21 sea) map at:

http://www.illwinter.com/dom2/maps.html

But I'm open to other suggestions.


Other details:

Version 3.06

Early Era

I think a total of about 5 or 6 players might be good on this map. MP Newbies please. If there are already 8 people joined up then please don't select a nation. And please respond to this thread in addition to joining.

Connect to: bemura.dyndns.org, port 1024

All default rules, including graphs on, 10 Hall of Fame.

I've chosen Agartha.

(Edit: Full and playing)

Re: Newb Casual Network EA Tyrande (Open)
 

I'll take Abysia, Please! [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Grenade.gif[/img]

Re: Newb Casual Network EA Tyrande (Open)
 

I'll take anything. I'm not picky. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Taking R'lyeh..

Re: Newb Casual Network EA Tyrande (Open)
 

The server is running, so please create your gods and Network connect to reserve your spots. (Password your pretenders please!) You can then disconnect and wait until the game fills up. I'll start the game in about 6 hours if there are enough players.

Re: Newb Casual Network EA Tyrande (Open)
 

I'll give it a try. Why not? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Newb Casual Network EA Tyrande (Open)
 

Is anyone having trouble connecting?

I only see Agartha (me) and Abysia (jimkehn) as 'human controlled' on the 'Waiting for Participants' screen.

Re: Newb Casual Network EA Tyrande (Open)
 

Odd...my edit didn't post. I'm having trouble. Keeps saying the server does not exist. Don't know if it's a prob on my end though. (Recently upgraded my PC to XP but it's an older comp so things are a little chunky)

Re: Newb Casual Network EA Tyrande (Open)
 

Cool, thraveboy is in as R'lyeh.

BandarLover, can you please try the IP address instead:

220.106.166.132

It's dynamic, so it may change (though I don't disconnect). If you're just having DNS trouble then maybe the IP will work.

I'd like to wait for one or two more newbies to join too, is that okay?

Re: Newb Casual Network EA Tyrande (Open)
 

I've uploaded as Lanka. Good luck everyone!

Re: Newb Casual Network EA Tyrande (Open)
 

Great! Once BandarLover connects, we will have 5, and I'll start the game.

I read the help after I already started the server, and I could have sped things up by using command-line options to auto-start once the game got to 5 players.

Oh well, live and learn. I'm pretty sure I can't stop and restart the server at this point in time because currently the only options are 'Cancel' and 'Start Game'. So I'll manually start it once when we get five. Unless I'm asleep http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif.

Re: Newb Casual Network EA Tyrande (Open)
 

O.K. that worked better. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I'm in as C'tis so start whenever you feel like it.

Re: Newb Casual Network EA Tyrande (Open)
 

Here we go ...

We've started with:

C'tis - BandarLover
Lanka - K
R'lyeh - thraveboy
Abysia - jimkehn
Agartha - vfb

Good luck to all, and have fun! Please PM me or post if there are any problems.

I have quickhost on, so the next turn will start once everyone gets their turn submitted.

Re: Newb Casual Network EA Tyrande (Open)
 

Aww nuts.

It said I got a bad pack from the server and crashed. This happened while downloading the map. Would it help if I download the map ahead of time?

Re: Newb Casual Network EA Tyrande (Open)
 

BandarLover:

Yes, please try downloading the zip file. Just unpack the zip file into your dominions3/maps/ directory. You might need to change the case of TGA in tyrande_103.TGA to tga, as in: tyrande_103.tga.

Here's the link:

http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom2/tyrande_103.zip

Also, have you patched to 3.06?

Re: Newb Casual Network EA Tyrande (Open)
 

Yes that worked. Thanks.

Quickhost Offline Warning
 

A warning about quickhost games (since this game is quickhost):

If you choose to complete a turn offline, make sure it is finished before you connect to the server.

From http://www.quartertothree.com/game-t...d.php?p=776183

bemura.dyndns.org should always be running, so it's probably safest just to do all your turns connected.

Game Scores and Map
 

The latest scores file for this game will always be available at:

http://bemura.dyndns.org/b2/scores.html

This is the same info as in the 'Score graphs' screen.

One other thing - this map has a lot of mountains and rifts, and also 'ports' that allow sea travel where there is a lighthouse. On this map I play with Map Filter #8 on: Show Neighbors. (Well, actually now I always play with all the Map Filters on, but this was the map that made me start doing that.)

Re: Game Scores and Map
 

You are right, vfb. I have been noticing a lot of provinces that are adjacent that you wouldn't think to be adjacent.

Re: Game Scores and Map
 

Lanka, a Vendetta upon you, for your unprovoked invasion of our territory! Those are our swampy desolate wastelands. May the ghost of our prophet haunt you, and may our Troglodytes rise from their holes in the ground and defile your blood slaves!

ooc: Damn, Ancient Ones can't hit the broadside of a barn. Oh, wait, I think I read that somewhere. Broadside of a monolith, maybe. I should have taken some fire.

Re: Game Scores and Map
 

Come on Lanka, seige us! Starve our pale ones to death! Mu ha ha ha ha.

By the way, how are you enjoying your visit to our world-famous swamps? Scrounging up enough food for your monkeys?

Re: Game Scores and Map
 

The glory of the Old Ones is fading. Our troops on the surface will fight until the end, but alas, it appears unlikely that we will prevail against the southern demon hordes. Beware the Palankasha! It appears the Lanka demons will soon feast upon our Ancient Wet One.

Re: Game Scores and Map
 

The spirits of the Old Ones have given us victory! A miracle! Three lone Earth Readers overcame vast odds, and though wounded, outlasted the Demon's monkey slaves.

It is not our way to surrender, but we are oh so tired. Would that the nations of ocean and land rise and come meet us in glorious battle, in all our territories! Then we shall slumber again, deep beneath the surface, until another age comes.

(ooc: K - was that bizarre or what! I never thought they'd actually take the province)

Re: Game Scores and Map
 

(ooc: Yeh, giant earth mages can take province defense with a little luck, even only using Flying Shards. If you had Blade Wind and Earth Power you could have retaken provinces at will with just those three guys. )

Re: Game Scores and Map
 

Just dropping a note that I will be very busy this weekend. Normally on weekends, these games can fly by, but I'll prolly only have time for one turn a day.

Just letting everyone know. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Game Scores and Map
 

Many thanks to the frightful Demons of Lanka for engaging our Nation in one final glorious battle. We can now return to our roots beneath the mountains.

ooc: gg, and congrats to K for rolling through my provinces most efficiently!

Re: Game Scores and Map
 

ooc: Good game, and keep watching. My simultaneous battles against both Abysia and Ry'leh will be most entertaining.

IP Address Change
 

For those in the EA Tyrande game connecting to an IP address instead of bemura.dyndns.org, the address has changed and is now:

124.84.188.21

Re: IP Address Change
 

Yay! Was just coming here to ask if server was down or something. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Just a few things....
 

First, an apology. I'm not one to simply attack another player unprovoked. I kinda like the AI's approach to declaring holy war before I do. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif But I have noticed that, with this game atleast, people don't seem to be getting some of my messages.
So to jimkehn, I'm sorry if it appeared I attacked you unprovoked. I know way earlier I had sent a message about possible alliance, but it seems to have not gotten through. I've also noticed my mages seem to not follow their casting orders, ritual spell-wise.

That being said, I'm very pleased with how things have progressed anyways. This has been an exceptionally fun game thus far. While I may have outnumbered Abysia's armies, he has certainly outnumbered me in flaming bolts falling from the sky. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif And the war with raveboy in the north is just exciting.

I know, people will think it dumb to write details of battlesin the forums. Letting others know how well I may or may not be doing. But I don't care. I play for fun and this game has definitely been that.

Just wanted you guys to know.

Re: Just a few things....
 

BandarLover
I don't take these games personal or serious. I too, have been having tons of fun. And yes, looking at the graphs and vfb's website, my armies are much less numerous than yours. Or anyone else's in the game. 8^) So far, I have been pleased with Abysia's magic abilities..especially the Annointeds' of Rhuax. That alone has kept me in the game on more than one occasion. I have not done as well as I would have liked in finding my strengths and my opponent's weaknesses. This is my first "real" MP game, and hopefully I will present more of a challenge next time. I am still learning.

Having said all of that, this is the first time in a long, long time that a game has obsessed me so. I enjoy a lot of different games, most of them historical military simulations a la Panzer Campaigns and Birth of America. This is not my favorite genre by far, but the depth and breadth of this game is breath taking to say the least. And while the game is enormously immersive, I can separate the role playing within the game from gamers who are also playing the game and attack me. After all, that is the point of the game, no? Who knows....next game we may be the closest of allies. I hope that happens.

Re: Just a few things....
 

lol. Good. I've been playing online now for a little over a decade, and know of too many people that take offense at the slightest thing. And for someone who is just learning you've done quite well. I'm by no means an expert, I admit I generally build armies in this game like I would for Warhammer, lots of troop variety. Other MP players tend to use the high bless, rush with best troops strategy. Good for winning I suppose but seems like it would get awful boring after awhile. So I may never win at MP (0-5) but I sure do like it.

And yes, the shear depth of this game is what hooked me as well. Course I started on Dom 2 and got hooked from there. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
I'll certainly keep an eye out for the other guys in this game as well in the future. Funnest MP I've had yet.

Re: Just a few things....
 

C'tis!!!!
You vacated the province!!!!
We hardly got to know one another!!!!

8^)

Re: Just a few things....
 

This is a really fun game and I think it's totally great when people post details on the forums. The details and events on the world scale are fantastic. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

This has been my first game with a sea nation and the
initial isolation (and initial alliances) have been great.
I appreciate the loyalty of the Fire and Pale Ones and
respect the alliances.

Sorry if my in-game messages are a little short but I'm
usually playing with a baby in my arms so its is easy for
me to click (sometimes not shift/control click though http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif )
and a bit harder for me to actually type. But I do love
reading!

Re: Just a few things....
 

Yeah, something just crawled out of the drain and now I have to beat them back into the depths from whence they came. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Gives you a chance to build up again.

Re: Just a few things....
 

R'lyeh.
Please clean up the elephant poop when you leave.

Thanks,

Lords of Abysia

Re: Just a few things....
 

Tsssssssssssss

The sound water makes when hit by fire!!!

Re: Just a few things....
 

lol. Shouldn't flaming bolts be put out hitting water provinces? Oh, right, they're magic. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Just a few things....
 

OH..no...you were right the first time, BandarLover. I can't go in the water. But, when the falling fires hit the water creatures they burst into.....uh....steam??

Re: Just a few things....
 

Good game everyone!

In case you were wondering, the key to my victory was that I found Mount Chaining (40% discount on Blood rituals) during the fight with Agartha. This was pretty much my Lanka dream game. Once I put up the Utterdark and Astral Corruption, I could summon troops easily and no one else could buy or summon troops at all. If the game ran long enough, I wouldn't even have needed gold at all.

Re: Just a few things....
 

See, I knew it was all my fault for dying so easily http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif. Next time I will try to put up a bit more of a fight.

K, what did you use to pull off an Utterdark? I'm pretty sure I didn't see an affliction bless on your sacreds.

By the way, over in Aran, Marverni was slow to heed the wise words of warning of the Sauromatian Resistance Front, and is now paying a heavy price at the hands of Vanheim. That one's about done too I think!

I'll keep this Tyrande game running for a few more days in case any of you want to look around.

Re: Just a few things....
 

Yes, a good game indeed. Utterdark is beyond wicked. My home province produced only 34 gold. I think the highest after that was 3! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/eek.gif

I still stand by this being the best MP game I've been in yet. Congrats to K for successfully becoming our monkey overlord.

Don't feel bad vfb, methinks Lanka would have won even without his blood site. His combat scripting is quite masterful. You could prolly end this game if you want. I don't think anyone else is going to mind.

Re: Just a few things....
 

End it on my part, vfb. BandarLover, my whole kingdome only produced 41 gold. My upkeep was 195. Subjects leaving in droves. Nice job, K. Hope to see you soon in another game.

Re: Just a few things....
 

The Utterdark was pulled off by a Vampire Lord (Death 3/Blood 3) with a Dark Scepter(+3 death), a Skull Hat(+1 Death), a Ring of Wizardry(+1 all Magic) and a Ring of Sorcery(+1 Astral/Nature/Blood/Death). I used a vampire because they are immortal and cure afflictions, but mostly because I could. He was also empowered with two points of Astral for the Astral Corruption.

Since I couldn't be sure of being able to make the Dark Scepter (its an artifact), I had an alternate plan to use Gorilon the Heliophagus(Death 4/Blood 3) with a Skull Staff(+1 Death), a Robe of the Archmagi(+1 all magic paths), a Skull Hat(+1 Death), a Ring of Wizardry(+1 all Magic) and a Ring of Sorcery(+1 Astral/Nature/Blood/Death). Since he's also unique, I could have also gone with a Lich or Lamia Queen(who often get Death 4).

In case anyone was curious, the Utterdark had an extra 250 gems in it and the Astral Corruption had an extra 450 blood slaves. I figured that with the AC coming up first, people would blow gems trying to knock it down, leaving a good few turns before they could make a reasonable attempt at the Utterdark, and by then they'd have no troops left. (on a side note, Kurgi the Slave to Unreason tried to kill me when I put up the Utterdark).

At the end of the game, I had enough money for four more turns of maintaining my regular army and mages, but I was making 200 blood slaves a turn with the potential for much more if no one knocked down the Utterdark and I was forced to move to an entirely blood-based empire.

Re: Just a few things....
 

That's great! I just learned a lot from that post since I'm
new. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Seeing how you used items to boost your magic path
skills in the late game is something I haven't been doing but
now I know I totally need to do that. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Just a few things....
 

Yes, item boosting is crucial. Please, please, please don't just use your pretender for enchantments. I had three other commanders fairly high in magic paths with boosters, just didn't have enough enchantment researched. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

450 blood slaves?! You're Eeeevil, K. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif