Neither Air nor Astral
 

I don't know how they do it. Since having gained at least some knowledge of the magic system, I can no longer see how anyone can survive and have fun with neither astral nor air. I used to love Machaka, for instance -- but if I don't use some form of odd rainbowish pretender with at least some air or (preferably: and) astral, I feel so .... bogged down. Astral just seems so key to me, both tactically and strategically. If you have no air, then moving lots of troops is limited to... forest walk spell whose name escapes me? And all of the groovy items you cannot forge -- argh no, I can't bear to think about it! Give me Air and Astral, yeah! I am an AIR ASTRAL JUNKIE, help!

Re: Neither Air nor Astral
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Sorry if it feels like I'm following you around. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif I just happen to be interested in the same topics you're posting in...I swear! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

I guess it sort of boils down to playstyle. One of the reasons I love Caelum is that it's such a huge departure from the way I normally play, and it's all due to their Air and their mobility.

With Machaka, however, I find their strengths are enough that they don't need to rely as much on that kind of mobility. Fever fetishes rock, and so do the summons and versatility that Fire, Death, and Nature magic can bring. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif They get those stealthy priests, too, like Caelum... "Ears of the Lord: Pushing Dominion, So You Don't Have To (TM)."

Re: Neither Air nor Astral
 

heheh. Since I like reading your Posts, I have nothing against it -- quite the contrary!

But back to business: I am sure you are right. I guess it is a question of style. I just noticed that there are only 3 races with neither air nor astral (Ulm, Pangaia, Machaka) -- that's not a lot. And I just love Machaka so much -- but how it hurts me to puzzle over a pretender, how I always try to sneak some air or astral in.... heheh. But maybe I should just forget it and try to go without it -- I forget who wrote somewhere something along the lines of "why should I play Caelum like I play Ulm?".

Re: Neither Air nor Astral
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">It's fun to test yourself, too, by doing things in a game to which you'd normally be adverse (such as going without Air or Astral http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif ). Sometimes you end up saying "nope, I just can't do without it", but sometimes you see things in a completely different way, and it helps you with other portions of the game as well.

Re: Neither Air nor Astral
 

Air necessary?

I don't think so. I played quite a few games without using it. But perhaps it's the fact I tend to play the smaller maps.

Re: Neither Air nor Astral
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Hey is that a portrait of Descartes?

Well in any case: Nothing is necessary. But I love air for Wind Guide if for nothing else, and for Arrow Fend if vs the usual suspects, and for staffs of storms, or whatever the plural is, and for all the other great items it yields.

Re: Neither Air nor Astral
 

Then again the best Air spells are mostly low level, with wind guide and Arrow Fend level 2/3

I myself can NEVER play without Nature, its really great. Just forge a few cauldrons. Or a few whips of command. Or maybe The Beckoning ? Oh, why not Call of the Wild...

dang it, i ALWAYS get nature, i have admit its mostly because of food support, i HATE to see starving and or ill units. ^^

I can play really good without Astral, to be honest i only get Astral to cast Acashic Record, i dont see another reason for astral magic...Most strong astral spells are high level, at least rituals.
Any while its easy to get high level mages with air, nature, fire or whatever is ALMOST impossible to get a high level astral mage, unless you designed him yourself as your pretender. Each magic way has its caster summons, but the only way for astral is that serpent guy with 3 nature and 3 astral, and that isnt even an astral summon.

definitly the way you play ^^

Re: Neither Air nor Astral
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Mmh. I'm pretty sure Ermor w/ Ashen Empire has neither wind nor astral, unless it comes as a random.

Re: Neither Air nor Astral
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Mmh. I'm pretty sure Ermor w/ Ashen Empire has neither wind nor astral, unless it comes as a random. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I think that's what he meant, yes. Base Ulm, Pangaea, and Machaka can't get them at all, because they have no randoms, IIRC.

Re: Neither Air nor Astral
 

Uhm, Machaka and Pangaea both have randoms. How can they not get air or astral?