Independent Strength
 

What is the relative strength increase as you progress through the independent strength on the start-up screen. I've noticed that when I started to set independent strength at 9 or 10 that I've been getting some real good artifacts on occasion when I conquer an independent province and when independents spawn in my provinces as a random event. It seems to me that level 9 and 10 independent strength are mimicing the weak/strong bless scale where a bonus is added to the progression.

Also some of the captured artifacts I had never seen before on any of my forging lists. Is this actual or a reflection of the limited number of nations, thus limiting magic path combinations, that I have taken up to construction 8?

Re: Independent Strength
 

What you see is more than just the level of construction that you have researched. Its also based on the magic combinations and levels of your mages. Try moving around your magic-level boosting items to see new things show up.

Re: Independent Strength
 

Does it annoy anyone else that you can't see potentially forgeable items the same way you can see any spells you have the paths for?

Especially when using mods, it's hard to figure out what my combination of random paths and boosters can actually make.

Re: Independent Strength
 

Yes, this would be a good feature in the game. Saving many hours flicking through the manual, looking at magic items and trying to figure out what you could potentially forge.

Re: Independent Strength
 

I've always hated that. TC is my fav nation, and with all their paths its a pain to figure out which booster should go where for the best bang. I've got most of the items if not memorized, then at least a good idea. It still is a pain when you might misremember or not know it takes a 3F2E to build something.

I also wish they'd improve the icon/coloring for artifacts already created...throw a nasty red X on em or something.

But yes, I wish there was a forging future option..maybe even get all fancy and throw a little +1N in green under a greyed out item to know you only need 1 more nature to forge it. Hmm, maybe -1N would be better so it didn't confuse with boosters, shrug.

Re: Independent Strength
 

Theres a chance some of the items your seeing are the unique un-forgable artifacts such as the hammer of the cyclops(similar to hammer of the forge lord) ect.

Re: Independent Strength
 

I regret adding in that afterthought about items I hadn't seen before.

What I am really asking is two things:
1. The formula for independent strength based on level.
2. Is there a factor akin to the weak/strong bless that kicks in at level 9 and 10 when the independents start having artifacts.

Re: Independent Strength
 

1. Indeps has a number of units equal to a sum of random numbers often multiplied with strength dependent on type of indeps.

Example: 2D6(oe)*str barbarians+leader + 3D6(oe)*str tribal archers+ leader.
Example: (str)D6(oe) soulless + leader + (str/2)D6(oe) ghouls + leader
Example: 3D6(oe)*str militia+ mage + 1 jotun bodyguard

You get the picture.

Edit: these numbers are not correct. I just used them to illustrate. Numbers vary a bit.

2. Not to my knowledge, but special independents might have preset items or increased chances of having items.

Example: Solaris has his armor, helmet and shield.