[Graeme Dice]

Originally posted by Arryn:
You're assuming I need more. I can hire mages, or I can hire Jarls. The Jarls have been more useful in expanding. Try not to assume that the way you like to play is the way someone else does.

No, I'm simply stating the fact that 12 mages does not a significant force make. I'd like to have 12 mages just researching by turn 14-15 in most cases, and even then, that's only going to get you somewhere in the neighbourhood of 60 research points.

More assumptions. See above comments. As for positioning, there are spells that will reach out and hit you anywhere. Ditto for flying enemies.

If your enemy is casting spells that will affect the whole battlefield, and you are not supplying any magical firepower of your own, then I wish you luck in keeping your losses to a reasonable level. The only spells that can target mages specifically, and thereby are not affected by positioning as I already said, are magic duel and battlefield effects. Anything else can be avoided by being careful. If your enemy has fliers the mages them with a few heavy troops.

I personally find it more effective, in my games, to devote resources to reaching out and hitting the enemy than in defending myself.

What on Earth are you talking about? Putting mages on the battlefield has nothing to do with being on the defensive.

That's a nonsensical statement. Any strategy that works against a thinking opponent will work just as well against an AI

It makes sense if you think about it, rather than rush to judge someone else's play style.[/quote]

No, it really doesn't. You just claimed that a strategy that is effective in multiplayer is not necessarily going to be effective in single player.

The AIs aren't as challenging as a human, so you need not worry as much about them, nor how they will react to you. You will never need to worry about an AI using an 'innovative' strategy. You can take your time developing your nation as you see fit because you know that there isn't a human on the other side itching to take you down as fast as he can as a matter of his own pride. Et cetera. [/QB]

Which, of course, is you agreeing with me, and not at all what you originally stated.