[Pickles]

You can analyse all you like but until you have played a significant number of games the analysis is likely to differ from real play experience. Took me 15 years to figure this out but there you are.

Quoting Wendigo
"IMO, the most important factors are, in order:
-skill/knowledge of players involved, in particular regarding early expansion, strategic development of the nation played (design, research goals...) & battlefield tactical performance.
-diplomacy.
-starting location & map choice."

In my very limited experience the most important things I have found are

- Achieving a basic level of competence in the nation you are playing
- Diplomacy
- Winning battles
- Learning to transition from creeping to playing real enemies
- Map position

Hmm these are actually pretty close to yours Wendigo

It is hard to credit Norfleet with any real play ability but I too think the high level water spells are not very good.

Pickles