Fighting Commanders and Equipment.

[spirokeat]

I have a real issue with basic commanders and equipment.

There doesn't seem to be any feasible way of using them in combat other than as leadership trucks to deliver troops to a battle or as subsiduary casters by giving them missle weapons/items that cast spells (sceptre of authority etc).

Whenever I go to the craft item screen I see loads and loads of weapons that I just never ever craft. Am I missing something here ?

If I set commanders to attack they always seem to just get jobbed in a heartbeat, I want to be able to craft stuff like hunters knives or basic upgrades on chainmail etc but I almost dont see the point. When you set them to attack they usually outdistance their troops and get offed. Maybe Dom 3 needs a command for the leader to fight amongst the ranks.

Is it just me or do other people have the same thing ?

Spiro

[Oversway]

Base commanders arn't too helpful in melee combat. As you point out, they often get killed too easily. Most people put good equipment on tougher commanders - Bane Lords, Firbolgs, etc.

For regular (non mage) commanders, a ranged weapon is usually the best option.

[Sandman]

General commanders are a bit useless, yes.

It'd be cool if they had leadership traits, or something like that.

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

There are some Base commanders who are also usefull for combat: Niefel Giants and maybee assasins.

But normaly you have to summon commnder to get the magic items to work: Try the Bane Lord, or a Ice Devil, or a combatpretender(any titan) and you will see that they are not too weak (Try giving them the boots(of hase?) and the wraith sword and do not wonder if you change your tactics to super combatants.

[Endoperez]

Niefel Giants are good combatants, but so are the lesser ones. Jotun Jarls are all sacred, have better skills and equipment than Jotun soldiers, and aren't much more expensive when you factor the halved upkeep in.

[spirokeat]

Oh aye, I use varying forms of SC when I play. But I can't help but feel that maybe the lower commanders should be able to interact with items against other normal troops with a little bit of survivability. Its not just their base stats I don't think.

Its the way the troops move about, they invariably either never reach the combat as the opponent has routed or they stand out too far and get overwhelmed. I would love to be able to tell my commander (or troops) To allow him to fight in the ranks to allow him his superior attacks on the enemy and be protected on his sides by his own men. As is I am restricted to setting him to attack and his troops to guard him which I'm still trying to figure out if it works.

Im about to try some werewolf commanders with flesh eaters, penadants of luck, lycantropos amulets, shroud of the battle saint and horned helms. See how they work out. Obviously I will be aiming them at normal armies or PD stuff, but it wasnt too hard to kit em out.

Spirokeat

[PDF]

As a rule of thumb, don't spend precious gems to equip non-mages commanders with less than say 30hp.
As exceptions you can make some "assassins" out of anything with a good prec and Eth Crossbow or Black Bow, or makes some supporters with Bow of Wars or Skeleton amulets, but limit investments in these to 1 item (2 at most with Eye of Precision).

[spirokeat]

I had not considered expander pretenders, I exclusively play immobile ones. Tis a point well made.

I agree with PDF too.

My point is not about 'how' to make a combatant or what armour or weapons one would need, but an observation on a particular band of commanders and a particular band of items. As I play a particular brand of nation and pretender.

I suspect thats where I am missing the point. As a Mictlan player I would never craft a hunters knife as I can chuck out hellswords for fun. And as I play immobile pretenders I rely on standared commanders to expand initially so I wouldnt kit out my god with lowbie items to assist.

Gotta love this game for the multitude of play styles and options.

Spirokeat

[Alneyan]

Well, non-mage mundane commanders make very good gem haulers, especially if they are sneaky. Sure, they may not be actually fighting, but your mages will be mighty glad of getting new, shiny gems after their first battle.