What do you like most about Dominions (top 5 list)

[MythicalMino]

Here is my "Top 5" list of what I do like about Dominions II. I haven't really played enough to really know what I dislike about it yet....but I do know some things I DO like....

1. Shrapnel published it...hey, I really like how these guys do busines...thanks Annette for the help with upgrading my delivery option!!

2. An EPIC turn-based FANTASY strategy game....not a "party adventure" strat game....this game is epic in feeling...

3. The complexity, yet simplicity of the design....this game just "fits" together. The whole design does actually...from the spells, to the religion, to the fantasy themed nations....Illwinter I think did an outstanding job...and, oh....how I hate spiders...

4. The maps...I do think the maps are beautiful...really, I do...They really have that "fantasy" feeling to them...

5. The "2 M's"....The "2 M's" you ask? The Music and the Manual :-) I really love the music...superb (I know, we heard it in the demo...). Also, the manual is something I think is worth noting. The manual is also great...a VERY good reference book for spells, items, and just tables and charts for stuff...kudos to the person(s) who put the manual together. If only other companies would follow this example and put out manuals like this....you know what we need now, Shrapel? We need an "Dominions II Official Strategy Guide"....go one, I would buy it....

There are plenty more that I like about this game....I read that some spells are unbalanced...possibly they are...but I haven't noticed so far....The AI is weak? Again, I really haven't seen the AI's armies really being weak....Man by turn 12 in a game earlier had 50+ Longbowmen/Heavy Infantry in just one province. Manchaka had several Spider Knights and a couple Hunter Spiders, mixed with other troops in that same game...and all this by turn 15....all I know is, I do like the game....even if it does have faults....

So, go on...don't be shy...talk about the things you do like!!

[Particle]

I like the complexity of it. I also love the lot of spells and units.

[tka]

The most important thing IMHO is difference between nations.

[georgevtucker]

All the items. All the spells. All the units. It's as if half a dozen average strategy games as been crammed into one package. How can you not love it?

[licker]

Its hard to say what I like most about Dom2, it comes quite close to being my 'holy grail' for a TBS. Rather than singleing out what it does that I like I feel I'm better off leaving it all as a package, as the elements come together so well, I'm not sure how well they'd do seperately.

However, ...

I do not like the manual (blasphemy! )

Oh yes, its fine as manuals go, and its packed with information, but I find the information to be poorly organized and that there is not enough redundancy on the pages (am I looking at Evocation 3 or 4?) Also some information that I'd like to see is missing, like gem costs for items...

There is also not alot of game mechanic information which while not strictly necessary, is nice.

Its merely 'ok' in my book, certainly not 'great'.

[LordArioch]

I don't have the manual myself, so I can't say. It still sounds nice to have even if it isn't setting any standards in manual writing.
But gem costs for items directly follow from required skill level
lvl 1 5 gems
lvl 2 10 gems
lvl 3 20 gems
and so on, IIRC