worlds without the borders

alexti · #1 December 27th, 2003, 04:41 AM

I'm having a difficulty playing on wrap-around maps, because it seems that no matter what I'm doing, at some stage I end up fighting with 3-4 races. On regular maps I would just put some forces on the border with 1 or 2 nations to discourage them from attacking, and concentrate on another opponent (preferrably one squeezed to the border of the map). But on wrap-around map I need to defend whole perimeter and I don't see how I can assemble enough forces to do and at the same time fight somebody. I'm sorely missing some kind of diplomacy.

Currently, I'm leaving some indies to keep sort of a border, but that works only in the beginning of the game. After that I just defend important provinces (big population, major sites etc) and concentrate my efforts to take such provinces away from the enemy. In other provinces the chaos rules, they're changing hands nearly every turn. This strategy works to some extent, but I was wondering if it's possible to proceed in more ordered manner.

/Alex

apoger · #2 December 27th, 2003, 07:58 AM

If you get into a situation where you are surrounded by many strong opponents and you aren't strong enough to take them out, nor are strong enough to hold your borders... you are in bad shape. It's very hard to recover from that.

In future games try to create artificial borders by:

- Keeping troops on the border
- Pumping up province defense in border provinces
- Building fortifications along the border

Furthermore try to develop some armies that can move fast, so they can respond to an intruder.

The computer tends to attack weak spots. Make sure that your provinces look strong, and it will choose other battles... at least for a while.

If the computer penetrates an area, pump the province defense in front of it, and hire mercs near the area.

Gandalf Parker · #3 December 27th, 2003, 05:17 PM

I think I have figured out that the computer will declare war on me if I am in the lead. Even if he doesnt know where I am (or maybe he knows thru scouts and spells but in any case cant reach me yet)

I have done really well by sending help to whichever nation MY nation is likely to have the least trouble with. Such as helping Marignon hold off Ermor, Ctis, Jotun by sending herald lances (which my troops will laugh at later).

I even milked Ctis once after I killed his god and was seiging his castle. I let it take worthless provinces from me so it would stay high on the scoreboard. I kept worthwhile ones but didnt tax them heavily so that I wouldnt show high. When Pythium started moving heavily on Ctis I cranked taxes, swarmed the Last of Ctis provinces, positioned myself all over the borders (since Pythium didnt feel itself at war with me) and mass-destructed Pythium.

OK not a strategy that works as something you would plan from the very beginning of the game but if you fall into it then it can be a surprise.

--
If you cant beat 'em, join 'em.
If you cant beat em or join em,
then at least try to surprise them.

alexti · #4 December 27th, 2003, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by apoger:
In future games try to create artificial borders by:
- Keeping troops on the border
- Pumping up province defense in border provinces
- Building fortifications along the border

The problem with any of these is that these problems start to happen around turns 15-20 and I don't have enough money (to make enough armies, pump-up defenses or build fortifications). Playing Jotunheim I usually get defenses to 5-10 everywhere, 20+ in important provinces. It works against annoying "call something" spells from AI and minor raiders, but it does nothing against strong army. I'm wondering if building "el cheapo" armies and keeping them in border provinces for apperances could help.

Furthermore try to develop some armies that can move fast, so they can respond to an intruder.

I have quick armies to respond which can take care of AI invasion, but I don't have enough of them to deal with 3-4 invasions at the same time. Besides, sometimes it's hard to catch AI army.

alexti · #5 December 27th, 2003, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
I think I have figured out that the computer will declare war on me if I am in the lead. Even if he doesnt know where I am (or maybe he knows thru scouts and spells but in any case cant reach me yet)

You are probably right about it. I've seen AI declaring war on me even if they were all the way across the map and without any remote access capabilities. And all my problem start to happen when I'm in the lead (typically by provinces and gold income). That gives me an idea to only capture big provinces and use them for blood hunting ;->

apoger · #6 December 27th, 2003, 05:56 PM

>and I don't have enough money (to make enough armies, pump-up defenses or build fortifications).

No offense intended...
You just aren't expanding your economy fast or efficiently enough. If you had better resources, then everything else falls into line. With more game experience you will develop that extra efficiency/economy needed, and will find things easier.

Let me ask... how many provinces are you holding on turns 15-20? What nations do you play, and how do you set them up? More info is needed if we are to give you more direct advice.