Thoughts on magic and adjusting the research cost

[Keir Maxwell]

I have come ot a somewhat odd conclusion regarding Dom2 given Dom1 - I want to give playing with easy research a go.

In dom1 I wished for more expensive research as I found the transition ot powerful magic to fast. In Dom2 I'm finding strong mundane approaches overpowered - good HI, Centaur Warriors, Serpent Dancers etc.

So what I'm wondering is wether or not easy research will see magic come back into the game more.

I am still making good use of magic but I'm using a narrow range of spells in any given game and relying heavily on nations starting spells - terror and panic being beauties combined with eagle eyes. I'm not fielding many summons at all, except with death, and haven't made any use of magic higher than level 6.

So 25% off magic research (I think) plus I'll probably crank the sites percentage I play with up from 60 to 65 and hopefully I'll get some more summons and high level spells.

Cheers

Keir

ps. I play on smallish maps (MM issues) and this is a big part of why magic isn't a big presence.

[apoger]

Play on larger maps, or longer games with more/better opponents, and higher indy settings.

If your games are so short that you aren't seeing the benefit of magics, then your games are too short.

[Gandalf Parker]

Grab the Poke-in-the-eye map. It makes for longer games. But be real careful attacking independent provinces >:-)
http://www.techno-mage.com/~dominion/Dominions2/

[Lord Hammer]

With small maps set research to easy and magic sites to 75 , then give your researchers all the items to speed research as you build up and conquer 3/4 of the map. At this point just kick back and play defense but don't get sloppy, the ai can make some nasty comebacks, and go in for the kill when your a Phd in whatever magic you've chosen. Don't worry, it's not cheating, the ai will usually have the "Mother of all Armies" waiting for you at the Capital .It is especially rewarding to get Conjuration 9 or Construction 9 summons...Oh Yeah! Love this game!

[Darryl]

Newbie question: What is a "small map" versus a "large map"? What number of provinces?

Darryl

[apoger]

Urgaia = small.
World War = large.

Keep in mind that the number of opponents has a large effect also.

For a tough game take all 17 nations, imp AI, on the map World War, with indy's set to 7.