Epic Heroes Mod MA game(finished)

[Xietor]

Due to recent events on the forums, under the thread title "mists of deception" a major bug has been exposed.

As game administrator, I am going to take the same stance Velusion took in the Big Game:

1. Mists of deception is banned. Casting it will be dealt with on a case by case basis, but you most likely will be put on AI. It is a major bug and is on the short list to be fixed.

2. Battlefield enchantments are supposed to disappear when the mage casting the battlefield enchantment leaves the battle or dies. Some spells stay up after a mage retreats or dies. While we cannot do anything about mages dying, it will be considered an exploit to deliberately cast a battlefield enchantment and have the casting mage deliberately retreat(ie cast ritual of returning or script to retreat).

I know we are all honorable players and do not want to win by using what has been labeled as an exploit by the developers. Apparently it will be corrected in the next patch. Understandably, most of us have used and have had these tactics used against us. But we are all going to have to adjust our tactics.

[Tuidjy]

I do not see why Mists of Deception should be banned. Where is the harm if
the enemy does not retreat, but stays and fights instead?

As for casting buffs or battlefield enchantments and retreating, this is a
tactic that has been extremely popular and is being used by everyone. I do
not think that I have used it in this game, but I routinely retreat my
buffing mages in my other game.

Furthermore I do not believe in setting rules after the game has started.
The only way I would agree to any house rules at this point is by unanimous vote.

I see four issues here.

Mists of Deception that is meant to make the fight last after one army has
fully retreated. This is an exploit, and I could live with it being banned
without a vote.

Casting battlefield enchantments and retreating the caster. I think it is a
valid strategy, and it was used against me in this game, but I will vote for
banning it, because I can live with the rule. If anyone votes against, though,
I say it's allowed, and I will use it.

Casting Mists of Deception, and fighting on. Perfectly valid in my book,
I vote against banning it.

Casting buffs, summoning nasties, or throwing damage spells and retreating.
I will use this if I stay in the game, and if you guys disagree, I will be
looking for a replacement.

[Xietor]

The developers say what is an exploit and what is not.

Mists of deception can be used if you stay on the battlefield and fight. It is an exploit to have a mage cast it, and say wraithful skies, then retreat. That means the army is fighting no enemy but is destroyed by battlefield enchantments and cannot end it by killing anyone. This is clearly an exploit.

Buffing and retreating is not a problem. It is battlefield enchantments like wrathful skies and then retreating. For a better explanation, read the thread on the main board entitled Mists of deception.

To be honest, I was unaware that this conduct was an exploit myself. But now that it is labeled as such, it should not be used. No vote is needed to stop exploits. Most people should be aware that exploits are not acceptable.

[Tuidjy]

In my post I agreed that the narrow case of MoD/SA + WS/FS/etc + retreat is an exploit.
I read your post to mean that the spell itself should be banned.

[Xietor]

Yeah, I was over broad.

The gist of the rule is to take advantage of a bug that leaves a battlefield enchantment up after the mage casting it dies or retreats. Players have no control over when their mages die in battle.

But if the backbone of your strategy is to have a mage equipped with forbidden light(autocast solar brillance) enter a battle with some other commanders and chaff,then cast ritual of returning and blind the other army while he kills your chaff, that is an exploit.

Admittedly, I bought forbidden light for just this purpose.
But it will not sit unused in my lab. Try to avoid strategies where your mage that casts the battlefield enchantment purposely leaves the battle before it ends.

Retreating other mages who buff you own troops is fine. It is the spells that destroy the enemy that are exploitive if the casting mage is not on the battlefield-so say the developers.

[Xietor]

Game Update:

Machaka and Man both were eliminated this turn.

If possible, departing players please post suggestions or comments on your(and other) Epic Heroes on the Epic Heroes thread in the Mod forum.

Thank you for help play testing the mod, and for any comments-good or bad-about the Epic Heroes.

[LoloMo]

Man fought a brave battle in the face of multiple enemies. We salute their passion in battle and their zeal in fighting to the end. Man will forever hold a place in our oral traditions as a worthy foe.

[Xietor]

I would also like to tip my hat to Machaka. He was a worthy foe, and had intricate knowledge of the game.

[Horst F. JENS]

Thanks for playing, guys. I learned a lot, and i have seen things never seen before while playing the A.I.

[Xietor]

Surprisingly,

two of the weakest nations, Shinuyama and Atlantis, are still alive. And I think their Epic Heroes are among the weakest as well.

All of the Big 3 Astral power nations, most especially PYTHIUM, are thriving.

Shinuyama is trying to keep a low profile and not anger any of my powerful neighbors. Our peaceful race merely seeks to record history-not make it.