Static Pretender ideas

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by Saber Cherry:
Or unless you like to roleplay an immobile hunk of rock=)

As the "Defender of Things that No One would ever Choose" there are some advantages to immobile hunks of rock. In my random games where I sprinkle commanders and troops all over the map Ive learned to avoid provinces that had those rocks in them. It takes quite abit to kill one. Special equipment and troops selection.

In a small-map fast-game it might not be a bad choice. Something like the hex-blitz map from Dom1? I hate leaving troops at home and it makes me susceptable. Having an immovable deity who can withstand a long seige overcomes that fault. They will need to come prepared. I cant be starved out, can do lots of summoning. And can be put frontline to a combat with archers/mages behind him. It can buy me time to recoup and return home. Or for an ally to come save my pebbles. Or to push-research a particular spell.

OK its not a great choice but its a workable one in some instances. Maybe someone who wants to play a magic-research nation but cant get over his habit of marching everything to war including his pretender.

[Vger]

Hi,

Pardon my ignorance (if it is), but I thought you could use certain spells (e.g. teleport) to move the Rocks? Sure, it's cumbersome, but it's possible.

I like the Rocks, but have been too busy playing other fun pretenders, since this is all new to me.

Ciao,
V'ger gone

It is reported that in the future (Patch time) that they will no longer be able to Teleport. Thus rendering them truly immobile.

If/when they do this, I would hope they would allow static pretenders more of a "At home bonus".

I'm trying to think of how good a Sphinx would be if he is unable to move. And if he has to sit at home. I can't think of alot; since it is common practice to preach a pretender out you can't touch, or with a strong army.

[Saxon]

Actually, role playing a big hunk of rock sort of suits my personality…

Ermor came racing across the waves from behind and I did get caught at home with just the Static Pretender. It was nice to have it there and the summoning made all the difference. It was in a well advanced game, so it pulled up some nice big mindless creatures who could stick it out against the undead, wearing them down.

In the meantime, my main army continued romping through Ermor proper, tearing up temples and letting my high dominion do the rest. As the game only arrived in the mail Last week, this was my first full game victory, so I am pleased. A static pretender can work, but it is a very different style to play. I am going to try out some more mobile pretenders now and see if they play the same as DOM I.

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by Saxon:
A static pretender can work, but it is a very different style to play. I am going to try out some more mobile pretenders now and see if they play the same as DOM I.

Thats kindof my take on the whole game. I think the wide variety lends itself to allowing everyone to play in their own style. Rather than try to fit their playing style into a slot in order to win. There is that at the beginning which generates alot of "this nation sucks" and "this nation is everyones first choice, right?" type of comments. By the time they try each nation really well they tend to slide into one nation and setup thinking that everyone else has surely come to the same conclusions.

Big surprise in their first multiplayer game to find out that everyone DID decide on one nation/strategy as being absolutely the best over all the others. They just didnt decide on the same ones. I LOVE this game!

[ December 05, 2003, 12:52: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

[PvK]

I lost my first game of Doms II against the AI, after my pretender tried to run away from an attempt to break a siege (which results in automatic death ).

I would expect that an immobile pretender would be incapable of routing at all, which would be a nice unique and logical advantage for them to have.

It might also make sense to give them an advantage thay they can't be preached out of existence without actually destroying the fountain/statue/etc.

I don't think being immobile is of itself an unworkable problem. In fact, it's a cool option. They might deserve a look though to see if they need to be given any extra abilities or adjusted costs compared to the other options.

PvK