Brand New player

[CaptainKen]

Hi there to all - I just got this game in the mail and have not yet played it. I have readt the entire manual and have downloaded Bruce Geryk's walkthrough. As soon as work is done, I plan to do the walkthrough. My question is: after that, what is the best way to start this game? New scenario? New Campaign? Random Map? In other words, what is your advice for my first effort in this game after the walkthrough. ANY advice I get is welcomed and I will use it tonight. Thanks for answering - maybe soon I can help others on this forum. I've heard that this is a very tough game to learn - is that true????

[condors]

my advice is to download the Talis map and play vs 1 easy ai and let the learning begin. I played repeated attempts on the aran map vs a bunch of ai and got overrun every game(not learning much in the process) Also turn the indepedents strength up to at least 6.

This should help get your feet wet (i am still a new player myself)

[CaptainKen]

Wow Condors - thanks for such a quick reply.

[BuayaDarat]

My suggestion in the following order

1) Use the walkthru as a guide.

2) Once you are more confident, create your own GOD. I suggest playing the default Ulm race as this race does not require much magic ability. Use a SMALL map. Pick ONE AI race & set the race to EASY. Do NOT set Ermor as an AI race.

3) Lurk in the forums & learn from the others.

4) Join a multiplayer PBEM game. You will definately get your head handed over a platter! I know because I got trashed in my first PBEM game. Go check out the AAR.

My 2 cents

[Wauthan]

This forum is rocking in its socket with all the information it contains. It's a good idea to run it in a minimized window while you play the game so are just a quick alt-tab away from a search if you encounter something puzzling.

Saber Cherrys newbie thread, the lowest stickied one, as well as sunray_be's site http://www.freewebs.com/sunray_dom2/ are tomes of collected wisdom. There's also quite a few threads discussing clever tricks so don't hesitate to give the older threads a glance.

[licker]

Hmmm, the best way to start this game depends alot on your personal preferences. I started my first demo game with all AIs on difficult on Aran. Full Version all AIs on difficult on Orania...

I got kicked around, but I learned pretty quickly survival skills for those kinds of game settings. I guess it depends on how masochistic you are

[CaptainKen]

Again, a huge thanks to allof you for responding. Wauthan - I would hve never thought about your suggestion - been gaming for a dozen years - but I I will implement your suggestion tonight. This forum rocks!

[Gandalf Parker]

I would play Ulm next. Probably vs Man, Pythium, or Ctis. I think that would fairly low learning curve. Take the Wyrm as your god and a strong castle.

[Taqwus]

Ulm is fairly straightforward. Arco or Pythium combine strong mundane power with versatile magic as well, but it takes some time to learn the magic system -- e.g. to appreciate the power of communion.
Ermor, in either Ashen Empire or Soul Gate themes, is very very different. Bad habits there do not necessarily work with other nations. Countering either of these themes also tends to differ from fighting other nations.
The underwater nations are a bit 'safer', at least sans Ermor and the other underwater nation, as it takes landlubbers some doing to get significant amphibious forces, but R'lyeh at least is a bit strange to work with.

[Norfleet]

Me, I Subscribe to "school of improvement through getting your *** handed to you repeatedly". Start a game. Crank all those other AIs up to Impossible. Then see how long I Last before you bite it. If I actually *WIN* this, I throw up my hands in disgust and go complain on the forums about how the AI sucks and the game is too easy.

Fortunately, that was not the case in Dominions II: The AI wasted me on turn 28. Not bad for a first try.

Then, you declare "It is luck! I WILL GET REVENGE!". And try it again, with the exact same settings.