Defending vs. stronger neighbor early attacks

[Graeme Dice]

Originally posted by alexti:
The problems start when the mercenaries leave (or, worse, bought out by your neighbour), and while Hector's Heavy Horse for 220 wouldn't be a bad deal, it's not likely to get them that cheap. Having to pay something like 350 is more likely.

If your opponents are willing to pay twice what you are paying to get mercenary companies that are almost wiped out, then let them have them. Otherwise there's not much chance of them winning a bidding war without spending far too much money on it. Hector's Horse are still a good deal at 350 gold pieces, but I can't imagine that someone would spend their entire first turn's income on mercenaries.

[GavinWheeler]

Originally posted by ywl:
Altenatively, you could just make sure that you have an early killer strategy to be an deterrent, such as an Blue Dragon with "Breath of Winter".

I suppose that is the main point. The question sort of predicated that you did have a much stronger neighbour, which is hopefully only going to happen if you've picked a magic heavy strategy that will only pay off later on in the game.

But on a small crowded map, where you might well clash with a neigbour in the first few turns, I guess you simply should not do that. Even if you are playing with a nation of mages, I get the impression that you need to concentrate on troops (national or mercenary) and/or a SuperCombatant pretender, to expand quickly and get a toehold if not a foothold before cranking up the research and gem hunting.

But, not yet having been able to commit to a reasonably regular playing schedule, my experience of MP play is zilch.

[alexti]

Originally posted by Graeme Dice:
Hector's Horse are still a good deal at 350 gold pieces, but I can't imagine that someone would spend their entire first turn's income on mercenaries.

I don't know... But if one did it, it would be pretty reasonable way to get oneself into troubles. I'm actually curious what Reverend Zombie did with his money. He was probably referring to the recent MP game when he's attacked me very early with mercenaries and I couldn't figured out where his money went in that game, so I was thinking that may be he has just paid too much for mercenaries.

[Reverend Zombie]

Originally posted by alexti:
I'm actually curious what Reverend Zombie did with his money. He was probably referring to the recent MP game when he's attacked me very early with mercenaries and I couldn't figured out where his money went in that game, so I was thinking that may be he has just paid too much for mercenaries.

Ah, yes, my first MP game.

You were Pangea, I believe. I should not have attacked in that situation, true, but I do not remember too much else about that game.

This post is actually prompted by other games I have been in since then, where I have run into stronger neighbors such as Jotunheim when I was Marignon or Abysia. I kept the peace, but I was not sure why my neighbors would not want to attack my weaker troops with their giants. An inferior number of giants has no problem taking out twice as many man-sized troops, it seems to me. Other than diplomatic reasons, I am not sure why the "giant player" would refrain from taking out another player early on if they happen to be neighbors.

[Gandalf Parker]

Not to throw fuel on that fire but many still consider taking the capital province, and taking the other guys castle, to be the same decision. Definetly try to think of those as seperate things. There are many MANY seperate advantages to taking a nations home province even if you dont plan to keep it and dont plan to storm the castle.

Personally I prefer to try and ally with my first or second neighbor. It gives me a clear "back and front" for expansion.

[ March 27, 2004, 18:41: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]