Researching spell is counterproductive

Vynd · #1 May 5th, 2004, 07:32 PM

Heh, I can think of no better demonstration of the fact that the spell casting AI needs improvement than what IKerensky has just described.

If what you really want your spell casters to do is concentrate on direct damage spells, then Evocation seems like the way to go. Or just don't do so much research, period. Invest your resources elsewhere.

Gandalf Parker · #2 May 5th, 2004, 07:43 PM

But for some people, a buffs line of research is the way to go. It depends on how they use their armys and mages. I think he found another great example of how people can find very different tactics that work for them.

And yes the AI needs improvement

[ May 05, 2004, 18:45: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

IKerensky · #3 May 5th, 2004, 07:48 PM

Honestly Gandalf I truly consider that having some buff is a great things, sometimes, for some armies. But if I have once more the choice between being able to buff or have full control ( or even semi control ) of my spellcasters I think I will go for the later.

Right now I am considering concentrating on Evoc, Conj, Cons, with perhaps 1 or 2 level of Alt and replacing the buffs with magical items...

As you say, there is plenty of way to play the game, and in SP it is far less a problem...

AhhhFresh · #4 May 5th, 2004, 07:59 PM

It might help if we had sub categories within the "Cast spells" command, like they have for "Attack"... except it would be "Damage Spells" or "Buffing" instead of "Rearmost".

I imagine it has been suggested before... but if they just created a few subGroups of spells, it would at least improve things I think... so that the guy who's supposed to be casting nether darts doesn't decide he'd rather be a Communion master... or was it a slave? He'll cast both, just in case...

Maybe if we had 5 or so spell casting profiles, where we could list the spells we want our mages to be able to choose from...

PvK · #5 May 5th, 2004, 09:59 PM

Yes spell selection can sometimes be problematic. I have a fire & water caster who keeps refusing to cast Flaming Arrows, in favor of Quickness.

I also sometimes decide not to research Thaumaturgy to avoid Breath of Winter (IIRC).

PvK

IKerensky · #6 May 5th, 2004, 11:47 PM

Well I run a full game try only researching Evoc, Cons and Conj with Live Ermor and manage to win... Wich isn't any good indication as in SP against AI

Anyway my mages performs quite better and as I like to use A LOT OF THEM and summons it definitely doesnt hinder me too much. Interestingly enough the only buff they had is Ethereal Body wich isn't even half that bad .

st.patrik · #7 May 5th, 2004, 11:56 PM

One thing that was suggested that I think would be a great solution (although I'm sure hard to implement) was the ability to 'turn off' certain spells - kind of a negative spell script like 'I don't care what you do cast, but just don't cast these!'

Playing Man and I noticed in a recent battle that one of my mages cast 'beserkers' on my Daoine Sidhe! The height of stupidity. I would have that mage court-martialled.