Summoning guide for dummies?

[Peter Ebbesen]

Edi said:
Well, look at it this way: If they're only using you to wipe the table instead of mopping the floor, things can't be all that bad...

Actually, they are treating him very, very, kindly all things considered. Offering generous borders and refraining from attacking him until after he has thrown the first punch*, and things like that - giving him time to learn the game, find the use of different spells and items, and offering helpful advice.

In fact, they are probably too nice all things considered. Hearts of gold, that's his opposition!**


* Except for the one early game where he (hopefully) learned why one should a) Not have a Divine Emperor wandering around aimlessly in the countryside, b) deploy enough scouts to warn one of what the opposition was doing, and c) fear a Vampire Queen and wind-guided Caelum archers backed by High Seraphs if one skimped on mages and focused on infantry as Pythium

** These true facts brought to you free of charge by the PE Department of Propaganda.

[Jarkko]

Peter Ebbesen said:

Actually, they are treating him very, very, kindly all things considered.

Well, that *is* true, no need to propaganda there

[Wyvern2]

Peter Ebbesen said:
Actually, they are treating him very, very, kindly all things considered.

Indeed. Free passage through Constantinople and a ringside view to watch a couple of air queens in action, what more could you want? If you are going to attack me though, just remember where my capital is this time

[Jarkko]

Wyvern2 said:
If you are going to attack me though, just remember where my capital is this time

Right right... I never was any good at backstabbing people in any game. Usually I either fail miserably or fail to hit the target. Sometimes I hit the wrong target and fail even that <sigh>...

[Peter Ebbesen]

Jarkko said:

Right right... I never was any good at backstabbing people in any game. Usually I either fail miserably or fail to hit the target. Sometimes I hit the wrong target and fail even that <sigh>...

In that case, Jarkko, you might want to reconsider your force build up in Sinai. Either it is the worst attempt at building up in secret for a backstab seen in a long time or you have a lot of troops on duty far from your front lines, which, given your economic situation, is hardly advisable. Especially since I have guaranteed your safety.

If it is intended as a backstab, now that you have found out how very nice flaming arrows are by slaughtering the hapless AIs near you and are itching to try it against a human player, I would advise you to read up on the spells Arrow Fend and Storm before you launch it.

[Jarkko]

Peter Ebbesen said:In that case, Jarkko, you might want to reconsider your force build up in Sinai. Either it is the worst attempt at building up in secret for a backstab seen in a long time or you have a lot of troops on duty far from your front lines, which, given your economic situation, is hardly advisable.

Or it might be because somebody kept sending spies to my lands and I have to keep heavy patrol. Or it might be because my it is the only place where I can recruit special troops and/or summon (now that I have learned the concept) because I don't want to be so dependable on Fire Arrows in the future. Or it might be a RDF against possible event-driven AI incursions.

Actually, if your intelligence reports were more accurate, you would notice a sharp drop in the Sinai garrison a few turns back.

Regarding Fire Arrows, they really are scary. 150 x-bowmen with flaming arrows and aided by Wind Guide shot a massive Pan-army boosted with some weird summons to pieces; Father Serpent went down flashy Also the concept of "Friendly Fire" became very clear; some knights charged in on the remains of the fleeing opposition and were cut down by Flaming Arrows slightly missing their intended target...

But as I know also of Staff of Storms (which I am not at all sorry about, being rather limited on the flying compartment) etc, I have to try and accomodate (which is why I asked about the summoning guide for dummies in the first place). And I know Peter and Wyvern are taking precautions against fire, which can't hurt me (altough I know we all three are eternal friends, never intending to hurt each other).

[Peter Ebbesen]

Jarkko said:
Or it might be because somebody kept sending spies to my lands and I have to keep heavy patrol.

They are not spies! They are intelligence operatives!