Why Don't My Mages Cast the Spells I Tell Them To?

[Gandalf Parker]

SOME instances (rarely) IF all of the possible reasons have been examined... some of them do stand being zippedup and sent to illwinter. Sometimes a unit hasnt been flagged as immune in the proper place or some other bit hasnt been set. But in general I would leave that option to the more advanced players since there are many in-game reasons that can be part of the action.

The basic answer for new players is that as-far-as-I-understand your pieces are not meant to blindly follow your instructions.

[Kydorias]

My most annoying instance was with a Sea Troll Warrior/Mage scripted with "Quicken Self", "Water Shield", and "Attack Closest". Said Troll decides he also needs a "Breath of Winter" buff and then proceeds to wade into battle amongst my squad of 40+ Ichtyid Warriors, freezing half of them to death.

Needless to say, all future battles had this moron waaayy out on the flank away from friendly troops.

[Gandalf Parker]

Sometimes I think that the RPGers have an advantage in Dominions over the strict strategy-game people. Maybe not in winning, but in our stress levels. When something happens in the game that I dont like I role-play it out in some sort of logic and continue on.

incorrect battle reports:
"Stupid followers are too afraid of me to report correctly"

mage wont follow script:
"I keep that idiot on a far flank or use him to test province defenses"

troops get inflictions:
"these guys have earned a retirement adding to the PD of this province now that Ive recruited replacements for them

I do a pretty good storyline AAR in my head. If only I wasnt so lazy to type it out.

Gandalf Parker