Efficient use of SC against richer nation

[MaxWilson]

Yeah, it is tough to wipe out the whole army. To that end I'm cranking out Wraith Lords with Boots of Flying, with the intention of cutting off their lines of retreat (so the whole army dies when it routs). That will also require semi-strong defense in various provinces, to prevent enemy armies from splitting up. I hate buying PD, but in this case buying 10 PD + cheap indies in all my provinces on the border may be a good idea. Anvil, meet hammer.

It's funny that you mention that about bad gold economy vs. good item economy. I got into Dominions because someone compared it to Master of Magic, and in MoM the problem was just the opposite of Dominions: regular units were really cheap and usually free on upkeep (because Fame offsets gold cost), while summoned units were expensive in mana to keep around. I'm still trying to rewire my instincts to use more summons. It turns out if you spend all your gold every turn on military units, your net income shrinks exponentially by 6% per turn unless you're using them up in a war. I have this reflexive tendency to blow all my money every turn on Svartalf researchers...

(At least I can obliterate any army that comes near my research fort, though. "Face the wrath of the angry librarians!")

-M.D.W.

[Jazzepi]

I've found a really interesting benefit of a light W9 sacred bless with good scales.

You have a fractional amount of upkeep compared to other nations in the beginning of the game when expanding your army. Right now I'm playing LA t'ien chi, and I'm making out my production, building the most expensive caster every turn, and I've been doing that basically since the very beginning. I'm try to decide where to start my third castle! And I have quite the army. Since at least 3/4 of it is sacred I only pay 1/2 gold cost on those units. My upkeep is about %10 of my income.

On the flip side I'm playing EA pangea without any bless and better scales in another game. My upkeep is just abysmal, and I've built zero sacred units, and their best researcher (400 gold Pans) are not sacred.

It's interesting to see it from both sides.

Jazzepi

[jutetrea]

Fully agree, pan is my new flavor of the month after playing EA t'ien chi for awhile. Lately its been MA and upkeep is now a definite factor. And while cool early... with no wars the maeneds bulk up quick for supply upkeep.