Ulm - what items do you build w/Smiths?

[Lord_Bob]

Really, Flail(2 attacks per round)+"Strength of Giants" (burn gems early on then get Earthpower a little later) = Killing Machines

Enchantment-3 can be gotten very early. However, once you get Blade Wind your going to need to phase out the Flail troops and phase in the Tower Shield Morning Star units.

Do not use Black Plate. Do not use Black Plate. Do not use Black Plate.

Also, your units are mighty and Smiths have Leadership-50.

DO IN THE EARLY GAME USE THEM AS A COMMANDER!

If a Smith ends up wandering around for several turns before a normal commander becomes available, then so what? Yes, you've lost some mage-turns, but you still have the mage, so it doesn't matter much. It's important to make sure he doesn't die though.

Oh, and making everyone angry by pointing out glaring flaws in the game will pretty much destroy your diplomacy forever. This only matters if want to continue playing a game that is broken "because".

[jaif]

Bob - seriously, no need to keep ranting. You made a point, many didn't believe you. Play the follow-on games, see what happens, have fun. But no need to troll here.

To throw this back on-track - anybody ever used the black lords as weak thugs?

-Jeff

[KissBlade]

Seconded the opinion. It's a shame too because Bob's posts does have qualities that dictate he does understand MP pretty well though possibly with slight biases.

[Baalz]

jaif said:
To throw this back on-track - anybody ever used the black lords as weak thugs?

-Jeff

Yes, they can be effective under certain circumstances, but that low MR is a killer. Still, it doesn't take very much to let them solo a decent amount of PD - fire brand + barkskin amulet can often be enough. They can also add a whole lot of offense to your solid defensive lineup (3 or 4 with fire brands on the flanks while your infantry holds the line do pretty well). Just remember, no matter what you do they're gonna be fairly expendable....

[Lord_Bob]

Ok, here is some help. You know what unit you build at your capital turn 1 through 10? Flail troops+Smith. Nothing but.
Now, there are interesting possibilities with Indies, but don't build anything but Flails at your castle.

Then cast Strength of Giants on your flail troops. Have the discipline to give up territory if you must to keep your troops alive. Get that Strength of Giants! For the first few turns, you need to burn an earth gem to cast it. Great. Do that. With Strength of Giants 68 flail troops with light mage surport, and ABOVE ALL SERMON OF COURAGE, you can take on bless troops and rip them apart. Your GOLD VALUE in bless troops. I fought three times my gold value in Bless troops(22 White Tigers and 8 White Monkeys, Water and Earth Bless VERSUS 68 Flail Troops) and killed all the monkeys and five of the tigers before breaking. Your flail troops are heavily armoured and have high hitpoints. They will be making ALOT of morale rolls. It is NOT silly to get the Herald Lance if you can or the Horn of Valour. NOTHING IS PUT AHEAD OF STRENGTH OF GIANTS!

STRENGTH OF GIANTS!
STRENGTH OF GIANTS!
STRENGTH OF GIANTS!