LeafNosedBat- EA game (upload pretenders)

[Darkstone]

I find tarts to be too much of a standard strategy (though I admit I've never used them outside of one SP game). If I used them, I most likely wouldn't sit here trying to come up with some different methods of winning battles or strategies to win the game. I find that by being forced to do the unexpected, I both grow as a player, and it gives a minor advantage tactically.

I also find going for tarts somewhat significant of an investment, you really need to summon a decent number of them to get the really good ones, and you need to get either the GOH global, or the chalice to make the most out your investment. Not to mention the huge amount of nature gems you'd likely be going through.

Rushing artifact construction was definitely not part of my strategy, (I haven't even gotten around to it yet, though hitting 6 early was very important), and my nature income is rather limited.

All of this would be a much bigger problem for me, if I wasn't reasonably equipped with some Anti-SC capability... as Abysia blood and astral are relatively common.

[Psycho]

I've had a lot of luck with tarts. The first one I summoned was exactly the one I wanted and he was a commander and not feebleminded. But yes, it was an investment getting to them.

I suppose hitting 6 was important because of lanterns? I didn't rush to construction either. I knew Cits would get there first, so there was no point. I rushed for alteration 9 and thau 6 to get all the buffs for my yavanas (and wish of course).

I look forward to seeing what surprises you have developed for me.

[Darkstone]

Lanterns were very important to make up lost research. Despite the horrormark malus and the attention skull mentors get, lanterns are actually the best research bang for the gem buck. And I've only lost one mage to a horror throughout the entire game.

Also, while I realize it's strange to ask someone about their strategy as they're employing it, I just don't get what you're doing with the yogi / golem pairs. You're losing yogi's... wasting tons of astral gems moving them back and forth, and you keep feeding me starshine skullcaps all for the price of a few slaves. Not that I'm not complaining, but it just seems real wasteful for you, and stands in stark contrast with most of the other things you've been employing.

[Psycho]

Well I thought it was obvious - it's a demonstration of might. If I am throwing this many astral gems per turn, then think how big my astral income must be.

Seriously, though, those were some rather unsuccessful attempts to destroy your blood economy.

[Darkstone]

Hm, yeah I suppose it's hard to take them out without risking losing whatever you're sending.

Still, it's nothing like the eye-rolling mistakes I keep making... most notorious the non-seperation of fire-immune troops/mages from all the heat-aura ones.

[Psycho]

I am going on my vacation on 8th july. I've booked 15 nights, which means that with days lost in transport and preparation/packing I won't be able to play for about 20 days. I wanted to ask you guys whether you could wait for me. I'd hate to give my nation to someone else now. But then again, I also don't want you to lose interest in the game. So tell me - can you wait for me or should I look for a sub? And don't worry, there will be no hard feelings if you can't wait for me, although it would mean a lot to me if you could.

[jimkehn]

We'll wait. Speaking for only myself, of course. I don't have the vested interest in this game that you 2 have, and in fact am just now getting comfortable with what I have and where I am on the map. But, I see no reason to drop the game when one goes on vacation. One nice thing about computer games vs. table top games.....you don't have the maps and pieces layin around forever taking up space. Just load it in 3 weeks from now and the cat hasn't been able to touch it!!!!