Should returning be overridden at all?

[konming]

Originally Posted by K

Retreat has a counter, which is putting troops behind the Retreater...which is countered by Flyers that Retreat, and is countered by Storm....which is countered by Flyers who can fly in Storm....

This game is based on counters, so Returning needs a counter (and no, killing the mage is not a real counter since it works for any effect). Sure, "taking the home province" may seem like a counter, but it really isn't since it implies your opponent has already lost and really doesn't need his stuff countered.

How do you put troops behind the retreater when defender gets to move first?

[K]

Originally Posted by konming

How do you put troops behind the retreater when defender gets to move first?

In general, you don't. But, I suppose a Round 0 Howl from the SoulStone of the Wolves might do it. I'd have to test it out.

Every counter and then counter counter and the counter counter counter has to end somewhere, right? In this case, the last counter is "be on the Defense."

[konming]

Originally Posted by K

In general, you don't. But, I suppose a Round 0 Howl from the SoulStone of the Wolves might do it. I'd have to test it out.

Every counter and then counter counter and the counter counter counter has to end somewhere, right? In this case, the last counter is "be on the Defense."

But for returning to work without risk of magic duel, you have to be on defense as well. So I guess you already have your counter here.

[K]

Originally Posted by konming

But for returning to work without risk of magic duel, you have to be on defense as well. So I guess you already have your counter here.

Not really. Retreat has another counter which is "Assassinate/seduce or take the adjoining provinces." It's hard to do, but it's a decent counter for the guy who has his mages cast a few instants and then retreats them.

Returning's only counters are a small unit that won't set off the AI and not being the attacker and having a chance to kill on Round 1. Take out the first, and it has no real counter since "kill a guy before he can use his X" is the universal counter.

[Archonsod]

I think it should be capable of being over ridden, same as any other spell. One of the things I like about Dominion's combat system is the way the scripting works as more a "suggestion" than orders. It adds a bit more character to otherwise generic mages to see one get a bit over confident in his abilities and decide he really can take on the entire army by himself.

Besides, you can always force the effect through items if they're that important.

[Xietor]

Returning should be overridden at times yes. What if your pd uncovers a scout? And what if the only thing you fear is a magic duel. In this case the AI is doing its job in not making you retreat to a scout.