Request for assistance

[Arker]

I used to use akashic record a lot myself. I discovered Auspex/Haruspex/Dark Knowledge etc. through posts here and have been using them. It does cut some gem costs down, but on the other hand it means a lot of mages not researching for a round instead of just one. But I think I can get more efficient with it. For instance, I seem to remember someone posting earlier that there are certain types of sites that never show up underwater? But I searched and couldn't find the post.

[Graeme Dice]

There are no blood sites underwater.

[Manuk]

Arker means spells that can`t be cast on an underwater province, Auspex, the air searcher can´t search underwater. But Aruspex, is that it´s name?, the nature searcher can search underwater.

[Endoperez]

Manuk said:
Arker means spells that can`t be cast on an underwater province, Auspex, the air searcher can´t search underwater. But Aruspex, is that it´s name?, the nature searcher can search underwater.

Haruspex, IIRC.

[Graeme Dice]

Manuk said:
Arker means spells that can`t be cast on an underwater province, Auspex, the air searcher can´t search underwater. But Aruspex, is that it´s name?, the nature searcher can search underwater.

No, I think he means exactly what he wrote, which was a question about what kinds of sites can't show up underwater. He said absolutely nothing about what site searching spells don't work on underwater provinces, or can't be cast from underwater provinces.

[Renegade 13]

Usually my armies can squash the AI without too much trouble, but the AI fields too many armies to squish them all. They get behind my front lines, and once that happens, I can't stop them.

Information thus far has definitely been helpful. If there's any other pearls of advice to offer, please feel free!

[Endoperez]

Renegade 13 said:
Usually my armies can squash the AI without too much trouble, but the AI fields too many armies to squish them all. They get behind my front lines, and once that happens, I can't stop them.

Information thus far has definitely been helpful. If there's any other pearls of advice to offer, please feel free!

Ulm has terrific provincial defense. Those Arbalests shine especially against smaller armies with heavy troops, and aren't that effective against big armies of light units without indep support. Marignon's Crossbowmen and Jotunheim's Jotun Militia work better.

You might also want to try a map with more chokepoints (mountain gaps, seas, rivers that limit movement etc). The maps might be too open for your playstyle.

[curtadams]

I know what you mean about handling a zillion armies. I have some techniques but they fall under the category of "stupid AI tricks". First is that the AI always like to attack the currently weakest adjacent province. So 1 army bouncing back and forth can hold 2 provinces indefinitely and wipe a lot of AI armies in the process. Second is that the AI almost never abandons a siege, so if you have abundant fortresses in your territory that will make them stop so you can clean them up. Often my armies are "too good" and could be split up but I know that's hard and the smaller armies do get smacked from time to time.

[NTJedi]

Renegade 13 said:
Usually my armies can squash the AI without too much trouble, but the AI fields too many armies to squish them all. They get behind my front lines, and once that happens, I can't stop them.

Ahhhh the AI is good with sending suicide armies to slice into the heart of an empire and eventually causing fatal wounds. Here's what I suggest:
To stop the AI from breaking deep into your heart look for bottleneck points on the map and hold them. Try to expand while remaining in contact with as few AIs as possible. If 10 AI opponents are able to attack and they are around the same strength as you then things could get scary fast.
If playing ULM summon the Enliven Statues and Mechanical Men!(Earth Construction spells) These fellas are very impressive in battle. Once you try them you'll recognize they are worth the gem cost. If playing MAN summon the Vine Ogres a special forged hat will bring in one extra Vine Ogre as well. Find the good summoning spells such as the ones I mentioned because this will make winning more of a reality. Some summoning spells are a waste of gems.(fire_drake anyone? )
If you find a library summon the sages for increased research and have the blood sages hunt for blood slaves. The long term benefit will allow you to develop some powerful armies for middle/late game.
Don't play games against ERMOR until you feel confident, he is probably the toughest computer opponent.
I wouldn't advise casting Acashic record unless the province is mountain/forest or some other good combination.

Renegade 13 said:
Information thus far has definitely been helpful. If there's any other pearls of advice to offer, please feel free!

Another spell you could cast to help stop AI opponents from drilling thru the heart of your empire are global spells like Haunted Forest or Mechanical Milita... these become available at the higher levels.

[Renegade 13]

NTJedi said:
If you find a library summon the sages for increased research and have the blood sages hunt for blood slaves. The long term benefit will allow you to develop some powerful armies for middle/late game.

Well, at least I've been doing something right! I always use sages to do my research; they're quite cheap and have a fair number of research points to use.

Don't play games against ERMOR until you feel confident, he is probably the toughest computer opponent.

This I have learned the hard way! After playing them once before and being annihilated by absolutely massive armies that I had no chance of stopping, I stopped playing against them