Fear of your own Mages

Sindai · #1 March 18th, 2004, 08:32 PM

EDIT: Nevermind, misread your post.

[ March 18, 2004, 18:34: Message edited by: Sindai ]

Taqwus · #2 March 18th, 2004, 08:37 PM

If you don't like Magic Duel, there's an official mod for it that makes it cost a gem (thus reducing the chance it'll be used), and you could block the spell entirely by making it unavailable. You could do the same to Breath of Winter, albeit that one can be used with no risk by some mages when combined with the right troops.
But yes, water mages can be dangerous; even if they start away from everyone else, there's no guarantee that they won't move closer to the rest of yours.

Norfleet · #3 March 18th, 2004, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Taqwus:
But yes, water mages can be dangerous; even if they start away from everyone else, there's no guarantee that they won't move closer to the rest of yours.

Water Mages, with Breath of Winter researched, are a health hazard to the rest of your forces that are too close, and probably should not be brought into combat.

However, they're so useful out of combat that "useless" is far from an apt description: Give him a water bracelet, have him get his lazy *** to work forging clams for you. You'll quickly learn to value him in no time.

fahdiz · #4 March 18th, 2004, 08:53 PM

Of course, there are some Water mages who you specifically want to cast Breath of Winter. SC pretenders with Water and Ice Devils quickly come to mind...since often they'll be soloing indie provinces.

Having said that, Water mages are a tad dangerous and generally best used out of combat, or for bringing landlubbers with them for taking sea provinces - or hopefully they only have Water 1 so they can cast Quickness and stay out of trouble.

Graeme Dice · #5 March 18th, 2004, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Taqwus:
But yes, water mages can be dangerous; even if they start away from everyone else, there's no guarantee that they won't move closer to the rest of yours.

If you put them on "cast spells", then they will only move anywhere if there are absolutely no other spells that could have any effect, or if you rout.

Taqwus · #6 March 18th, 2004, 10:04 PM

Hm. Clams are always nice. But for Celestial Masters, Theurgs, Mystics and others, it'd be nice to get some battlefield use.
BoW mixes decently with most undead; I think either Soulless or Ghouls might not be immune, but all the longead, spectral and wightly ones are. Jotuns also are immune, although Utgard needs to be careful about the Seithkonas that are oh so fun once Nether Darts is available.
A water mage can still be useful on the battlefield, with Quickening, Cold Bolts, Falling Frost, Frozen Heart, warding... not as showy as fire or lightning magic perhaps, or as entertaining as Gifts from Heaven (150 points of *WHAM!*) but still handy.

Darryl · #7 March 18th, 2004, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Norfleet:

quote:
Originally posted by Taqwus:
But yes, water mages can be dangerous; even if they start away from everyone else, there's no guarantee that they won't move closer to the rest of yours.

Water Mages, with Breath of Winter researched, are a health hazard to the rest of your forces that are too close, and probably should not be brought into combat.

However, they're so useful out of combat that "useless" is far from an apt description: Give him a water bracelet, have him get his lazy *** to work forging clams for you. You'll quickly learn to value him in no time.

Oh I do this frequently. It's just that if I have a mage with 2 water for combat I have to micromange troops, whereas with other mages just give them some guards and send them into combat. Basically, I meant useless in combat if you don't have undead or other immune troops.

My basic question is what is the reasoning behind this. There are other things I "don't like" in Dominions but there are reasons. Examples:

I don't like starvation, but it's there to require more management of large armies.

I don't powerful spells cosing more gems, but it's there to restrict their casting.

I don't like most mages having few HP, but it's there to balance their power.

I don't like Water 2 mages casting Breath of Winter killing friendly troops if they aren't immune, but it's there because...???

I don't like Magic Duel basically making Astral 1 and 2 mages useless in combat, but it's there because...???

The first 3 are simplistic and I know there are other reasons, but you get the idea. Those seem to make sense to me and lend to a more interesting game. Can anyone complete the Last 2 and tell why those add to balance and gameplay??

Darryl