Fomoria

Autochthon · #1 October 14th, 2007, 05:02 PM

I'm playing against them in SP (Kaliasa vs. Formoria w/Marverni squashed in the middle).

I noted they have an Unmarked Formorian - apparently, a Formorian Commander w/out the typical Affliction.

I've also seen a Giant Commander running around, but I don't see it too often, possibly an upgunned Giant?

Finally, i've noticed Formor armies using large numbers of mixed Fir Bolg and Formorians, and have observed that the smaller size of the Formorians do allow the Fir Bolgs to move through their formations to attack. This is pretty useful.

Being Kaliasa, we both suffer from low Prot units, and archers are pluperfect hell on both of us

I usually use Ambush of Tigers as suicide cavalry to take out the archers, but the Formorian units also use javelins, ugh

Lazy_Perfectionist · #2 October 14th, 2007, 05:13 PM

The druids are puny.
The Giant Commander you see rarely is likely the Fomorian King. Its the only size six commander available.
It's rare because it's capital only and 500 gold, 37 resources.

Heh. thanks for bringing up the Javelins. They're one of the few ranged weapons that are range strength, damage strength added. While a human might see 13+DRN damage before protection, a Fomorian Javelinist will see 23+DRN, and twice the range. And while slings suck, Fir Bolg at least have an additional 2 precision to counter that weapons accuracy penalty.

Endoperez · #3 October 14th, 2007, 05:13 PM

The Unmarked are elite/sacred units and commanders, and the druids also come from the same unmarked clans. They are sacred and free from afflictions.

The goat-headed Fomorians come in many varieties, and also with armor.

Militia: Fomorian Bronze Spear
Javelinist: Fomorian Bronze Spear, Javelin, Bronze Scale Cuirass
Spearman: Fomorian Bronze Spear, Bronze Scale Cuirass, Spear

Warrior and Unmarked: Fomorian Bronze Spear, Bronze Scale Hauberk, Bronze Cap, Shield

15/17 prot for mapmove 2 units isn't bad at all, and NOT weak against archers! They're a bit expensive at 30 gp/warrior, but all Fomoria's units have at least mapmove 2 so you can always give them some Fir Bolg companions.

Lazy_Perfectionist · #4 October 14th, 2007, 05:17 PM

A bit of advice for you, Autochthon, keep some reserve forces. It doesn't sound like you've met their Nemedians yet. Being capital only, they're not as bad as Tir na n'Og. But they do have stealthy troops and leaders, as well as stealthy summons. Enough to suckerpunch you if your capital is left uncovered.

Autochthon · #5 October 14th, 2007, 05:47 PM

Thanks for the heads up LP, but we've already met

For the most part, the Formorian AI likes to maneuver with large masses of Formorians.

This is a problem for me, as I usually depend on my forts to fix the enemy long enough to mass a response. Forts besieged by >90 Str 20 units don't last too long

I dunno if the AI is smart enough to use dedicated raiding forces for the "Popup & Pillage/Smash n' Grab" tactic I use when playing with factions w/lots of stealthy units.

Being able to mass giant units quickly is a new twist, but I can definitely see Supply being an issue as well.

Overall, the faction appears to be pretty well-balanced.
/tips hat to Kris O. [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon44.gif[/img]

Edit: One more thing. I've noticed that the Nemedian Sorceress doesn't flee when the rest of the Formorian army routs. Likely it's cause her Fatigue is too high, but I need to check...

OmikronWarrior · #6 October 14th, 2007, 05:54 PM

I tried them out in SP, I saw quite a few similarities between them and the Sons of Winter. As such, the common SoW strategy cam probably apply to this nation as well. Get a decent Bless (with Earth and Nature probably being the most important components) and use your sacreds to expand early. As soon as you can, start buying Fomorian Kings every turn, to serve as powerful thugs, subercombatants, or plain mages.

There are key differences. No chill aura makes Fomorians much less scarry, but they also have Fir Blog (small sized) infantry to accompany them, which gives them a bit for flexibility. Try playing with this template and see what you come up with.

Lazy_Perfectionist · #7 October 14th, 2007, 07:09 PM

Got my first Fomorian hero (Nemedian to be accurate).
Macha the Nemedian Queen

Lazy_Perfectionist · #8 October 14th, 2007, 07:15 PM

Got my second Fomorian hero,
Bres the Uncursed

Ewierl · #9 October 18th, 2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Lazy_Perfectionist said:
A bit of advice for you, Autochthon, keep some reserve forces. It doesn't sound like you've met their Nemedians yet. Being capital only, they're not as bad as Tir na n'Og. But they do have stealthy troops and leaders, as well as stealthy summons. Enough to suckerpunch you if your capital is left uncovered.

One of the less-obvious strengths of those Nemedians is their magic weapons. Being able to recruit those is a good counter to people who push their research towards early-game Ethereal troops. (I think the only ethereal sacreds are MA Ermor, though?)

Endoperez · #10 October 18th, 2007, 02:28 PM

The only INHERENTLY ethereal sacreds (that don't have to be summoned), probably. However, for the cheap, cheap Alteration 3 you get Body Ethereal... For some nations, that's even worse. Thankfully, the nations with cheap astral mages rarely have access to the worst sacred offenders. Can you imagine Niefel Giants with LA Jotunheim's Seithkona and overall research ability?