Countering Master Enslave...

MaxWilson · #1 June 27th, 2008, 05:08 PM

On the one hand, I like the concept that the defender has a tactical advantage (even though the attacker has a strategic advantage). On the other hand, it does seem that the defender advantage in late game is too strong; arguably free chaff from PD is sufficient tactical advantage to be thematic. On balance I support the notion of randomizing which side goes first. It would be a HUGE change in the game--do you think we have any chance at all of getting this in a patch? It would probably have to be an option like "Events: Common/Rare" or "Site Frequency: 40/45/50". "Initiative: Classic/Randomized."

-Max

Xietor · #2 June 27th, 2008, 05:17 PM

There are ways to counter master enslave. But since i am about to do it in a mp game, I am not offering up free advice. Suffice to say there are counters.

thejeff · #3 June 27th, 2008, 05:19 PM

It would be a dramatic change, breaking all sorts of strategies. I'd love to see it though.

Actual what I'd really like would be simultaneous, random ordered turns. Units (or at least squads?) from both sides act in a random order.
Far more like the chaos of a real battle. No polite standing around, taking turns being killed.

MaxWilson · #4 June 27th, 2008, 05:40 PM

I wonder if Xietor is talking about pre-emptive attacks, like teleporting in a mage squad set to Retreat? (Apparently the attacking army is considered "big enough to use gems" if at least one mage is attacking.) And of course you can always fall back on artillery spells and/or SCs with high MR. I still find the idea of randomizing turn order compelling.

On truly simultaneous, randomly-ordered turns: I would like that a lot too, on thematic grounds. It would probably need to be done on a per-squad basis because of the way the battlefield AI works.

-Max