If your an SP player let me know if....

[Doo]

I do appreciate the offer of map and/or support NT Jedi, I was kinda thinking 400 provinces is perhaps a couple too many as well

For the map I was thinking something like Cradle of Dominion, its pretty, large enough for 10-12 players and has lots of "start with four neighbouring provinces" provinces.

Endomorphious, what do you think of including the "Better Independents" mod?. Have you tried it before? In my experience you have less AI armies made of random assortments of indie provincial crap and more national troops.

The only other mod I can think of would be the All Ages mod, then we could do us (and no discussion on what age to play) vs EA, MA and LA Atlantis ect...

[thejeff]

While that's true on a per player basis, that largely effects rushing tactics. The length of the game and the amount of work/micromanagement needed in the endgame is largely driven by the actual number of provinces.

Of course if the players are cooperating and fighting the AI, then you won't likely have to play it out all the way.

I would suggest a fairly small number of players, enough so that the AI has a significant numerical advantage, 2-1 at least. I'd also suggest a smaller map (in the per nation sense) so that conflicts start early when the AI isn't as outclassed as it is by late-game tactics.

[NTJedi]

Originally Posted by Hrum

Hmm... 400 provinces might be a little... ginormous for what Doo was proposing. And I think his idea was to have more than 2 allied AI opponents. Which map is it BTW?

On the map I created it has 2 main AI opponents and other AI opponents could easily be added. The size of the map is intentionally large otherwise there's risk of the supercombatants from the AI opponents arriving to the human player to early. While the map is large the two provinces with victory points will allow the game to end within a reasonable timeframe especially since all human players will be working as a team.
The map I created was randomly generated with one large body of water in the NorthEast for a computer opponent.

Originally Posted by Doo

I do appreciate the offer of map and/or support NT Jedi, I was kinda thinking 400 provinces is perhaps a couple too many as well

For the map I was thinking something like Cradle of Dominion, its pretty, large enough for 10-12 players and has lots of "start with four neighbouring provinces" provinces.

I offered the 400 province map since I figured most SP gamers want comfortable breathing space without feeling the pressure to expand quickly. Cradle of Dominions has a large amount of water stretching across the entire map. Any AI opponents with land nations will almost never attack water provinces, which provides humans with several advantages. If you're using Cradle of Dominions then Argatha should definitely be one of the stronger AI opponents so the water provinces are more difficult to defend.

I recommend the following mapedit commands so the AI opponents are not swallowed so easily:
A) Provide AI capitals with province defence of at least 50 yet not more than 85. I say not more than 85 because events can boost province defence above 125 which causes a bug where it returns to zero.
B) Provide the strongest AI opponent(s) on land with a library at his capital which will help researching levels against human players. AI opponent must have 3 magic sites or less at capital for this to work.
C) Provide growth scales for all AI opponents this helps them survive.
D) Provide some AI opponent(s) with multiple immobile mages which do not have fire or cold auras. These immobile mages will help not only with research, summons, and globals but will also make the final battle more interesting.
E) Provide the strongest AI opponent(s) with a custom pretender which is size 4 or smaller. This will help prevent the pretender from being sent to the arena death match. Items and even artifacts can be equipped on the pretender so it doesn't die during its first battle.
F) If you're looking to increase the game challenge provide the AI opponent(s) with other positive scales such as Order. If you're feeling brave provide them with a couple supercombatants... a water nation could have aquatic supercombatants thus preventing them from traveling on land.


Let me know if you want my help with any of the above.

[Doo]

Cheers for the advice NT Jedi. The main reason I don't want to use a huge map (although I know some would not call a 400 province map huge ) is that I don't have the time to spend scripting long turns. I will be taking your advice on making the game better into account.

Mauxe has not replied to my messages so I'll assume he's got enough on his plate with other games (but if you don't let me know before we begin here).

Hrum, you'll play as Kailasa then.

Endomorphious, who will you play as? If you pick a nation of another era, thats fine, or just go as an EA nation and we'll play an EA game. Also can you turn on "private messaging" on your account? I'll need to be able to contact you this way. To do so log in, click on "user cp" (same menu bar as "search" and "log out") and go to options, enable private messaging.

I aim to have the map set up for a start in around four days time. It will be on the Llama server, so I will need to get email addresses from you both (hence the need for private messaging).

Can I get an idea from you both how good a SP player you feel you are?

NT Jedi, if you are cool with it once I do the map would you like to take a look at it and possibly add some extra spice to it?, based on our perceptions of ability of course

[Mauxe]

I enjoyed our first ai adventure. It was much appreciated for getting my feet wet.

I do have a few games going at the moment but I would like to join in this one as well.
I am taking every opportunity to learn the game better and this will allow me to bounce some questions around without looking at diplomacy

[NTJedi]

Originally Posted by Doo

NT Jedi, if you are cool with it once I do the map would you like to take a look at it and possibly add some extra spice to it?, based on our perceptions of ability of course

Sounds good... message me when its ready.

[Doo]

Excellent.

Mauxe, Hrum, Endomorphious and Doo.

Never in the field of human endeavor has there been a more mighty band of brothers.

Tell me if I'm laying it on too thick

I'll get working on this map.

[Thanatus del Dragos]

I would be interested in this too. I've never played in a MP game though, so I am a complete newb to that (but been playing SP since the game was released), but I think a cooperative game would be fun. If you don't mind, I would like to join, just got to tell me how to get started in MP and what, if any Mods I need.

[Doo]

Five of us? That would be great, I will have to ask that nobody else ask to join so I can get the map done and the game going.

Good to have you aboard Thanatus del Dragos. Can you enable private messaging with your account please? Instructions are in post #14.

[Doo]

I'm not happy with using the "Cradle of Dominion" map now we have five players, I'm looking for one slightly larger and I have chosen Alexander