Dealing with an early N9 E9 Niefel Giant rush

[HoneyBadger]

Gorgons + eye shields work very nicely--if you have that option.

Putting eye shields on cheap commanders works too, although you'll want something sturdy to save on having to replace the shields.

[Epaminondas]

Originally Posted by Huzurdaddi

There is an existing thread on this topic.

There were various counters proposed but in general: hold onto your butt. There are very few, if any tactics which can stop them, skelly spam being the only servicable option at low research levels (and even this may not work, depending upon various factors).

As others have noted: their PD is amazingly bad.

Thanks for the thread reference, but the topic is not really identical. That thread assumes options once most spells have been researched and hence lists counters that I too am aware of. My question had to do with early game options, when few spells are researched, and you have to manage with national units, low level spells and items.

[vfb]

Any nation in particular?

[Epaminondas]

Originally Posted by vfb

Any nation in particular?

Not really. I think I can see how Abysia and Hinnom can compete right out of the starting line, but no one else really

[vfb]

In that case, maybe you could join an MP game, and play Nief with an E9N9 bless. See what the other players come up with to stop you.

[Nounours]

Niefel Giants can freeze your troops to death before they do enough damage to kill them ? Try undead troops, they are immune to cold, and if you play nations like Helheim, Agartha or Fomoria, or better, Lanka or Yomi, you can mass them easily to deal with the big guys...

I would favor Lanka and Yomi, because they have priests who are demons, and so can reanimate undeads while your mages cast Reanimate (which is only Ench. 1). You can also summon more undead units with low-level Conj. spells, and Lanka have Host of Ganas (which is only Conj. 2 IIRC), which gives you something like 20 ethereal undead units for only 12 gems...

[Executor]

Nief. can't deal multiple enemies, try to bribe someone into fighting him.

[Epaminondas]

Originally Posted by Nounours

Niefel Giants can freeze your troops to death before they do enough damage to kill them ? Try undead troops, they are immune to cold, and if you play nations like Helheim, Agartha or Fomoria, or better, Lanka or Yomi, you can mass them easily to deal with the big guys...

I would favor Lanka and Yomi, because they have priests who are demons, and so can reanimate undeads while your mages cast Reanimate (which is only Ench. 1). You can also summon more undead units with low-level Conj. spells, and Lanka have Host of Ganas (which is only Conj. 2 IIRC), which gives you something like 20 ethereal undead units for only 12 gems...

Hmmm, I will try undead troops, as well as Skelly spams. I usually do not like to use Blood or Death magic out of aesthetic reasons

[Executor]

A combination of skelly spam and drain life works best from my experience, but I guess you can't have that before turn 20 or so.

[Nounours]

Oh, I see, but do you prefer to be (c)rushed to death by Niefel Giants ? I seriously doubt you would find it aesthetic ?