PBEM game: The first step (Running)

[sushiboat]

Alneyan said:
I can go on with playing Machaka, but I will be leaving in one week and a half (I am currently trying to find another host for when I am away). Still, if you can forward some general instructions, like recruitment priorities (mages/troops), building construction, research... feel free to do so.

Is this suggestion specifically for CyborgMoses, so that Machaka has some direction? Or are you making a more general suggestion that we all should do in case something makes us miss a turn?

[Alneyan]

That was specifically intended for Machaka; you (as in: the other players) should only give more detailed instructions if you plan on being away, or feel a disturbance in your Internet connection, and therefore deduce that we are doomed... or something along those lines.

[Ironhawk]

Molog said:
Machaka commanders are very nasty with their bane blades. One hit can kill a titan.

I've actually found that the Machakan assassins to be pretty poor, overall. While the bane blade is nice, they cost WAY more than they are worth. You could get 2 Slayers, or almost 3 normal assassins for thier price. And while they might be good vs. a normal commander, thier poor defense makes them a sitting duck vs anything powerful. Better to just get a normal assassin and spend 3 death gems for a Bane Blade and maybe 3 fire for a burning pearl if you wanted to go that route.

Additionally I made a couple of attempts Using Bane Spiders leading groups of 10 spider warriors. Wasnt impressed with the results. Thier morale is good, but thier squad size is just too low to make use of it. Then again.. the player I was fighting was crazy for PD so perhaps I am being unfair to them? I suppose a Rod of Command or some other leadership item could also make the Bane Spider more interesting as a stealth leader.

[RibbonBlue]

The dastadrly giants have assaulted one of my fortress with out ever declearing war.
They shall fall against the mighty longbows and nature+air spells of Man!!!
Btw, is maggots(the spell) good against Ermor undead?

[En Forcer]

Maggots is VERY useful against the undead hordes. Combine that with a good line of priestly types, and you'll have an effective force to use against the undead. Oh yeah, make sure you have some chaff units too. Militia or something.

[RibbonBlue]

Great. I go sooo many mages who can cast maggots.

[Alneyan]

I really don't like those assassins eihter... or, more specifically, I like them, but with special gear, so I much prefer those vanilla assassins at 60 gold (and that can be recruited everywhere incidentally, instead of having an opportunity cost of one mage).

If you really want assassins, all nations can also go the Black Heart path, where any stealthy troop can become an assassin. Want to assassinate with your Pan? Go ahead! Want to make your Harpy an assassin? Go ahead too, and don't complain about the results.

[Molog]

I've never tried maggots. Is it like decay for undead?

A couple of assasins should scare opponents into wasting troops to protect their commanders.

[Agrajag]

I attacked because I see building a watch tower on my borders as an act of aggression.
And besides, I don't really mind being wiped out early, at least that way I'll die before the game reaches the level of such a late game that I won't know what to do (I often find myself, at the really advanced levels of the game, like turns 130+, not knowing what to do. Victory is in my hand - I have much more provinces, research, magic gems, financial wealth etc. and yet I don't know what to do to win).

[En Forcer]

Agrajag- you and me both my friend. So fight for the glory and enjoy the battles! Later, just make some stuff up and see what happens.