MP game: Nations at War. Started!

[CUnknown]

I am thinking of starting up another MP game. We'll play on Desert Eye most likely, with difficult research, normal richness, magic sites at 50, HoF 15. Independents will be at 5, but the key is that each person will start off with 9 provinces. War and diplomacy should both happen early on, giving people a chance to use their national troops.

We will use Zen's Pretender Mod for this one.

The only house rule is that Caelum is illegal.


Players:

Boron as Vanheim.
Jurri as Jotunheim.
PashaDawg as Machaka.
Aku as Arcosephale.
Legacyspy as Man.
Jeffr as Pangea.
Dzbabi as Ermor.
Azhur as Pythium.
Me as Ulm.

[jeffr]

I'm in as Pangaea. I'm going to keep trying these guys until I find something that works.

I've never used Zen's stuff, but his ideas sound good to me. I think he tries to make national troops more viable.

I kind of like the idea of building from a single province, but I can see your point that starting with 9 provinces might result in early wars. Then again, it might not and some people might decide to avoid war.

The Zen link I found was http://www.techno-mage.com/~zen/. Is this the one everyone is going to use?

[dzbabi]

Heyda, i am also in - with emor.

How many magic sides and world richness?

50 and normal i would guess. Maybe easy research because we have all already so much provs?

Griffin

[CUnknown]

Yes, Pretender Mods 2.0 is the one we're going to use.

Dzbabi--sites are at 50, and normal richness. We're going to have difficult research.

jeffr--I think what you did last time with Pangea worked!! And yes, some people might pick a rainbow god and choose to just site search their provinces instead of trying for early war. But I think that is the beauty of it, you can go in either direction.

I'm going for the 9 province start because I want to jump-start things. I want national troops to be more viable at a later time-period in the game (not necessarily a later turn, but since we're jump-started things, it will seem later).

[Legacyspy]

May I take Man?

[jeffr]

ok, cool.

Do we install all mods on zen's site (pretender 2.0, spells 1.8 and scales 1.2) ?

I have zippo experience with this, so this should be fun.

[CUnknown]

I just want to use the pretender mod for now.

[Legacyspy]

Im in with Man

[Leblanc]

ach. nevermind. i wont have regular access to a computer for the next few months.

[Mark the Merciful]

What turn interval are you thinking of?

[CUnknown]

I am thinking of 24-h turns at first, later on we can change to 48-h when things start to bog down.

[Aku]

I would like to join this game as Arco.

[Boron]

In as Vanheim

[YellowCactus]

Oh god, not them!
Hehe. Just playin'.
-Yc

[Aku]

comon cactus, join this game also

[PashaDawg]

I will join as Machaka. (I have been practicing, Boron, so watch out. You will taste the Spider Lord's venom someday... beware and start losing sleep.) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif

[Jurri]

I'd take Jotunheim. How many players were you thinking?

[Aku]

The Spider Queen is back in force!

[Boron]

PashaDawg said:
I will join as Machaka. (I have been practicing, Boron, so watch out. You will taste the Spider Lord's venom someday... beware and start losing sleep.) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif


Poor Boron is surprised . Why that hostility from the great Spider Lord ? We lived in a peaceful neighborhood in newbiegame 2 until the evil Spider Lord's propaganda forced the innocent pangeneans to war with them http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif .

Great that you are in this game also Pasha http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif . And i have no practice at all with Vanheim , it is the first time i try them . So happy Revenge my dear friend http://www.si-games.com/forumshttp://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/fechten.gif

[CUnknown]

So far we have:

Boron as Vanheim.
Jurri as Jotunheim.
PashaDawg as Machaka.
Aku as Arcosephale.
Legacyspy as Man.
Jeffr as Pangea.
Dzbabi as Ermor.
Azhur as Pythium.
Me as Ulm.

I think we should leave the game open for a few more days, if anyone else wants to join, we might have to switch to a larger map, though. We will see.

-Chris

[YellowCactus]

A cactus has only so many thorns.....but perhaps I'll join. Still undecided. Mostlikely will join as Tein-chi.
-Yc

[YellowCactus]

Mictlan

[Mark the Merciful]

OK, I'll join as C'tis (pretty sure I haven't done C'tis yet).

[YellowCactus]

Mark, didn't you drop ALL your games about three months ago. You know that caused big problems, eventually killing two games I was in.
-Yc

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

Ok,

soooo when will the game start- i hope soon!

PS: My Nick ist DZBABI, i will use this aocount further http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Azhur]

I'll join as Pythium if not too crowded yet..

[Mark the Merciful]

YellowCactus said:
Mark, didn't you drop ALL your games about three months ago. You know that caused big problems, eventually killing two games I was in.
-Yc



Mostly true, and sorry for messing you and others around. Lack of self-discipline (joining too many games) followed by real-life changes did for most of my games.

Anyway, fear not, for our host has heard your cry.

[CUnknown]

Okay! The game is starting soon. I have set up the server. The IP is: 68.190.44.112 port 2000.

I'm going to be Ulm, and since we have 9 players, I think it'd be good to switch to Inland.

Start uploading Pretenders! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Oh, remember we're using Zen's Pretender Mod, but not any of his other mods.

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

Aeh, i am not able to connect to the server! Whats wrong?

[PashaDawg]

Ok. I am off to work. I will upload my pretender tonight.

I assume we are using version 2.0 of Zen's Pretender Mod. Yes?

Thanks for hosting the game CUnknown.

[Aku]

I was able to connect to the server and uploaded my pretender.

We are using Zens pretender mod 2.0.

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

Hey, it worked: Do i have to press "start game" for the final upload of my pretender?

[Alneyan]

Do not press Start Game unless asked so by the host of the game; it would start the game while not everybody has uploaded their Pretender, and the settings may not be fully set (I do not recall if settings are set before or after Pretender upload).

On an unrelated matter, did you get my PM Griffin?

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

Yes i got, but you it seemt you did not get my answer.

@topic: Maybe anyone can make a summarisation of this game(Indies, Research etc...)

[Aku]

Griffin the first post of threads is usually the game settings. I am copying it here for you.

I am thinking of starting up another MP game. We'll play on Desert Eye most likely, with difficult research, normal richness, magic sites at 50, HoF 15. Independents will be at 5, but the key is that each person will start off with 9 provinces. War and diplomacy should both happen early on, giving people a chance to use their national troops.

I haven't decided on who I'm going to be yet.

We will use Zen's Pretender Mod for this one.

The only house rule is that Caelum is illegal.


The map that CUnknown picked I believe he changed to Inland due to the increase of players.

[YellowCactus]

I'm going to have to withdraw from this game. Sorry for my indecision. Mictlan is Open!
-Yc

[jeffr]

Pangaea uploaded.

[PashaDawg]

Machaka uploaded!

[Legacyspy]

Man is up!

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

Emor is in.

[Azhur]

Are we playing 2.15 version of Dom2?

[jeffr]

Is there a command line option that I need to use to enable Zen's pretender mod when I play the game?

I had the mod enabled when I created my pretender, but the shortcut I created to connect to the game does not have any mention of the mod in the command line. Do I need to reupload with the mod enabled on the command line?

[jeffr]

I did a search on "enablemod" and found that I probably have to add "--enablemod conceptp2.dm" (without the quotes) to my shortcut.

Is this correct?

If it is, do I need to re-upload my pretender with the mod enabled?

[Jurri]

No, you don't need to do anything different. You just need to have the mod in the mods directory and have it enabled when you create the pretender. The game automatically uses any mods the host has enabled at game creation.

[jeffr]

cool, thanks.

[CUnknown]

Yes, we are using version 2.15.

Looks like everyone is uploaded except for Pythium, I hope we can start tomorrow.

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

Gogogo, are we still waiting for anyone?

Or can we start soon?

[Azhur]

Sorry it took a while, Pythium now uploaded. Can we start?

[CUnknown]

We have started! Right now, I set it to 48-h quickhost, but as soon as we all take a turn, I'll set it to 24-h. Later on (maybe turn 30 or so), I'll set it back to 48-h.

[Aku]

yay! i thought the game died but glad it started

[Aku]

omg this game is going to be crazy

we started out bordering other nations already lol

[Boron]

When i end my turn i get an connection broken error http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif .
Seems i can't make my turn properly http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[CUnknown]

Try again Boron! Has anyone else had problems?

[Boron]

CUnknown said:
Try again Boron! Has anyone else had problems?


Worked now http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

Jo, everything is fine... is the eMail notification working?

[Aku]

Email notification?

And can the host put a list of the players and their nations edited into the first post please for easy reference? Thank you.

[YellowCactus]

Yea HOST!
Don't be a slacker....er...well. Be a good slacker and eventually edit your first post.
hehe- Luck all!
-Yc

[CUnknown]

What is e-mail notification?

[CUnknown]

Hey Boron, take your turn! I re-set the clock for you because I'm nice. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Aku]

man boron was on today doing his turns for all his games...he must of forgot to do this one =(

[Boron]

Aku said:
man boron was on today doing his turns for all his games...he must of forgot to do this one =(


Yeah exactly . Sorry http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif .
Funnily i am already dead . Very innovatively done . Grats Jotunheim http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif .

[Jurri]

Vielen Dank! You sure had bad luck in the starting position lottery, though.

[jeffr]

whoa! dead on turn 2?

[Aku]

Borons god is dead in the HoF. His god and his starting army must be all dead and if Jotum took very little casualties then Boron is screwed.

[PashaDawg]

But... but... the Spider Lord wanted his minions to feed on Boron. Surely, there is something that could be done to preserve Boron's dominion in some sort of stasis until greedy spider mouths suck it dry of all life.... /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif

[PashaDawg]

(So, what's the scoop? Can't Vanheim National News relay the story from the war front? Or, maybe live video footage?)

[Jurri]

Sorry, Pasha! I didn't realize how strongly you felt about him http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/heart.gif... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif I won't disclose my trick just yet, who knows if I'll catch someone else unawares still http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif. If Boron insists, that's another matter, though.

[PashaDawg]

Hmmmm... sounds like a secret doom weapon. /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif

[Boron]

PashaDawg said:
Hmmmm... sounds like a secret doom weapon. /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif


Yeah was quite innovative from Juri http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif .

I won't reveal anything yet but at a later time like in 10 turns . I will be Dominiondead next turn already though probably .

[PashaDawg]

Well, shoot! It's never fun to see someone die so soon. But, major congrats to Jurri on the doom weapon!

[Jurri]

PashaDawg said:
Well, shoot! It's never fun to see someone die so soon.


Too true! Thank you and sorry Boron for the game. Or what should I say... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/stupid.gif On one hand I'm glad my little tactic worked out so far, on the other it really is pretty nasty to leave the game on turn 5 through no fault of your own. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Jurri]

Why, hello Clarice... I mean Pasha! Perhaps you'll see the DOOM a bit earlier than expected!
Lil Pasha, walking down the street
........ /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif.......
Hurrying, scurrying; is there someone he has to meet?
........ /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif....... ( /threads/images/Graemlins/Panda.gif?) ( /threads/images/Graemlins/Fox.gif?) ( http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Penguin.gif?)
Indeed, indeed, his ATOMIC DEATH-FROM-ABOVE-eet!
........ /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif+ /threads/images/Graemlins/icon49.gif = /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif

[PashaDawg]

Jurri said:
Why, hello Clarice... I mean Pasha! Perhaps you'll see the DOOM a bit earlier than expected!
Lil Pasha, walking down the street
........ /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif.......
Hurrying, scurrying; is there someone he has to meet?
........ /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif....... ( /threads/images/Graemlins/Panda.gif?) ( /threads/images/Graemlins/Fox.gif?) ( http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Penguin.gif?)
Indeed, indeed, his ATOMIC DEATH-FROM-ABOVE-eet!
........ /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif+ /threads/images/Graemlins/icon49.gif = /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif



You DARE mock the Spider Lord, Sir? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif

[YellowCactus]

Now now children....play pretty!
-Yc

[Jurri]

PashaDawg said:
You DARE mock the Spider Lord, Sir? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif


Yes, sir! I dare anything and regret nothing... At the least when I'm dead and spiders eat my corpse tales of my bravery will resound through the land! "He was the one who mocked the Great Spider God who devours souls; We shall never forget his brave ditty!"

So what's happening around the world nowadays? I notice Arcos going through mercs like his life depended on it. Maybe it does?

[PashaDawg]

Jurri said:
"He was the one who mocked the Great Spider God who devours souls; We shall never forget his brave ditty!"



http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif Now, you DARE slander the Great Spider Lord? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif It is not HE who devours souls. He merely seeks the good life for his loyal children. 'Tis the EVIL DEATH GOD OF ERMOR that devours souls... including GIANT SOULS. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif ERMOR's death magic will swallow us all if we do not take care. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

No, i have no need for souls any more. Now i gonna have to life in peace... also with bugs.

Emor

[Jurri]

PashaDawg said:
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif Now, you DARE slander the Great Spider Lord? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif


Ahhh, I feel a haiku coming...

Mockery, slander,
Uncouth bastard that I am;
Burlesque travesty

A mockery of haiku! A mockery of the Great Spider Lord! Someone please stop me before the world drowns in my filth!


The Fell God of Ermor said:
No, i have no need for souls any more. Now i gonna have to life in peace... also with bugs.



What is this now... Here is my depiction of the Dark Lord of Ermor in his domain:
/threads/images/Graemlins/Palm.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Palm.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Rose.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Rose.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Palm.gif

[PashaDawg]

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif Ermor is EVIL, and It shall swallow us all unless we extinguish It! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif It's disease shall render all of our lands barren unless we valiantly force-feed ERMOR a taste of its own SNUFF-STUFF. The Great Spider Lord calls upon all great dominions to join Him in a Holy War of vengeance against the EVIL ONE. Even now, the EVIL ONE is invading the MY peaceful jungle WITHOUT JUST CAUSE!! Its undead armies are raping our countryside. But, the EVIL ONE shall be swiftly tossed out of the jungle, and the http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif FOUL ****-LICH-QUEEN http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif shall forever regret her scandalous decision to march beneath the canopy of our scared trees. ONWARD MY MINIONS. LET THE WAR DRUMS BEAT!! My spider minions crave the dry blood in Ermor’s veins. /threads/images/Graemlins/icon42.gif/threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon42.gif

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

Poor Spiderpasha... swallowed to many mushrooms in the jungle.

You attacked me first, so you have to pay the price: Joining the undead legions. I have best contacts to all my neigbors, all rumors about undeads are untrue.

We are a folk of musicans and artits. A land of milk and honey.

Where people learned to be real free. Young zombies are playing in the streets with each other.... no crimes... no taxes... just peace

PS: Ist man still playing, it seems he idles or he is allways the last one? Can someone check this?

[PashaDawg]

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif Lies! Lies! Lies! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif It shocks the conscience how the EVIL LICH **** of ERMOR twists the facts. Any LIVING being surely knows that your malevolent dominion was blighting the Machaka Forest where my folk only wanted to thrive in peace. Your evil stench was seeping over our borders and threatening to rob MY PEOPLE of the warm dominion of their beloved GREAT SPIDER LORD. What were the peaceful, industrious Machaka folk to do? Wait? Wait for DEATH? Bah! Your evil tricks did not fool the GREAT SPIDER LORD. You shall regret your wickedness, FOUL LICH ****! /threads/images/Graemlins/icon42.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dogbone.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dogbone.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon42.gif Let the war drums beat! Onward my minions! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif DEATH to DEATH!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif DEATH to DEATH!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

Do we have the possibility to check if man do his turn, i am quite sure he do not make anything.... it would be much faster with quickhost i think!

[Legacyspy]

I am trying to take my turn every day, but my parents are in mexico, they will be back this monday, but untill then I am floating between my house+school+my aunts house.

[PashaDawg]

Legacyspy and I have a high school connection (that is, I went to his high school a long time ago). So, I hereby vouch for him. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Jurri]

Oh my god, they killed Pasha!

[PashaDawg]

I am confused. All my wizards were ordered to cast "dust to dust," but they ALL decided to cast useless spells to the GREAT SPIDER LORD'S tremendous frustration. Did my wizards decide that they had better plans and that "frighten" was a better strategy? Grrrrrr!!!

[YellowCactus]

Pasha,
I must know. Where did you get your beautiful, smoking death's head black-tie picture? Oh...and you know that province next to Pythium, the one to the West, in Entwined Destiny? Did you site search it.....I gotta know!
Tell me!
-yc

[PashaDawg]

Gosh, I cannot recall if I searched it for sites. I might have been too busy dealing with Boron's (Pan) surprise attack. Why? Was there something wonderful there?

[Jurri]

Dust to Dust has a range of 25 and Frighten twice that...

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

I killed pasha, but we will see him later... when i cast Tatarian Gate...

Pasha was a honorfull foe, i will miss him.

Although our war was (and is) mercyless... there were many really great battles, thank you for this.

Emor (The Lich ****)

[YellowCactus]

Looks like Pasha has gone the 'Way of the cyclopes'. <Silent Moment>. Well the darndest thing happened in E.D. I searched that province next to Pasha's capitol and found The hidden Kingdom, The Upside-down tower, and some site that give 50% discount on Dominions 3 purchases!
-Yc

[PashaDawg]

Hey, wait a minute. My God is dead... but my dominion is not!! Let's not assume that the war is over!!

[Jurri]

PashaDawg said:
Hey, wait a minute. My God is dead... but my dominion is not!! Let's not assume that the war is over!!


Prove it isn't! We want gory tales of bravery and glory before we believe you live! The **** Queen presents a convincing case:
The Lich **** claimed:
I killed pasha, but we will see him later... when i cast Tatarian Gate...

Pasha was a honorfull foe, i will miss him.

Although our war was (and is) mercyless... there were many really great battles, thank you for this.

[Aku]

Bleh im dead. If that storming came one turn later i would of had mistform and ironskin for my nataraja and another wpn equipped =(. I cant believe how fast those centaurs ate through 24prot nataraja with over 200hp in like 2 rounds =(.

Just keep us dead players updated with posts so we know who is winning.

[jeffr]

Good game, Aku.

We started off with one of my provinces right next to your capital, so I guess you had to attack me. You took many of my provinces in the beginning and I was fortunate to prevail.

It looks like I was lucky to storm your castle when I did.

I look forward to playing with you again.

[Jurri]

Man has staled twice in a row and is about to do so again; Pasha's vouch aside I'd say it's time to either make him AI or find a sub. Or something, it's just no fun when a player stales continuously!

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

I also vote for it, i mentioned it before, state sucks!

[PashaDawg]

Eeeek!!! The EVIL DEATH ****'s minions are ripping through poor innocent Machaka's lands. Tearing up the forest and leaving nothing but sorrow and decay in HER wake. I fear the GREAT SPIDER LORD has but a few gasps left in him. GRRRRRR!! EVIL ERMOR... BAD EVIL ERMOR... CURSE YOU!!!!! <Shaking Fist>

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

Ulm declared War on me and attacked me the same turn in 3 Provinces... this is your last chance to give me the 3 Provs back and give me 3 Provinces of you territory...

This is the last chance for you to keep your souls...

[CUnknown]

Give the provinces back? Haha, I laugh. Our thick plate armors will surely be enough padding to keep our souls intact.

I come to free the Great Spider Lord's lands from your grip, Oh Dark One!

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

@Man and Pangae, atr least one of them staled again!!

So please make Man AI-controled! Thats so boring!

[jeffr]

whoa, I just played my turn! I haven't staled in this game.

Although it is St. Patrick's day and the Pangeans, like all green folk, enjoy their wine, women and song. Such a merry nation compared to all this dark "loose your souls" and "scary great spider lord" talk http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[PashaDawg]

Bah! Let the war drums beat! Onward my minions! <Froth froth>

[jeffr]

It looks like Man is now AI.

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

Sub wanted: I am on a holidaytrip from sunday on!

So i need someone who plays emor in the time.

Please notify me soon at dzbabi[at]web.de

Griffin

[PashaDawg]

Hi Griff:

You might want to post the sub request somewhere more public (for example, its own thread).

Pasha

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

Thanks, Pasha, good idea!

[PashaDawg]

/threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif Beep – Beep – Beep – Beep <sound of typewriter in background> Beep – Beep – Beep – Beep /threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif
This is Machaka National News. The winds have shifted in the Ermor War of Aggression against the peaceful Machaka Jungle Folk. That shift is the doing of the /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon42.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif HONORABLE LORD OF ULM./threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon42.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif A mighty HURRAY can be heard from every Machakan village as the locals sing “Vive l’Ulm! Vive l’Ulm!” to the favorite Machakan folk tune, “Your Snake Ate my Sister.”

The Great Spider Lord has proclaimed the next week a national holiday for giving thanks to the FREEDOM LEGIONS OF ULM. We at MNN happily report that the mighty F.L.U. is spreading swiftly through the http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif EVIL LICH ****’s http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif fetid territory and sowing the seeds of flowers, trees, love and harmony as they march. /threads/images/Graemlins/Rose.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Palm.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Rose.gif

On a sad note, the opportunistic giants to the Great Spider Lord’s south have snatched some of the Machakan Jungle. The territory in question had been momentarily overrun by troglodytes belched up from the ground. A spokesman for the Great Spider Lord has expressed concern that this might indicate hostility on the part of the giants, but no such inclinations have been communicated diplomatically. The Great Spider Lord always thought the giants loved to keep to themselves and write mythic haiku.

This is Machaka National News. Fair, unbiased news brought to you by loyal minions of the Great Spider Lord.

/threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif Beep – Beep – Beep – Beep <sound of typewriter in background> Beep – Beep – Beep – Beep /threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif

[YellowCactus]

/threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif

-Yc

[YellowCactus]

The Ermorian bi-annual Bone exhibit has come to town, ghouls and goblins from across the dominion are expected to attend. Most notable of the contestents is "Bare-Bone Beatrice" world renown supermodel in life, Beatrice really knows how to rend flesh! House Ulm and Machaka are encouraged to stop by.
-Yc

[Azhur]

I gotta admit that you guys are really into this particular game.. and that's of course a good thing.

[PashaDawg]

Hey Old Yeller Cactus:

Are you the Ermor sub for this week?

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

YellowCactus said:
The Ermorian bi-annual Bone exhibit has come to town, ghouls and goblins from across the dominion are expected to attend. Most notable of the contestents is "Bare-Bone Beatrice" world renown supermodel in life, Beatrice really knows how to rend flesh! House Ulm and Machaka are encouraged to stop by.
-Yc



Ermor's foul attempts at "art" disgust the Great Spider Lord. No real aestesticism could ever truly be contemplated by the mindless undead. They are all about killing. And they do it without art.

[YellowCactus]

Indeed.
I couldn't resist, resisting Ulm!
-Yc

[YellowCactus]

Ermorian Art?
<Sigh> What Pasha says is true. In life, we were all Cops and compassionate conservitives. Now we're just bony zombies. Someone please help us!
-Yc

[CUnknown]

There will be no resistance! I resist that notion!

The Freedom Legions of Ulm cannot be stopped! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Jurri]

PashaDawg said:
On a sad note, the opportunistic giants to the Great Spider Lord’s south have snatched some of the Machakan Jungle.


What is it that makes a nation, I ask! Is it not sovereignty within its borders? Is it not the necessary strength to protect it's holdings? By both counts Machaka fails: it allows troglodytes to run unchecked within its 'borders' and relies on Ulm for protection from outside threats. Truly, it is nothing more than a feeble satellite of the Iron Monarch of Ulm with the Big Bug of Machaka as his *****.

What sort of respect should be given to a 'nation' that has no leader, that has lost its seat of power and whose greatest asset is it's National News network? None at all, and thus I declare all of the lands of Machaka no-man's land, to be taken at will. So I shall!

[YellowCactus]

/threads/images/Graemlins/Grenade.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Bullets.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon44.gif Yea! What he said!
-Yc

[CUnknown]

Hey! Feeble satellite? Machaka and the Great Spider Lord will rise once again! Just give me a few turns to help him get his capital back, and he'll be all good. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Ulm sez: "Stay away from Machaka!"

[PashaDawg]

Little jungle maid just before her horrible death at the hands of the enemy to the South:

EEEEEK!!!!! VINE OGRES!!!! EEEEK!! The Giants are attacking. The Giants are attacking!!

[PashaDawg]

The Giant Spider Lord has returned!!! And he shall SMITE Jotunheim’s moldy dragon pretender. Your filth shall fertilize our jungle gardens and undergo a metamorphosis to sweat vine flowers by the Great Spider Lord's grace. Grace!! (you hear that?) GRACE!!! (yup, that's right) G-RRRRRR-A-C-E!!!! POWER!! PURE DESTINY!! Onward my minions!! Onward!! Let the war drums beat!!! <froth froth> http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif

[Jurri]

PashaDawg said:
Your filth shall fertilize our jungle gardens and undergo a metamorphosis to sweat vine flowers by the Great Spider Lord's grace.

Good thing I have plenty, then, the filthy bastard that I am. Hey, won't that make me the god of Fertility? Dude, you're overthrown! Get outta my garden, biatch!

Grace!! (you hear that?) GRACE!!! (yup, that's right) G-RRRRRR-A-C-E!!!!


How sweet the sound
That maimed a wretch like thee!

[PashaDawg]

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif BAH!!!! SWINE LORD OF GIANTS!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif You're nothing but a gooey dingle-berry on the corn hole of the Great Spider Lord's chamber-pot-maid!!!! My minions will SMITE YOU!!! Start losing sleep!!!!!! <froth froth> http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif

[Jurri]

Chamber-pot-maid? Truly it saddens me that the 'Great Spider Lord' needs one! Must be all the raving and subsequent stress... Poor old bugger. /threads/images/Graemlins/Waterdrop.gif

[PashaDawg]

The Chamber-pot-maid is a luxury, dingle-berry. It means that the GREAT SPIDER LORD does not need to get out of bed in the middle of the cold night. But, a moldy dragon cannot understand such things as luxury. Even his army is made up of mindless vine creatures. Who ever heard of a chamber-pot-vine-ogre? Tsk. Tsk.

[YellowCactus]

We hope to add many Ulmish bones to the growing pile. You are most welcome within the realm of Ermor! /threads/images/Graemlins/Target.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon42.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon40.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon46.gif :8ball: :8ball: :8ball:

Who can say what will happen?

-yc

[Jurri]

That Pasha, he's a regular cockroach!

[YellowCactus]

The Ermor Bone Exhibit was rather popular with the Ulmis Freedom Fighters. Those guys really know how to break a leg! The Ermorian legion is looking for replacements, around 650 event goers were added to the boneyard. Inquire within!
-Yc

Bladewind = /threads/images/Graemlins/Lightning.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Sick.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Campfire.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dogbone.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dogbone.gif

[PashaDawg]

Jurri said:
That Pasha, he's a regular cockroach!



I'm hurt. <sniff, sniff> http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Jurri]

No, you're not! Very soon you'll be, though http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon49.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Bug.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon49.gif

[jeffr]

Hey Jotunheim,

The attack by my scout was a mistake. He got lost http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[PashaDawg]

The Spider Lord's death scene:

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Injured.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Envy.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Cold.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif

See ya later guys. Good luck to you all.

[Jurri]

Pasha, that was a good death! Dying while running away was very befitting of the Great Spider Lord. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Jeffr: The attack was a mistake, indeed http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif

[YellowCactus]

Maybe it's time to make pals with Ulm!

[jeffr]

Did you ever get the sneaking feeling that you made a serious error? Well, that's sort of how I feel now.

But, on the other hand, I didn't like seeing armies massed on my frontier.

[CUnknown]

I have put the game on a 48-h (quickhost) clock so people have more time for their turns. It's been moving along nice and fast, so if someone needs more time for any particular turn, I don't see that being a problem.

[Jurri]

Heh, you must be reading minds or something, 'coz I was just about to ask for postponing the hosting this friday... This is just perfect! /threads/images/Graemlins/PointUp.gif

[jeffr]

I'm not sure what I was thinking when I sent the message to everyone critisizing Pythium for going AI after I defeated their main army. If he wanted to go AI, then it is up to him and is none of my business.

So, Pythium, I hope you accept my apology. It was stupid of me.

jeff (aka Pangaea).

[jeffr]

Damn, he has Ghost Riders and Tartarians. Not to mention his immortal DragonLich. Not good for the home team.

[Jurri]

Ah, but you're the away team, being deep in my lands and dominion...

The immortal Dracolich Jurri, who singehandedly crushed Vanheim, who ate Pasha the Dawg and who ****s in the skull of courtesy shall eat the Mother Oak of Pangaea, too, alongside every little forest critter basking under it! Molochs don't taste good, however (as evidenced by the infamous HOI-fanboi), so he'll be lobbed to the bottom of the Well of Misery.

I don't think Azhur got the in-game message, btw, being AI and all http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif I'm not sure if I agree with your laissez-faire view, though; consider: playing the game is a joint effort, many people besides oneself devote their time on making it a pleasant experience for all (in the sense that a well-played game is pleasant). One player quitting disturbs the whole game, making it rather inconvenient for the others, especially if the quitter is significant. Certainly it's common courtesy to at the very least inform the other players of such radical changes like going AI, and preferably the reasons for it!

[Azhur]

Jurri said:
I don't think Azhur got the in-game message, btw, being AI and all http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif I'm not sure if I agree with your laissez-faire view, though; consider: playing the game is a joint effort, many people besides oneself devote their time on making it a pleasant experience for all (in the sense that a well-played game is pleasant). One player quitting disturbs the whole game, making it rather inconvenient for the others, especially if the quitter is significant. Certainly it's common courtesy to at the very least inform the other players of such radical changes like going AI, and preferably the reasons for it!



I'm sorry about that.. my game didn't go too well from the start (two stale turns by mistake) and the death of my threugs was the last straw. I've had much misfortune in Dom2 MP recently, but that's not really an excuse. I'll make an oath to stay in dom2 MPs from now on at least to turn 30.

[CUnknown]

Jurri--

I know we've been allies more or less so far. I know Pangea is still powerful, despite all this talk to the contrary. But...but... YOU STOLE MY HAMMER OF THE FORGE!

I consider it my god-given right, being Ulm and all.

So, if you give me the Hammer of the Forge, I'll consider joining the war on your side still. Of course I may just stay out of the war then and forge stuff. Hehe..

Otherwise I think I'm going to have to help the forest folk. Well, hell, I don't know. This is a tough one. All three of us are powerful.

[Jurri]

Hehee, but weren't you the legendary construction-less Ulm? So what do you need the Hammer for anyways... But sure, you can have it, you have a point about Ulm having nothing else to look forward to as far as magic goes http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif Only, how far does 'consider' get you, 'cause I'd feel sad if I yielded it for naught... And I might as well take it with me to Tartarus if you should leave me to die in the hands of the green guys! Besides, you know you'll be joining me very soon in that case, as my and Pan's lands combined amount to, like, more than 3/4ths of the map. So sitting this out might be fatal.

The situation is indeed quite interesting, with three strong positions. I guess CU has the upper-hand strategically though, as he isn't yet entangled in a war. Jeffr has the most power in his standing army and the most lands by far, though, so I'm not sure if it matters. The research machine that is Utgård gives me mucho magical power, making me a player too. Not to mention the audacious Dracolich, a terror in his own right http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

The server seems to be down; I won't be able to take my turn before Saturday evening (GMT), so could you perhaps ensure that it won't host before then? Thank you!

[PashaDawg]

What's this? Ulm and the opportunistic giants were allied? Was I just a little bunny pushed out onto the well trimmed grass for the evil Jotuns to gobble up? I demand reparations!

[CUnknown]

Pasha, I was on your side the whole way! I couldn't stop Jotunheim...sorry.. I stopped Ermor for you though..

Honest, Jotunheim and I didn't plan that together, he did it against my wishes. The only thing I could have done was to declare war on him.

[CUnknown]

Oh, guys, I am out of town right now. I can't connect to the game either. It was thundering a lot when I left, and also my internet was flickering on and off. So, I think either the internet is down (in which case the server will go back up by itself later), or my computer is off (in which case we won't get another turn in until monday or tuesday).

[PashaDawg]

CUnknown said:
Pasha, I was on your side the whole way! I couldn't stop Jotunheim...sorry.. I stopped Ermor for you though..

Honest, Jotunheim and I didn't plan that together, he did it against my wishes. The only thing I could have done was to declare war on him.



Nah! Don't worry about it. You did me a big favor against Ermor. I'm just having fun yanking your chain.

[CUnknown]

Okay, the server is back up, sorry guys.

-Chris

[Jurri]

Humm, can't seem to connect. Is the ip unchanged?

[CUnknown]

It should be the same as before:

68.190.44.112 port 2000

Uh...try again, I guess? That is weird. Right now it is on quickhost, but no set time to autohost, so you have as much time as you need. When we all take turns, I will set it to 48-h quickhost again.

[jeffr]

I just tried and I can't connect either.

[CUnknown]

So..how do I find out my IP again?

[Boron]

CUnknown said:
So..how do I find out my IP again?


http://www.whatismyip.com/ should work .

[CUnknown]

Um..okay, try again guys! Same IP. It should work this time.

[Jurri]

It works! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[jeffr]

I was the last one to take my turn, so a new turn is up.

[jeffr]

I really hate wind ride. I need more fodder.

[Jurri]

Only Ermor to go, and he needs only end turn... So maybe CU can do that, if Griffin doesn't show up.

What's wrong with wind ride http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif It's just beautiful! What I hate are your insane centaurs. 2 is enough to beat 10+ giants!

[PashaDawg]

So, how are things going in the War? How about a news brief?

[CUnknown]

News Brief:

Pangea and the Jotuns are going at it hard core while I sit back and build, hehe. No, honestly, I would join the battle if I knew which side I had to be on...it's really hard to pick out who's winning. Pangea is definitely on the offensive right now, but Jotunheim's getting out Tartarians, so the balance might shift in a big way soon. Although Pangea does have like twice the # of provinces that Jotunheim has.

Pangea is constantly dispelling Jotunheim's Well of Misery, which keeps coming back up every 2 turns or so.

Jurri's Dracolich was killed last turn, but the damn thing's immortal, so all it lost was a couple of items in exchange for like 1/2 of Pangea's army.

Pangea's money and gem income has got to be insane though, since he owns half the map.

Basically, I have no idea what to do, hehe.

[YellowCactus]

Attack them both!
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/skull.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon07.gif
-Even brain-dead cacti know that!

[jeffr]

CUnknown said:
Pangea's money and gem income has got to be insane though, since he owns half the map.




Unfortunately, no. I've been at war constantly in this game and have done a poor job of searching for sites. So did the nations I managed to conquer. Jotunheim, on the other hand, seems to have done a very good job of searching his provinces. If only I could hold onto a province or two.

And where does he get all of those death gems every couple of turns to continually cast Well of Misery? I know he is doing it from his 30% Conjuration bonus site, but that would still be 80 - (80 *30%) = 56 death gems every two turns.

I'm not complaining, mind you http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif How ever it turns out, it's been a fun game. I like the size of the map.

[PashaDawg]

Cool... thanks for the peek.

[YellowCactus]

Oh, I accidentally gave him 200 death when substituting for Ermor....
-Yc

[Jurri]

A new turn! The war with Pan is jolly fun, thank you very much. CU is missing the good stuff by just turtling, comon join the merriment! Declare war on both of us and see what happens! (I'm betting in three turns jeffr has captured all my provinces that border Ulm http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif)

A Moloch with a herald lance sure does a hefty amount of damage on a Dragon of undead persuasion! The conj site is only 20%, mind you, being the Crypt Underneath.

[CUnknown]

Hey, who cast 'Ashen Angel' on me this turn??

Jurri you're pushing your luck, punk!

[Jurri]

What, I did not! Why would I have? It's either jeffr trying to prod you into attacking me, or some special effect. Tartarian Chains attract Ashen Angels, at least, and perhaps some other stuff too, can't remember. Could that be the cause?

[CUnknown]

What? Um....no....why, uh...that..couldn't possibly be the cause. Hmm.

[jeffr]

Well, it certainly wasn't me casting Ashen Angel. I just tried to connect to the server, but it's down.

[CUnknown]

Try again, Jeffr, my internet's been going on and off lately.

It's obviously up now.

[jeffr]

I was able to connect and do my turn.

I really thought that this time I would take the fort at the Yellow Mountains. Nope. The Soulstone of the Wolves now takes its place on the Sh*t List.

Man, I'm being taught a lesson in how you don't need an army to win. Just a bunch of well equiped Super Combatants and Ghost Riders do the trick. You don't seem to need much else. Maybe throw in some wolves and hawks to take forts. Why build an army at all? Spend the money on castles instead. The only Giants I'm seeing are the province defense. Otherwise, I feel like I'm fighting the undead.

But it's been fun (even the wolf stone was cool) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[CUnknown]

I hear ya, Jeffr.

Yes, the Soulstone of the Wolves is f*cking incredible.

Um...well, your centaurs are pretty amazing, too. I think they are worth building. But, castles are very important, too. This is what people complain about in this game, armies don't always get the job done. Although, I'm guessing Jurri would love to have an army, if given the option. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif He's just spending his cash on other things.

This whole game was an attempt to make armies worthwhile. I think it's pretty much succeeded: It's not by accident that the last three survivors are strong early game factions: Ulm, Pangea, and Jotunheim. All the strong late game wussy magic factions died off, hehe. Your army, for example, was just about unstoppable earlier in the game. Now it's still good, but stoppable.

And, oh, Jurri--we are at war as of now. I'm pretty sure Jeffr and I can stop you together.

[Jurri]

Just a few more turns, mommy... Ah well, it had to come sometime http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Will you honor our NAP, though?

The Soulstone is soo beautiful 'cause it bends and breaks the usual battlefield summon limitations! Imagine it combined with a Haunted Forest... It can be countered rather easily though, with an SC or a battlefield-wide killspell. Even some lucky fliers could do the trick.

As to the eternal question, 'why build an army at all?' I think armies can be used in the early game. As evidenced by how easily you and Ulm have crushed your enemies beneath your heels. Even now the only thing I can do is try to kill off enough of your armies to get my bearings and mount a proper counter-attack! I think your choice of castle hampers you too much, though.

The game concept sure works great! It's so much more dynamic and since the amounts of gold netted are so huge at the beginning viable national armies can be built and used. I took a different approach, though, betting on an early game monster SC and trusting that I can gain magical supremacy since early game powerhouses like Pan and Ulm will kill off the other fast researching nations. Cynical, I know. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[jeffr]

Eh, I'm just crying in my beer like a wussy http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[CUnknown]

If I honored our NAP, what would that mean again?

[Jurri]

That would be you only attacking me at the earliest after three peaceful turns since your declaration. That is, agressive orders on turn 47...

[CUnknown]

I think honor is a luxury I can't afford right now, sorry Jurri.

[Jurri]

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif
Nooo, why did you lie to me... You heinous betrayer, I'll let my wolves use you as a toilet after I crush your puny little empire and salt the earth! And I'll make extra sure to feed them only pea-soup and cod-liver oil beforehand! The Dragon of Fecundity shall never forget this transgression of chivalry and natural law! This will not be a pretty sight, so tread carefully, traitorous vermin! Scum of the earth!

Jeffr, rejoice, for you're off the hook for now. There are matters of honor that need my attention more than your manly, up-front assault.

Ah, I feel a haiku coming... (or what passes for it in mockerysville)

Betrayer CU,
what awaits you now is fate
worse than death could be
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

[CUnknown]

Oh give me a break...

Look, I'll give you 1 turn if that makes you feel better.

[YellowCactus]

What's that CUnknown? Your not quite ready to attack, so he can have a turn?
hehe

[PashaDawg]

/threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif SQUISH THE OPPORTUNISTIC GIANTS!!! THEIR HANDS ARE UNCLEAN. /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif
/threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gifTHEY DESERVE NOT THE BENEFITS OF ULM'S HONOR! /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gifPom-poms waiving! Bubbly Machakan teenagers hopping, cheering, and doing cartwheels. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Go Ulm Go! Go Ulm Go!
*B*
*E*
*A*
*T*
*Beat 'Em*

*B*
*U*
*S*
*T*
*Bust 'Em*

*Beat 'Em! Bust 'Em!*
*That's Ulm's Custom*

*GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ULM!!!!!!!!*

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif **** YAY!!!!! **** http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[CUnknown]

Yay!!!

Okay!!!! Jotuns die!!!!

I'm psyched now http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Jurri]

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif
Machakan females serve, with consummate eagerness mind you, in the cunnywarrens of Jotunheim pleasing vaettir and worse! The stinking carcass of the Spider Lord is used as a doorstop. The fate that awaits the oathbreaking people of Ulm and its leader, Judas of Ulm, is hundred times worse!

What mercy to those who break their promises? None!
What breaks for those who say one thing whilst doing another? None!
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

And Ghost-of-Pasha, every word you utter is a blatant LIE! Jotuns appreciate cleanliness more than anyone, and wash their hands before every meal. And bathe at least once a day.

[PashaDawg]

Jurri said:
And Ghost-of-Pasha, every word you utter is a blatant LIE! Jotuns appreciate cleanliness more than anyone, and wash their hands before every meal. And bathe at least once a day.



http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Envy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Envy.gif They can scrub, scrub, scrub, but they will never wash away their sins. Their hands will be eternally unclean.
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Envy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Envy.gif

[CUnknown]

Pasha is awesome!

[jeffr]

New turn is up.

[CUnknown]

Okay....

I'm calling BS on that battle Jurri. You got incredibly lucky there. You were outnumbered and outclassed.

[CUnknown]

Wow....

I looked at the turn some more are realized it's probably over already. Good job, Jurri.

You still got incredibly lucky on that battle, btw. I would have taken losses, admittedly, because I neglected to get lightning resist items, but I still should have won by all rights. Everyone just f*cking ran for some unknown reason on like turn 3.

But, even if I had won that battle, the game would still pretty much be over. We should have attacked you much earlier on. Good job!

[Jurri]

Uh, how could you have won that one? Storm messed up your archers and mages, you had only one dude that could fly and he was unlikely to score hits on my AQ even if he got to her, my guys had a relatively high attack value and armor negating attack against your Bane Lords (and lots of soak to keep them occupied even if the battle should be prolonged for some unseen reason). Add Wrathful Skies that is bound to rout any block of non-mindless troops in no time and the battle went just like my experience would dictate it to go; that is to say, just like planned http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I'm pretty sure that I have this bagged, seeing how I've shifted gears in my blood machine (gotta love them Skrattis...) and can take the rest of the uniques easily, and pretty soon at that. Having the AQs and Tartarians too I estimate to outgun you and Jeffr so much that there's quite some room for my usual late-game blunders http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif I don't have you scouted quite as well as Jeffr, so I don't know just how much trouble you can be. I suspect that was your main army, though http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif
To lowly Pasha, the giants have decided to promote your carcass from a doorstop to a back-scratcher for being so funny. Still, such privileges can be taken away as easily as they are bestowed if you don't stop spewing your blatant LIES! The giants have nothing to be ashamed of! Nothing; in fact the Machakans, those lowly insects, were the only nation they explicitly claimed to have no plans of non-aggression with. And the disgusting little creatures deserved to die, to boot.
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

[CUnknown]

Jurri...did you -look- at what I had there? I'm not sure where you're getting this "mages" thing, I didn't have more than one. And also, where are you getting "unlikely to score hits on your AQ"? Some of those guys had 30+ attack and artifact weapons. Your AQ would have been toast in 2 rounds.

If I had a few troops that didn't rout, I would have definitely won. The Bane Lords weren't scared of your AQ, that's for sure, the problem is they routed when everyone else did. That ranks up there with the lamest battles ever. I'll definitely have to remember to cast 'mechanical men' before I leave home next time.

Anyway, not that it matters. What you were attacking with was a small fraction of your forces, what I was defending with was my main army. We'll keep playing this one out, but it looks like you got it.

[Jurri]

Ah, the one dude that could fly in the storm had an attack of 21? or something. The others were grounded, and thus they were stopped by elementals which can take quite a few hits, as they just dwindle when killed. Leaving ample time for my other troops/wrathful to rout your troops, and thus your thugs. A 30+ attack won't help if the dude can't get close enough to hit, hence the comment that the AQ was very unlikely to be hit in the battle.

Sure you had pretty heavily armed guys there, but the army wasn't all that well prepared for anything else than facing armies/SCs in a non-storm environment. The battle wasn't that spectacular, but I don't think it was lame. In my opinion it went pretty much the way it should have according to my understanding of the mechanics of the game. When an enemy shows a glaring weakness it is to be exploited!

I don't think a few unrouting troops would have done much, as my army was quite able to stall the battle for quite a while, allowing WS to do it's trick. Against mechanos there's little that is better than a big bunch of air elementals (the robots being small and having few hitpoints and non-magical weapons - easy to trample and hardly ever hit). Besides, I wouldn't necessarily have went that route if you had a more versatile army, of course.

So, I don't think that you should be quite as annoyed as you come over as. That was an army I would have a hard time dealing with any other way, a pretty sight indeed! This time my planning just was superior, nothing more to it. I rather expected you to have prepared a retreat route for your dudes, though, so that part was just a plus.

[CUnknown]

This is why people get annoyed with this game sometimes. If I had just sent the Bane Lords in by themselves, or had some unroutable troops--your elementalals really wouldn't have lasted long--I would have won. Hell, even just that one Bane Lord with the barrier shield, he could have won by himself.

Anyway, that battle surely didn't go "as it should have gone". And because of that, it was lame.

"Sure you had pretty heavily armed guys there, but the army wasn't all that well prepared for anything else than facing armies/SCs in a non-storm environment."

The storm really didn't do much to me at all...it was the damn false horror who made me rout. I don't think wrathful skies really did much of anything either, it only hit me for what, like 1 round? before I fled. I suppose it caused a morale check, but I bet it was the false horror who made me fail the check. In any case, the Storm was sort of a non-issue. The second any of your elementals would have stepped up to my army, they would have been destroyed in no time.

As far as planning an escape route--it really never crossed my mind that that army was beatable by anything you had in the area. I was pretty confident I was going straight for your capital and taking it. Stupid f*cking Air Queen! You have to admit that's lame, man..

Anyway, it's just as well I didn't plan for an escape, because if that army gets beaten, the game's pretty much over, right? It probably took me 15 turns to build that group. And it was never actually -defeated-, it just ran for no f*cking reason.

Blah!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

[Jurri]

Umm, I don't think there were any false horrors there, but I overwrote the file already. There was the horror presumably summoned by the Gift of Kurgi but nothing besides. What version is the host?

Bane Lords by themselves would have routed just as soon as one would have died; which wouldn't have taken long considering you had only 1? lightning protected Lord. Unroutable troops would have died to lightning. Mechanos would have been trampled by air elementals (if you had had them I would likely have sent another AQ just to summon them via Living Clouds). The Barrier guy alone, well, I can't say. It would have taken him at least 3 dozen turns to carve every one of my guys, though, maybe more. Especially if the AQ defaulted to false horror or some such.

What I mean by how it should have gone is, there was no freakish outlier in the random rolls - at least not one I could see.

The Storm prevented your fliers from flying, which allowed the main damage to be soaked by elementals from Living Clouds, instead of the real ones. And of course doubled the hits your army took from WS. And prevented your dudes from rushing the AQ...


As far as planning an escape route--it really never crossed my mind that that army was beatable by anything you had in the area.

Classic Sun Tzu! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif ...just kidding, don't get any angrier! But seriously, though, I intentionally didn't use said army against Pan for a good length of time to have it in place for your attack, and to prevent you from knowing I had one. Guess it worked, seeing how you hadn't lightning-proofed your army http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

This has been an awesome game so far, and I really wish this battle didn't sour it for you... If your server saves the turn files we could analyze it in-depth after the game, perhaps? I'd like to convince you of the, for lack of better word, validity of the tactics used, as I really thought I was rather clever in hiding my AQs to prolong your non-involvement and in the use of a specific army tailored to take down your conventional troop -based army. And, well, it's pretty depressing to hear the tactic I planned thoroughly and executed pretty nicely was lame http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[jeffr]

Unfortunately, I missed this. What province did this battle take place in?

[CUnknown]

"But seriously, though, I intentionally didn't use said army against Pan for a good length of time to have it in place for your attack, and to prevent you from knowing I had one. Guess it worked, seeing how you hadn't lightning-proofed your army "

Yes, that was definitely an awesome move on your part. I really had no idea you had an air queen. I was thinking I was going to be fighting Tartarians and/or your god (and was ready to stomp them).


"What I mean by how it should have gone is, there was no freakish outlier in the random rolls - at least not one I could see."

Well, I agree with that, except maybe I routed a little early. But, early or late they would have, sure. Because I had no mech. men in there.


"The Barrier guy alone, well, I can't say. It would have taken him at least 3 dozen turns to carve every one of my guys, though, maybe more"

You know there is something seriously wrong with this game when it's better to go in alone than bring an army along.
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif Okay, now I'm just venting. But, really... I hope they do something about that for Dom III.

If, as you say, there was no way I was going to win that battle, how does one -ever- beat an AQ in that sort of set-up? You said it was my army's lack of versatility, but come on.. Without an AQ of my own or Storm Demons, nothing's able to fly in that storm, am I right? I'd have needed to completely lightning-proof my army.

Barring having an AQ, Storm Demons, or complete lightning-proofing (none of which are likely to have happened), how would you suggest defeating that sort of set-up in the future? I'd try the mechanical men route, but you seem to think that wouldn't work. It doesn't seem like there's much else out there that would have stood up to what you had in that case.


"And, well, it's pretty depressing to hear the tactic I planned thoroughly and executed pretty nicely was lame"

I don't want you to misunderstand me, the planning and execution were excellent, it's just I can't believe that the game would allow 1 SC and a few elementals to take down and much larger and better-equipped force, including roughly 10 SCs. And it was even lamer when the larger and superior force -didn't even fight- but decided to run for no reason. Sure they lost a few guys, but nothing major. These are trained soliders, dammit! Stand and f*cking fight you freaks! I say it's lame just because it's illogical. The better force should have won that fight. But I guess that's the way it goes sometimes.

[CUnknown]

Wait, I know what I should have had--spam undead summoners? Do you think that might have helped, Jurri? I could have had a few of those in there. Sigh.

[Jurri]

CUnknown said:
If, as you say, there was no way I was going to win that battle, how does one -ever- beat an AQ in that sort of set-up? You said it was my army's lack of versatility, but come on.. Without an AQ of my own or Storm Demons, nothing's able to fly in that storm, am I right? I'd have needed to completely lightning-proof my army.

Barring having an AQ, Storm Demons, or complete lightning-proofing (none of which are likely to have happened), how would you suggest defeating that sort of set-up in the future? I'd try the mechanical men route, but you seem to think that wouldn't work. It doesn't seem like there's much else out there that would have stood up to what you had in that case.

Apparently a dude casting paralyze is just perfect for the part, right Jeffr? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif

One option is to have just that one properly equipped guy whittling down the army. Charcoal shield should do well enough. Another is to have mechanos, like you say - in large enough amounts. You gotta prepare for heavy losses, though, (as they are really vulnerable to trampling,) and have some guys that can do the actual killing. The same goes for the undead spam, and skeletons die mighty fine with WS, too. Any lightning immune troop with high enough defense or size 4 or more, would do as well, I surmise. Siege golems, Iron Dragons... I wonder how angels would do; they wouldn't have the staying power the above mentioned have but they have magical weapons, high attack, and 50% shock res.

The most cost-effective way could be the SC. Mages casting area cold spells should do well, too, when backed by troops that tie up the elementals. Also, targetting the AQ is an option: a bunch of guys casting paralyze/soul slay could prevent her from casting WS and Living Clouds, with some luck.

But what do I know, really... A forum search would yield hints from better players than I, I'm sure. Hasn't WS been the topic for discussion for quite some time already?


I say it's lame just because it's illogical. The better force should have won that fight. But I guess that's the way it goes sometimes.

I actually rather like the lateral levels in the strategy... That is to say, it's cool that there is more than one way to skin a cat. It would be boring if the same answers would hold all the time. If you always had to face the enemy's rock with a rock of your own, how would that be fun?

[Boron]

Though i didn't see that battle (cause i died on turn 3 http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif) i would say that iron dragons would have been excellent probably .

1 iron dragon and lots of scs would have been enough likely .
If the iron dragon is placed rearmost and with hold orders he shouldn't die . Hence no routing .

Then one or 2 petrify spammers and a few thugs with moonblades or similiar .

AQs are imho far from invincible .
2-3 ghost riders beat a single AQ unless it has very special gear like robe of invulnerability + charcoil shield .
Then the AQ has no quickness though . Another weakness of the AQ is their rather low strength without a storm .
A single AQ can't cast storm though because it would fatigue her .
A dual AQ , one as SC , one as staff of storm bearer + wrather is far from invincible also . Especially the staff of storm bearing AQ is very vulnerable .
Petrify , blindness or paralyze work wonders .

[CUnknown]

"I actually rather like the lateral levels in the strategy... That is to say, it's cool that there is more than one way to skin a cat. It would be boring if the same answers would hold all the time. If you always had to face the enemy's rock with a rock of your own, how would that be fun?"

I was really pissed off, Jurri, don't listen to me. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I was just venting man. Seeing that other army of mine survive 7 (?) ghost riders without barely a scratch has made me feel a lot better. See, that is what my armies are good at: guys with weapons coming at me! These tricky Air Queens casting all those fancy spells are just too much for my poor Ulmish brain to handle.

[jeffr]

New turn is up. I got lucky with the paralyze, but I'll take it.

Of course, the whole "lose your entire army to a single unit" thing that followed really sucks, but that's what this game is about after the initial phases(whether I like it or not).

Many people like that aspect of the game (almost an RPG type element in equiping your characters/SCs)so I guess if I want a shot a winning I better make some concessions in that area and build a few of my own. I've tried to win without them, but have always lost badly in the end.

Maybe one thing that will happen in Dom3 is to have nation specific summoned units instead of everyone using the same units(Tartarians, Bane Lords, Ice Devils, Air Queen, etc.) Why should Pangaea be playing with Undead? Doesn't feel right.

[CUnknown]

"Why should Pangaea be playing with Undead? Doesn't feel right."

I totally agree man, that is kind of a strange aspect about this game. Oh, and SCs don't always help that much, btw. Damn Air Queen!!!

So, what are we planning on doing here, Jeffr? I am Earth Attacking Jurri 4x a turn, also assassinating at least once a turn, so I'm killing off his researchers and various other mages. I'm also inciting unrest across his empire. It appears to be working, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's still not hurting too bad for cash.

I have one good army that will take the AQ to stop, I guess. Whenever she shows up, that army is likely toast. So, it's not like I can be invading him very effectively, I'll do what I can.

He is slowly gobbling up my uncastled provinces.. If you have anything good going on there, try to do it as quick as possible. I'll see how many of his SCs I can kill... Sigh. Unless you have some sweet stuff in reserve, I think we are doomed.

[jeffr]

I had some small advances, but I can't seem to stop his combination of ghost riders and Tartarians. He hit me with about 7 Ghost Riders last turn. Where does he get the gems if he's also pelting you with GR?

He is also taking my provinces now so it doesn't look good.

I killed one of his Air Queens last turn (along with a few air elementals and some sylphs - mabye that group that you faced?). I also killed an Ice Devil and luckily (no pun intended) charmed one of his Tartarians, so now that particular bad boy is working for the good guys in green http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif I took one of his castles as well in that battle, but it's a farm province and didn't have any gem sites.

In the Feldan Forest, he has another Air Queen and a Tartarian along with about 70 odd pieces of other crap. He has about 20 Jade Sorceress hanging around, too.

I continue to try to pressure him, but it's not looking good. But, I'm going to go down swinging, and you never know what can happen, so keep at http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[CUnknown]

"I killed one of his Air Queens last turn (along with a few air elementals and some sylphs - mabye that group that you faced?)"

Sweet!! Yes, that was the group. Wow, that almost gives me hope. Maybe we can pull this one out after all, Jeffr. Is he attacking you at all? As long as you are gaining provinces, even if I lose provinces, maybe it won't matter. He's just got to be hurting from my earth attacks, and it seems like you've managed to take down a bunch of his SCs.

[Jurri]

Hell, I'm being outmaneuvered left and right! Great going, guys, I might lose yet... Although my sleeves are far from empty http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I agree that the flavor of the game suffers from the, well, unbalance in the units. There still are enough viable options to stay interesting, strategy-wise, so it's tolerable.

[Alneyan]

Pst Jurri, any pointer on the use of Air Queens? All the Air Queens I summoned in the past became "Air Queen sauce", succulent food for the connoisseur, but slightly too expensive for my tastes.

Oh, and keep on fighting him! Fight to the last scout! Throw blood saves at him if they are you last fighters! Jurri must be crushed! Wait for him to make mistakes, and strike him down when he has fallen! Exclamation points shall rule the world!

[jeffr]

"Is he attacking you at all? As long as you are gaining provinces, even if I lose provinces, maybe it won't matter."

Yeah, he's attacking me. He's taken seven of my provinces so far. So, we need to take some of his, somehow.

[CUnknown]

I think taking provinces from him will be hard. He's got two Air Queens in reserve in the center of his empire waiting to strike at either one of us, I guess. Whoever makes a move first.

[jeffr]

A bad turn for the boys in green and the end draws nigh. We're emptying the wine cellars for one last party, Pangaean style, before the Tartarians, Air Queens and other crap storm the gates. But the good news is that I have some ideas for the next game. That's assuming that I remember, of course http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif I should really write this stuff down.

CUknown: Jurri has at least 2 Air Queens, so I guess he re-summoned the one I killed.

I wonder why my Moloch didn't cast Immolation (2F, fatigue 20) on herself but rather chose to cast Protection on a PD Satyr instead? She had about 60 fatigue at the time (which is a bad thing in and of itself for a melee type, but I made a host of mistakes with her).

Jurri is carrying around some Air Elementals with his Air Queen. Is it possible to summon these outside of combat?

What was interesting in this game is that the only war I initiated was with Jurri at the end. I initially thought that I had made a mistake, but as it turns out, he was already too far advanced, so waiting would only have made things worse. The thing is, I couldn't have really attacked any sooner as I was involved from the outset in wars (which was Ok with me http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif).

[Alneyan]

jeffr said:
Jurri is carrying around some Air Elementals with his Air Queen. Is it possible to summon these outside of combat?




Aella has the ability to Summon Allies, and those allies are genuine Air Elementals.

[Jurri]

Alneyan said:
Oh, and keep on fighting him! Fight to the last scout! Throw blood saves at him if they are you last fighters! Jurri must be crushed! Wait for him to make mistakes, and strike him down when he has fallen! Exclamation points shall rule the world!

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif Why, oh why does everyone hate me so...*sob* *sob*

As to the AQs, youre asking just the wrong guy: I think their average lifespan when summoned by me is still around 3 turns. Man, I went through them quicker than shirts in Clash! That said, one way to field them is to give her a staff of storms, a couple of air boosters, quickness armor and set to cast summon storm power, wrathful, living clouds, living clouds, living clouds, spells. Very costly gem-wise, but can take down various enemy set-ups. Easyish to counter too, but if you incorporate another AQ with SC gear (the same stuff you put on a Bane Lord) to the team it gains a lot of versatility.

@jeffr: I guess the Moloch didn't have a target within range for Immolation. Doesn't it require enemies within 7 squares of the caster? Hence the way to use it, I guess, could be buff, attack a turn, immolation.

The elementals are summoned by Aella, the third AQ. Whilst hiding from CUnknown they had some free time...

I did my best to incite your neighbors to attack you, too, to keep you out of my hair while I collected the stuff I needed to crack your impregnable white centaurs. Guess we don't know yet if it was enough, but we soon will! Expect some crazy [censored] in Feldan Forest come next turn... (A bold move, that!)

[jeffr]

"I guess the Moloch didn't have a target within range for Immolation"

But immolation is cast on the caster. It has an AOE of 7, sort of like an enhanced fire shield I thought. I've seen it work before. Here is the description:

"The caster bursts into white-hot flames, badly burning everyone within range. Armor offers little protection against the flames. The spell will consume the caster if he is unprotected."

So you were behind the attacks eh? I wasn't surprised about Arco, but I was surprised Pythium attacked me. I can't really remember, but I think I wouild have (eventually) attacked you instead of them, because you were closer. So, good job there.

"but we soon will! Expect some crazy [censored] in Feldan Forest come next turn"

Oh, great, can't wait http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif I figured, what the hell, might as well go down in "charge of the light brigade" fashion rather than cowering behind my walls. Time is not on my side.

[Jurri]

Well, not Arco (didn't need to http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif) but I did try my hardest with Pythium and Man (only he disappeared just then). Only Azhur knows what it amounted to, though...

If there aren't any enemies within 7 squares of the caster, the tac AI won't use immolation - and a good thing too, since it's a one-time effect, unlike fire shield. So it's more like an even shorter range flame eruption. (Thus the proposed script to get the caster mixed with the enemy!)

True, you don't have much of a choice far as the attack goes... It's surprisingly effective, your army. Hell, it's better than CUnknown's Bane Lord -filled armies for this purpose, blitzing to my castle and storming it. I don't even know if my counter-plan will work! This is interesting, indeed!

[CUnknown]

Go Jeffr!!

Kill more AQs!!!

[Jurri]

Kill them yourself, you slacker! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[jeffr]

Ah well, back to the drawing board http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[CUnknown]

What happened? It looks like you won the battle, Jeffr. Did you kill any AQ's? How are your forces looking?

[jeffr]

What's the term I'm looking for? Ah, yes, "Not Exactly" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I lost the battle of the Feldan Forest. I'm still besieging the fort with a few hawks. Why would you say it looks like I won the battle?

[CUnknown]

I don't have a spy there.. I thought you won because you still were seiging the castle. I mean, Jurri didn't win the battle completely, right? If he did, he'd be in full ownership of the province.

[jeffr]

I didn't kill any Air Queens, although he has one there, along with a load of other crap. I did charm an Arch Devil and the Pocket Knight, who promptly became paralyzed and dead, respectively. He summoned so many skeletons it brought my old graphics card to it's knees. My surviving guys eventually routed, dying as they had nowhere to go.

[Jurri]

Heh, I wanted the strategical advantage of moving first, hence I didn't try to break siege. Besides, jeffr could have reinforced his army if I had broken siege.

The skeletons were just a fall-back plan, sorry to have killed your machine http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif I couldn't watch the battle through myself, as relief-casting seems to be too much for even my machine to handle when there are a couple thousand dudes on the battlefield. Apparently my counter-charmer got the AD back, or else CU is running some version other than 2.15 and I never lost it in the first place...

What I don't get is how could my mummy have lost a magic duel... He had astral 2 base, a skullcap, 8 communion slaves, power of the spheres cast, for a total of S7. Against your S2 guys he should have either won or both should have died (1/36 chance); however, the second duel killed my guy yet yours lived! Is magic duel still bugged as all hell?

You, too, would have benefited from securing a retreat, if you guys don't mind me sounding like a broken record... 10 of your mages survived the battle as did 14 centaurs or some such!

[Jurri]

Oh, man, sorry CU! You're gonna hate this one... The battle in Resting Heghts, that was what I call lame! (Although I had prepared for the possibility by choosing the defensive side via teleport, I hoped my Draco would be able to attack your mages at some point due to some glitch in the imps.) The one in Meer, well, you're likely to hate it as much, but I hope it will give you insight to the whole WS/AQ/Air Elemental matter.

jeffr: You continue to surprise me. That Moloch totally blind-sided me! Other than that it's looking a bit glum for you guys. That is to say, it's looking good for me! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Alneyan]

Interesting: it is at least the second time Magic Duel doesn't quite work as expected. My current hunch is that Light of the Northern Star doesn't affect Magic Duel results (and/or perhaps Power of the Spheres); don't ask me why I think those spells are the problem. Another option, of course, is that the spell still doesn't work as intended. Hmm, that deserves a quick test...

[CUnknown]

Believe me, Jurri, that first battle before gave me plenty of insight into the whole AQ thing. Without mental attacks or lightning immunity, there's not a whole lot you can do. There really should be an item that allows you to fly in storms or something, it's too much of an advantage for only one type of SC to have.

Yeah, the Resting Heights battle was lame. But, omg is your pretender powerful as hell. I hope that thing costs a lot of points!

I give when you give, Jeffr.

[Jurri]

Gift of Kurgi! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Winged Helmet used ta, but no more, too bad... I sure would like it if there was some item or spell or both that allowed it.

My pretender is really a work of art in itself, even if I do say so myself. I wanted it to be able to make the turn 1-3 kill and secure my holdings in the mid-game. It also has wish-potential for late game! And had points for order 3, magic 2 left over after taking dominion 10 (!)... With only death 1 and misfortune 2 to accompany the sloth and cold 3. I'd say the Dracolich is undercosted for its power in the Zen mod http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif And not by a little, at that!

[jeffr]

"I give when you give, Jeffr."

Do you really think there is no hope? It doesn't seem like it, although I have my Moloch back (woohoo http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif and I'm willing to keep trying for a while if you are.

Jurri, you played a great game. Did you ever even build a national unit? I don't remember seeing any non PD Giants, or even Jotunheim mages, but we didn't meet for a while so mabye I missed them.

I look forward to our next game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[CUnknown]

I think there's no hope because I had three powerful armies that all died doing basically nothing. I don't know what else to do but to make another one of them....but I doubt they'd be able to do anything either.

The things I am doing that are actually having an effect are: inciting unrest with spies, and assassinating his mages with earth attack and with actual assassins. I'm pretty sure he's hurting for money, more or less. But then again, so am I. I'm also pretty sure that I can kill almost all of his mages if we keep playing for another 15-20 turns. But, what does that really get us? He'll still wipe us out with his SCs. If he gets some good money provinces from us, he'd be able to replace the mages anyway.. But, I can count on a good 5 mages killed a turn.

[Jurri]

jeffr said:
Did you ever even build a national unit? I don't remember seeing any non PD Giants, or even Jotunheim mages, but we didn't meet for a while so mabye I missed them.

I look forward to our next game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif



Not really, I guess... I did build a coupla archers on turn 1 to assist the mercs in cracking Boron's fort, do those count? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif The fact of the matter is, that Jotun troops have maybe the worst effectivity/cost ratio of any national troops. You need an insane amount of them to really take advantage of their strengths, and that's gonna cost like hell. The problem, as I'm sure you know, is the morale: the poor giants have to roll, like, thrice as many morale checks as regular joes without having that much better morale. Sure sure, you could include some hirdmen or some such but they suck in other areas and are expensive... Think, I can get a 7rp/turn mage (with my magic 2) for the price of three stinking giants! And said mage will certainly be more effective on the battlefield, with Nether Bolt/Darts and all.

The mages I of course have in oodles. So much so that I'm not going to do anything to CU's earth attacks, as it's a good thing if he wastes 20 earth gems a turn to kill my mages. Frees up money to buy forts, and I don't really need them anymore since you don't have any armies that would require their particular abilities to defeat. And of course I've my research done since a while ago. (Well, not done done, but you know what I mean!)

I've managed to secure enough of an earth income that I can equip some scouts with flying boots and gate cleavers, in case you're wondering how this troopless paradigm handles forts. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif In the mid-game I used vine ogres and wolves to take down Pasha's forts, but the ogres are dead and well past their prime, effectivity-wise, anyway... Other than that, I really didn't even plan to take forts before this, trusting on my dragon to keep me safe from outside intervention before the SC-train was ready to leave http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

You guys should get me drunk more often, look how gabby I get! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif And I wanna fight ya both again some time, too... Hey, come join the Yet another Game, it hasn't yet started.

[jeffr]

I don't know. You've proven, I think, from a competitive standpoint, 95% (or more) of the stuff in Dominions is useless. It really doesn't matter what nation you take as long as the mages are good enough to get you to the few summons and spells that matter. Don't get me wrong. A lot of people like this. Your strategy is just the purest form of the mage/summons/castling winning strategy that I've seen so far. I could also be missing something and talking out my a** http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

It's also possible that I'm just a sore loser and want the game to function as I want it to http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif It's just that there is so much variety present in Dom2, I think it's a shame all most all of it seems to be just fluff. I doubt the designers intended for it to be this way.

Maybe all of Zen's mods need to be used together if the intention is to inject a little variety into the game. On that note, maybe you should post your Dracolich strategy in the Zen mod thread. I think they are looking for feedback. As you mention, it seems that the Dracolich is either underpriced or should have his immortality removed (not a good idea, in my opinion) or his protection and/or defense reduced or something. But, maybe not.

But, I'm stubborn. So I'll play again, try to counter your troopless strategy (without resorting to the same strategy myself - no point in that, it's been done), and probably end up in the same situation http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

It is fun, though, trying to think of counters. It's called "Yet another game", you say? I'll have to check it out to see if there are any crazy rules or if the map is too big. I played one game on Faerun (sp?) and never again, man.

[Jurri]

jeffr said:
I don't know. You've proven, I think, from a competitive standpoint, 95% (or more) of the stuff in Dominions is useless. It really doesn't matter what nation you take as long as the mages are good enough to get you to the few summons and spells that matter.

Oh, I don't think so! At least in my experience games can be won with different means too. Certainly it's important to acknowledge the role SCs and castles and such play in the game, but the way I played this one is not the only way to go. In my opinion, that is; obviously a segment of the players disagree considering the various balance-mods. Which are cool, too, at least you don't get bored trying to think your way out of the same box every time. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Now that I think about it, I think this is the first time I've used such a pure-bred SC-strat... Seemed to fit the settings particularly well, that's all.


Maybe all of Zen's mods need to be used together if the intention is to inject a little variety into the game. On that note, maybe you should post your Dracolich strategy in the Zen mod thread. I think they are looking for feedback. As you mention, it seems that the Dracolich is either underpriced or should have his immortality removed (not a good idea, in my opinion) or his protection and/or defense reduced or something. But, maybe not.

I guess I should, but my impression is that there is always someone waiting just to say how much I suck for not seeing the obvious way to counter the strat. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gifThat is to say, I'm not wholly impressed of the way the community functions when someone proposes any balance-related arguments. Just check the latest in that self-same thread. The dialect is too much for my tender sensibilities. Yeah, I'm a wuss.

It is fun, though, trying to think of counters. It's called "Yet another game", you say? I'll have to check it out to see if there are any crazy rules or if the map is too big. I played one game on Faerun (sp?) and never again, man.

Yeah:
The link to the thread (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showthreaded.php?Number=348282)
Nothing too wonky. Aside from all kinds of diplomacy being banned http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Old Diplomacy-players recognize the 'gunboat'-variant http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif Gotta be fun... And the roster looks great, too!

[CUnknown]

"So much so that I'm not going to do anything to CU's earth attacks, as it's a good thing if he wastes 20 earth gems a turn to kill my mages."

I was really trying to get to your clam-carriers, I know you've got them! Are hidden scouts unable to be targeted by earth attacks?
I guess they are. Oh well.


"Now that I think about it, I think this is the first time I've used such a pure-bred SC-strat... Seemed to fit the settings particularly well, that's all."

Well...I was really trying to improve the effectiveness of national armies under these settings. I disagree that these settings encourage a castle-and-cast strategy -- you'll be overrun in the early game by someone who built an army! However, no one attacked you in the early game, you had an overpowered god, and you were next to Man (who didn't do much and quit after like 5 turns or something). Actually, you would have been impossible to kill in the early game with your immortal dragon god (what were they thinking???) and 10 dominion.

Under normal circumstances, these settings would encourage having armies, I think.

I am going to turn off the game, unless someone objects?

Congradulations, Jurri!

[jeffr]

Ok, I concede.

Congratulatios, Jurri! And good game to everyone else, as well.

I look forward to the next game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Alneyan]

Jurri said:
I guess I should, but my impression is that there is always someone waiting just to say how much I suck for not seeing the obvious way to counter the strat. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gifThat is to say, I'm not wholly impressed of the way the community functions when someone proposes any balance-related arguments. Just check the latest in that self-same thread. The dialect is too much for my tender sensibilities. Yeah, I'm a wuss.



Alas, I think you should remove the "balance-related arguments" part, and simply put "anything" instead. I must admit I feel as if getting *any* chance is a struggle in itself, even a cosmetic thing like grammar, so balance arguments are even worse. I guess that was what Mose Hansen labelled "the conservatism of the place". Shame.

[YellowCactus]

Good game all!
That one was quick and painless...Oh, wait, I didn't play this one. In any event, it was a fine game. I see Jeff getting a little discouraged about the 'power' spells in Dominions. Well, some spells are obviously POWERFUL compaired to many less effective spells. But like Jurri says, 'There is more than one way to skin an Ulm.'
Recently I witnessed an army (TURN 30) destroy Caelum's Wraithful Skies, Storm, AQ, False Horror strategy. Previously I was leaning to the opinion that Caelum was unstoppable.
Jurri could have well been stopped this game. Understand though that he was Allied with both Ulm and Ermor (while Ulm and Ermor were at war). That's a pretty fine piece of diplomacy. On top of that, Norfleet is the only player I know who could beat Jurri without breaking a sweat. (That's not a compliment to Norfleet).
Party on fools.
-Yc

[Jurri]

Thank you all, 'twas a great game indeed! But you flatter me Cactus http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif, I ain't that tough. What was the army like that stopped the Caelian Catastrophe?

@Alneyan: All too true. I'm sure it's the same with any other hardcore strategy game, though, so I guess it's an inevitable side-effect of intelligent people gathering... Which is too bad, really.

[Boron]

Jurri said:
Thank you all, 'twas a great game indeed! But you flatter me Cactus http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif, I ain't that tough. What was the army like that stopped the Caelian Catastrophe?



He uses a Triplebless for Mictlan . S9F9W9 .
Those Jaguarwarriors are beautiful http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif .

These Scales are only possible because it is a teamgame with 5 two player teams fighting against each other .
But Mictlan could afford a F9W9 bless in a normal game and that would be almost as good .

The jaguars are quite fast and extremely cheap . And Mictlan has holy4 priests for blessing .
1 such jaguar warrior is about as strong as a devil , maybe even a bit stronger .
Imho the jaguar warrior is the best recruitable troop in the game .
True a Van or a White centaur is more powerful but you get 3,5 Jaguars per Van/White centaur .

[GriffinOfBuerrig]

Heyda, my old ally!

Great game! It was really funny http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[PashaDawg]

Clap clap clap clap.

[Jurri]

D'you guys want an encore or what? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[CUnknown]

We could do a rematch. Um..If I'm hosting again (I don't mind it), I'm not sure exactly how I want the next game to look like. Do people like the 9 prov start thing? I'm thinking about Zen's other mods and about SC's recruitable balance mod. I really don't know what to do.

I do know I want to make Dracoliches illegal!!! And possibly do something about ghost riders, make it cost like at least 8 gems to cast. Does Zen's spell mod touch ghost riders at all?

[Jurri]

Yay, yay, please host! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif I'm down with any settings, really, and any mods. (A victory condition would be nice, though.) The 9 prov start on a crowded wraparound was certainly amusing but I'm not sure if it would be a second time.

Start a new thread for this, won't ya?

[jeffr]

I'd be up for another game.

Someone in the Zen Concept thread posted some readme's. It sounds good to me. Here is the bit about ghost riders:

Ghost Riders needs death magic 6 (was 4)

and Wrathful Skies:

Wrathful Skies needs 6 air magic (was 3)
Wrathful Skies costs 400 fatigue (was 200)

[jeffr]

I found the spell readme. quantum_mechanic created it.

http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/uploads/350432-conceptual_spells_readme_v1_80.txt

[CUnknown]

Legions of Steel needs 2 earth magic (was 3)

Weapons of Sharpness needs 4 earth magic (was 5)


Gasp Gasp Gasp


We're playing this!!!!!!
I'm Ulm!!!!!

Hehe, I get excited over the smallest things.

[Jurri]

Don't forget the army of gold for E4: an absolute killer, if you ask me! (Heck, I'd want Vanheim or Ulm just to cast that http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif)