Legendary "Lend a Helping Hand"

[PhilD]

I've been hitting a wall with the second Afflicted scenario in the Legendary campaign, "Lend a Helping Hand". How do you beat this? No matter what I try, I only manage to take 5 cities, plus one of the gold mines - and that's not enough to raise 90k.

Plus, if I try to save the game so I can explore possibilities, the Elf cities turn to Afflicted. I guess this is a bug, so I'd like to beat it without it (though I didn't even manage to win vs the Afflicted).

[Hiro_Antagonist]

--SPOILER ALERT--

(Don't read any further unless you want some pointers on how to beat this mission)

I managed to beat it on my first try when I played it just now, but then again, I suppose I have an advantage -- I did design the mission. =)

The way that I balanced the criteria for this mission was to play through it a few times, take my highest income, and round it down. As it's one of the last missions in the game, it's definitely supposed to be a challenge!

Some tips:
I built only hags for the first 5 turns or so, except for 1 leper to sit on the bottom-left gold mine.

Hags are great on this map because of all of the mountains (Hags penetrate that defense) and because their high influence lets them quickly take cities.

On the first turn, I moved the Prophet straight up to the city above the capitol.

Try to keep units (Hags are ideal) on the gold mines.

After a certain point (turn 9-ish or so), you should have critical mass with units, and shouldn't need to build units anymore to keep the upper hand.

By turn 10, I'd held 5 cities for a while, and had a hag and a prophet on 2 more cities respectively. I had a clear unit advantage on the board. I'd saved a tiny bit of money, but not much

By the end of turn 15, I had $41600, 8 cities, 4 gold mines (w/ hags on each) and the AI was down to 3 units, 2 of them heavily wounded.

On the beginning of turn 19, I had $90,600 and won. Next turn I would have earned another $13,000, so I was able to clear it with a fair margin. It's definitely beatable!

I used mostly Hags with just a splash of Lepers (to lower stats and help get some clean-up kills.) I didn't build any Plaguebearers or Missionaries for this particular mission. (Those are great units, but not so much when you're in a hurry!)

-Hiro_Antagonist

[PhilD]

OK, I managed to do it, though only on the 20th turn. It helps when you know some of the AI's worst moves, though http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Pyros]

Looking into my archives...

Is this the map?
(I miss so much this fine game... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif )

http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/uploads/390583-afflicted2.JPG

[Sammas]

Yup that's the one - although doesn't look like legendary mode is on.

I finished it on turn 20 as well - quite a tough mission as far as they go. I found that one missionary is pretty helpful when the druids start hitting.

[PhilD]

Yeah, it's the map. Now I admit I never managed to take the whole map over.

[Combat Wombat]

Pyros said:
Looking into my archives...

Is this the map?
(I miss so much this fine game... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif )




Did you never get your copy after the beta was over?

[Pyros]

Sammas said:
Yup that's the one - although doesn't look like legendary mode is on.

I finished it on turn 20 as well - quite a tough mission as far as they go. I found that one missionary is pretty helpful when the druids start hitting.



You should check what is the difference between the normal and legendary...
Is there any additional AI unit on that map or it is just a question of time and score?

[Pyros]

Combat Wombat said:

Pyros said:
Looking into my archives...

Is this the map?
(I miss so much this fine game... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif )




Did you never get your copy after the beta was over?



I ve never ordered any FREE copy (matter of personal principals http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif)

[Combat Wombat]

Pyros said:

Combat Wombat said:

Pyros said:
Looking into my archives...

Is this the map?
(I miss so much this fine game... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif )




Did you never get your copy after the beta was over?



I ve never ordered any FREE copy (matter of personal principals http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif)



Well order a non-free copy then http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Hiro_Antagonist]

Pyros said:
I ve never ordered any FREE copy (matter of personal principals http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif)


Pyros,

I don't mean to question your reasons exactly, but I do want to say this: You were a great tester, and you helped make LOL into what it is. You *deserve* a copy for your hard work! I know that I, at least, would be sad if you didn't claim the copy which is rightfully yours. For what it's worth, I would really really like you to have your copy, and I hope you change your mind!

-Hiro_Antagonist

[Pyros]

Hiro,

Thanks, for your good words.

Maybe in the future. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

best,
Pyros

[DayStar]

I managed to finish the Legendary "Lend a Helping Hand" scenario with a score of 100500 on turn 20.
I actually eliminated all enemy units and occupied all cities by turn 16.
I think this score can be improved. I did replay this scenario at least 50 times! LOL


EDITED to remove picture: see post #402072 below for a high score update!

[Sammas]

Nice one! Hmm, do you know something about sentinels I don't?

Btw, I think Hiro still has the top score - 19 turns with 13k income.

[PhilD]

Ouch...

I re-did the Legendary campaign when I had to change PCs last month, and this one scenario took me lots of attempts to even win.

[DayStar]

Sammas said:
Nice one! Hmm, do you know something about sentinels I don't?

Btw, I think Hiro still has the top score - 19 turns with 13k income.



No, nothing special about sentinals. I just needed some extra untis near the end and close to the enemy.
Perhaps I could have used runners? I am still trying out various strategies.

What was Hiro's actual score? Or where do I find it?

[DayStar]

PhilD said:
Ouch...

I re-did the Legendary campaign when I had to change PCs last month, and this one scenario took me lots of attempts to even win.



Don't feel bad. I had to play it a dozen times or more before my first win. But once you get a good winning strategy you can continue to improve on it - that is if you can remember it! Why doesn't this game have save and load functions at any point of any scenario. It would sure save a lot of time.

[DayStar]

Okay, here is a really high score! 103900 on Turn 20 (with no enemy units or cities left).

http://www.geocities.com/bob_kraus_2000/lol_103900.gif

[charliebarr]

Thanks, I was stuck on this stage and your tips really helped me out!