MP Game - Artifact Game - running 48hr qh

[Ironhawk]

For centuries the wars of the Old Gods raged across the face of the earth. Back and forth did they war with each other until, eventually, the few that survived the bloodshed attained an uneasy peace. But over time they grew restless and weary of this troubled world. Almost as one, they left it for other planes to seek power, or make war, or for thier own mysterious reasons.

Abandoned, thier people fell into chaos, bickering with each other. Once mighty nations splintered into dozens of independent provinces, each more suspicious and fragmented than the next. Until finally a new power emerged: the Pretenders. Strongest of the servants of the Old Ones, the Pretenders have taken up the great tools and weapons of thier departed patrons and now prepare to forge the world anew with thier own vision. But only one can be victorious and truly Ascend...

The Arifact Game
In this game each nation will begin the game in the possestion of several artifacts as specified by

The Artifact List (http://67.190.105.206:8080/~quinn/artifact_list_v3.html)

which will be achieved through a modified .map file when the map and nation selections have been finalized. Artifacts will appear at game start in your capital province in the hands of a unit *specially designed* to drop cursed items - do not concern yourself with that.


Map
Artifact Shahrivar (revised) (http://67.190.105.206:8080/~quinn/shahrivar_artifact_final.zip)

Server
IP: 67.190.105.206
Port: 2001

Mods
Conceptual Balance 5.1
Artficat Mod 1
download both mods here (http://67.190.105.206:8080/~quinn/ArtifactGame.zip)

Settings
Starting Provs: 1
Indies Strength: 9
Site Frequency: 70
World Richness: normal
Random Events: common
Score Graphs: enabled
Hall of Fame: 15
Research: Hard (downgraded from V. Hard)
Victory: 2/3 of provinces


House Rules
1) All pretenders were once human servants of the Old Ones and therefore must be mortal humans (tho they can be mounted).

2) No population killing dominion themes. This prohibts Ermor AE/SG and Pan CW


Players (15/17)
Abysia: Truper
Pythium: Shovah
Man: Wish for Blood Slaves
Ulm: Archaeolept
C'tis: Ironhawk
Arco: Dimaz
Caelum: Boron
Ermor: Cainehill
Marignon: Huntsman
Pangea: Quantum Mechani
Vanhiem: Rathar
Jotunhiem: Morkilus
Mictlan: izaqyos
Tien Chi: Folket
Machaka: Reverend Zombie

[Ironhawk]

As game host I choose the rite of first pickings http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I will play C'tis since I've been messing around with them a bit recently and never used them in MP. Probably I will get slaughtered but hey!

[shovah]

PYTHIUM! cause i suck at them and i think its fun for others when i die

[Folket]

I want to play Then Chi.

[Boron]

I claim Ryleh http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Edit: I just realize that you did nowhere specify mods. In case we are playing Vanilla i take Machaka instead of Ryleh http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif.

[Huntsman]

Still thinking about who I want to play (need to research some of these artifacts first!) but definitely count me in. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[shovah]

if your going just for artifacts then go for: vanheim (fenris pelt) or pangea (if medusa counts as human)

[Folket]

Where can I get a list of all magic items?

[RonD]

Zen's Magic Item Quick Reference

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/Illwinter/d2/6.htm

[Huntsman]

Never played Mictlan so I'll give them a try.

[Cainehill]

Can't remember doing broken empire Ermor, so I'll take them.

[Wish]

I claim man

will be using any mods?

[Truper]

I'll take Abysia.

[Ironhawk]

We will definitely be using mods. I just realized I'd forgotten them when I woke up. We'll be using CB 5 and a mod for the artifact game as well. The Artifact mod just creates a special unit to hold the artifacts for each nation at the start of the game. I've updated the first post as well...

[Wish]

the latest to CB i've seen is the one council orf wyrms is using. its not the official 5.1 but it corrects a few errors in 5.0


also I notice that shahrivar is unselectable if an underwater nation is chosen

[Huntsman]

After a bit of reading, Mictlan sounds like a pain in the a$$. Can I have Pangaea instead? And what's the story with artifacts in parenthesis? thx

[Morkilus]

Sorry for the n00bish question, but:

Re: the Chalice and the Ark; there are... bad effects, right? Do I really want to be attacked by knights and get all my non-sacreds diseased before I have a second province? I guess I have to leave them in the "vault" for a while...

[Morkilus]

I think I'll take Jotunheim, though it would be fun to re-enact the Raiders of the Lost Ark scene every time one of my guys died to the Ark...

"It's beautiful... Aaaarrgh!!!"

I'll already have an automatic crusade going with the Giants... looking for Procas' Axe of Rulership to go with Pricas'.

[RonD]

Hehe - an artifact trading economy right from turn 1.....

[shovah]

you read my mind ron

[Rathar]

Well, as I am almost assuredly going to die and fast lets go for something I haven't played before so it's even faster!

Vanheim please and thanks for making this.

Now I just need to figure out how to use mods, heh

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[shovah]

If your dominions got installed in "C:\program files\dominions2" then there should be a "C:\program files\dominions2\mods" subfolder. If it went into "D:\games\dominions2", it would be "D:\games\dominions2\mods".

If there doesn't seem to be a "mods" subdirectory there, try making one and putting the mods in it.

cainehill told me that. same for maps but instead of /mods its /maps. and good luck (early battles will be easy for you with the pelt)

[Ironhawk]

shovah said:
if your going just for artifacts then go for: vanheim (fenris pelt) or pangea (if medusa counts as human)



Medusa is humanoid, but certainly not human. When was the last time you met a human with living snakes for hair and a petrifying gaze? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Just to be clear with everyone tho, house rule #1 is referring to the pretenders which generally show up at the end of the list. Living, human pretenders like: The Archmage, The Master Druid, The Rime Mariner, The Crone, etc, etc. If you are trying to select a pretender and are unsure as to whether it is "human" or not, please do not hesitate to ask.

P.S.
And yes, I think we can count the Freak Lord as a mounted human http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif lol

[Rathar]

Thanks for the advice, got all those folders etc ready to go, just waiting for which exact version of mod and which map etc

Oh and I met a medusa on halloween. Fake snakes but her beauty at least paralyzed me! heh heh http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[shovah]

that joke sucked :p and so will my pretender :C with pythium the way i like it i MUST have my oracle :C *sniff* im ok

[Morkilus]

I guess undead humans don't count...?

[Boron]

If we play with 15+ players we could play the world map since i never played on it, just on faerun. Iirc the world map is "only" something like 250 provinces, that should be tolerable http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Ironhawk]

Wish_For_Blood_Slaves said:
also I notice that shahrivar is unselectable if an underwater nation is chosen



Shahrivar has a large lake which would be suitable for a single underwater nation. If someone else chooses Atlantis then we will have to change to a different map. But otherwise we can stick with what we've got. I'll be editing the mapfile anyway so if it currently doesnt allow underwater nations I will just make it so that it does.

[Wish]

yeah thats what i'm saying - you'll have to add a starting point for rlyeh

[archaeolept]

I have a copy of shaharivar revised, which I could send to you as a beginning Ironhawk... if you play shah, the .map needs a bit of a cleaning

world map http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Sick.gif

also, 70% of a map the size of shaharivar or bigger is a bit much. It would clearly be decided far before then, so what's the point? 50+1 maybe...

any plans for hosting schedule?

[archaeolept]

temp dibs on ulm ;p

[Ironhawk]

I think I may already have it, arch. Got three copies of shahrivar for some reason already? One of them is probably good but I'll let you know if otherwise.

As for a hosting schedule I was thinking 24hr QH for the first couple of weeks. Then move to maybe like midnight every day or other day? Never tried those options but I like the idea of consistency for it (assuming it operates like I hope it does?).

[Ironhawk]

In other news, I'm going to downgrade research from Very Hard -> Hard. It was pointed out to me that V. Hard research favors blood more and I'm pretty tired of blood dominating.

[archaeolept]

if it goes to 2 days after not too long that would be good for me.

there are a couple errors in the shah_rev that need to be fixed - steel swamps is misspelled, standing stones (?) is missing? maybe one "jumping neighbour" in the south.

also i'm not sure about those two conjuration sites, esp. in such a high gem game. up to you.

[Dimaz]

I'll take Arcos.

[Ironhawk]

You got it.

I have to admit that I'm surprised no one has picked up Marignon or Mictlan. Both have good sets of artifacts. Caelum does too, really, since with Tempest it can fight full-bore from turn 1 almost.

[shovah]

if it wasnt for being obsessed with pythium and a little bored from over-playing mictain in sp games i would have picked one of those

[Huntsman]

Ironhawk said:
You got it.

I have to admit that I'm surprised no one has picked up Marignon or Mictlan. Both have good sets of artifacts. Caelum does too, really, since with Tempest it can fight full-bore from turn 1 almost.



I've never played any of them so maybe I'll switch since I've played Pangaea plenty. Marignon looks fun. But how does the Knight attack from the Chalice work? Is it like an assassination attempt or a regular assault on a province? ANd how tough are the knights?

[Wish]

knights are horrors as order is to magic.

what I mean is, in provinces with order, knights attack more often (i believe) like how horrors attack in a magic dominion. Since I almost always choose termoil/luck combo, I have never once been attacked by a knight for my chalice.

[Truper]

I've already played one game on Shahrivar which had 1 water nation. I found it a little annoying that one nation has an uncontestable free ride in a nice handful of provinces for a long time. I request the there be either no water nations, or both - and the latter would make Shahrivar a poor choice. I actually wouldn't mind a shot at the World map, if the victory condition was changed from 70% of provinces to say 40%. Its been years since I played on World.

[Turin]

Wish_For_Blood_Slaves said:
knights are horrors as order is to magic.

what I mean is, in provinces with order, knights attack more often (i believe) like how horrors attack in a magic dominion. Since I almost always choose termoil/luck combo, I have never once been attacked by a knight for my chalice.



I have never been attacked by the knights. And I had the chalice quite often for a long time. So either the chance is incredibly low, or there is some bug which prevents them from appearing.

[Cainehill]

While I agree with Truper about Shahrivar and water nations, I dislike the World map immensely. If not Shahrivar (which would be fine if we just don't have water nations) then Cradle of Dominion or Loemander would be better than maps with 340+ provinces.

Old World (the Warhammer based map) or Multiverse might be interesting as well.

Also - Arch has a good point about the two major magic bonus sites, they probably ought to be editted out or replaced for the game. (Great fun for SP games, or when randomly found, but kinda unbalancing in a MP game where people know where they are, and where people's capitals are going to be at fixed locations.)

[shovah]

ive been attacked but (dont know if its always) i think it was just 1 knight (who was easily dispersed by my prophetised sword of justice weilding cardinal)

[quantum_mechani]

Huntsman said:

Ironhawk said:
You got it.

I have to admit that I'm surprised no one has picked up Marignon or Mictlan. Both have good sets of artifacts. Caelum does too, really, since with Tempest it can fight full-bore from turn 1 almost.



I've never played any of them so maybe I'll switch since I've played Pangaea plenty. Marignon looks fun. But how does the Knight attack from the Chalice work? Is it like an assassination attempt or a regular assault on a province? ANd how tough are the knights?

If you aren't taking Pangaea I might take them.

[Wish]

also - lifelong protection

if possible this should be given to machaka as a scheduled event and not on a unit - since the item is cursed and cannot be removed from the unit. Or if it is given to a unit, the player should get to decide what kind of unit (though I imagine they'd want it on an assassin)

[Cainehill]

True, but they don't normally start with an assassin, and some thought should be given before giving solidly useful units to one nation or another, unless everyone gets a couple of these bonus commanders (two scouts, while more useful to some nations than others, are hardly unbalancing).

[Ironhawk]

All nations will be able to assign cursed artifacts to whomever they please - they will not be forced to keep them on the commander they are assigned to at game start. Which makes this an opportune time to talk about the mechanics of how the Artifacts will be given to each nation...

When you begin your game in The Artifact Game, you will have two additional commanders in your capital province. These commanders are called Artifact Wardens and are specially design to hold cursed (in addition to regular) artifacts. This is because they have the ability to shapechange into a unit with no slots. When you do this, even cursed items will "fall off" into your lab in that province. So, when you begin your game, the first thing you should do is shapechange both of your Wardens so that all your artifacts drop into your labs. You can then assign the items to whomever you please. I have researched and tested this and it works fine.

As for the units themselves, they were also designed to be pretty lame. Thier stats are unremarkable, they have no leadership, and they have no stealth or any other special abilities (save NNE, since I didnt want them to be a burden in any way). They cannot be recruited or summoned anywhere and have 0 gold cost which I believe gives them no upkeep.

Side Note About C'tis: The presence of the Jade Mask forces one of c'tis' initial artifact wardens to be a lizard since no non-lizard units can wear the Mask. If it is acceptable to everyone, I will just make him a regular Commander of C'tis and then immediately drop his artifacts and suicide him on some indies on turn 1.

[Tnahcem]

Cainehill said:
While I agree with Truper about Shahrivar and water nations, I dislike the World map immensely. If not Shahrivar (which would be fine if we just don't have water nations) then Cradle of Dominion or Loemander would be better than maps with 340+ provinces.

Old World (the Warhammer based map) or Multiverse might be interesting as well.





Excuse me for this agressive advertisement, but you can find here (http://tnahcem.ifrance.com/) a 360 provinces wrap-around map (Neopangea).

A smaller version (266 provinces, including 50 underwater) is incoming and should be online in 3 days max.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[Huntsman]

quantum_mechani said:
If you aren't taking Pangaea I might take them.



All yours. I'll give the holy rollin' Marignites a try. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/shock.gif

[Cainehill]

Tnahcem said:
Excuse me for this agressive advertisement, but you can find here (http://tnahcem.ifrance.com/) a 360 provinces wrap-around map (Neopangea).

A smaller version (266 provinces, including 50 underwater) is incoming and should be online in 3 days max.




Really like the look of Neopangea, I certainly wouldn't mind using the smaller version - 360 province games tend to drag on after the fun factor has faded.

[Wish]

can you push out the mod for these troops and the artifacts so I can practice with it?

[Reverend Zombie]

I'd like to play as Machaka, please.

[Truper]

Question: most games with human only pretenders define "human" as anything with a path cost of 10. For purposes of this game does the Great Warlok count as a "human"?

[Boron]

In case that no water nations are wanted i take Caelum since only Caelum + Mictlan are left and i played Mictlan too often in the past and am bored by the MM with them.

I just wanted to test if hoarding is possible with these settings with Ryleh. My first hoarding attempt with CB 5 has failed miserably btw as YC can tell http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[Ironhawk]

Truper said:
Question: most games with human only pretenders define "human" as anything with a path cost of 10. For purposes of this game does the Great Warlok count as a "human"?



He has pretty much the regular human stats and he is mortal so I would vote that the Great Warlock is ok. Additionally, Ulm's Master Alchemist and the Pythium Divine Emperor are also fine.

I have a question tho: Is the C'tis Serpent Lord or Mict Smoking Mirror acceptable? They have human stats but apparently can shapechange if wounded?

[Wish]

that depends - would you consider the ***** queen human?

[Ironhawk]

Hmm.... Its a really close call but I suppose I wouldnt. Plus it wouldnt be fair to force all the other nations to pick strictly human pretenders and then let Man/Ctis/Mict pick pretenders that were tougher. Ok, so lets say no to all the almost-human shapechanger types.

[Cainehill]

Smoking Mirror definately wouldn't be "human" - 20 point paths, and I guess I'd agree that the shapechangers should be out. Abysia and Jotunheim, well, I think we all know what pretender they'll take http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif but they are human, at least for that race. Hmm. I don't much like the point cost for those two though - should be at least 10 or 20 points higher, imo (Elder Skratti : 42 HPs, immune to cold, a magic path for 45 points, Abysia's Great Warlock 23 HPs, immune to fire, radiates heat, 2 starting magic paths, 2 dominion, 35 points).

[Wish]

man, everyone in abysia radiates heat. It would be death to not at least be immune.

anyway, yeah, dragons have human forms too, and they sure as heck aint human.

[archaeolept]

the skratti shouldn't be allowed. he's not human...
probably true for the warlock as well, though he doesn't really bother me, except for his starting dominin

humans are human. path cost 10, starting dominion 1, hps in the lower 20's max...

[Cainehill]

archaeolept said:
the skratti shouldn't be allowed. he's not human...
probably true for the warlock as well, though he doesn't really bother me, except for his starting dominin

humans are human. path cost 10, starting dominion 1, hps in the lower 20's max...



Not quite, unless you're saying that Pythium's Divine Emperor isn't human - starting dominion 3. 10 point paths should be the main determining factor, although the shapeshifters might be eliminated, and possibly the skratti simply because his point cost is screwed (plus, unlike Abysia, Jotuns can take the Rime Mariner for cold immunity).

[Ironhawk]

Yeah I vote against the Skratti as well. For the same reason as the shapechangers, really. While the case could be made that the Skratti is just another citizen of the jotunhiem empire its still not fair to the other nations playing since they are restricted to only humans. If you are desperate for cold resistance there is always the Rime Mariner.

[archaeolept]

ah that's right. shoot. ok keep the warlock. just dump the skratti, because he's just so good as an SC

[Cainehill]

But the carrion dragon, he's human. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Cainehill]

Double post.

But hey - seems we have enough players, maybe we can get this puppy kick started Sunday or Monday? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Cainehill]

Oh - how do you specify which Twin Spear is given? I keep getting the blood/astral one every time doing my tests.

And btw Ironhawk - great idea making it a couple of near-useless commanders - sounds like they'll be good for, mmm, Fever Fetish bait at most http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif where two scouts would be too awesome for nations that don't have regular / cheap scouts.

Another awesome deviant game plan - thanks Ironhawk, this and CoW have both caught the imagination for very different reasons. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

(Not the main reason for that, but "All Wyrms All the Time" in the one is kinda neat, and all human pretenders is also a nice change of pace.)

[Dimaz]

Can you put the link to mods in the first post to practice a bit?

[shovah]

im still sulking about my oracle :C

[Ironhawk]

Cainehill said:
Oh - how do you specify which Twin Spear is given? I keep getting the blood/astral one every time doing my tests.


Oh... hmm you know I hadnt run into that problem yet. I've been assigning artifacts by name but clearly that wont work for the Twin Spear since the name is exactly the same. I suppose I will have to do it by item number? How do you get the item number? Ctrl-I on the info screen?

And btw Ironhawk - great idea making it a couple of near-useless commanders - sounds like they'll be good for, mmm, Fever Fetish bait at most http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif where two scouts would be too awesome for nations that don't have regular / cheap scouts.


I'd planned on just using scouts but then the cursed artifact problem cropped up and it made a lot of sense to make some nuetral-effect units. What I really hope is to see someone try and make something out of these units. Like an early-game prophet or something hahahaha!!


Another awesome deviant game plan - thanks Ironhawk, this and CoW have both caught the imagination for very different reasons. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif


Yeah I'm really excited about this one too. I think it should make for a really interesting game!

[Ironhawk]

Cainehill said:
Oh - how do you specify which Twin Spear is given? I keep getting the blood/astral one every time doing my tests.



Unfortunately my efforts to assign the death based Twin Spear have failed. I just posted in the modding forums for help but given my experience I think the problem may be unsolvable. We should start thinking about what item to replace that spear with... I'm certainly open to suggestions on this one!

[Ironhawk]

Dimaz said:
Can you put the link to mods in the first post to practice a bit?



I dont want to put them in the first post since they wont be completed till the Twin Spear issue is resolved. Until then, you can use the map and modfile I've attached in this post to practice with. Unzip the .map file to your maps folder and the .dm file to your mods folder. Make sure to then enable the mod and use that mapfile when you start your test game

[shovah]

didnt work for me when i tried to load the map :C

[Truper]

It worked fine for me. Do you have the Shahrivar .tga? If you haven't already downloaded Shahrivar, it won't work.

[shovah]

thats probly it, thanks

[Cainehill]

Ironhawk said:

Cainehill said:
Oh - how do you specify which Twin Spear is given? I keep getting the blood/astral one every time doing my tests.



Unfortunately my efforts to assign the death based Twin Spear have failed. I just posted in the modding forums for help but given my experience I think the problem may be unsolvable. We should start thinking about what item to replace that spear with... I'm certainly open to suggestions on this one!



I've suggested a Wraith Crown to Ironhawk, for the following reasons:

Like the Twin Spear, it gives a bit of undead in a battle, and with Ermor starting with the Body Ethereal spell, the etherealness isn't that big a deal, especially with human pretenders / no dead themes. Also, nice and thematic for Ermor. Posting it here also to see if anyone has objections. (Second choice : ring of sorcery. Third : Soulstone of the Wolves http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif )

[Cainehill]

Oh - may I suggest changing the starting provinces in the .map file before the game? That way, no one knows where the other nations are, since only the host needs the modified map file.

[Wish]

twin spear of death is the good one (cause it doesn't horror mark you)

the real advantage of twin spears is that they are a long weapon with an interesting effect - but also they give luck.

Would be a difficult thing to replace

[Wish]

I got my pretender worked out.

heck yeah

[WraithLord]

I wonder how's it possible that Caelum wasn't claimed yet?
I therefore claim Caelum.

The rules specify a human pretender and non pop killing dom. themes. Are there additional rules?

Where can I d/l the artifact mod?
When should pretender be ready?

[Truper]

izaqyos said:
I wonder how's it possible that Caelum wasn't claimed yet?
I therefore claim Caelum.



If we decide to go without water nations, Boron has a previous claim.


The rules specify a human pretender and non pop killing dom. themes. Are there additional rules?



Not at this time http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif


Where can I d/l the artifact mod?
When should pretender be ready?



On page 5 of this thread - one of Ironhawk's posts.
Undetermined, but soon.

[Boron]

I thought about it yesterday and discussed a bit with Ironhawk. I think it is best if i take Caelum and we just start the game.
Being the only underwater nation would be unfair, playing with 2 water nations would rise the annoying question about the map since there are so few good maps that are fair for 2 water nations, the world map, faerun and orania are the only ones that come to my mind, but they are all too huge.

So if nobody disagrees i just take caelum and lets start the game asap http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[archaeolept]

orania is doable if victory is no more than 50% max, though 40% would be much better. Or a crowded shahrivar game would work nicely

[WraithLord]

Oh, I've missed Boron's claim.

Have a nice game guys!

[shovah]

i still need to make a pretender... (i never thought i could miss a fountain so much)

[Morkilus]

<whining> It's gonna take 2 hours to download that map. </whining>

I have something useful to say, too: Make sure you have "CB 5.1" if you plan on forging the Winged Boots with Air mages.

[shovah]

After my 2 hours downloading it said an error had occured....... then halfway through it the next time the net went down

[Ironhawk]

Ok, Caine, you've got the Wraith Crown as a replacement for the Twin Spear

In other news: the mods for this game are now available for download in the first post...

[Ironhawk]

Morkilus said:
<whining> It's gonna take 2 hours to download that map. </whining>


It's the map we are going to use, guys http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Everyone needs to download it so that they have the .tga file.

Cainehill said:
Oh - may I suggest changing the starting provinces in the .map file before the game? That way, no one knows where the other nations are, since only the host needs the modified map file.


The .map file that everyone currently has is only the version released for testing. Starting locations for all nations were just some random provs I clicked on with the mouse. I am sending the .map away now to a third party (who isnt playing in this game) who will randomize all the start locations. That way no one will have any advanced knowledge.

Everyone begin preparing your pretenders now. Lets try and shoot for a Monday or Tuesday start for this game! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Wish]

my pretender is definately ready

[shovah]

lucky you....

[Wish]

poor shovah, needs his drinking fountain, relies on bless strategies to win games

[archaeolept]

you can try for a mini-bless strat using the archmage...

busy week coming up - suggest boxing day for official start

[quantum_mechani]

archaeolept said:
you can try for a mini-bless strat using the archmage...

Not 10 point cost, I raised it arbitrarily to 100, just to clarify this sort of situation. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[archaeolept]

sorry? what do you mean? ie. that was as clear as mud ;P

I certainly consider the archmage to be a legitimate choice for those who want him.

[Morkilus]

I tested it a bit and I can say the map is worth the download... very pretty. However, there are some "jumping provinces" errors:
16 and 9
16 and 29
31 and 9
...

nevermind, there are these little roads connecting... I think it's a feature. Watch out for that if you begin in the lower SE corner...

Anyway, I've had surprising times against the AI: it sent their artifact ward to go destroy my armies with banefires and this horrible horror-mark/send lesser horror combo. I had a big group of Nifel giants smashed by some dang artifact held by one of those wardens. Fun times.

[Rathar]

Nm~!

[shovah]

Wish_For_Blood_Slaves said:
poor shovah, needs his drinking fountain, relies on bless strategies to win games



actually my strategy relies very little on the blessing. to me its more of a bonus to go along with my MAIN strategy

[WraithLord]

Ironhawk has gracefully notified me that Mictlan is still open. I'll take Mictlan then.

[Ironhawk]

Morkilus said:
Anyway, I've had surprising times against the AI: it sent their artifact ward to go destroy my armies with banefires and this horrible horror-mark/send lesser horror combo. I had a big group of Nifel giants smashed by some dang artifact held by one of those wardens. Fun times.



Ha!! Thats great. I never thought that the AI would pick up on the Oath Rod/Twin Spear combo for Vanhiem. Van has some pretty nice artifacts.

[Wish]

yeah, it was neat that the wardens get picked up by the AI

[WraithLord]

The cursed items for Mictlan can't be droped. I take it that it will be fixed for all cursed items.(?)

[Cainehill]

Do you have the artifact mod turned on? If so, simply tell the Artifact Warden to shapechange and they get dropped in the lab, despite being cursed. (If you don't have the mod turned on, the extra units are Asmegs instead of Artifact wardens, and thus can't drop the items by shapechanging.)

[Folket]

Where are we to send pretenders and such?

[WraithLord]

Cainehill said:

Do you have the artifact mod turned on? If so, simply tell the Artifact Warden to shapechange and they get dropped in the lab, despite being cursed. (If you don't have the mod turned on, the extra units are Asmegs instead of Artifact wardens, and thus can't drop the items by shapechanging.)


It works. Thanks.

[Ironhawk]

Folket said:
Where are we to send pretenders and such?



Just set your pretender aside for the time being Folket. Don't make a new pretender for that nation until I put the server up. Then, the first time you connect, it will upload automatically when you select your nation.

[Wish]

is there a new updated artifact mod - with the changes to the twin spear?

[Cainehill]

The artifact mod doesn't change the artifacts - it only changes the Asmeg into Artifact Wardens who are capable of dropping the artifacts regardless of cursed status.

The Twin Spear can't, apparently, be changed : even putting multiple Twin Spears in simply results in copies of the first (lesser horror calling) spear into the game, according to my tests.

[Ironhawk]

Cainehill said:
The artifact mod doesn't change the artifacts - it only changes the Asmeg into Artifact Wardens who are capable of dropping the artifacts regardless of cursed status.

The Twin Spear can't, apparently, be changed : even putting multiple Twin Spears in simply results in copies of the first (lesser horror calling) spear into the game, according to my tests.



This is correct. So the artifact mod that you currently have should be fine. I just placed the Conceptual Balance 5.1 mod up in the first thread alongside it for ease of download. Both mods will be required for this game - make sure to have both enabled before you build your pretender.

What you will recieve that will be new on the date of game start will be a new .map file with randomized start location. This file also contains what artifacts go to which nation and it will contain a Wraith Crown for Ermor instead of the promised Twin Spear.

[Ironhawk]

Oh, I forgot to mention something which a few of you may have noticed by now. Due to the fact that the Artifact Wardens have only two hands I was forced to give a third (and even a fourth) warden to certain nations like TC and Machaka. Not really a big deal but I thought I would let you all know.

[Rathar]

Ok hmm, got the map, got the mods, enabled the mods, made a pretender after the mods were enabled and made a game. No artifacts or wardens in sight.

What simple thing am I missing? I wish to practice!

Rathar

[Cainehill]

When you create a game, you need to select "Land of Shahrivar (free, artifacts)" as the map.

[archaeolept]

that version of the .map is based on the original, w/ all it's connectivity (and terrain) issues. Just strip out the preset sites from the revised - though there are two connectivity issues that are still w/ the revised - they're easy to clean up and I'll post them later.

[Rathar]

Hmm I seem to have but the regular shahrivar map and the shahrivar free map. I know it's something simple and dumb because thats always the case..

Rathar

[Morkilus]

You want the old shahrivar.tga or whatever it's named (the graphics part), the .map file found on page 5 of this thread (shahrivar_artifacts.map), and the artifacts mod and CB 5.1 found at the beginning of the thread (whew!)

If the .tga and .map and .dm's are where they are supposed to be (.tga and .map in the Maps directory, .dm in Mods) I don't know what the problem is.

[Ironhawk]

archaeolept said:
that version of the .map is based on the original, w/ all it's connectivity (and terrain) issues. Just strip out the preset sites from the revised - though there are two connectivity issues that are still w/ the revised - they're easy to clean up and I'll post them later.



Arch, can you send me this revised .map file? I guess I dont have it.

[Rathar]

Working now, thanks for the assistance!

[Ironhawk]

I'm ready to start up the server, I just need the revised shahrivar map. Can someone post the link or PM me if they have it? Hopefully we can start uploading tomorrow.

[archaeolept]

someone have ironhawk's email? just pm me

[Morkilus]

I took the .tga from the Illwinter (http://www.illwinter.com/dom2/maps.html) site. Is that the right one? It's a .rar by the way.

[Wish]

That is the right TGA

[archaeolept]

god ulm sucks ;p

[shovah]

how you think i died so quick in my last mp game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif if you want advice i say go with a E6ish f4ish pretender and try to get high construction quickly forconstucts/booster items and when youve maxxed or nearly maxxed construction go for enchantment for the earthblood well if you can (and spam out the big construction things like iron dragons and seige golems) also you could try taking less fire and then taking some astral for golems

ps: never underestimate the power of magma eruption

[archaeolept]

heh, i don't really think that strat quite addresses my concerns, though I am a big fan of magma erruption - however only 1 of ulm's 3 themes really has that as an option.

I guess my main problem w/ Ulm is that they don't really have a second act - heck, they barely have a first.

[shovah]

if you can get forge of the ancients up and have some decent magic on your pretender you can crank out plenty of SCs and if nothing else crushers can be a screen for magma erupting mages and despite what people tell you build ALOT of troops early game because if you are rushed by a magic nation you will most likely die

[Ironhawk]

archaeolept said:
I guess my main problem w/ Ulm is that they don't really have a second act - heck, they barely have a first.



Ulm is really strong in the early game with harder magic research. Be really aggressive in the early game - your artifacts should make that particularly easy. And then cross your fingers that you find some good magic sites so you have some decent mages to build your mid/late game on.

[archaeolept]

well, no, I don't have a problem w/ their artifacts http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif - just ulm themselves - don't you worry i'll be putting the hurt on whoever first tries to cramp my style ;p

[Ironhawk]

Just PM'd you my email arch. Can you send over the revised map?

[archaeolept]

sent - sorry I don't seem to be able to post attachments; maybe i need to install firefox again.

oh and given that this will be nice and crowded, and how peeps will have all these ability inducing artifacts, I'd actually think of playing w/out graphs, though usually I prefer them. Just throwing this out there.

[Wish]

playing without graphs would an an element of mystery

[shovah]

im fine with that but how to stop ppl?

[Cainehill]

Easy - the host turns graphs off before starting the game.

And just a reminder - human pretenders only. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[archaeolept]

humans and monoliths right?

[Ironhawk]

OK, we're live!

First thing to do: Go to the first post in the thread and download the revised Shahrivar map. This is the official version of shahrivar that will be used for this game and all players must download it (its quite small, dont worry). Unzip it and place it in your maps folder.

Please note that it contains no artifact or starting location information - this is intentional. The server knows what artifacts you need and where you will start. I am only warning you here so that you do not try to use this map as a practice map.

Next thing to do is to connect to the server and upload your Pretender. You do this simply by having your pretender created in dom2 for the correct nation. Then connect to the server at

IP: 67.190.105.206
Port: 2001

And select your nation from the list. It will switch to "human controlled". Once that is complete, just hit the disconnect button at the bottom.

[Dimaz]

Ready.

[shovah]

Ready (how come the map downloads in like 2 seconds from, this thread?

[archaeolept]

heh, shovah - the .map file is only a small text file that basically lays out the attributes of the provinces/map. The huge file is the .tga, and that's the picture you actually see when you look at the map...

i'm still trying to figure out a theme - when do y'all want all the pretenders to be in?

[Ironhawk]

Well we've had a couple days to practice already so I'm hoping to get them in as soon as possible. If not tonight then tomorrow I would hope.

[shovah]

so im guessing i still need the full map?

[Morkilus]

if you don't have the .tga you can't play. Better start getting it if you have dialup like me http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Morkilus]

Post deleted by Morkilus

[archaeolept]

^^ boy he's not kidding ;p

[Ironhawk]

shovah said:
so im guessing i still need the full map?



You will need the shahrivar.tga, which is available from illwinter. But I figured everyone already had that, from doing thier test games? Regardless, yes if you do not already have the .tga, you will need that in addition to the .map file I have posted at the top of this thread.

[Ironhawk]

archaeolept said:
humans and monoliths right?



Ha ha

[Huntsman]

Won't be able to get my pretender up tonight but I will definitely send it tomorrow.

[Cainehill]

Ironhawk said:
As game host I choose the rite of first pickings http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I will play C'tis since I've been messing around with them a bit recently and never used them in MP. Probably I will get slaughtered but hey!



Yeh, and you've only played poker once, on the computer, but are willing to have a go. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Just wanted to check - settings don't say, but I presume renaming will be turned on?

[Folket]

I can't get the mods nor the map. Seems like the links in the first post is broken.

[Ironhawk]

Cainehill said:
Just wanted to check - settings don't say, but I presume renaming will be turned on?



Renaming is on, yes.

[Ironhawk]

Folket said:
I can't get the mods nor the map. Seems like the links in the first post is broken.



I just tried all three links and they all worked for me. Maybe it was just a temporary network outage?

[Huntsman]

Out of curiousity, what happens to artifacts when they get dropped in battle? Can they be lost forever like regular magic items? Is there a greater chance for friendly commanders to "find" them after the battle?

[quantum_mechani]

Huntsman said:
Out of curiousity, what happens to artifacts when they get dropped in battle? Can they be lost forever like regular magic items? Is there a greater chance for friendly commanders to "find" them after the battle?

They can be found just like any other items (in fact more likely since the chance to be found goes up with the construction level of the item, it goes up even more if the item is cursed). If they are not found by anyone then they disappear, and may be reforged.

[Ironhawk]

We are still waiting for pretenders from four more nations:

Ermor
Pangea
Vanhiem
Tien Chi

If you are running one of these nations then.. chop chop!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Cainehill]

Ermor is in.

[shovah]

wenever i go to download the map an error comes up

[Rathar]

Vanheim in

[Ironhawk]

Only Tien Chi is out now. I am going to PM Folket...

[Ironhawk]

FYI this game will start tomorrow night, 12/22. Hopefully Folket will be able to get a pretender in, but I dont think its fair to make 14 people wait for 1.

[Cainehill]

shovah said:
wenever i go to download the map an error comes up



Since you don't bother to say what error comes up, which might allow people to give advice / help, does this mean you're dropping out of the game?

What happens when you click the Shahrivar map (http://ulm.illwinter.com/dom2/shahrivar.rar)?

Considering that you're on dialup and were already having problems downloading it, and the game is supposed to start today, I'm guessing that it doesn't really matter now, but you had over a week in which you could've downloaded the map.

[shovah]

ive already told ironhawk the download problem and who said I was on dial up?

[archaeolept]

some explanation as to the exact problem you are having would be useful though

[shovah]

access to specific device, path or file is denied, comes up when download is done/before it starts

[Wish]

Shovah, I uploaded the files to my site. See if you can download it from there:

LINK (http://www.importantlife.net/artifacts/shahrivar.zip)

[shovah]

thanks, will try it now
edit: are we using artifact sharivar (revised) or: land of sharivar (fre, artifacts)?

[Cainehill]

Shouldn't matter : only the host actually needs the .map file. If you have the artifact mod, the CB 5.1 mod, and the basic Shahrivar map, you're ready.

[Wish]

oh yeah, i forgot to zip up the mod. the map file that he said to download uses the revised map

[shovah]

ok then im rdy to rock

[Ironhawk]

Cainehill said:

Shouldn't matter : only the host actually needs the .map file. If you have the artifact mod, the CB 5.1 mod, and the basic Shahrivar map, you're ready.



Do you know this for a fact Caine? The links and terrain of the version of Shahrivar for this game are not the same as the revised version. At least not completely.

Shovah, you should download the map that I have posted to be 100% sure that you are ready. And if the link is still not working for you, why have you not emailed or IM'd me? I gave you my contact info in a PM like two days ago just so that I could send you the map via a different medium.

Regardless, shovah's pretender is not the one holding up the show, it's Folket (Tien Chi). Just checked and he still has not uploaded. Does anyone here know his email or IM ids? Some other way to contact him?

[Ironhawk]

shovah said:
thanks, will try it now
edit: are we using artifact sharivar (revised) or: land of sharivar (fre, artifacts)?



Ah - if you are seeing this "artifact shahrivar (revised)" then you have the correct map for the game. You're set. As I said before don't use that map for practice (it wont work like that), just leave it there for the main game.

[shovah]

that was my concern (it wasnt working for practice)

[archaeolept]

Do you know this for a fact Caine?

Yes, that is absolutely the case. So, for instance, if you were to run your own server (let's call it kludgemoosh.com), you could edit the mapfile to specify where everyone starts, and to have some prime magic sites start right near you...

you only need the .tga; you don't need the .map to join a server game.

[Ironhawk]

Yeah thats what I've done here. The mapfile that I distributed has no artifact or start location information, so that no player can open it and see where everyone is. Only the server's .map file has that info.

What concerns me tho is that some small changes were made to terrain and possibly province neighbors by the third party that I sent the map to for start placement. I am not sure if that information is communicated to the client you know? Doesnt the client use its local .map file to display neighbors and terrain info? And if thats the case, you could wind up with a client that says province A is a forest, when in fact it is a wasteland? I'm not sure...

[archaeolept]

no. the local .map is completely disregarded.

[Ironhawk]

This game will start at 6pm Pacific Time. I'd like to wait longer but its not fair to put 14 people on hold for 1. This way at least people on east coast usa can look at the first turn before they go to bed.

[Wish]

how much time between hosting?

I ask because I am planning on going to the movies.

[Huntsman]

Wish_For_Blood_Slaves said:
how much time between hosting?

I ask because I am planning on going to the movies.



Sheesh, how far is the theater? You've got 2 days!

[shovah]

well its midnight now so im leaving, cya

[Ironhawk]

24hrs, you will have plenty of time once you get back http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Ironhawk]

The server is now up. Everyone log in and check your first turn. Make sure you have all your artifacts!

Ummmmm.... so in other news... immediately after starting the game I realized that I did not clip out the TienChi starting code from the server's .map file. This means that TC's artifacts are still on the board in the indy prov wherever thier capital should have been.

I was going to shut down the server and restart but people had already played thier turns (wow!). Additionally, after discussing it with Boron and QM in irc it was decided to just play on and treat that province like a bonus. If you can capture it and manage to kill all the wardens, then you may be able to bag some extra artifacts. Let the search begin!!

[archaeolept]

uhh yuck - pls i vote to restart - like how much time could it take someone to redo their first turn?

the thing is, it compounds an inbalance - not only do some players get extra expansion, but the chance to hit the jackpot as well.


oh, and whatever happens, good luck all http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Wish]

It doesn't bother me that there are some tricks out there to be had.

Lord knows we can hit the jackpot just by running over our neighbors early.

[archaeolept]

well, i will go w/ the general will, of course

if there's justice in the world they'll end up being right by me ;p

[Cainehill]

I'm with Arch : in a normal game it's bad enough when someone goes AI and gives a player or two a huge bonus, but in a game that gives away artifacts??? Personally - I'm inclined to quit if it isn't reset. Say 4 nations neighbor theknown bonus nation of Tien Chi : those 4 nations are the ones that have a chance to get the extra artifacts, no one else can. And they'll know : TC dropped out, with a couple of the top items in the game, anyone neighboring them rushes for them, and .... *shrug*

Much as I love the idea of this game - if it isn't restarted, I'll go AI before the Tien Chi lottery unfolds.

[Cainehill]

I'm with Arch : in a normal game it's bad enough when someone goes AI and gives a player or two a huge bonus, but in a game that gives away artifacts??? Personally - I'm inclined to quit if it isn't reset. Say 4 nations neighbor theknown bonus nation of Tien Chi : those 4 nations are the ones that have a chance to get the extra artifacts, no one else can. And they'll know : TC dropped out, with a couple of the top items in the game, anyone neighboring them rushes for them, and .... *shrug*

Much as I love the idea of this game - if it isn't restarted, I'll go AI before the Tien Chi lottery unfolds.

[Cainehill]

I'm with Arch : in a normal game it's bad enough when someone goes AI and gives a player or two a huge bonus, but in a game that gives away artifacts??? Personally - I'm inclined to quit if it isn't reset. Say 4 nations neighbor theknown bonus nation of Tien Chi : those 4 nations are the ones that have a chance to get the extra artifacts, no one else can. And they'll know : TC dropped out, with a couple of the top items in the game, anyone neighboring them rushes for them, and .... *shrug*

Much as I love the idea of this game - if it isn't restarted, I'll go AI before the Tien Chi lottery unfolds.

[archaeolept]

well, i don't think its worth going AI over - it can be somewhat compensated for by a decision to hate whomever the lucky bugger is. otoh, i didn't quite understand why it was a difficulty to restart

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

[quantum_mechani]

You guys should keep in mind, the chance of anyone actually getting, for instance, the hammer of the forge lord is fairly low. Most likely the wardens will simply route and no one gets them. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

However, I'm not opposed to restarting if others feel strongly.

[Ironhawk]

Cainehill said:
I'm with Arch : in a normal game it's bad enough when someone goes AI and gives a player or two a huge bonus, but in a game that gives away artifacts??? Personally - I'm inclined to quit if it isn't reset.



I'm surprised to find your feelings so strong on this issue, but I certainly understand the reasoning behind it. No worries: I have restarted the game without TC. Everyone will need to redo thier initial turn (assuming they did it already). My apologies for the bungle in the first place :}

[WraithLord]

I will not be able to play tomorrow. Would it be possible to extend the turn timer to say 32h?

[Wish]

I dunno about jotun, but machaka played their turn last night. I hope they get a chance to check the server or the board before it hosts.

(not that the first turn is that big of a deal, though)

[Morkilus]

Turn 2 is up.

[Ironhawk]

izaqyos said:
I will not be able to play tomorrow. Would it be possible to extend the turn timer to say 32h?



Server has been switched to 36hr quickhost this turn for izaqyos.

[WraithLord]

I have played my turn.
Thanks Ironhawk.

[Ironhawk]

No problem http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif We're just waiting on Rathar (Vanheim), now.

[Rathar]

Heya, got three families in my house atm and heh just got a chance to do my turn and the server is down.. Sure it's just temporary! Sorry for the delay!

Rathar/Leonard

[Rathar]

Fixed. uploaded. yay!

[Ironhawk]

Rathar said:
Heya, got three families in my house atm and heh just got a chance to do my turn and the server is down.. Sure it's just temporary! Sorry for the delay!



No worries, Rath. I'm expecting turns to be slow over the holiday weekend. In fact I think I will just leave the game on 36hr quickhost until Monday.

[Huntsman]

Hmm, says I staled....?

[archaeolept]

yah, I saw the turn host (after 36 hrs for the turn), and marignon had not uploaded a turn...

[Huntsman]

archaeolept said:
yah, I saw the turn host (after 36 hrs for the turn), and marignon had not uploaded a turn...



I guess I miscalculated. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif The holiday weekend was a freakin blur!

Oh, and funny thing. One of my Wardens was killed in an "assassination event". Hehe. Fortunately, he'd already dropped his artifacts in the lab...

[shovah]

lucky there huntsman, if he still had his artifacts on him.....

[Wish]

wow, assassins already at it huh? must have started close to someone.

I see a couple of folks have lost their heroes.

[Huntsman]

Wish_For_Blood_Slaves said:
wow, assassins already at it huh? must have started close to someone.




It said it was an event. Isn't that different?

[Cainehill]

Huntsman said:

Wish_For_Blood_Slaves said:
wow, assassins already at it huh? must have started close to someone.




It said it was an event. Isn't that different?



Yes, different - no way anyone got an assassin in position yet, but also if it was a player, you'd see the nation that was attacking when you looked at the battle report. Heh, still a nice reminder - time to put a bodyguard on my people http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Edit : Oops, can't very well put a bodyguard on an artifact warden. Or - yes I can! heh heh!

[Ironhawk]

archaeolept said:
yah, I saw the turn host (after 36 hrs for the turn), and marignon had not uploaded a turn...


Yeah Huntsman I checked the server at several points over the 36hr period and you were never uploaded.

In other news, I was delighted and amused to wake up and find myself the only player out http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif I will turn in a moment now and then switch the server back to 24hrs, now that the holiday weekend is behind us. Turns are pretty easy these days.

[Rathar]

I will be out of town for a few days.. Hoping to get a friend to do some turns for me, otherwise.. Had a dreadful turn..!

Rathar

Person found! Please to not kill me off if ya meet me! Unless it's irresistible, then I fully understand!

[Ironhawk]

Ok, let me know if you can find someone, Rath. Your turn is currently in so you have at least 24hrs to do so. If you are unable to find anyone, I may know some people who are willing to just play a turn or two to keep your nation from staling. Let me know.

[archaeolept]

just machaka left to go

[Huntsman]

archaeolept said:
just machaka left to go



Let's go, Machaka! Don't make me pull those pretty peacock feathers out of your headdress and stomp on em. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Wish]

What great luck - I lose 25 fodder and a commander in a (succesful) battle, and I get a celebrant of the faith with 25 fodder units.

[Ironhawk]

All praise Manos, Summoner of Fodder

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Wish]

heh

[Cainehill]

New turn went up.

[shovah]

i think im gona die soon

[archaeolept]

heh that's because you stole my mercs http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[shovah]

lol stole is such a harsh word, i prefer borrowed or forcibly obtained. still waiting on jotuns turn

[Truper]

New turn is up, but that is not the purpose of this post. I am posting because I need to vent, rant, and otherwise complain.

"Undocumented features" are the subject of today's rant boys, girls, and things which fit neither definition. There is a certain sword whose description says nothing about berserking, but which nonetheless apparently does berserk its wielder, with a mighty +1 berserk ability.

Also, believe not in the maximum range of missle weapons, for the wind howls amidst the carnage of battle, and missles can thereby be propelled well beyond their "maximum" range - and any that are so propelled will of course find the target carefully placed beyond the range of said missles, activating an "ability" which will the turn certain victory into crushing defeat.

Sorry for the rant, but posting it was better than going ai, uninstalling the game and burning the cd, which was momentarily a possibilty after viewing the battle which lead to it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Wish]

so you lost some of your starting toys eh? which sword gave berserk +1?

[Huntsman]

Dom2 has undocumented features?! Fabricator! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Morkilus]

ugh, I guess I'm not used to 24h quickhost or whatever it is.

I've learned my lesson http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[shovah]

im guessing the unquenched sword?

[archaeolept]

on the plus side, seeing that battle gave me consolation for the very poor performance of my own troops that turn...

[shovah]

lol am i the only one not having problems?

[Wish]

nope, I would say both pangaea is doing fine (I think this is the first turn they didn't take a province) and I am doing pretty okay too. --- pending on henry bowfingers success against jade maidens and amazons.

[archaeolept]

19hrs till host... but only vanheim and machaka left to go... could this be the one turn that speeds along? Inquiring true gods want to know.

[Morkilus]

Sorry about the n00b inquiry, but quickhost means if everyone takes their turn, it hosts and the 24 hour mark resets, right? So if I am away tonight and I try to take my turn tomorrow night I will probably stale again...? I thought I had some extra time 'cause Wednesday night it said I had 20 hours to the next hosting, and I thought I could get it in this morning. I guess I just have to check twice a day...?

[shovah]

i think so

[archaeolept]

it hosts when everyone puts in their turn; or after 24 hrs anyways.

1. this means you are guaranteed 24 hrs after you put in your move; usually a bit more.

2. if 24 hrs QH is too tight for your schedule, you can propose something longer. I'm always fine w/ that.

3. since you have 24 hrs since you last put in your turn, technically you could just check in once a day; though if you are last, likely there will be a "hosting creep" where the host time gets a bit earlier every day...

What happened was just that you miscalculated the time - since it would not have hosted for the 20 hrs approx

[Ironhawk]

archaeolept said:
3. since you have 24 hrs since you last put in your turn, technically you could just check in once a day; though if you are last, likely there will be a "hosting creep" where the host time gets a bit earlier every day...



Exactly, Morkilus. All you have to do is check once a day at or before the time when you last turned.

[Ironhawk]

Three cheers for two turns in one day!!

Hurrah!

[Wish]

heres to hoping the game moves relatively fast

[Dimaz]

It seems it will be really fast game for me, with Ulm and Machaka attacking me together.

[Huntsman]

Just waiting on Ermor and Pythium...

[Wish]

having the score graphs show me as having the largest army seems to instil in my neighbors a sense of peace

[shovah]

note to self: be nice to man

[Huntsman]

shovah said:
note to self: be nice to man



This should read: note to self, take my turn

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Ironhawk]

Dimaz said:
It seems it will be really fast game for me, with Ulm and Machaka attacking me together.



Wow, already? Tho I suppose Ulm's early power is even stronger than usual in this game. If I'd started near them I'd be begging for my life until I got my research going http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif


Wish_For_Blood_Slaves said:
having the score graphs show me as having the largest army seems to instil in my neighbors a sense of peace



Hahahah. Tho its still so early the graphs can change pretty wildly. Lose your starting army and suddenly you are the weakest around.

[shovah]

my turns in

[archaeolept]

Tho I suppose Ulm's early power is even stronger than usual in this game

what the heck are you smoking? Ulm always sucks, at any stage of the game. It is not unusually strong to begin w/, lol. If you would care to test this in a blitz, I'd be happy to oblige...

[Wish]

new turns up, btw

[quantum_mechani]

archaeolept said:

Tho I suppose Ulm's early power is even stronger than usual in this game

what the heck are you smoking? Ulm always sucks, at any stage of the game. It is not unusually strong to begin w/, lol. If you would care to test this in a blitz, I'd be happy to oblige...

Yes, lets. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Wish]

quantum is very good at expanding. the sun armor helps I am sure.

[archaeolept]

heh, well I've already played against you, quantum, when you were ulm...

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Ironhawk]

Ughhhhhhhhhh!!!

Only machaka out with 12hrs left! Heartbreaking! /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Poison.gif

Rev - I need my dom2 fix!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Cainehill]

Only 4 hrs left now! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Wish]

whoever is next to machaka, take them out ASAP http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif the game would speed up (this is not the first time they where the hold up)

no offense, rev zombie

[Truper]

Hehe. 3 hours now, and the Rev hasn't been reanimated yet today.

[archaeolept]

ehh, w/ this many people its unlikely that we will be able to have turns faster than host time. don't worry about it rev http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Cainehill]

If nothing else, his neighbors probably don't mind him staling http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif 1 minute to blast off, and no Machaka. Wish he was my neighbor http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Cainehill]

Truper said:
"Undocumented features" are the subject of today's rant boys, girls, and things which fit neither definition. There is a certain sword whose description says nothing about berserking, but which nonetheless apparently does berserk its wielder, with a mighty +1 berserk ability.




While I agree that missile ranges are strange (then again, with an effective range of, say, 35, some arrows probably should drift to 40 or whatnot - and definately do, given the grouping we see on the arrow volleys), I hardly agree that the berserk is "undocumented", when the wielder clearly has the berserker ability icon. Undocumented is more like when the thing can cause disease but doesn't mention it - something you can't see.

Although... If a unique artifact is going to give berserker, it dang well ought to be +3 or more, not a measly +1. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif Commisserations Truper - here's a toast to a better year.

[Truper]

Thanks for the toast http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif And I'll agree that "undocumented" was a bit strong. Let's just say that in the little bit of testing I did before beginning the game, I had no reason to notice that little icon - and do wish that something about it was said in the description. To be utterly fair, even if I'd noticed it, I probably would have employed the weapon in the same way, and suffered the same catastrophic consequences of my usual bad luck.

[Morkilus]

Alright, who left their horror-summoning artifact in the hands of some "Kaspar", the Independant Commander? He unloaded at least three or four of those things before he retreated to his doom, taking the infernal device with him. Don't leave your toys around, boys!