Race advice for new mega-game

[Aezeal]

I'm thinking of joining the new mega game but I can't really figure out what nation to use.. they all have downsides

To look at each nation seperately is a bit too much for me so I need help to narrow it down.

Give me some advice which nation (all ages) fits my demands best
- competative (I really mean that it should be a VERY VERY strong race)
- strong sacreds
- strong non cap only not old mages
- strong troops
- strong priests
- strong archers
- diverse magic
- strong in all magic paths.

And... if the above is a bit to much to ask for then I'll settle for
- strong nation
- strong non-cap only combat mages
- sacred, cost efficient researchers/combat mages (really in my latest game I've noticed how much those researchers take in upkeep)
- no blood nation (I don't know blood and there is no time to learn, not to mention I like to be the "good guys" - compensation as you all might realise)
- For strong end game magic I'm mostly thinking astral

[Endoperez]

There's no "best" nation. If there was, it'd be what you described first. For the latter, read Baalz's guide to Marverni. His guide makes it seem overpowered; the Druids are good combat mages (astral and earth), they also have good researchers and their endgame teleport squads are good.

[Aezeal]

Marveni? Didn't expect that one to show up here.

I must admit the druids seem nice,
but are the Marveni researchers considered good?

The sacred troops seem so overpriced though

[atul]

Shooting in my own foot here, but there are several astral-heavy races with elephants. Also, unless nonsacredness is a deal-breaker, check the two MA water races that get astral.

At least those come up straight away. Also, for some old goodyness, MA Ermor.

[Sombre]

MA Pythium.

[sum1lost]

MA Pythium, LA Marignon, MA Bandar log are all very good. Bandarlog lacks in magic diversity, right up until you start summoning guys and they get magical diversity through the wazzoo.

[Baalz]

Lol, truth be told I picked up Marverni because I got the impression a lot of people thought they were underpowered and I figured I could polish out some shine. Guess I succeeded. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Then again, I really like some of the other classic underdogs from MA Atlantis (who I did very well with in the last megagame) to MA Ulm so I'd take my suggestions with a grain of salt. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[K]

As a player who was doing well in the first Megagame right up until I needed to quit because of law school, I'd recommend a blood nation.

[Meglobob]

I would play a nation that you like and feel is strong Aezeal, there really is no right or wrong nation.

[DonCorazon]

Any nation with access to air and nature will do well using the Gift of Reasoned militia with Chi Boots. Intimidation!!!

[Rytek]

Lanka.
Describes everything you want:
1) Competetive. Check. Lots of people feel this nation is strong.
2) Good sacreds. Check. Great capitol only sacreds and very good recruitable everywhere else.
3) Good troops. Negligible. Being able to recruit their sacreds at every fort why bother with anything else?
4)Strong Priests. Check. And the priests are able to summon undead!
5)Strong Archers. Check. Stealthy shortbows and meaty (but expensive long bows)
6)Divers magic. Check
7) Strong in all magic paths. Almost. You may need a pretender strong in Astral to fill this gap.

[K]

I'd check out the strategy guide on Lanka before playing them (its in the strategy section). They have plenty of weaknesses.

[NTJedi]

Lanka has weak province defense, yet Lvl_1 priests can raise ghouls for balancing the weak province defense.

Choosing a blessing can vary in opinion, yet I'd recommend at least the 4N bless for regeneration if using Lanka.

[chrispedersen]

Why the continuing reference to Gor'd militia?

[Jazzepi]

It's a running joke. Someone made a reference earlier about how they like to make Bruce Lee, or something like that, out of a GoRed militia by giving him the chi shoes.

Jazzepi

[Kristoffer O]

Take a weak nation. You will not stand the micro management of the late game anyway http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Better to go out in an early blaze of glory.

[DonCorazon]

Also, then if you lose, you can blame it on the nation, but if you win or do well, then you are a genius.

[Aezeal]

right I saw a few nice advices between the off topic stuff http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Ironhawk]

Hahahah, nice DC

[Aezeal]

or you can just not play since the game is full http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[atul]

Seriously, getting an underdog nation in Perpetuality served at least me quite well. I got randomly dealt MA Agartha, and while everyone was too busy dealing with OMGZ sacred / elephant / skinshifter / freespawn / astral powerhouse nations I just got to grow on my on pace.