A guide to buffing

[quantum_mechani]

Chazar said:

• Ironskin: is the +3 bonus really worth casting for creatures already having more than 20 protection in total? Does it matter how this 20 points of protection are achieved (i.e. can the spell raise protection by more than 3 points despite already having a end-total of 20 due to other buffs, items, etc.)?
• Mixed-mode-buffs:What about mixed path buffs? E.g.: I just discovered that my pretender could cast StrengthOfGaia (Conj4) and wonder whether it is a useful spell I did not notice before (I fear that its protection component will destroy my pretenders fire immunity)?
• Area Buffs for Solos:Is it sensible to script area buffs like Strength of Giants for Solo-Fighters or is there always a better non-area spell at hand?

Sorry if some of this questions are stupid, but they just came to my mind without much thought when thinking about buffs...

Ironskin past 20 prot is another of those that is likely worth it if you have a free slot, but there are higher priority things. Strength of gaia is certainly often useful. Particularly underwater where you don't have to worry very much about fire. Strength of giants is iffy, but again, with nothing else to fill the slot you might consider it.

I consider this topic mostly mod-neutral, the only changed buff I can think of is soul vortex, and what I said about it still applies.

As for buffs/semi-buffs I missed (holy avenger, eagle eyes, aim), they do not for the most part fit into super combatant strategies, which is what I'm trying to clear up. Also note that I did not say anything about the various elemental resistance spells, it is fairly obvious that you should use them if you expect to face that kind of magic.

The chill aura is fatigue damage only. I do not know the exact damage of BoW, but as a rough guide, in a cold climate it might kill a 10HP troop in one turn, in warmer climate they could survive maybe three or so turns.

[FrankTrollman]

I would like to point out that I personally play multiplayer without Zen's Mods. I agree and disagree with Zen's choices and rebalances in roughly equal measure, thereby making the addition of that mod a complete waste of time on my part.

-Frank

[ioticus]

FrankTrollman said:
I would like to point out that I personally play multiplayer without Zen's Mods. I agree and disagree with Zen's choices and rebalances in roughly equal measure, thereby making the addition of that mod a complete waste of time on my part.

-Frank

I would guess most people are in the same boat. Why on earth he increased the power of the Vine Ogre, for example, is beyond me.

[quantum_mechani]

ioticus said:

I would guess most people are in the same boat. Why on earth he increased the power of the Vine Ogre, for example, is beyond me.

I would say everyone seems to be in thier own boat.

Among multiplayers I would say most enjoy the pretender mod, the other mods vary in popularity.

As for the vine ogres, the changes were for thematic, rather than balance reasons. And with the improvement of other ways of spending nature gems, they are probably used less than in the base game.

[Chazar]

I would use Zen's mod more often if there would only be an updated version of Zen's Quick Reference Guides for summons and items...I wonder why Zen is incompatible with himself?

[Graeme Dice]

ioticus said:
I would guess most people are in the same boat. Why on earth he increased the power of the Vine Ogre, for example, is beyond me.

He did that because they are usable only as meat shields, and not particularly effective ones in the standard game. A high protection unit with a charcoal shield can kill dozens to hundreds of vine ogres without suffering for it at all.

[PDF]

Graeme Dice said:

He did that because they are usable only as meat shields, and not particularly effective ones in the standard game. A high protection unit with a charcoal shield can kill dozens to hundreds of vine ogres without suffering for it at all.

That's a weird rationale : using VO as meat shield is a means to allow other, hard-hitting units (mages mostly) to slaughter the enemies caught in the VO mass.
And vanilla VO are already unbeatable in terms of cost effectiveness...
And tell me how any non-lifeless unit can stand hundreds of VO without succumbing to fatigue.

[Oversway]

Reinvigoration?

But I agree that VO are fine in their role as just meat shields...

[The Panther]

One of the reasons VOs work so well as meat shields is the 50 Morale. They fight to the death every time, which makes them far better than they really are.

They also have so many HPs that they are difficult to kill with Murdering Winter and Fire Storm. And they take a while to die under Wraithful Skies.

It is probably the Ivy King which makes them unbalanced, as level 3 Nature mages are quite good even without getting 4 VOs for 1 gem while waiting for a war or battle to begin!

Don't forget that the Thug with the Charcoal Shield will be quickly killed by enemy mage spells while he is trying to fight through all the VOs to get at the mage snug in the back with his Staff of Storms.

[Graeme Dice]

PDF said:
And tell me how any non-lifeless unit can stand hundreds of VO without succumbing to fatigue.

It only needs to be able to last long enough to have the vine ogres kill themselves on the fire shield. Just about anything with protection over 20 can do it.