What's a good starting nation for newbies?

Graeme Dice · #1 October 18th, 2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Arralen said:
EA Ermor - build Lizard Auxiliarii until they come out of your ears, then build some more... they might be even more cost-effective then Pangean Centaurs.

Really? They're statistically quite inferior to principes, especially in the all important morale and protection categories. The roman based nations all survive based on their ability to create a meatshield for the mages to do their work, so I'd still build principes.

Gandalf Parker · #2 October 18th, 2006, 12:42 PM

I dont agree with Ermor as a learning nation. They are easier for a newbie to win with, but I dont think they teach the game. Their method of play is so differnt thant the other nations.

Foodstamp · #3 October 18th, 2006, 01:12 PM

Ermor is a great nation to learn with, I know first hand. I was almost turned off of Dominions 2 until I tried Ermor Ashen Empire. I could never get far enough into the game to experience more than getting stomped by the AI after conquering a few independents until I tried Ermor.

I won a few games with Ermor, was able to understand the game a bit better beyond the initial conquering of my indy neighbors, and then I moved on to other nations. I still used death summons mixed with "live" troops and eventually I was weened away from the summoned fodder troops completely.

Sindai · #4 October 18th, 2006, 01:18 PM

Foodstamp is right. Ermor is a fun one to experiment with different strats with because you're pretty much unkillable. The AI just can't push very far into your territory when their whole army is starved and diseased in a couple of turns.

Twan · #5 October 18th, 2006, 01:22 PM

Only LA Ermor is really different to play. EA Ermor is a very ordinary nation, MA something in between.

Agrajag · #6 October 18th, 2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Twan said:
Only LA Ermor is really different to play. EA Ermor is a very ordinary nation, MA something in between.

But EA isn't too friendly on new player, what with your best mages being 60(46).
And I agree with Gandalf on LA Ermor, while it may be a lot easier to win against the AI, it definitely doesn't make you a better player. I played alot with Ashen Empire Ermor when I started with Dom2 (only because of the flavour, didn't know it was uber against the AI) and it took me very long to get better with playing "normal" nations.
Heck, I still suck

EDIT: stupid typo made my post make no sense.