Dealing with an early N9 E9 Niefel Giant rush

[Huzurdaddi]

There is an existing thread on this topic.

There were various counters proposed but in general: hold onto your butt. There are very few, if any tactics which can stop them, skelly spam being the only servicable option at low research levels (and even this may not work, depending upon various factors).

As others have noted: their PD is amazingly bad.

[Epaminondas]

Originally Posted by Huzurdaddi

There is an existing thread on this topic.

There were various counters proposed but in general: hold onto your butt. There are very few, if any tactics which can stop them, skelly spam being the only servicable option at low research levels (and even this may not work, depending upon various factors).

As others have noted: their PD is amazingly bad.

Thanks for the thread reference, but the topic is not really identical. That thread assumes options once most spells have been researched and hence lists counters that I too am aware of. My question had to do with early game options, when few spells are researched, and you have to manage with national units, low level spells and items.

[Huzurdaddi]

Originally Posted by Epaminondas

Thanks for the thread reference, but the topic is not really identical. That thread assumes options once most spells have been researched and hence lists counters that I too am aware of. My question had to do with early game options, when few spells are researched, and you have to manage with national units, low level spells and items.

You are right they are not exactly the same. But let's go through the counters in the thread:

lightning (evoc 2)
Skelly spam (ench 3)
Body etherial (alt 3)
Rage (thaum 3)
Paralyze (thaum 4)
destruction (alt 4)
thunderstrike (evoc 4)
flaming arrows (ench 4)
Soul Slay (thaum 5)
Ghost Grip (conj 5)
orb lightning (evoc 5)
Stellar Cascades (evoc 5)
will 'o the wisp (?) never tried it will this actually do anything? (conj 5)
Enslave Mind (thaum 6)
Petrify (alt 6)
living statues (ench 6)
mechanical men (const 7)

I would say that the level 3-4 spells are in play. I have to say that the level 4 spells look more hopeful than the level 3 spells.

Also, since Niefel is so dependent upon it's capital, how about: spies & rain of toads.

[chrispedersen]

Originally Posted by Huzurdaddi

You are right they are not exactly the same. But let's go through the counters in the thread:

lightning (evoc 2)
Skelly spam (ench 3)
Body etherial (alt 3)
Rage (thaum 3)
Paralyze (thaum 4)
destruction (alt 4)
thunderstrike (evoc 4)
flaming arrows (ench 4)
Soul Slay (thaum 5)
Ghost Grip (conj 5)
orb lightning (evoc 5)
Stellar Cascades (evoc 5)
will 'o the wisp (?) never tried it will this actually do anything? (conj 5)
Enslave Mind (thaum 6)
Petrify (alt 6)
living statues (ench 6)
mechanical men (const 7)

I would say that the level 3-4 spells are in play. I have to say that the level 4 spells look more hopeful than the level 3 spells.

Also, since Niefel is so dependent upon it's capital, how about: spies & rain of toads.

Yes. This is one of the things that is very effective, blight, rain of toads etc.