The #1 Difference New Players Must Know For MP

[Agema]

Firstly, I generally agree that high PD will not deter an enemy in MP: I generally never use more than about 20 except in rare circumstances. However, high PD does have benefits.

If an invader knows they are facing a series of low PD provinces, they can take several a turn by splitting their forces. However, if they are up against high PD, they may not be able to do this safely. Thus high PD can potentially reduce the number of provinces you lose. Provinces mean money: arguably a 50gold province is worth 100 in a war, in that it's not just a drop in your income but an equivalent increase in your opponent's. Obviously the same is true of gem income.

Furthermore, weak PD can be destroyed often with minimal loss. More substantial PD is much more likely to cause casualties in return. Going from PD 10 to PD 20 costs you about 150 gold, but if that PD destroys 10 basic units more than PD 10 would, you've cost your enemy 100 gold, plus possible afflictions.

A final note I'd say regards misfortune scales. You'll need high PD (20+) just to resist the frequent barbarian hordes who tend to pillage your empire, although it might not stop a tougher encounter like knights unless it's really high. Particularly if that square has a fortress or you can't reclaim it quickly because troops aren't available, that extra gold per province can save you a lot of grief.

[lch]

Originally Posted by Agema

A final note I'd say regards misfortune scales. You'll need high PD (20+) just to resist the frequent barbarian hordes who tend to pillage your empire, although it might not stop a tougher encounter like knights unless it's really high. Particularly if that square has a fortress or you can't reclaim it quickly because troops aren't available, that extra gold per province can save you a lot of grief.

In late game, however, barbarian hordes are known as "walking death gems" if you happen to have a flying SC who wields the Sickle whose crop is pain. Then you'd wish that your PD doesn't kill too many of them for the harvest.