The Quick and The Dead [ Calmon WINS!! ]

[Ironhawk]

Not sure of the original cost. But I was serious about not being able to thing of a correct cost for the spell. Effectively, casting this spell is like saying "how many gems do you want to use to win the game?". How can you put a pricetag on that?

And yes, I know it can be dispelled. But that is besides the point. The fact is that you have a spell which not only cripples the economy but additionally the complete fighting power of any nation of any size.

[KissBlade]

Hehe Ironhawk, you sound like a tired old vet getting confused by all these spells people are chucking at ya. First Wailing Wind then this. ^_^

[solo]

I think I agree with Ironhawk on this one. Utterdark is cheap, considering how powerful it can be. Many other pricey spells hardly come close in providing such useful benefits to the caster. I have used it once to snatch a victory from an opponent who had previously dominated an MP game I was playing in.

[msew]

if only we had a time machine to go back and ban ermor! This game is otherwise pretty crazy and close. Ermor is sadly the overpowered outlier hehe


So since unless we have a hail mary ^^, this game is ovah.

[msew]

I really like the idea of ermor as a race. It is great. Has fantastic imagery and backstory and is nice to think about.

But from a game balance standpoint it doesn't fit in with the rest of the game. (even in dom2 this was the case)

-it doesn't need population
-it doesn't need supplies
-it doesn't need gold as badly as every one else
-it has no upkeep costs for the majority if its troops

-when another nation attacks ermor, they have to bring extra supply++ items. They gain provinces which have really no value (as ermor has sucked them dry)

-it can go in water (which most nations can't) So they can basically claim all of the water uncontested. (if you want to fight ermor in water then you need a big investment in water breathing items to get your main troops into the drink)

-they can put a huge number of troops on the board. And the way the game works, means that the more "armies" you have the better you can play the "ping pong province game".
Also you can attack lots of people at once stealing their provinces, taxes to 200 and start raping their lands.
And there are no real game choices once you can field N armies. Just send one everywhere!

Basically, they are playing by a different set of rules. I have not seen a non ermor nation go on the pillaging attack. Because you want those provinces long term to give your nation value.


I think we had the same issues with the water races of dom2 as they are sort of off in their own world for most of the game protected and safe. And to finally beat them you have to have a special strategy/items to kill them. Both of which differs greatly from battling on ground.


:-(

[KissBlade]

We could always just start another game of this if you guys want. Personally I didn't find anything wrong with Ermor. I think if I was his neighbor earlier, I could've gave him some real troubles. It's just tough to fight him underwater for me . =)

Besides, Calmon played a good game. No need to take away from his victory because he picked an optimal setup for this setting.

[msew]

Oh not taking away anything. I don't mean that at all. We all entered into the game knowing what ermor is. :-)

[Ironhawk]

KissBlade said:
Hehe Ironhawk, you sound like a tired old vet getting confused by all these spells people are chucking at ya. First Wailing Wind then this. ^_^

Hahahah! - Ironhawk the Great Sage

"IM OLD!!! MY BONES ACHE!!"

Heheheheh. But more seriously, that was the intent of this game, right? In all the games I've played, I die or am declared winner before any of the really high spells see common use. But in this one I got battered by them left and right Compared to Utterdark tho, Wailing Winds is a joke. Maybe a little underpriced but in a wayyyy different league than it.

As for the next game: there will be one and you are of course all invited. But this one isnt over till its over. Lets see if Ermor really has to strength to tear the VP from my cold dead fingers.

[mivayan]

Ironhawk said:
That said: I have never experienced Utterdark before and I have to say that I think it is overpowered. Vastly so! Not only does it effect income, which is understandable. But it also effects Precision. And Attack. And Defense!!!! Its insane. So, not only is your economy destroyed - which would be bad enough - but your ability to mount any defense is also destroyed. I can seriously not think of a "correct" cost for this spell given that it basically just wins the game for you at a stroke (unless it is dispeled). There is no other level 9 spell which even comes close to this level of power.

A D4 mage with every army casting the 4 gem darkness spell would do that too... and that cant be disppelled. That'd be more trouble than normally now of course since ermor is fighting in so many places.

[solo]

Darkness is good, but only for Ermor's land battles, while Utterdark works everywhere and also cuts income almost to zero. In addition, it spawns a number of Indy undead attacks in enemy provinces every turn, too! What more could Ermor ask for from a global enchantment? What other global works as well for other kinds of nations not having death magic?