Can someone explain what happened here?

[BigJMoney]

My Moloch SC invaded a province with 20-30 militia. He was decked out in really good stuff. He had heat radiation, fire shield 15, regen 10, fear +8, snake bladder stick, vine shield; etc.

His imps attacked the militia and took about 50% casualties. All of a sudden, my Moloch retreated into enemy territory and died without a chance.

What the heck happened? Is the Moloch a worthless SC because he gets those imps? Why did he retreat if it meant instant death?

=$= Big J Money =$=

[Frostmourne27]

Moloch is almost owrthless as an SC, because, as you guessed, he will allmost allways route when his imps die. You can give him an item to make him go beserk, though that has disadvantages. If considered removing the imps in a mod, but it would be alot of work, and I didn't think it would be worth it, but if I'm not the only one that finds it annoying, I might give it a try.

[Cainehill]

To use flying moloch effectively, one option is to use high end magic item like the wraith crown : a handful of undead that can't fly let's him do damage. Otherwise, un-modded the Moloch is nearly useless on its own : modded, the morale could be improved (but the CB mods only increased auto-summons that couldn't also be summoned via spell, so imps still suck).

[Endoperez]

Frostmourne27 said:
Moloch is almost owrthless as an SC, because, as you guessed, he will allmost allways route when his imps die. You can give him an item to make him go beserk, though that has disadvantages. If considered removing the imps in a mod, but it would be alot of work, and I didn't think it would be worth it, but if I'm not the only one that finds it annoying, I might give it a try.

In Dom3, Moloch gets 10 imps, and thanks to the new morale system, doesn't automatically rout when they have died or routed. In a quick test game, a Moloch (with Earth 4 to emulate light armor) and Fire Sword conquered three independent provinces on his own, although he got a limp in a fight against Crystal Amazons.

[Nerfix]

Crystal Amazons? Good sir, those are a...myth.

[Daynarr]

They show up normally in Dom3. Note that there is much more indy types in Dom3 then it was in Dom2. Actually, I still run on a new type once in a while (some have really low chance to show up).

[archaeolept]

a moloch's cowardice is legendary.

that said, there are generally 3 ways to use him:

1. behind a troop force as an arty caster (f9 a4 will give him serious punch pretty well out of the gate).

2. w/ a few dispersed archers at the back - its unlikely they will all break or be killed. lame infantry on "hold and attack" also works very well.

3. w/ a magical aid - wraith crown will sometimes work, but is not dependable. The real solution is to give him lifelong protection, which is nicely thematic, and the 2 new imps/round spawn before the morale check, so your moloch will never run.

[ioticus]

Endoperez said:


In Dom3, Moloch gets 10 imps, and thanks to the new morale system, doesn't automatically rout when they have died or routed. In a quick test game, a Moloch (with Earth 4 to emulate light armor) and Fire Sword conquered three independent provinces on his own, although he got a limp in a fight against Crystal Amazons.

That's good to hear. Can you briefly explain how the new morale system works?

[Endoperez]

ioticus said:

That's good to hear. Can you briefly explain how the new morale system works?

No. I'm not the manual guy. I understand that everyone makes morale checks now, but I don't know what effects it. Sermon of Courage etc actually increase morale now, so they should be cast as early as possible.

[Daynarr]

Yes, Sermon of Courage (group of soldiers, level 2) and Fanaticism (whole battlefield effect, level 4) are actually buffs (+2 morale) so priests cast them even before units start taking damage.