What's your favorite nation and why?

[moderation]

How about another massive nation poll? What are you favorites and why? Which ones have the the most thematic feel? Which ones require the least micromanagement? Which ones are the easiest to use? And of course, which ones are the most fun?

I'm a fan of EA Mictlan and EA Arco for the interesting bless strategies. But there's still like 30 odd nations I need to try, so I would like some more perspective.

[Foodstamp]

I voted:

EA R'lyeh
MA R'lyeh
LA Argatha

EA R'lyeh because I love turning the Mind Lords and Aboleths into thugs. Honorable mentions (Pangaea, Niefelheim and Tir na n'Og)

MA R'lyeh because of the void gate.

LA Argatha because of the mages .

I like all the vanilla nations except for a handful, so really I am voting on which ones I like right now. My taste will probably change again in a few weeks.

[moderation]

How about LA R'lyeh? I'm playing MA R'lyeh right now and it's okay, but I wouldn't mind having some freespawns. Of course freespawns probably introduce a whole set of micromanagement issues, which could make it less fun and more of a headache.

[Foodstamp]

moderation said:
How about LA R'lyeh? I'm playing MA R'lyeh right now and it's okay, but I wouldn't mind having some freespawns. Of course freespawns probably introduce a whole set of micromanagement issues, which could make it less fun and more of a headache.

Too easy .

[cupido2]

MA R'lyeh has freespawns. Just build some forts at the shore and here come the hybrids.

[moderation]

True, but that means spending 800-1200 gold for a for that is good for freespawns, but not for recruiting mages. Do those freespawns have upkeep though? If not, perhaps they it is not a bad deal for a long game, or if you need to fortify a coastal province for some strange reason. I guess on the upside, you don't have to lose your sanity like with LA R'yleh.

[quantum_mechani]

They do have upkeep in the base game.

[cupido2]

The upkeep is 1 gold per hybrid. I never said, it would be worth building a fort.

[Salamander8]

Foodstamp said:
I voted:

EA R'lyeh
MA R'lyeh
LA Argatha

Footstamp has read my mind! These are my favorites per age as well!

EA R'Lyeh: Is unconventional and I love Mind Lords. Having a large group of them enslaving enemy troops makes some really interesting armies over the longterm. The whole evil mind-controlling fish theme is just a lot of fun for me.

MA R'Lyeh: I'm a Lovecraft buff and the void gate is a lot of fun to use. Having so many amphibious mindblasters, combined with the void gate summons and the hybrid freespawn in coastal forts makes a combo I really enjoy.

LA Agartha: I like all ages of Agartha, but LA really comes together well for me. Well-armored (if underarmed) main infantry, nice national spells, and the whole theme of LA Agartha is just a great fit for me.

Runners-up would include:

EA Yomi: Dai Onis alone make me love this nation. Throw in the other Oni types and you're cooking with gas. Only slightly below EA R'Lyeh for me.

LA R'Lyeh and LA Ermor: I like these nations themes immensely, but the micro-management they require knock them down off the top for me.

EA Abysia: Setting your enemies on fire over and over is a lot of fun, but the lack of being able to build sacreds and many mages in non-capital forts is why I don't rank it higher.

EA Agartha: Agartha in general is one of my favorites, and EA is no exception. Just below EA Yomi in my list of favorites.

MA Agartha: Yeah, I know some people will call me loopy, but I love the sacred statues and the whole theme of the nation in any era.

MA Shinuyama: Goblins and lots of them! The extreme old age of their best mages is a problem though.

EA Lanka: Demon monkeys! Need I say more?

[K]

I like Lanka because demon monkeys are awesome. Longdead monkeys are awesome too.

Sadly, I'll probably never play it again in MP due to people wanting to hit it with the nerf-stick all the time.