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.

[Edi]

Anyone who's read any thread where I get going about Dominions thematics knows my answer already...

In order:
EA Abysia, Fomoria, Ulm
MA Ulm and Abysia
LA Ulm and Abysia

For all of these, they suit my play style and I like them best thematically from the story point of view in the Dominions world.

With EA, I like Fomoria, but I don't give much of a damn about the giants really, it's the Nemedians fascinate me, moreso even than the Abysians. Ulm because of what comes later. Abysia likewise, through the whole arc of its history (especially with the new references to the Gath nations).

In MA, Ulm and Abysia always have been my favorites. One generally doesn't manage to write stuff like in the poetry thread unless one finds inspiration.

In LA, same thing, but you can also add Diabolic Faith Marignon to the list, because it can so easily be thematically linked with the Ulm civil war.

[Cerlin]

My Choices were:
EA Tir na n'Og
Ma Abysia
LA Pythium

I picked Tir na n'Og because I really enjoy the mythology that goes with them and the link to Formoria (who I also enjoy.) The units are enjoyable for me too and I tend to like nations without archers for some reason. The Tuatha are fun to have a bless for.

Middle age I picked Abysia because they are the strongest of the abysian nations when it comes to blood. I also like the Light/heavy troop balance, and the demon breed casters. I would also say MA I do like to play Pythium because of the early Byzantine roots. (and not really as much for communions.)

Late age my favorite right now is Pythium thematically. I was really excited when I first booted them up and found the later byzantine style troops mixed with the different cults. Even though the periods magic is a little messed up historically I still like the feel of it. Of honroable mention that have always been ones I like but not listed here would be all ages of Agartha. I really enjoy the tragic nature of this nations arc and I like the way the units go. Again it seems I pick a non archer nation....hmmmm.