Need suggestions for my next game setup...

[LintMan]

OK, my current game is winding down, so I'm thinking about what race/pretender I should take for my next game. I have some general ideas, but could use some suggestions for good specifics.

In my current game, I'm using a Bless-effect pretender for Marignon, who did absolutely no fighting for the entire game. (Just research and ritual spells). So for my next game, I want to try out a SC pretender strategy. I'm tempted to try the Vampire Queen, which people seem to think is the ultimate (overpowered?) SC, but I'm open to other ideas.

I'll also mention, that I'm currently using APoger's "recuperating gods" mod, which gives *all* pretenders recuperation. In my current game it benefitted me not at all, but I think it certainly helped the AI, since I stopped getting attacked by gimpy blind AI pretenders like in previous games. So I'll probably keep it in for this next game as well. That might make some pretenders a bit more viable as SC's, and probably makes a few SC's that already had recuperation a bit overpriced (though I'm tempted to adjust the mod to cheapen them a bit to benefit any AI's that might choose them).

I'm not sure what race to pick either. I think Ermor would be cool to try, but I hear it makes the SP game too easy, so I'll pass on that. I'm also thinking I'd like to go for one of the more magic-capable/oriented races. Unless I specifically was to go for a blood-magic oriented nation, I will probably ignore blood magic compeltely.

I'd like to play on a medium to large map (maybe 150-200 provinces), and I'm thinking 8-12 impossible-AI opponents. Probably Independent-7 toughness, normal research, high magic site quantity normal (or maybe rich?) provinces. I liked the Middle Earth map, and have also played Aran, but don't know any others. Any good map choices?

So anyway, I'm looking for some suggestions for a good SC pretender, what paths to pick and buff spells to research, and what race to use to go along with this pretender.

Thanks, all!

[Norfleet]

The Vampire Queen is the subject of much hype as of late. While certainly one of the most potent chassis available for selection, it is not, by any means, the only option. The VQ's base stats are slightly underwhelming, and it really takes good magic, good items, and preferrably both, to turn it into a beast. This means either the expenditure of much nation pointage or a lot of empowerments.

To avoid turning this into another flamefest on VQs, let's talk about something else now.

I happen to rather like the Vanheim Allfather as well. It's flying, far more invisible, has cheaper magic paths, and superior physical stats. It has Glamour, which gives it a potent starting mirror image the moment it enters the battle, helping to ward off against a flier rush. It already has a toehold in two potent magic paths, air and death, and has inexpensive paths at 30 points apiece.

So, let's get us some good stuff: Air, which is a potent magic path, say, 5 or 6. Earth, a nice magic path for stuff like ironskin, invuln, say, 2 or 3. Water, quickness, breath of winter: 2. And Astral, if you want, but if you go this route, put enough into it that you don't have "duel me" tattooed on your forehead too obviously.

Then blow the rest on some scales, preferrably order, and maybe a castle, if you want one.

Research some nice spells, mostly in Alteration, like Quickness, Mistform, Body Eth, personal Luck, etc. You've already got the Mirror Image free. Isn't that nice? Go kick some ***!

[LintMan]

Hmm Vanheim/Allfather - I don't know much about them yet - I'll check them out. Thanks, Norfleet!

Anyone else care to suggest some good SC pretenders?

How about a good 150-200 (or so) province map?

Thanks!

[Anglachel]

Just a neophyte's suggestions but I been playing the Vampire Queen so far(only been playing Mictlan so wanted a pretender that could grab land quick to fund research/blood hunt machine and pump out the vampire lords, demon knights, and soul contract devils). However, I been looking over the pretenders and Nataraja looks like it has potential to be nice if you dedicate yourself to forging the right combo of magic items. 0 intial cost and 50 points for new paths. Has 4 arms for putting potential boosting weapons in but is missing one misc. slot. 84 hit points is pretty decent but has no special abilities so you will have to plan carefully on how to equip your pretender. Strength and magic resistance is 22 and 18 respectively. Has crappy attack and defensive skills however, 11 on each. Not sure if it can use 2 bows at a time but its precision is not so hot, 12. Fatigue will be problem that will have to be dealt with due to it swinging all those weapons. Its size 6 and has battle field movement of 17 so maybe those trampling boots would be interesting to try. Might not be a powerhouse but could have the potential to be one. At least you will have fun playing around with putting item combos on him.

[ April 17, 2004, 04:22: Message edited by: Anglachel ]