The big magic poll

[Twan]

After the Big Gem poll, another one...

The end of the sentence is missing in question 1 answer 3 it was :
"I try to developp some paths I consider more powerful than others for endgame, and the best schools to exploit them, if I play a nation not having the "good" paths my pretender usually have them, or a plan to summon creatures with them"

[Evil Dave]

I have other answers for the first two questions.

For 1, my general approach varies a lot w/ the nation: sure, with MA Tien Chi, I'll take advantage of their diverse magic, but for other nations, I'll use a strong path, or strong double-blessed sacred troops/commanders.

For 2, I tend to pick specific research goals (specific spells or forging levels) for my nation and strategy, so it also varies a lot. Sometimes several low-level spells first, other times, I end up researching a single path for a high-level spell/forging level.

[Twan]

Yes I forgot the "I don't really have a tendancy" or "it's nation dependant" answer (and probably some others, magic is a little too large subject to be exhaustive)

ps : I was also lazy for the last part, I could have listed all schools for each path, but restricted the choices a little (BTW as I list all schools but one for nature, I could have said "construction" instead of "another")

pps : also some paths have a "don't know" answer when the others don't

[Endoperez]

I voted for "they are equal" in Earth, because it's the closest to what I do: I dabble in lots of levels early on, to get Summon Earthpower, perhaps Earth Meld, perhaps Earth Boots/Dwarven Hammers, and then something to use that Earth with, usually Blade Wind or Magma spells. Earth gets lots of things from many sources. Alteration, Evocation, Construction, perhaps even Enchantment if I have something else to get from there as well...

[Twan]

Answers are rarely evident in the last part.

I.e, I've voted alteration rather than thaumaturgy for astral, because in early game body ethearal is often my first goal if I have astral mages, and in levels >6, I rush alteration 8 to have will of the fates since midgame for the big battles (and if I have an astral pretender I continue for wish as soon I have the pearls). But of course, with communions and spells like paralysis and enslave mind, I always developp thaumaturgy 6 in between (I'm in the "not racing for uniques" category).

[LDiCesare]

One option you could have put for nation choices is 'I choose nations based on its national summons'.
They are what makes Agartha playable in my opinion.

[Twan]

It will be for the big nations poll.

[Humakty]

For nature, I would have liked the following option :
"The AI is so buggy with nature spells that I try to avoid getting nature mages on the battlefield"

[Twan]

The AI is better since a few patches (at least it avoids to cast fury spells on archers and mages -if they are not in the middle of other troops-) you should try to use them more often.

ps : the only remaining problem is creeping doom the AI likes to cast it a lot, and it's one of the worst possible use of gems. It may have a niche use if you absolutly need a lot of morale 50 units in one cast to avoid retreat, but out of that swarm is far better. And if you don't want morale 50 units, summoning an hundred of them can be a real problem, Creeping Doom is a spell killing your own mages when you lose the battle, as they retreat too late. I think it should be added in the "spells only used if scripted" list (or changed a lot).

[reverend]

Very interesting poll. I just came back to Dom3 after a long break and find it as addictive as ever and am pleased that the forums are still active.