Limited randoms Vs Water nations

[Twan]

Reading that the new system for randoms in magic paths specialize far more each nation, I wonder how some nations will do against water nations ?

Do all nations have at least access to some water, death or air randoms for their national mages, or are some themes dependant of indie mages or their pretender to do anything underwater ? If it's the case I suggest to make water/death/air indie mages more common than indeps of other schools. If more specialized nations are a good thing, being unable with some to do anything against an ennemy water power may be a balance issue

[Endoperez]

Twan said:
Reading that the new system for randoms in magic paths specialize far more each nation, I wonder how some nations will do against water nations ?

Do all nations have at least access to some water, death or air randoms for their national mages, or are some themes dependant of indie mages or their pretender to do anything underwater ? If it's the case I suggest to make water/death/air indie mages more common than indeps of other schools. If more specialized nations are a good thing, being unable with some to do anything against an ennemy water power may be a balance issue

I haven't tested it, but Shamblers, Ichtyids, Mermen, Toad tribe warriors and other land-recruitable amphibian units help are one option available to every nation.

It could be a balance issue, but I doubt it will be more difficult than e.g. opposing Ashen Empire as, say, base Ulm. It is harder for some nations, and I don't think it's too hard for any nation, but I'm not very good at finding balance problems.

[Gandalf Parker]

While mentioning water, its important to note that water-magic no longer allows an air-breather to enter the water

[Endoperez]

Gandalf Parker said:
While mentioning water, its important to note that water-magic no longer allows an air-breather to enter the water

As a secondary effect. There are still water-breathing items, but water mages can't go under water. Whew, you got me scared for a moment there, Gandalf.

[PhilD]

Gandalf Parker said:
While mentioning water, its important to note that water-magic no longer allows an air-breather to enter the water

Wow - that's a big change. Invading underwater just became much, much harder, right? Especially if tough summons are also harder to get...

[Gandalf Parker]

Yes I used to love that Jotunheim culd take advantage of finding itself near water.

[BigJMoney]

Just to add my $0.02, I really hope it becomes harder for non water nations to get into the water, at least in one of the ages. The reason I feel this way, is that I remember when I first discovered Dominions. The fact that there was an Atlantis nation (I didn't know R'yleh at the time) that could build cities underwater was the coolest thing ever. The fact that the other nations have to purposefully develop strategies to get underwater themselves was very cool to me. It was Atlantis' special ability. Anyway, you won't see me complaining about changes like this.

=$=

PS -- When I found out undead armies could march underwater, that was also cool to me.