Multiplayer - which nations are being chosen?

[Meglobob]

I would just like to say the most popular nation at the moment is Hinnom by along way.

Its being snapped up first in most games and games are being started just so players can play Hinnom in MP.

So, please leave Hinnom alone for a few patches before hitting it with the nerf stick.

Also, proof positive that people like powerful races and not neutered balanced ones (translates to boring).

[Endoperez]

Meglobob said:
I would just like to say the most popular nation at the moment is Hinnom by along way.

Its being snapped up first in most games and games are being started just so players can play Hinnom in MP.

So, please leave Hinnom alone for a few patches before hitting it with the nerf stick.

Also, proof positive that people like powerful races and not neutered balanced ones (translates to boring).

Not necessarily. MA Ulm is one of the most played races of its era, which tells either that new/remodeled nations get chosen more often or that even weak nations are played. In addition, both MA Vanheim and MA Ermor are commonly chosen, and both of those nations' sacreds have been "neutered balanced".

[sansanjuan]

Interesting post Hop.
-SSJ

[DonCorazon]

I think MA Ulm gets played because there is a myth that it is a good choice for new players since you don't need to deal with as much complexity with magic. At least that was why I chose it for my first MP game (before it got the upgrade). I actually disagree that it is good for noobs since you don't learn as much without access to more magic / communions / path boosting, etc.

[Dedas]

MA Ulm is a very hard nation to play competitively as it leaves no room for mistakes. Less options and you have to do perfect with those you've got.

[Gandalf Parker]

Excellent work. And very useful.
Thank you.

[lch]

Endoperez said:
Not necessarily. MA Ulm is one of the most played races of its era, which tells either that new/remodeled nations get chosen more often or that even weak nations are played.

I think my very first race that I started playing in both SP and MP has been Ulm, mostly because it fits the medieval theme so very well. And the ulmish soldiers definitely waltz through indies with very little opposition. That they have very big drawbacks, too, was something I found out later in MP.

Endoperez said:
In addition, both MA Vanheim and MA Ermor are commonly chosen, and both of those nations' sacreds have been "neutered balanced".

MA Ermor's vestals are just very very good. But while I think that EA Vanheim is quite strong, MA Vanheim doesn't really get me excited because they seem less powerful.

[Endoperez]

lch said:
MA Ermor's vestals are just very very good. But while I think that EA Vanheim is quite strong, MA Vanheim doesn't really get me excited because they seem less powerful.

Even before the 3.10 change?

* MA van home only. Gold cost increase.

Any way, I was just pointing out that ALL of the players who chose Hinnom might not have done it (only) because it's powerful. New nations get chosen a lot, even if they are weak, although there aren't that many weak new nations.

[Hoplosternum]

Thanks for the kind words and I am glad some of you are finding it interesting.

I have gathered some more data but I am going to gather up some more before I add to the figures. Not much changes with the new addition although Yomi does get a few more picks and MA Vanheim loses it's MA leader crown (so far!).

Many of the more recent games have a lot of inexperienced mp players in being newbie games. MA Vanheim is a pretty straight forward nation to play and so is likely to appeal there. I know when I chose them it was to try a mp game with one of the much vaunted double bless strategies and they seemed a very easy one to try it with. I wasn't expecting to win and was eliminated fairly early. So even if the nerfs have made it far less of a powerhouse it is still a fairly straight forward power to play.

Another trend that becomes clearer the more games I add is the unpopularity of Atlantis and Oceania. Even in EA they are far less popular than the weaker R'lyeh. In the MA R'lyeh's popularity is perhaps more understandable. But even in EA it is much more popular. Perhaps it is the theme? Or maybe the ease of use of the mind blasting amphibious missle troops they have that makes them so much more popular?

[Meglobob]

I think Rlyehs popularity is probably down to the powerful astral magic it has, especially in Ea.

Obviously in Ma/La the 'gate thing' which you can enter to bring creatures back from the void is a huge attraction.

Ea/Ma Atlantis have problems with 'poor' troops and high encumberance.

Ea/Ma Oceania suffer from losing mage levels, suck really bad on land and if clams/fever fetishes have been nerfed are virtually completely pointless to play.