Things for BL/GI/RD/TR Players to Consider

[HeadHoncho]

Ry Vor posted some fascinating stuff on this thread:

http://kingdomsofarcania.net/forum/showt...p?tid=9803

One of the implications of this is the notion of overall brigade strength.  In light of some experience gathered during play, you really ought to make sure you have at least as many 565 BRIGADES as you do Kingdom brigades, if you want to make sure your first brigade lost is a 565 brigade.

(In the past, it was often a relevant metric if you had more Wyvern or Ogre or Orc TROOPS, compared to BL/GI/RD/TR troops, in terms of what the first brigade lost was.  Crunching numbers from many past battles, this was not necessarily foolproof, but it was usually a pretty decent rule of thumb.)

Overall brigade strength does matter a great deal, here.  For example, you might be able to get away with fewer WY to RD, in order for the first brigade lost to be a WY, since RD are so much tougher than WY.  But you might need as many or more OG than GI, in order for the first brigade lost to be an OG, since OG are pretty darned good and are thus more comparable to GI.  Same issue with WY and BL, since BL aren't that much better than WY.

GI and TR players may also want to consider having a RE brigade or two to soak up as fodder, although that will lower the overall effectiveness of the group... just something to think about, I'm not sure that I'm going to advocate that as smart play, quite yet.

Anyway, I haven't yet figured out the particular ratios and formulae, but I trust that will happen over time as we play on the platform... and since it will be "frozen" in terms of mechanics, we will know specifically what to expect moving forward, which I'm really looking forward to.

[Madmardigan]

Ry Vor posted some fascinating stuff on this thread:

http://kingdomsofarcania.net/forum/showt...p?tid=9803

One of the implications of this is the notion of overall brigade strength.  In light of some experience gathered during play, you really ought to make sure you have at least as many 565 BRIGADES as you do Kingdom brigades, if you want to make sure your first brigade lost is a 565 brigade.

(In the past, it was often a relevant metric if you had more Wyvern or Ogre or Orc TROOPS, compared to BL/GI/RD/TR troops, in terms of what the first brigade lost was.  Crunching numbers from many past battles, this was not necessarily foolproof, but it was usually a pretty decent rule of thumb.)

Overall brigade strength does matter a great deal, here.  For example, you might be able to get away with fewer WY to RD, in order for the first brigade lost to be a WY, since RD are so much tougher than WY.  But you might need as many or more OG than GI, in order for the first brigade lost to be an OG, since OG are pretty darned good and are thus more comparable to GI.  Same issue with WY and BL, since BL aren't that much better than WY.

GI and TR players may also want to consider having a RE brigade or two to soak up as fodder, although that will lower the overall effectiveness of the group... just something to think about, I'm not sure that I'm going to advocate that as smart play, quite yet.

Anyway, I haven't yet figured out the particular ratios and formulae, but I trust that will happen over time as we play on the platform... and since it will be "frozen" in terms of mechanics, we will know specifically what to expect moving forward, which I'm really looking forward to.

I find this new change frustrating playing as the GI, RA or Dragon as I feel it limits early expansion.  What good is it to have excellent brigades only to lose them to attacks on villages and towns early on.  

I understand having 565 troops is necessary.  However, having equal to or greater amounts of them to ensure the survival of precious natural brigades only plays into the hands of the political and magic related kingdoms.   

In a recent game, I brought 5RD and 6WY to attack a city and if memory serves, I lost 1RD and 2WY.  I was somewhat surprised at this outcome and it definitely left me feeling that the RD had lost some of its 'punch'.  

I've heard the BL has really been affected by this new damage system and I for one will not be choosing them anytime soon.  

[HeadHoncho]

Was quite surprised when I attacked a city with 3 GI and 6 OG, and lost 1 GI and 1 OG.

If 3 GI and 3 OG would lose 1 OG (edited), wouldn't it be logical for 3 GI and 6 OG to lose 2 OG?

Just checking to see if this is really what is intended, as it has a (very) significant effect on how people will play RD/GI/TR/BL.

This is sheerly for the edification of my fellow players and a question for Rick and UM, as the game referenced below just ended. Thanks.

--

Starting group:

Group: 1st Giant Troop Composition:
Size: Army Archers 225 Leaders: Captain Vandamere
Cavalry 0 NA
Located: Area OP Infantry 11,775 NA
Region : Arcania Wizards: Kaz (Power-1)
Terrain: Forest Raignanll (Power-1)
The city of Zarathon is here. Renfall (Power-1)
Brigades Type & No.
Morale: 95% Giants 3
Attrition: 0% Ogres 6 Value Vs. Population Center: 30,810
Terrain Mod: 0% NA 0 Est. Value In Current Terrain: 29,586

--

Battle report:

Attack by the 1st Giant army on the Neutral city of Zarathon, located in area OP of
Arcania: Paid informants revealed that Zarathon was protected to an unprecedented degree,
3 thick walls and a skilled garrison fronted a defense which included 20 catapults and 100
ballistae. Late in the afternoon, Captain Vandamere commanded his 1st Giant army to
execute the attack on the city. As the most important group of their people, the fighters
are visibly heartened by the presence of the first Giant's banner! As the attackers swept
over the dark forest, the battle began. As the attackers approached, defending archers
were heartened by their clear success in the first hour, inflicting significant casualties
on the attackers. The Giant ranks caused light damage upon the city's protectors. Giant
conjurers dismounted barely past where the defensive missles were falling and began an
animated incantation. Power-1 wizard Kaz muttered a few words in a foreign tongue. A light
sparkling mist seemed to fall briefly over the troops, and then they grew clearly more
intrepid. Power-1 wizard Raignanll threw back his hood and gestured in an animated
fashion. A light sparkling mist seemed to fall briefly over the troops, and then they grew
clearly more intrepid. Power-1 wizard Renfall glowered intently and issued indecipherable
utterances. A light sparkling mist seemed to fall briefly over the troops, and then they
grew clearly more intrepid. The Giant wizards inflicted no damage upon the defenders. It
readily became clear that the defending troops were of typical quality for the region. The
defenders at the field ramparts fought with strong fury, and though they suffered losses,
thus far they had held their positions. Captain Vandamere regrouped his force and they
rushed forward twice more in the early minutes. Courageously pressing forward despite the
losses suffered in the initial assault. . Defenses badly damaged, still the garrison
commander shouted orders to his lieutenants, hoping that a show of determination would
dismay the attackers. Intrepidly advancing against a stubborn foe, the Giant seemed intent
to conquer. Vigorously pressing the resolute defenders, the Giant were clearly not
dissuaded from conquering. Within a few hours, the city defenses were obliterated and an
unconditional surrender was offered. The Giant banner now waves nobly in Zarathon! Giant
casualties were put at 27%. All Giant leaders survived the battle. Vandamere again led
courageously and has earned a promotion to Captain I. Regrettably, the Giant Wizard
Power-1 Raignanll was killed. The troops are eager for further glory: morale is up!

--

Ending group:

Group: 1st Giant Troop Composition:
Size: Army Archers 141 Leaders: Captain I Vandamere
Cavalry 0 NA
Located: Area OP Infantry 9,071 NA
Region : Arcania Wizards: Kaz (Power-1)
Terrain: Forest Renfall (Power-1)
The city of Zarathon is here. NA
Brigades Type & No.
Morale: 99% Giants 2
Attrition: 6% Ogres 5 Value Vs. Population Center: 23,265
Terrain Mod: 0% NA 0 Est. Value In Current Terrain: 22,457

[Ry Vor]

Pretty good battle report I think.  I wonder what other game does that?

Ogres are one of the top brigade types.  They are nothing like Recruits.  I actually think many Giant players underestimate them. 

Again, all kingdoms are different and sometimes players underestimate the complexity confronting a certain kingdom (really, any kingdom).  Yes, the Giants don't want to lose Giant brigades.  Sometimes they might Threaten instead of attack a strong PC., for example. 

[HeadHoncho]

Respectfully, I view this as a non-answer.

I understand OG are better than most, but they're not as good as GI. Thus, the math seems odd.

If GI players don't mind playing with results like this, more power to them. I'm just making sure people are aware of the issue, because it matters for these Kingdoms.

EDIT: To be crystal clear, you obviously are not obligated to respond, and for the millionth time, no one is insulting the quality of the game.

[Ry Vor]

Respectfully, I view this as a non-answer.

I understand OG are better than most, but they're not as good as GI.  Thus, the math seems odd.

If GI players don't mind playing with results like this, more power to them.  I'm just making sure people are aware of the issue, because it matters for these Kingdoms.

EDIT: To be crystal clear, you obviously are not obligated to respond, and for the millionth time, no one is insulting the quality of the game.

Well, someone seems to constantly want to spar on Alamaze and small decisions at times.  On one hand, I think it is beautiful that so many people can have free opinions on anything Alamaze, I think that's great, actually.  And we have most likely the most active forum in what I guess most would still just call PBEM. 

I don't think there has been a hundred, let alone a "millionith" posts on how good the game Alamaze may or may not be.  And for some weird reason, I still kind of think I will direct where it goes and when.  I guess that sounds egotistical, but as I may have said, I decided to stop being an employee and just do what I think is best for Alamaze, so I have design, financial, programming, and center-brain issues. 

So I will keep working at creating the best fricking multiplayer actual strategy game to be found on the planet.  And of course that leads to other opinions, most of which I respect and consider other opinions. 

[Ry Vor]

The intention is to have 2nd Cycle games available as long as they fill in a reasonable time.  Otherwise, 3rd Cycle is the focus of what we are doing.  And probably as when we switched from Clipper to java, we will have some players not happy at relying on their old formulas.  This will be almost like a new game. 

I don't mind the sparring too much, but I do think I deserve to have the final say.  So anyone can say their piece, and that is welcome, and you know I listen, but when it is decided, I go with the guy that has produced the Game of the Year Games.