Game 5966 - Alamaze World First!

[davekuyk]

The Nomads have declared victory...for the first time ever?

Game 5966 has concluded on turn 41:

1    NO    Ozymandius                48,070      77,341
2    GN    FitzandtheFool            64,855      95,008
3    UN    JohnnyUtah                39,519      62,594
4    DA    Xerro                         25,875      55,278
5    DE    CosmicWizard17          21,730      40,952

Note, this was a Pagan game; no divinations were available. If you have not tried this mode, I recommend it. In some ways, I feel it is superior to the base game mode.

The changes to the NO were certainly felt in this game! Troops are much more powerful, being able to recruit Saurus is fantastic, and the hidden capital is a game-changer.

I'll write up a full review of the Nomad a bit later. I can say with confidence they went from a bottom-tier kingdom to an upper mid-tier, easily the equal of the Dark Elves and the like.

As for the game, the GN had some monster groups and was collecting legendary castles like a kid collecting baseball cards. I don't know for certain, but I believe he was responsible for kidnapping the bulk of my emissary core in the middle of the game. Between his groups and agents, he completely stopped my progress into Triumvia. I believe the GN would have won if the DE didn't enter the fray, eventually taking Triumvia for himself.

The DA got off to a good start, grabbing both Zamora and The Sword Coast, and appeared to be moving into Zanthia where the DW and GI were waging war. He managed to frustrate me to no end with invisible groups. As I couldn't divine groups, it was very difficult to predict where his groups might pop up. I used the Unviel Group spell several times, and he always seemed to have moved his groups to the neighboring region. I cast multiple domes, guessing where his groups might be attacking. I got a few right, but mostly missed. I finally got the best of him when I sat my main group at a city waiting for his big group to appear, which did after two turns.

The UN and I tangled early and likely would have escalated further until the NE attacked the UN from the north. He clearly got the better of the NE after some back and forth.

And, as I mentioned above, the DE saved all of us from GN domination! Hats off to him for taking on that monster!

[JohnnyUtah]

The saurus seem like a top tier companion just behind Trolls. I was shocked how you trashed my army on turn 17. I thought I was being sneaky throwing in two P8's. I thought the death spell would make the fight even-ish, but instead I took 88% loses.

I had 4 of your princes, a duke and a baron. I was coming for you, but then NE happened.

For those that don't know, if your last emissary is kidnapped then you will be ejected from the game! NE must have been pretty shocked and frustrated...

-JU / UN

[davekuyk]

I had to go back and look at that battle again:

Battle between the 1st Nomad army group and the 1st Underworld army group in the plains of area WW:
Nomad Underworld

Commanders
Marshal Jakara Oasis Marshal Fafhrd
Marshal Scourge of Vale Marshal Magnum Opus
Major General Shakar Captain Major Varian Stalker

Wizards
Power-4 Cleric of Pel Power-8 Mystirian
Power-4 Valir Power-8 The Spider
Power-3 Drakan

Brigades
6 Nomads Regular 2 Trolls Veteran
10 Saurus Regular 3 Trolls Regular
1 Scorpions Veteran 1 Ogres Veteran
2 Zamorans Regular 4 Ogres Regular
2 Wildlings Veteran
8 Wildlings Regular

Combat Factors
Forged Armor Very Good Leaders
Forged Weaponry
Excellent Leaders

Tactical Selection
Determined Attack Standard Battle Plan


Due to the ruthless nature of the Nomad, the Underworld forces became weakened as they
succumbed to their fear. In the first hour of morning, the 1st Nomad army group advanced
upon the advancing lines of the 1st Underworld army group commanded by Marshal Fafhrd. The
Nomad fielded its pride: its 1st group. The Underworld fielded its pride: its 1st group.
As the attackers advanced through the high plains, the first missiles sang out.

- Long Range Missilers -

Long range missilers from both sides stepped forward and let loose a volley of arrows. The
Nomad ranks caused minor damage upon the Underworld ranks as the Underworld claimed minor
damage to their enemy.

- Short Range Missilers -

Short range missilers from both sides joined the fray and fired their arrows. The Nomad
ranks imposed light casualties upon the Underworld forces and, in return, the Underworld
claimed light damage against the enemy.

- Magic -

Nomad wizards dismounted just past where the defensive missiles were falling and began an
elaborate incantation. Incanting forcibly Cleric of Pel's presence power altered the
course of the engagement. Sonic blasts shot forth from him. Power-4 wizard Cleric of Pel
slowly spoke in an arcane language, gestures building to a crescendo. His magic caused
illusionary sounds and sights to confuse his foes and confound their commanders: The
presence of significant leadership (marshal or better) decreased the effectiveness of the
chaos spell! Valir likewise let his presence be seen in similar fashion. Power-4 wizard
Valir glowered intently and issued indecipherable utterances. A faintly visible blue
shimmering began to surround the troops and noticeably lessened the effectiveness of the
arrows of the defenders. Drakan likewise had his presence be seen in like fashion. Power-3
Wizard Drakan incanted in a low forceful tone. He then created a powerful warding, which
would protect the heroes and wizards of his force from the black magics of any opposing
spellcasters. Underworld wizards dismounted barely past where the defensive missiles were
falling and began an elaborate spell. Mystirian's presence was noted. Ice blasts shot
forth from the wizard. The Spider also let his presence be known in similar fashion. The
Nomad ranks imposed light losses upon the Underworld lines in response, the Underworld
caused minor damage against the enemy.

- Artifact -

By raising Elan, the Flaming Sword of the North, Underworld Marshal Fafhrd infused his
troops with boldness and caused alarm in the minds of the Nomad leaders as the mighty
sword slew enemy forces. Waving in the wind, the Renowned Standard bolstered the Nomad
troops with hope during the battle.

- Charge -

The Nomad force enjoyed a significant advantage in the early going, greatly pressuring
their foe. Now Marshal Jakara Oasis led the Nomad hearty desert ponies down upon the
cavalry of the Underworld. The Nomad ranks dealt out light damage upon the Underworld
ranks in response, the Underworld imposed light losses to their enemy.

- Melee -

Now the infantry of each side was committed to the battle, and the fighting was hard and
chaotic. The Nomad light footed warriors confronted the Underworld leather helmed
swordsmen to determine the outcome of the battle. The Nomad forces claimed noticable
losses upon the Underworld lines and, in return, the Underworld dealt out minor damage to
their foes.

- Combined -

Hour after hour passed, yet none could tell which side would be the victor since both
forces were evenly matched. Despite all that had preceeded at this moment, the battle
outcome was still in doubt. Now all remaining troops of all types hurled themselves into
the thick of battle to settle matters in decisive fashion. Hour after hour had passed, yet
the battle was still contested. Now the full remaining force of each side rejoined the
melee in a furious, frantically contested struggle. The Nomad combined might defied the
Underworld remaining troops for the final battle. The Nomad lines imposed tremendous
losses upon the Underworld ranks in return, the Underworld claimed light damage to their
foes.

- Conclusion -

At this moment in the struggle, losses suffered by the 1st Underworld had gone beyond the
original threshold planned. As a withdrawal was attempted, the field commanders of the 1st
Underworld assigned the duties of relaying withdrawal commands were dismayed as the
effects of the enemy's mesmerizing magic prevented their comrades from retreating as
ordered. To their credit, the 1st Underworld forces continued to fight as trained. Faced
with the prospect of incurring greater than planned losses, Marshal Fafhrd saw that a
withdrawal for the Underworld had to be quickly made. The Underworld showed good composure
in their withdrawal, minimizing losses. Nomad casualties were put at 18.85%. All Nomad
leaders survived the battle. Shakar once again shown great valor and has earned a
promotion to Commander. Despite receiving a fatal wound, Power-3 Drakan survived due to
our kingdom's special healing abilities! All the Nomad wizards survived the fray. An
Nomads unit earned promotion to Veteran status. An Nomads brigade of Regular experience
battled bravely and have been promoted to Veteran status. An Nomads unit was awarded
promotion to Veteran status. An Nomads unit earned promotion to Veteran status. Earning
elevation was an Saurus brigade. They are now a Veteran unit. An Saurus unit was awarded
promotion to Veteran status. An Saurus unit was awarded promotion to Veteran status.
Awarded promotion was an Saurus brigade. They are now a Veteran unit. An Saurus brigade of
Regular experience fought bravely and have been promoted to Veteran level. An Saurus unit
earned promotion to Veteran status. An Saurus brigade of Regular experience fought bravely
and have been promoted to Veteran experience. Due to experience, victory and valor, a
Veteran Scorpions brigade has been recognized as Elite! Awarded elevation was an Zamorans
brigade. They are now a Veteran brigade. Awarded elevation was an Zamorans brigade. They
are now a Veteran unit. The troops are anxious for more victories: morale is up!
Underworld casualties were put at 88.80%. All Underworld leaders survived the battle.
Fafhrd impressed and has been elevated as a Grand Marshal. All the Underworld wizards
survived the fray. Due to experience, victory and valor, a Veteran Trolls brigade has been
recognized as Elite! The toll of battle has lowered the group's morale.

Plus: A foreign wizard summoned an awesome magic, sending green waves of death
into the ranks of the 1st Nomad, wiping out 4 brigades! [Nomads Green,
Nomads Regular, Nomads Regular, Zamorans Regular]

If you hadn't insta-ported the second p-8 in I believe you group would have been destroyed. Note the Summon Death killed a Zamoran brigade, which, which meant I didn't get the 10% bonus there. In some ways, that was a marginal victory for me, as I lost several kingdom brigades while you "only" lost summoned troops. It did kick your group out of the region for a while, however!