Newbie Questions

[PTRILEY]

I check my turn results and map, as soon as I can after the turn runs.   I used to play the PBM game way way back, and although I never met Phil in person, we talked long distance many many times .  I found the new game about a year and a half ago, and have loved playing games.   I play anywhere from 2-5 games at a time, I’ve played about 25 and my duels were used for training, I wasn’t concerned with trying to win, you can learn a lot from them, (highly suggest new guys play some of these to get the game mechanics down).  I’ve been lucky to have several players to help with questions (you know who you are).

I don’t like to drop games, but on a very few occasions I have, mostly due to getting very bad die rolls consistently, in conjunction with an overwhelming attack.  Can’t beat both, a player and the Gods of Alamaze.   I’m not a fan of communication games, not much of a trash talker.  I like the anonymous and silent games.  I like the team games also, although I would like to see different people on teams.  I have enjoyed each one.  You can learn a ton from different perspectives.  I ran into Calidor on a team game, and like he said we played against each other way back.  Fun times Joe.

I don’t plan much on my turn, I have a plan from the start, and my games are fluid, adjusting to the actions around me.  3rd cycle games I had several tactics, I would secure and build, or launch an attack as early as possible, or counter punch, depending on kingdom and set up.   I’n Maelstrom I really haven’t got my feet planted, first few games I just wanted to try the new buildings out, new fortifications, and the nuances of the new map.  That got me killed early a couple of times, but I still learned about the regions and kingdom placements.  You don’t have to win or podium place to learn what works best.   I’m liking maelstrom and the new things going on, I’m not sure I like adjusting games that are already in progress, but I’ll get over it.  and I keep my map, turn and order form up while working a turn, I also sometimes go to my docs and load another kingdoms dossier up to get their traits and special abilities up, so I won’t make a mistake when attacking them.  My hope is more people start playing and our base can expand.

[Valuthor]

Does anyone have a list of artifacts, being a new player among more experienced, I feel at a disadvantage not knowing what artifacts to go after when I have or choose foreknowledge

Thank you

[Draugr]

Does anyone have a list of artifacts, being a new player among more experienced, I feel at a disadvantage not knowing what artifacts to go after when I have or choose foreknowledge

Thank you

I have the list from 3rd cycle (the as far as I know for maelstrom) and am happy to share it.  Email alamazedraugr@gmail.com

It is interesting that you feel at a disadvantage on which artifact to look for.  As one of those experienced players that does better than average.  I do not look for artifact much unless I stumble across one or find a quest I need a key for.  But also I remember when new, I played games with the only goal to explore and find artifacts.  I found it very rewarding to see how many I could get and learn what they can do.  Not looking to win at the time but explore and learn.

[PTRILEY]

Does anyone have a list of artifacts, being a new player among more experienced, I feel at a disadvantage not knowing what artifacts to go after when I have or choose foreknowledge

Thank you

I have the list from 3rd cycle (the as far as I know for maelstrom) and am happy to share it.  Email alamazedraugr@gmail.com

It is interesting that you feel at a disadvantage on which artifact to look for.  As one of those experienced players that does better than average.  I do not look for artifact much unless I stumble across one or find a quest I need a key for.  But also I remember when new, I played games with the only goal to explore and find artifacts.  I found it very rewarding to see how many I could get and learn what they can do.  Not looking to win at the time but explore and learn.

Lol I did this too, when I began.  Me and Wookie played a duel, only looked for artifacts and tested what I needed to get them and wanted to know what they did.  )

[Ry Vor]

Since this turned a bit temporarily to artifacts, then maybe some pros and cons of artifact hunting.  I would guess if you plan an early invasion, you don't want to go searching for artifacts.

But if not, even in choosing Early Strategic Objectives, sometimes recovering two artifacts, or if by end of turn 2 and foreknowledge you already know 3 or more locations, perhaps even a 2 point ESO of recovering 4 artifacts.  While there are risks, if you know through Foreknowledge some valuable artifacts:  The Ring of Invisibility for Underworld or Halfling perhaps comes to mind, an early weapon artifact is nice to have, especially if going after more sightings, and also with ESO, if the kingdom has the Heroic trait in particular or Military Tradition, getting 3 marshals is not difficult.  Also having a marshal can be important to the better companions.

An artifact inclusive strategy calls for the path of temple, maiden, priestess hopefully by T4, so now this also favors Devout kingdoms.


Obviously there are some very powerful artifacts across many categories.  The Staffs for king artifacts, the aforementioned Ring of Invisibility, several wizard artifacts like the, oh, Ring of Power and Ring of Spells, and a personal favorite, The Stone of All Minds.  The superior weapons, and armor that makes the group leaders about invulnerable.  Even the often overlooked and underappreciated Altar of the Holy Ancients and Plow of the Prophet - put that in your best southern village and stop worrying about winter.  Many others, even fine artifacts - who wouldn't want another Ring of Protection or perhaps an Onyx Amulet (excellent sighting).

So, what are your favorite artifacts and do you have a special way to maximize their use?

[Wookie Panz]

Since this turned a bit temporarily to artifacts, then maybe some pros and cons of artifact hunting.  I would guess if you plan an early invasion, you don't want to go searching for artifacts.

But if not, even in choosing Early Strategic Objectives, sometimes recovering two artifacts, or if by end of turn 2 and foreknowledge you already know 3 or more locations, perhaps even a 2 point ESO of recovering 4 artifacts.  While there are risks, if you know through Foreknowledge some valuable artifacts:  The Ring of Invisibility for Underworld or Halfling perhaps comes to mind, an early weapon artifact is nice to have, especially if going after more sightings, and also with ESO, if the kingdom has the Heroic trait in particular or Military Tradition, getting 3 marshals is not difficult.  Also having a marshal can be important to the better companions.

An artifact inclusive strategy calls for the path of temple, maiden, priestess hopefully by T4, so now this also favors Devout kingdoms.


Obviously there are some very powerful artifacts across many categories.  The Staffs for king artifacts, the aforementioned Ring of Invisibility, several wizard artifacts like the, oh, Ring of Power and Ring of Spells, and a personal favorite, The Stone of All Minds.  The superior weapons, and armor that makes the group leaders about invulnerable.  Even the often overlooked and underappreciated Altar of the Holy Ancients and Plow of the Prophet - put that in your best southern village and stop worrying about winter.  Many others, even fine artifacts - who wouldn't want another Ring of Protection or perhaps an Onyx Amulet (excellent sighting).

So, what are your favorite artifacts and do you have a special way to maximize their use?

All well stated Ry Vor.  And of course once you have all of those valuable artifacts you have to work to protect them from the more powerful military kingdoms like Ty and RD as it is much easier for them to capture someone else's than to hunt for their own.  UN and the other spy network kingdoms can be very good at pilfering artifacts too.  Absolutely no offense intended to any current players of these positions.  Stealing can be fun too!

[Valuthor]

It is fun looking for artifacts, I've been separating into a small team just to hunt with Valerian steel.
I probably spend way to much time going after artifacts then is good for me...

[PTRILEY]

My favorite artifacts are the ring of power and spell, quest artifacts are nice, like the staff of disdain/ great orator/ and plow all very useful. The ring of invisibility real nice on a high level agent. In Maelstrom the plow may be the best artifact to find. Usually don’t have time to find to many, wars start so quick now, no time or orders to look for them. Imo

[Draugr]

Stone of all minds found in the early game is a game changer

But my favorite anytime artifact is like crystal of seeing. I generally scout 3 PCs a turn until I find three capitals then I create a standing order to watch those capitals. See what a king is doing without the potential enemy knowing can be very useful.

I prefer staff of distain over staff of the orator.

For starting foreknowledge items, In maelstrom the Plow the AN starts with may actually be to OP for any kingdom let alone to start the game. In the last game I played the AN it ended on t25 I had 5 legendary castles and could have had 6 but the RD took one. I believe only 1 or2 others even existed among all the other kingdoms.

[Ry Vor]

Stone of all minds found in the early game is a game changer

But my favorite anytime artifact is like crystal of seeing.   I generally scout 3 PCs a turn until I find three capitals then I create a standing order to watch those capitals.  See what a king is doing without the potential enemy knowing can be very useful.

I prefer staff of distain over staff of the orator.

For starting foreknowledge items,   In maelstrom the Plow the AN starts with may actually be to OP for any kingdom let alone to start the game.  In the last game I played the AN it ended on t25 I had 5 legendary castles and could have had 6 but the RD took one.   I believe only 1 or2 others even existed among all the other kingdoms.

All good finer points.  Especially on the Plow of the Prophet, as I remember on this forum back in 2nd Cycle, players were complaining, "Geez, I got the freaking Plow.  Big deal."
 
Now, the Plow never changed, and the Champion of Alamaze thinks it might be the best artifact to have in Maelstrom, OP (over powered). 

As I've hinted, if we do something of a Maelstrom 2.0, I want to change some of the covert, such that kidnapping and ransom becomes an almost usual thing, rather than assassination.  I've talked about how this could be done.  Also, the covert order we had in Fall of Rome, Diversion, although scaled back a bit from there.   Also Counter Espionage likely limited to 100% effectiveness in the base, maybe 50% at some limited range.  After all, the espionage orders are in and out fast, whereas the counter espionage team has to be forever vigilant.