Dwarven Popularity Increase Idea

[Ry Vor]

We are saddened the selection of the Dwarves as a preferred kingdom has declined somewhat.

What if the Dwarves had a special quest? They are buddies with Gandalf, a powerful wizard. He would join with them, if they can send an envoy to recruit him.

He might be in any city. A special order allows the Dwarves to locate him. Once an emissary or agent is in the same city, a special order and a gift of 50k gold brings him into the Dwarves as a P5 DW wizard (meaning likely he is maxed out for power).

[Harry O]

Today I saw a recent Dwarf turn 0 and setup for the first time. I think the Dwarves suffer some PR issues. I think everything about the Dwarves is fair and adequate. I see one problem and that’s the army recruit schedule and or maintenance costs. . I wonder if there shouldn’t be an order to recruit some kind of special troops that cost no gold or an order to end Elf interference.

Harry O

[Wynterbreeze]

We are saddened the selection of the Dwarves as a preferred kingdom has declined somewhat.

What if the Dwarves had a special quest? They are buddies with Gandalf, a powerful wizard. He would join with them, if they can send an envoy to recruit him.

He might be in any city. A special order allows the Dwarves to locate him. Once an emissary or agent is in the same city, a special order and a gift of 50k gold brings him into the Dwarves as a P5 DW wizard (meaning likely he is maxed out for power).

That assumes the DW is left alone to get 50k to spend on that I would like see improvements to the kingdom.

Better movement speed, Dwarfs are hardy and can run for days with out getting tired.

Better military modifiers besides just the mountains.

Maybe starting with a weapon artifact as the Barbarian once did in classic.

However Gandolf wouldn't hurt

[Hawk_]

We are saddened the selection of the Dwarves as a preferred kingdom has declined somewhat.

What if the Dwarves had a special quest? They are buddies with Gandalf, a powerful wizard. He would join with them, if they can send an envoy to recruit him.

He might be in any city. A special order allows the Dwarves to locate him. Once an emissary or agent is in the same city, a special order and a gift of 50k gold brings him into the Dwarves as a P5 DW wizard (meaning likely he is maxed out for power).

That assumes the DW is left alone to get 50k to spend on that I would like see improvements to the kingdom.

Better movement speed, Dwarfs are hardy and can run for days with out getting tired.

Better military modifiers besides just the mountains.

Maybe starting with a weapon artifact as the Barbarian once did in classic.

However Gandolf wouldn't hurt

I played the Dwarves in game 101 and had a great time with the Kingdom. I enjoyed them as a military and political kingdom and would like to see them remain that way.

I think the starting situation with the RD makes them a less popular choice than they otherwise should be. To balance the DW against the RD I would like to see their Organized Withdrawl maneuver enhanced vs. Dragons.

I was able to use the 120 -1 maneuver very effectively against a large and powerful GI army. GI lost 5000 troops, DW lost 600. DW morale increased a bunch and all DW leaders trained. That battle made me want to play the DW again.

I think RD (or BL) should have no way to follow the Dwarves into their tunnels so the order should be even more effective vs. them. However the battle report I saw vs. RD resulted in the opposite. The results were bad troop losses for the DW and a morale loss.

If the 120 order worked better vs. dragons it would offer the DW a tactical option and more power to negotiate with. Dragons get a pass on wall of flame. This could be one way to counter them.

The one other thought I have on the DW is that their military is a big financial drain on them but not as effective as the other expensive militaries in the game.

I am not suggesting that the DW needs a cost reduction but I think the Dwarven 599 order should be extended into boosting gold production as well. The GN gets hidden ore at level 2. The DW should be able to mine gold better. That would make them more attractive to play also.

[HeadHoncho]

Agree with Hawk. Maybe 15k gold for 3k defenses plus 1k gold production.

If you want to keep the wizard concept, increase the power level of the ?2? unusual sighting wizards, and give DW the short name of one, along with its artifact short name special order. Less coding, I imagine.

If those wizards don't have short names, just give DW the location, but ensure that location is always in region 1, 7, or 10.

[Mauler]

I would say that the Dwarves have a lot going for them, but if we are making changes, let's enhance what they already get as a bonus.

-I like the idea of them starting with the axe of farin rather than having to chase it down.
-Why not extend the 20% bonus against giants to include dragons. Their most likely opponent.
-Ensure that the withdraw is effective against dragons
-Bump their starting leaders and morale a touch which will lessen losses.
-If movement is an issue, allow them to forced march for 30 rather than 25.

This may make it more likely that the RD will target the GN however.

[Wynterbreeze]

I would say that the Dwarves have a lot going for them, but if we are making changes, let's enhance what they already get as a bonus.

-I like the idea of them starting with the axe of farin rather than having to chase it down.
-Why not extend the 20% bonus against giants to include dragons. Their most likely opponent.
-Ensure that the withdraw is effective against dragons
-Bump their starting leaders and morale a touch which will lessen losses.
-If movement is an issue, allow them to forced march for 30 rather than 25.

This may make it more likely that the RD will target the GN however.

A good point, perhaps the issue isn't the DW but with the RD starting position. Lowering the interest of playing the DW

[Brogan]

I played them in game 111 and here are few things I noticed:
When I got around to locating the Ax of Farin on turn 4 the Ranger already had it - boo. They should start with it or the location not just the short name. One of their special rules gives them 600 gold any time someone builds defenses. In game 111 that happened maybe 4 times and past turn 12. Too little money to make it worth it. Definitely give them spell 603 at level 2. I don't think you need to take a sledge hammer to the position but tweaking a few things might work.

[Titus]

Make a special order for mining and defense cheaper or combine. I think they should either have a better 120 order against dragons or perhaps a bonus to fighting dragons. Due to their long history of dragon combant. Perhaps the Axe starts in R3. Reduce their costs of troops or let them recruit a new type of troop in the mountains

[Cargus10]

The problem really is the RD. However, if you toughen up the DW against them too much, then that just means the GN gets hammered by the RD. I do like the idea of making the withdraw order better, but that just means that the RD takes the population centers anyway. Start them out with the short name AND location of the Axe of Farin. Maybe give them 1 more brigade of troops to start out.