A Warlock beginners AAR

[MetalDog]

And not a moment too soon.

[MetalDog]

The next Spell is Reconstruction.  It says that it heals buildings and Undead.  I hope that's true.

[MetalDog]

I recapture Calatirn and send a peace proposal.  His Mage is a Hero.  Time to get out of this war and try to build for future turns.

[MetalDog]

And the kingdom is saved!  Huzzah!!  King Rat Bastige the Third has agreed to my peace offer.  And Pete gains another level and some better eyesight.

[MetalDog]

Now for a hard decision.  I just built a Barracks in Gravegloom.  That gives me the option to purchase the Drilled bump for my units.  Now, here in Geludurum, I can build a Mana Pump for +10 Mana and -4 GPT or I can build the Enchanter's Workshop which gives me access to Enchanted Weapons which is +25% Elemental Damage at the cost of -4GPT and -1 Mana per Turn.  Even though the bump cossts 100 Gold, I build the Workshop.  I am trying to build a moderate but powerful force and bumps are the expensive, but indispensible, way to go imo.

[Martok]

Nice job so far!  Looks like Geludurum is going to be a major contributor to your kingdom, almost as much as Gravegloom itself.  Was grabbing Calartirn part of a strategy of establishing a buffer zone of sorts with Rrat? 

[MetalDog]

Our first artifact is found!  :)  However, it is a weapon for a spell caster not a fighter :(  I'll take the Mana though.

[MetalDog]

Nice job so far!  Looks like Geludurum is going to be a major contributor to your kingdom, almost as much as Gravegloom itself.  Was grabbing Calartirn part of a strategy of establishing a buffer zone of sorts with Rrat?

Yes.  Up to that point, I was trapped in by the geography of mountain, water and an Earth Elemental.  I needed to be able to move to the other side of the mountains and build more cities without having to put the Settlers in the water.  Regular units, as opposed to boats that belong in the water, are Level 1 and have 12 HP with a small bombard number for offense.  That being the case, I try to avoid putting units in the water for any reason unless I control the seas with impunity.

[MetalDog]

An eminently useful, if expensive, spell is next up in the queue.  Followed by another spell with area effect.

[MetalDog]

This screen reveals that Rrat Bastige has found a place to build a city right in the middle of "my" area of influence.  I'm going to do something about that!

[MetalDog]

Like give him what he asked for :(  And that is not normally how I operate.  However, if you look at the last screenie, you will notice I have two Settlers and my Hero near several of his units and his new city.  I need to get the Settlers out and found cities with them.  They are way more valuable than what I gave up.

[MetalDog]

With the Barracks up in Gravegloom, I can build Training Grounds.  That gives me access to veteran Archers (Snipers) and Warriors (aptly enough, Veterans).

[MetalDog]

A usefull spell and a good amount of Gold is my reward for pushing a lot of Werewolves off a Hermit's House.  And for his efforts, Hugue Dry Branch gains another level.

[MetalDog]

This is a shot of what will be the main, contested area for the rest of the game.  Our Victory conditions are one: slay the other Great Mage.  His capitol is within reach and his cities are small.  So, the short and medium term goals are to build more cities that open up better units and bumps, build more powerful units and get them experience fighting monsters, Neutrals, and denizens of the Underworld and then take out Rrat Bastige.

[MetalDog]

The last screen above shows a Settler and two units just north of Calatirn.  There is a Holy Site in fog of war due west of that.  On top of the Site is a Greater Fire Elemental.  I want to build my new city within range of the Elemental, but do not want to get the unit toasted by same.  By carefully moving the Settler, I am able to move and found the city where I want it on the same turn.  And my Minotaurs gain a level to boot!