Dominions 3 Q&A

[mikeck]

I know there are multiple threads on Dominions but I wanted to start one where the community could discuss the gameplay instead of the sale or how good it is. I know many here and at the Wargamer (same crowd mostly) just picked it up including me.

I started my first game in the middle age as a human race. 5 other AI on a 96 Provence Aran map. I set the other AIs to easy as it is my first game.

Ok, so my first question is: other than supply restrictions, is there a reason why I shouldn't use all of my resources each turn buying troops?? I have about 4000 gold and over about 250 resources per turn in my main province. I have two small armies and there doesn't seem to be any reason why I shouldn't recruit all sorts of powerful troops as nauseous...is there a "maintenance cost". My supply level is 345 and my use is at 25 so I have no issue there.

[CptHowdy]

there is upkeep. resources do not accrue so use them or lose them. the tutorial even tells you to buy troops every turn. my only issues so far are the magic spells. just so many and i have no idea what kind of combos to make. the tutorial once again gives a 3 spell combo as an example but after that i am lost!

[mikeck]

Ok, is there some place where I can see what my "upkeep" cost is?
Also, if anyone knows, how do in cast those world spells...the ones that affect other players outside of battle? Are they learned like others?

[CptHowdy]

top right corner is a box that shows your name, how many of each gem you have etc.. also has upkeep cost. any of your heroes that use magic can cast spells as long as they are the correct level and have the gems if a spell requires any. when you look at the boxes on the left of your screen each one at the very bottom should say research, defend etc... just click on that word and will give you many other options for that hero. one of those options is cast ritual spell. as far as i know those have to be researched just like any of the others.

[mikeck]

Ok, thanks

[JasonPratt]

Just a reminder, the Grogheads Middle Age Dom3 game is still open for players: http://grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=5408.0


Spells are researched in categories roughly approximating their use in game. A "ritual" is any spell at all that isn't cast during battle, so it isn't a specific category. Global spells (affecting the whole world) are only one kind of "ritual", and they aren't all in one category either.

You can see what spells are theoretically available, by going to magic, then research, then clicking on the name of the particular school: all spells which fall under that school will be listed, and if they're already available (thanks to research or if no research is needed) they'll be fully colored in. The skill of the mage in various schools of magic (water, air, blood, etc.) will be shown on the right. The in-game description of the spell will be given if the spell itself is clicked on.

[bbmike]

I have this game but haven't tried it yet. From what I've been reading am I right that there is no diplomacy in single player games? You are always at war with everyone else?

[W8taminute]

Great idea for a thread.  Was thinking of starting one myself.  I will contribute later as I have some ideas to share with you all but first...

Does anyone know how to take a screenshot in Dominions 3?  I tried searching the hotkey list by pressing 'g' in game but nothing there.  I also tried 'Print Screen' key but that didn't work either, unless I did something wrong.

[JasonPratt]

Yes, there is no in-game diplomacy single-player.

Not really in multiplayer either, although we can gift each other things. (That's true for single-player, too.) This makes diplomacy in mp... careful. :)

Of course, human players might decide on their own initiative to form a shared victory alliance, with each declaring both to be joint-winners once everyone outside the alliance has been dealt with. But the game engine doesn't recognize such things at all. Leading to the occasional peace-fracturing mishap.


W8, drop a line to Undergeek and ask him how he's snapshotting the screens for the AAR he's doing down in the Digital AAR section. (He's playing against me and several other Grogs in that game. Let me know if he's winning yet, btw.  ;D ) I should have thought PrintScreen would do the trick; but you may have to play it in a window and use a drag-snap tool of some sort.

[W8taminute]

...

W8, drop a line to Undergeek and ask him how he's snapshotting the screens for the AAR he's doing down in the Digital AAR section. (He's playing against me and several other Grogs in that game. Let me know if he's winning yet, btw.  ;D ) I should have thought PrintScreen would do the trick; but you may have to play it in a window and use a drag-snap tool of some sort.

I think you're right.  I'll have to drop into windowed mode and use the Snipping Tool.  Will give this a try tonight!

[Huw the Poo]

Geek uses Fraps.

[mikeck]

Is construction magic worth it? My god has 4 in earth magic so he can craft some good stuff but how well does that work. IDE hate to send in my infantry wearing magical plate armor just so some Mage can turn them into sausage

[Huw the Poo]

Well, you should know that you can't craft stuff for your basic troops.  Only those units that have inventory slots on their info pages can equip items.  As for whether it's worth it, I'll leave that to the experts, but the couple of AARs I've read featured crafted items prominently.

[mikeck]

Yeah, it would be for my sacred Avalon knights. Thanks

[mikeck]

Next stupid question:

Does terrain factor into combat? For example, if I am defending in a mountain province with soldiers who are "mountain survivors", do I get a bonus? What about river crossings? I ask because on one of the "lets play" videos, Das referenced a river and said "that's a tough barrier... No one is crossing that without a big fight".