[[..atlantis-ea|{{:wiki:dom6_version.png?100 }}]]{{ :nations:flags:ea_atlantis.png?nolink|}}
====== EA Atlantis, Emergence of the Deep Ones ======
===== Lore =====
For centuries the seas have been the domain of the Tritons, but recently a nation of beings resembling a cross between fish, frog and human has emerged in the deepest gorges of the oceans. The race is not entirely unknown, for there are a few of them who have made shallow coastal reefs their home, but the Triton Kings never imagined that they were numerous or powerful enough to form a nation. These Atlantians of the deeps never stop growing and will live for several hundred years unless killed. The Atlantian society is organized in a strict hierarchy of size and age. The oldest and most cunning Atlantians have made themselves kings and queens of the Basalt City in the deepest reaches of the ocean. The Atlantians of the Deeps use weapons of enchanted basalt made by the Basalt Kings
//"[R'lyeh and Atlantis] are heavily influenced by H.P. Lovecraft. While R'lyeh is closer to the Cthulhu mythos with Starspawns and strange beings from the stellar void, Atlantis is a nation of deep ones native to the depths."// - Illwinter
===== General Overview =====
EA Atlantis boasts strong troops and a recruitable Super Combatant in the Basalt King. A focus on Construction will truly make the Basalt Kings shine, while the troops can easily hold the line even with no buff spells whatsoever.
Atlantis troops often have either good armor, or Fire and Cold resistance, but rarely both. Most have darkvision, but not all of them do. Bringing the right troops for the right fight can be a challenge, but can also open up very powerful strategies. So plan ahead for what magic you want to cast when deciding what troops to recruit.
Finally, beware of your [[Magic Resistance]]. The Mages and Priests are decently resistant, but some of your best troops are sporting MR 8 or below.
===== National Features =====
**AQUATIC**
^ Magic Access ^ Alt. Access ^ Unit Summary ^ Core Abilities ^ Buildings ^
| {{path>E4}} (rare 5) \\ {{path>W3}} (uncommon 4) \\ {{path>F2}} (rare 3) \\ {{path>S1}} \\ {{path>H3}} | | Light Infantry \\ Shamblers \\ No Missile Weapons | {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] \\ {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] \\ {{:abilities:poison_barbs.png?15&nolink}} [[Poison Barbs]] \\ {{:abilities:resist_fire.png?15&nolink}} [[Fire Resistance]] \\ {{:abilities:resist_cold.png?15&nolink}} [[Cold Resistance]] | {{:misc:gui:castle.png?30&nolink}} Advanced Forts |
**Capitol Gems:** {{gems>1F2W3E}}
{{:nations:ea:atlantis:scout.png?nolink }} Average **Atlantians** of Atlantis are **Size 3** {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} **[[Amphibious|Amphibians]]** (three-to-a-square). Whether they're silly frogmen or eldritch abominations is not too clear, but it //is// clear that they're strong and clumsy; **12 HP**, **3 Natural Protection**, **11 Strength**, **9 Defence Skill** (naked), **8 Precision**, and **10's** in **Combat Speed** & **Map Movement** (also while naked). Originating from the gorges, they have {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} **50% [[Darkvision]]**, which is handy in deep seas. \\ {{:nations:ea:atlantis:shambler.png?nolink }} **Shamblers** are middle-aged Atlantians, having grown to **Size 4** (two-to-a-square). On top of the innate Atlantian traits (and their low Defence and Precision), they have **22 HP**, **7 Natural Protection**, **15 Strength**, **11's** in **Morale** and **Combat Speed** while buck-naked, and **14 Map Movement** while nude. Geared Shamblers are even capable of wielding Two-handed Weapons and a shield at the same time (an impressive feat other races can't naturally accomplish despite shamblers having average defense skill),
{{:nations:ea:atlantis:deep_one.png?nolink }} The Deep Atlantians (or **Deep Ones**) are bestial folks with riblike teeth and angler lures. Also **Size 3** {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} **[[Amphibious|Amphibians]]**, these guys have {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} **100% [[Darkvision]]** due to their environment, along with {{:abilities:resist_fire.png?15&nolink}} **5 [[Fire Resistance]]** and {{:abilities:resist_cold.png?15&nolink}} **5 [[Cold Resistance]]** (like a caveman). Many Deep Ones use their monstrous jaws in battle, giving them a **bonus attack** (if a basic one). Statistically, the average Deep One has **14 HP**, **4 Natural Protection**, **12 Strength**, **12's** in **Morale** and **Map Movement** while naked, **9 Combat Speed** (also naked), and **7's** in **Defence Skill**, **Precision**, & **Magic Resistance**. \\ {{:nations:ea:atlantis:shambler_of_the_deep.png?nolink }} **Shamblers of the Deep** are slightly less beastly than their younger Deep siblings, but they still have their **bonus attack** and their other traits beneath the stat block. The average **Size 4** one has **26 HP**, **9 Natural Protection**, **16 Strength**, **7 Defence Skill** (still), **8's** in **Precision** & **Magic Resistance**, an impressive **13 Morale** in the buff, and the same mobility as an unarmored human (14 Map Movement and 12 Combat Speed). And they get bigger than this...
===== National Units =====
==== Commanders ====
^ Image ^ Unit Name ^ Special Attributes ^ Comments ^
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:scout.png?nolink}} | **??Scout#1680??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 35 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 1 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 1 | {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (50%) \\ {{:abilities:stealthy.png?15&nolink}} [[Stealthy]] (50) \\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] |An amphibious scout for the same price as a normal one. |
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:shambler_chief.png?nolink}} | **??Shambler Chief#1700??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 70 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 2 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 1 | {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (50%) \\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] | |
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:coral_commander.png?nolink}} | **??Coral Commander#1701??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 110 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 23 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 1 | {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (50%) \\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] \\ {{:abilities:poison_barbs.png?15&nolink}} [[Poison Barbs]] (5) | Can make Atlanteans stand in lines, and is useful if only for that. Your primary leader if you don’t need priests blessing your troops. |
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:coral_priest.png?nolink}} | **??Coral Priest#1694??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 65 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 3 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 1 \\ Coastal Fort Recruit | {{path>H1}} \\ {{:abilities:sacred.png?15&nolink}} [[Sacred]] \\ {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (50%) \\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] | If focusing on Basalt Kings for expansion and war, these are your best priests. Terrible leadership, but all you need them to do is bless the Basalt King and retreat, so 1 Command point is a plus. |
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:mother_of_the_deep.png?nolink}} | **??Mother of the Deep#1693??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 135 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 5 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 2 | {{path>H2}} \\ {{:abilities:sacred.png?15&nolink}} [[Sacred]] \\ {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (50%) \\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] \\ [[Female]] | If focusing on Pillars of the Deep for expansion and war, Mothers of the Deep are better than Coral Priests. They have decent leadership and can cast ??Sermon of Courage?? when the blessing is done. Cost 2 Command Points though. |
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:mage_of_the_deep.png?nolink}} | **??Mage of the Deep#1693??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 300 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 3 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 2 | {{path>W2,100%FWES,100%FWE}}{{path>13}} \\ {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (50%) \\ {{:abilities:water_breathing.png?15&nolink}} [[Water Breathing]] (15) \\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] | Not a priest-mage sadly, so lots of upkeep on this very mediocre researcher. 13 RP for 300 gold isn’t great, but it’s your only choice outside of the capital, so get used to it. Their magic is decently diverse though, with the options to cast Big Water spells, Acid spells, plenty of Earth buffs and even make small communions with Astral if necessary. |
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:basalt_queen.png?nolink}} | **??Basalt Queen#1695??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 470 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 1 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 4 \\ {{:misc:gui:fortress.png?20&nolink}} Capital Only | {{path>H3}} \\ {{:abilities:sacred.png?15&nolink}} [[Sacred]] \\ {{:abilities:resist_fire.png?15&nolink}} [[Fire Resistance]] (5) \\ {{:abilities:resist_cold.png?15&nolink}} [[Cold Resistance]] (5)\\ {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (100%) \\ {{:abilities:fear.png?15&nolink}} [[Fear]] (+5)\\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] \\ [[Female]] | Good to have a few of them around for claiming thrones and blessing big battles. Very killy in their own right, but not worth gearing when they compete with Basalt Kings in your Capital. |
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:basalt_king.png?nolink}} | **??Basalt King#1702??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 620 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 1 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 4 | {{path>F1W2E3,100%FWE,10%FWE}}{{path>19}} \\ {{:abilities:resist_fire.png?15&nolink}} [[Fire Resistance]] (5) \\ {{:abilities:resist_cold.png?15&nolink}} [[Cold Resistance]] (5) \\ {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (100%) \\ {{:abilities:fear.png?15&nolink}} [[Fear]] (+5)\\ {{:abilities:resource_bonus.png?15&nolink}} [[Resource Bonus]] (10)\\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] | Your 4 Command Point, out of the box thug and super-mage. A couple of Alteration spells is all you need to expand with them, and a couple of Construction items easily turns them into Super-Combatants. They also open up Big Earth spells as opposed to the Mages of the Deep who bring Big Water. |
==== Troops ====
^ Image ^ Unit Name ^ Special Attributes ^ Comments ^
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:atlantian_spearman.png?nolink}} | **??Atlantian Spearman#1681??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 10 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 4 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 9 | {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (50%) \\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] | |
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:reef_dweller.png?nolink}} | **??Reef Dweller#1682??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 10 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 10 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 9 \\ Coastal Fort Recruit | {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (50%) \\ {{:abilities:poison_barbs.png?15&nolink}} [[Poison Barbs]] (5) \\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] | |
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:deep_one.png?nolink}} | **??Deep One#1686??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 10 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 1 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 9 | {{:abilities:resist_fire.png?15&nolink}} [[Fire Resistance]] (5) \\ {{:abilities:resist_cold.png?15&nolink}} [[Cold Resistance]] (5) \\ {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (100%) \\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] | |
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:deep_one_spearman.png?nolink}} | **??Deep One Spearman#1687??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 10 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 7 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 9 | {{:abilities:resist_fire.png?15&nolink}} [[Fire Resistance]] (5) \\ {{:abilities:resist_cold.png?15&nolink}} [[Cold Resistance]] (5) \\ {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (100%) \\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] | Very high attack density with good morale plus fire and cold resistance but terrible protection and magic resistance. Useful if all you need is lots of attacks, but usually overlooked in favor of their larger cousins. |
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:shambler.png?nolink}} | **??Shambler#1683??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 20 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 1 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 25 | {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (50%) \\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] | |
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:shambler_of_the_deep.png?nolink}} | **??Shambler of the Deep#1688??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 20 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 1 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 25 | {{:abilities:resist_fire.png?15&nolink}} [[Fire Resistance]] (5) \\ {{:abilities:resist_cold.png?15&nolink}} [[Cold Resistance]] (5) \\ {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (100%) \\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] | Same attack density as Deep One Spearmen (6 attacks per square) but with more HP and natural protection. Still good if you just need attack density, but since they have no armor and high natural protection they aren’t very efficient to buff with your Earth spells. Fire and cold resistance are still a big plus. |
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:war_shambler.png?nolink}} | **??War Shambler#1684??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 25 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 6 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 30 | {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (50%) \\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] | |
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:warrior_of_the_deep.png?nolink}} | **??Warrior of the Deep#1689??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 25 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 10 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 30 | {{:abilities:resist_fire.png?15&nolink}} [[Fire Resistance]] (5) \\ {{:abilities:resist_cold.png?15&nolink}} [[Cold Resistance]] (5) \\ {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (100%) \\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] | Recruit-anywhere magic weapons with fire and cold resistance, what’s not to like? Well lack of armor and MR8 of course, those are weaknesses that will be difficult to shore up. Still an incredibly versatile unit against any {{:misc:magic:air.png?10&nolink}}Air (??Mistform??) or {{:misc:magic:astral.png?10&nolink}}Astral (??Body Ethereal??) nation. |
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:coral_guard.png?nolink}} | **??Coral Guard#1685??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 30 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 23 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 39 | {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (50%) \\ {{:abilities:poison_barbs.png?15&nolink}} [[Poison Barbs]] (5) \\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] | Flipping the script, Coral Guard have great armor, no resistances, and only 50% [[Darkvision]] as opposed to the 100% [[Darkvision]] sported by units with “Deep” in their name. Much more efficient than Warriors of the Deep when receiving ??Stoneskin??/??Ironskin?? buffs due to their armor, and they deal poison damage if your enemies don’t have resistance to it. |
| {{:nations:ea:atlantis:living_pillar.png?nolink}} | **??Living Pillar#1690??** \\ {{:misc:gui:gold.png?15&nolink}} 35 \\ {{:misc:gui:resources.png?15&nolink}} 50 \\ {{:misc:gui:recruitmentpoints.png?15&nolink}} 35 | {{:abilities:sacred.png?15&nolink}} [[Sacred]] \\ {{:abilities:resist_fire.png?15&nolink}} [[Fire Resistance]] (5) \\ {{:abilities:resist_cold.png?15&nolink}} [[Cold Resistance]] (5) \\ {{:abilities:darkvision.png?15&nolink}} [[Darkvision]] (100%) \\ {{:abilities:castle_defence_bonus.png?15&nolink}} [[Castle Defence]] (+2) \\ {{:abilities:amphibious.png?15&nolink}} [[Amphibious]] | Can either be the centerpiece of your expansion strategy or entirely ignored based on your bless and personal preference. Their armor and natural protection combo makes them functionally immune to damage from many indies. But their 10 [[Encumbrance]] means they won’t be fighting long before going to sleep. The combination of good armor and fire and cold resistance is only present on Living Pillars, so they can be very useful when battlefield-wide spells are in play. |
===== National Spells =====
==== Summons ====
=== Ritual ===
^ Summon Spell ^ Unit ^ Special Attributes ^ Comments ^
| **??Summon Monster Fish??** \\ //(Conjuration 6)// \\ {{path>W3}} and {{gems>6W}} | {{:nations:ea:atlantis:monster_fish.png?nolink}} \\ **??Monster Fish#1664??** | {{:abilities:fear.png?20&nolink}} [[Fear]] (+5) \\ [[Digest]] (2) \\ {{:abilities:undisciplined.png?20&nolink}} [[Undisciplined]] \\ {{:abilities:aquatic.png?20&nolink}} [[Aquatic]] | Commentary here. |
===== Magic Access =====
//See [[Magic Access]]// for the general guides to climbing magic paths.
====Recruits====
===Elements:===
* {{path>F2}} on one-in-four ??Basalt King??s (capital-only) and every twelfth ??Mage of the Deep??
* No Air magic
* {{path>W4}} on every twelfth ??Mage of the Deep??
* {{path>E4}} on one-in-four ??Basalt King??s (capital-only), {{path>E2}} on every twelfth ??Mage of the Deep??
===Sorceries:===
* {{path>S1}} on every fourth ??Mage of the Deep??
* No Death magic
* No Nature magic
* No Glamour magic
===Others:===
* No Blood magic
* {{path>H3}} on ??Basalt Queen??s (capital-only), {{path>H2}} in other seas, and {{path>H1}} on coasts
====Analysis====
EA Atlantis's magical ascent from its recruits is very straightforward; it can get deep into {{:misc:magic:water.png?15&nolink}}Water and {{:misc:magic:earth.png?15&nolink}}Earth, but its crosspaths don't really offer anything new. The five paths it lacks, it lacks, depriving access to [[Poison Resistance]] and a few other buffs. It also can't climb in {{:misc:magic:fire.png?15&nolink}}Fire or {{:misc:magic:astral.png?15&nolink}}Astral without empowerment, unless it lucks into a {{path>F3}} in time for Construction Level 9 and crafts ??The Ruby Eye??.
The random path arrangement on ??Mage of the Deep#1693?? is highly unusual for Dominions' nations; the chance of //at least// {{path>W3}} on one of them is 7-in-12, for instance, but the chance of {{path>W4}} is 1-in-12. The same is true for {{path>F1}}/{{path>F2}}, and for {{path>E1}}/{{path>E2}}.
{{path>E4}} allows a ??Basalt King?? (1 in 3) to cast ??Troll King's Court?? for {{path>G1}}.
Because so many of your units have [[Fire Resistance]], trading for the ??Flame Helmet?? and ??Skull of Fire?? (or empowering to craft them yourself) is well-worth your gems. 2 {{:misc:magic:fire.png?15&nolink}}Fire Boosters and 2 {{:misc:magic:water.png?15&nolink}}Water Boosters let a Fire-random Basalt King forge ??Staff of Elemental Mastery#76??s, and craft more ??Flame Helmet??s himself. 2 {{:misc:magic:fire.png?15&nolink}}Fire Boosters and a staff then lets you hit {{path>F5}} for ??Fire Storm??, ??Flame Storm??, and ??Heat from Hell??, without the need for ??Fire Fend?? or ??Frostflesh Army??.
Basalt Kings can be {{path>E4}} and have two functioning feet. That means they can wear ??Earth Boots?? to become {{path>E5}} and cast ??Forge of the Ancients??, a huge boon for a nation as forge-hungry as this one. Then with a ??Staff of Elemental Mastery#76?? or trading/empowering for a ??Blood Stone??, you can hit {{path>E6}} for ??Earth Blood Deep Well??.
An {{path>E4}} ??Basalt King#1702?? can also wear ??Earth Boots??, a ??Robe of the Sea??, a ??Water Bracelet??, and a ??Staff of Elemental Mastery#76?? to reach {{path>W5E6}}, letting them cast ??Lost Land??, just in case there’s a coastal throne you need or you just hate someone with a coastal cap. Regardless, ??Basalt King#1702??s are one of the few recruitable units that can reach this lofty height.
===== Strategy =====
How to win as the nation. Feel free to use the following sections, or delete them, or change them.
==== Expansion ====
You’ll hear a lot of conflicting opinions on ??Pillars of the Deep??: are they worthless or do they make expansion easy?
With a Pillars-focused bless like Hard Skin, you can expand with a ??Mother of the Deep#1693??, 3-5 pillars, and as many Shamblers/Warriors of the Deep as you can afford. Put the Pillars way out in front with the Mother and Warriors way behind (but still in range of the Bless spell). Put all units on "Hold and Attack" and try to position the Pillars to take the brunt of the indies. Small amounts of indies will filter behind your Pillars to be cut down by your other units while the Pillars take almost no damage at all.
Alternatively, with a ??Basalt King#1702?? focused bless like Regeneration, recruit a few ??Coral Priest#1694??s and then pump out as many ??Basalt King#1702??s as you can with few/no troops. Have the priests bless then retreat while the Kings cast Alteration Buffs and attack. Fear from the Kings should rout the indies even if you don’t kill anyone.
Finally, EA Atlantis can expand with pure scales, but you’ll probably want a mix of ??Coral Guard#1685?? and ??Deep One Spearmen#1687?? for defense or attack density depending on indies.
==== Early Game ====
??Basalt King#1702??s should be just about the only thing you recruit in your cap after your first fort is up. [[Map Move]] 20 makes them one of the few units that can move two provinces underwater. They are your premier thugs and super-combatants even with zero bless.
Your first research goals should almost always be Alteration 3 (for ??Basalt King#1702?? buffs) and Conjuration 5 (for Water elementals and ??Voice of Tiamat??). Even if there are no other water nations to fight, ??Voice of Tiamat?? is perfect for getting the gem economy rolling as early as possible.
==== Mid Game ====
{{:misc:magic:nature.png?15&nolink}}Nature is one of the most common schools of magic for indie mages, so try to find a land province with nature mages. Hand them a ??Ring of Water Breathing?? to site-search underwater as well for good measure, as nature construction items like ??Boots of the Messenger?? and a ??Ring of Regeneration?? are a big help for your ??Basalt King#1702??s. Even an Indie {{path>N1}} mage can craft these, if you either have ??Forge of the Ancients?? or can trade for a single ??Thistle Mace?? (and then make more ??Thistle Mace??s of your own).
Mid game is also an excellent time to run up Construction to level 6 (for ??Forge of the Ancients??) and 7 (for ??Lightless Lantern??s). If you took {{:misc:scales:drain.png?15&nolink}}Drain scales, ??Lightless Lantern??s are even more pressing.
Finally, if running up Construction, it’s a good idea to empower a ??Basalt King#1702?? either twice in {{:misc:magic:fire.png?15&nolink}}Fire or once in {{:misc:magic:fire.png?15&nolink}}Fire and once in {{:misc:magic:death.png?15&nolink}}Death. That’s a whole lot of gems, but it unlocks the ??Flame Helmet??, the ??Staff of Elemental Mastery#76??, and possibly the ??Skull of Fire??. These {{:misc:magic:fire.png?15&nolink}}Fire Boosters will allow you to cast high level fire spells like ??Fire Storm?? and ??Heat from Hell?? that your ??Warrior of the Deep#1689??s and ??Living Pillar#1690??s resist. Hopefully, ??Voice of Tiamat?? has been kind enough to give you the {{:misc:magic:firegem.png?15&nolink}}Fire gems you’ll need.
==== Late Game ====
Even without empowering for boosters to cast ??Fire Storm?? with, ??Acid Storm?? is another great battlefield wipe that both Kings and Mages can cast. It can be made even better when combined with ??Quagmire?? and ??Grip of Winter??, so {{:misc:magic:water.png?15&nolink}}Water boosters are well worth the investment.
If ??Voice of Tiamat?? gave you a lot of {{:misc:magic:airgem.png?15&nolink}}Air gems, empowering for {{:misc:magic:air.png?15&nolink}}Air Spells, perhaps using an {{:misc:magic:astral.png?15&nolink}}Astral ??Mage of the Deep#1692?? for communions, can also give you access to air-based battlefield wipes and buffs.
And if ??Voice of Tiamat?? gave you a lot of {{:misc:magic:watergem.png?15&nolink}}Water gems, consider going Evocation 8 for ??Maelstrom??, to turn some of those {{:misc:magic:watergem.png?15&nolink}}Water gems into other gems and to set up ??Green Lion#1983?? (??Manifest Vitriol??) and ??Gelatinous Cube#2159?? (??Vile Water??) factories on all your coasts.
Try to have {{path>E2S2}} on your pretender, or gun it for ??Forge of the Ancients??, as this will be needed to forge ??Crystal Coin??s and ??Starshine Skullcap??s. These open up ??Golem??s, which you can gear for a teleporting thug option. ??Golem??s are also naturally [[Poison Resistant]], letting them wield a ??Snake Bladder Stick?? and opening up another threat vector your enemies will have to prepare for.
Finally, ??Crown of the Magi?? is another incredible item, well worth an {{:misc:magic:astral.png?15&nolink}}Astral Empowerment to craft. It gives you 30% fast-casting, letting your ??Basalt King#1695??s cast ??Earthquake?? before most enemy mages can cast battlefield-wide buffs. Stopping an enemy mage from casting ??Army of Mist?? or ??Army of Bronze?? can turn a battle all on its own.
With how many times Construction items have been mentioned, is it any wonder ??Forge of the Ancients?? keeps getting mentioned as well? If you do manage to get and keep the Forge, Construction 9 should be your first level 9 research goal, as there are some items, (such as ??The Ark??,) that can be worth an entire army all by themselves.
==== Example Pretender Builds ====
**Shub Niggurath** \\ An awake titan that expands well into his own dominion and can help you bully other nations in the Underwater Knife Fight. The Hard Skin bless and {{:misc:scales:productivity.png?15&nolink}}Production 1 also lets ??Living Pillar#1690?? expand without much trouble. Later on he can transition into holding {{:misc:magic:earth.png?15&nolink}}Earth globals or leading big armies as needed.
Some people will take {{:misc:scales:drain.png?15&nolink}}Drain 2 to pay for {{:misc:scales:fortune.png?15&nolink}}Fortune, {{:misc:scales:growth.png?15&nolink}}Growth, or more magic paths, but that can make your research exceptionally slow prior to ??Lightless Lantern??s. It does help you defend against mind blasters in your own dominion though.
{{ :pretenders:dagon.png }} \\
**Chassis:** Awake ??Dagon?? \\
**Paths:** {{path>W2E6}} \\
**Bless:** Hard Skin \\
**Scales:** {{scales>dom5O2P1C2G0L0M0}}
**The Basaltiest of them All** \\ This is a more ??Basalt King#1702??-focused bless. Early game, a ??Basalt King#1702?? with a ??Coral Priest#1694?? set to bless and retreat can take most provinces on their own. Later on, forge ??Flask of Holy Water??s so the Kings can bless themselves. In the late game, you’ll want most of your ??Basalt King#1702??s regenerating anyway so trading a ??Ring of Regeneration?? for a ??Flask of Holy Water?? is a good trade.
High {{:misc:magic:nature.png?15&nolink}}Nature unlocks new globals and rituals (if you can find the gems for them), and {{path>S3}} lets you #GodDrop your monolith in the magic phase to really screw with your enemies’ plans. The monolith can also natively forge a ??Starshine Skullcap?? and a ??Crystal Coin??, making it easier to reach ??Golem??s as you climb up Construction.
Once again, sprinkle {{:misc:scales:drain.png?15&nolink}}Drain scales in to taste, but for my taste “0” is quite enough.
{{ :pretenders:monolith.png }} \\
**Chassis:** Awake ??Monolith?? \\
**Paths:** {{path>E6S3N7}} \\
**Bless:** Hard Skin, Regeneration \\
**Scales:** {{scales>dom5O2S2C2G0L0M0}}
===== Weaknesses =====
What are the nation's weaknesses?
===== See More =====
Add links to guides or other overviews for this nation here.
==== Thanks ====
EclecticEel for much of the commentary and the pretender builds.
{{template>dom6:nationindex}}
{{tag>nation}}