Illwiki Dominions 5 Wiki

User Tools

Site Tools

Trace:
bcnoexceptions-new-player-guide

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revision Previous revision
Next revision 		Previous revision
bcnoexceptions-new-player-guide [2021/01/01 01:43]
naaira 		bcnoexceptions-new-player-guide [2022/04/19 19:32] (current)
rovsea [Pretender Design]
Line 1: Line 1:
 ====== bcnoexceptions' New Player Guide ====== ====== bcnoexceptions' New Player Guide ======
 +
 [[https://discord.gg/GZDmhBVdHw|{{ :guides:clippy_discord_link.png?300}}]] [[https://discord.gg/GZDmhBVdHw|{{ :guides:clippy_discord_link.png?300}}]]
 //Welcome! So you met a Dryad in the woods who swooned, maybe brought you a drink or two,  and convinced you to buy this game. And now you might be wondering … "how do I play?"// //Welcome! So you met a Dryad in the woods who swooned, maybe brought you a drink or two,  and convinced you to buy this game. And now you might be wondering … "how do I play?"//
Line 10: Line 11:
  
 ===== Getting Started in Single-Player ===== ===== Getting Started in Single-Player =====
- 
-<WRAP box round third right><WRAP centeralign>**The three Ages**</WRAP> There are three Ages to this game. They're all different from each other, but I would consider Early Age ("EA") and Middle Ages ("MA") more similar to each other than either is to Late Ages ("LA"). As you play you'll decide which age(s) you enjoy more.</WRAP> 
  
 For your first game, For your first game,
 +
 +<WRAP box round third right><WRAP centeralign>**The three Ages**</WRAP> There are three Ages to this game. They're all different from each other, but I would consider Early Age ("EA") and Middle Ages ("MA") more similar to each other than either is to Late Ages ("LA"). As you play you'll decide which age(s) you enjoy more.</WRAP>
   * Click "Create World"   * Click "Create World"
   * Click "<Random Map>"   * Click "<Random Map>"
Line 27: Line 28:
   * //Middle Age:// Ulm or Caelum.   * //Middle Age:// Ulm or Caelum.
 Someone on the Internet is probably rushing to tell me these are terrible recommendations, but I don't care. Someone on the Internet is probably rushing to tell me these are terrible recommendations, but I don't care.
 +
 +<WRAP group>
 +<WRAP column twothirds>
 +Each nation will have a national overview, similar to the screen pictured to the right. You can right-click on any of the units to get more information. However, for now, skip those details - we'll get into what the stats mean later.
 +</WRAP>
 +<WRAP column third>
 +{{::guides:newplayer:national_overview.png|:guides:newplayer:}}
 +</WRAP>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 <WRAP box round> <WRAP box round>
 <WRAP group> <WRAP group>
Line 40: Line 51:
 </WRAP></WRAP></WRAP> </WRAP></WRAP></WRAP>
  
-====== Pretender Design ======+===== Pretender Design =====
 <WRAP group> <WRAP group>
 <WRAP column twothirds> <WRAP column twothirds>
Line 57: Line 68:
  
  
-{{ :guides:newplayer:02_pretender_selection.png?nolink |}}+{{ :guides:newplayer:02_pretender_selection.png?650&nolink |}}
 <WRAP group> <WRAP group>
 <WRAP column quarter> <WRAP column quarter>
Line 83: Line 94:
 Next, let's talk about the Magic section: Next, let's talk about the Magic section:
  
-{{ :guides:newplayer:03_magic_paths.png?nolink |}}+{{ :guides:newplayer:03_magic_paths.png?550&nolink |}}
  
 There are eight paths - from left to right, you have Fire (F), Air (A), Water (W), Earth (E), Astral (S), Death (D), Nature (N), and Blood (B). There are eight paths - from left to right, you have Fire (F), Air (A), Water (W), Earth (E), Astral (S), Death (D), Nature (N), and Blood (B).
  
-The specific God chassis you just picked as some built-in magic. This is important, because:+The specific God chassis you just picked has some built-in magic. This is important, because:
   - Adding magic from a new path costs more (40 for immobiles, 60 for most Titans, 80 for most Monsters, and 10 for Humans). This penalty doesn't really matter for Humans, but for other God chasses, it's noteworthy.   - Adding magic from a new path costs more (40 for immobiles, 60 for most Titans, 80 for most Monsters, and 10 for Humans). This penalty doesn't really matter for Humans, but for other God chasses, it's noteworthy.
   - The more points you add to a specific path of magic, the more it costs. These costs accelerate - notice that your second click on one of the paths costs more than the first. So, if you want to reach a high number, you want to start at a high number to save points. No chassis starts with more than 3 in any single path.   - The more points you add to a specific path of magic, the more it costs. These costs accelerate - notice that your second click on one of the paths costs more than the first. So, if you want to reach a high number, you want to start at a high number to save points. No chassis starts with more than 3 in any single path.
Line 100: Line 111:
 Knock one of the magic paths up to 4, and you'll see you have some Bless Points: Knock one of the magic paths up to 4, and you'll see you have some Bless Points:
  
-{{ :guides:newplayer:04_bless.png?nolink |}}+{{ :guides:newplayer:04_bless.png?550&nolink |}}
  
 If you click "Add Bless Effect", you'll see that you have a "menu" of how to spend your points. The different paths unlock different effects, and as you might expect, if you get more skill in a certain path, you also get more bless points to spend. If you click "Add Bless Effect", you'll see that you have a "menu" of how to spend your points. The different paths unlock different effects, and as you might expect, if you get more skill in a certain path, you also get more bless points to spend.
Line 113: Line 124:
 Every nation also has "Priests" which can cast the "Bless" spell. That spell will apply the Bless Effects you select here, to several Sacred troops. If you have a Level 3 Priest, you can cast Divine Blessing, which blesses all of your Sacred troops. Blesses can be quite powerful, because they can be a way to get powerful abilities added to your troops from the beginning of the game, as opposed to having to wait to research magic that confers those abilities. Every nation also has "Priests" which can cast the "Bless" spell. That spell will apply the Bless Effects you select here, to several Sacred troops. If you have a Level 3 Priest, you can cast Divine Blessing, which blesses all of your Sacred troops. Blesses can be quite powerful, because they can be a way to get powerful abilities added to your troops from the beginning of the game, as opposed to having to wait to research magic that confers those abilities.
  
-As I said, I'm not gonna tell you what Bless(es) to take. After you've played a couple of games, feel free to read <link>this guide</link> for some generic advice. Some guidelines:+As I said, I'm not gonna tell you what Bless(es) to take. After you've played a couple of games, feel free to read [[http://dominionsmods.com/index.php?showtopic=3220|this link]] for some generic advice. Some guidelines:
   * You can't really go wrong with stat boosts: +attack, +defense, +strength   * You can't really go wrong with stat boosts: +attack, +defense, +strength
   * Avoid the ultra-expensive ones, which tend not to be worth it, except for Regeneration   * Avoid the ultra-expensive ones, which tend not to be worth it, except for Regeneration
Line 119: Line 130:
 Let's move on to the next section: your Dominion Score and Scales. Let's move on to the next section: your Dominion Score and Scales.
  
-{{ :guides:newplayer:05_scales.png?nolink |}}+{{ :guides:newplayer:05_scales.png?550&nolink |}}
  
 The left-most number (the one next to the candle) is different from the other 6. That number is your **Dominion Score (Dom)**, which starts higher for Immobiles and Titans, and lower for Humans and Monsters. It has two primary effects: The left-most number (the one next to the candle) is different from the other 6. That number is your **Dominion Score (Dom)**, which starts higher for Immobiles and Titans, and lower for Humans and Monsters. It has two primary effects:
Line 146: Line 157:
 The last section is your Pretender's availability: The last section is your Pretender's availability:
  
-{{ :guides:newplayer:06_awake_or_not.png?nolink |}}+{{ :guides:newplayer:06_awake_or_not.png?550&nolink |}}
  
 As you might expect, this is a tradeoff between getting your powerful pretender unit from the beginning of the game, vs. getting more points for magic + scales. You may have noticed some of the blesses say "incarnate only" - these blesses only function while your Pretender is awake and alive, so if you take such a bless, you should select Awake. As you might expect, this is a tradeoff between getting your powerful pretender unit from the beginning of the game, vs. getting more points for magic + scales. You may have noticed some of the blesses say "incarnate only" - these blesses only function while your Pretender is awake and alive, so if you take such a bless, you should select Awake.
Line 152: Line 163:
 Monsters are often taken Awake so that they can help you expand; others are often taken Imprisoned. Monsters are often taken Awake so that they can help you expand; others are often taken Imprisoned.
 Dormant is more of an "advanced" option, since you would be targeting having your pretender make an impact in the midgame but doing initial expansion without it. Dormant is not selected nearly as often as the other two options. Dormant is more of an "advanced" option, since you would be targeting having your pretender make an impact in the midgame but doing initial expansion without it. Dormant is not selected nearly as often as the other two options.
- 
  
 When you're done with all that, you'll have the most important decision to make in all of Dominions: When you're done with all that, you'll have the most important decision to make in all of Dominions:
-{{ :guides:newplayer:07_naming.png?nolink |}}+{{ :guides:newplayer:07_naming.png?550&nolink |}}
  
 <WRAP box round><WRAP centeralign>**Summary of the Pretender Screen**</WRAP> <WRAP box round><WRAP centeralign>**Summary of the Pretender Screen**</WRAP>
Line 165: Line 175:
   * The Imprisonment section determines when your God shows up on the map. Don't take Dormant. If you took an (incarnate only) bless, take awake.   * The Imprisonment section determines when your God shows up on the map. Don't take Dormant. If you took an (incarnate only) bless, take awake.
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
- 
  
  
Line 203: Line 212:
 {{ :guides:newplayer:09_victory_conditions.png?500&nolink |}}</WRAP></WRAP> {{ :guides:newplayer:09_victory_conditions.png?500&nolink |}}</WRAP></WRAP>
  
-====== Your First Turn ======+===== Your First Turn =====
  
 Start the game. It'll take a bit to generate the map, after which you'll see the first messages of every game: Start the game. It'll take a bit to generate the map, after which you'll see the first messages of every game:
  
-{{ :guides:newplayer:10_turn_1_message.png?nolink |}}+{{ :guides:newplayer:10_turn_1_message.png?550&nolink |}}
 \\  \\ 
-{{ :guides:newplayer:11_turn_1_units.png?60&nolink|}}You can click on each of them, to see the backstory for the game … basically, some old Pantokrator (God) locked up all the competitors (you) and ruled for a while, until disappearing. So now, you guys are fighting to take his place (civilian population be damned!).+You can click on each of them, to see the backstory for the game … basically, some old Pantokrator (God) locked up all the competitors (you) and ruled for a while, until disappearing. So now, you guys are fighting to take his place (civilian population be damned!).
  
 After closing this popup, you'll see your capital. You'll have either two or three commanders, depending on whether your Pretender was Awake or not. Here's how it might look for someone with an awake Pretender (in my case, a dragon named "TWO DWARVES IN A DRAGON SUIT"): After closing this popup, you'll see your capital. You'll have either two or three commanders, depending on whether your Pretender was Awake or not. Here's how it might look for someone with an awake Pretender (in my case, a dragon named "TWO DWARVES IN A DRAGON SUIT"):
  
-The first one is my starting troop-leader commander, the second one is my starting scout, and the third one is my Pretender God. As mentioned above, you may not have the third one if your God is not Awake. You can identify the troop leader because of the little sword at the right, which means that it is commanding troops. +{{:guides:newplayer:11_turn_1_units_2.png?180&nolink |}}The first one is my starting troop-leader commander, the second one is my starting scout, and the third one is my Pretender God. As mentioned above, you may not have the third one if your God is not Awake. You can identify the troop leader because of the little sword at the right, which means that it is commanding troops.
- +
- +
-\\+
  
-{{:guides:newplayer:12_turn_1_orders.png?180&nolink |}}Click on the troop leader and hit <space> to give him an order. You'll see a list of all the things this guy can do as his action. Your first order will be to make him your prophet, by clicking "Become Prophet".+{{ :guides:newplayer:12_turn_1_orders.png?180&nolink|}}Click on the troop leader and hit <space> to give him an order. You'll see a list of all the things this guy can do as his action. Your first order will be to make him your prophet, by clicking "Become Prophet".
  
 We'll talk about many of these orders later, but let's talk about your Prophet. You can only have one Prophet at a time, but if this Prophet dies, you'll be able to appoint a new one after a few turns. Your Prophet will automatically get 3 levels of Holy Magic, which means he'll be able to claim thrones, bless your troops, and smite your enemies (more on this next turn). We'll talk about many of these orders later, but let's talk about your Prophet. You can only have one Prophet at a time, but if this Prophet dies, you'll be able to appoint a new one after a few turns. Your Prophet will automatically get 3 levels of Holy Magic, which means he'll be able to claim thrones, bless your troops, and smite your enemies (more on this next turn).
Line 231: Line 237:
 Next, let's recruit some troops! Click on your capital, then click Recruit Units on the right side of the screen. You will see troops you can recruit in your capital. Your screen will be different depending on the nation you chose: Next, let's recruit some troops! Click on your capital, then click Recruit Units on the right side of the screen. You will see troops you can recruit in your capital. Your screen will be different depending on the nation you chose:
  
-{{ :guides:newplayer:13_recruitment.png?nolink |}}+{{ :guides:newplayer:13_recruitment.png?550&nolink |}}
  
 The top section is commanders you can recruit, and the bottom section is units. Usually, your mages are towards the end of the top list, and your nation's sacred troops (if applicable) are usually towards the end of the bottom list. Pick a mage commander on the top to recruit, and some units on the bottom to recruit (likely your sacreds). You can right-click on a guy to get a screen with more stats for him. The top section is commanders you can recruit, and the bottom section is units. Usually, your mages are towards the end of the top list, and your nation's sacred troops (if applicable) are usually towards the end of the bottom list. Pick a mage commander on the top to recruit, and some units on the bottom to recruit (likely your sacreds). You can right-click on a guy to get a screen with more stats for him.
Line 295: Line 301:
 Let's see what that gives you! Close that popup and click on Army Setup (on the right side of the screen): Let's see what that gives you! Close that popup and click on Army Setup (on the right side of the screen):
  
-{{ :guides:newplayer:17_army_setup.png?nolink |}}+{{ :guides:newplayer:17_army_setup.png?550&nolink |}}
  
 Let's add your new troops (your's will be different) to your starting army. Click on the first of your troops in your garrison at the top, then hold shift and click on the last one. Add them to one of your squads by clicking on the dark area in that row. You'll see your troops add to that group of other troops. Let's add your new troops (your's will be different) to your starting army. Click on the first of your troops in your garrison at the top, then hold shift and click on the last one. Add them to one of your squads by clicking on the dark area in that row. You'll see your troops add to that group of other troops.
Line 346: Line 352:
 Make sure you're continuing to recruit more troops and researchers, and end your turn. Make sure you're continuing to recruit more troops and researchers, and end your turn.
  
-====== Turn 4 - Watching your first battles ======+===== Turn 4 - Watching your first battles =====
  
 Look at your messages. You should see notifications for the battle(s) you fought. Did you win? Click "View Battle" to watch a replay. Look at your messages. You should see notifications for the battle(s) you fought. Did you win? Click "View Battle" to watch a replay.
  
-{{ :guides:newplayer:20_battle_view.png?nolink |}}+{{ :guides:newplayer:20_battle_view.png?550&nolink |}}
  
 Inside the battle viewer, hit space to pause the replay. You can also speed it up, slow it down, and see individual units by right-clicking on them. Inside the battle viewer, hit space to pause the replay. You can also speed it up, slow it down, and see individual units by right-clicking on them.
Line 382: Line 388:
 Continue expanding, but let's also look at Mercenaries available for hire. Click the "Mercenaries" tab on the right. These are highly variable between games, so you may not have any available to bid on right now, but here's how they work. Continue expanding, but let's also look at Mercenaries available for hire. Click the "Mercenaries" tab on the right. These are highly variable between games, so you may not have any available to bid on right now, but here's how they work.
  
-{{ :guides:newplayer:22_mercenaries.png?nolink |}}+{{ :guides:newplayer:22_mercenaries.png?550&nolink |}}
  
 Mercenaries vary in a few ways: Mercenaries vary in a few ways:
Line 438: Line 444:
  
 You can give gems to a commander that can't use them, or even one that's not a mage at all. This is a common strategy to avoid spending all your gems at once, because mages have a nasty habit of spending all the gems you give them. You can also check the "conservative gem usage" checkbox on a mage's script, to tell him to avoid using any gems he doesn't need to. You can give gems to a commander that can't use them, or even one that's not a mage at all. This is a common strategy to avoid spending all your gems at once, because mages have a nasty habit of spending all the gems you give them. You can also check the "conservative gem usage" checkbox on a mage's script, to tell him to avoid using any gems he doesn't need to.
 +
 +
  
 So those are combat spells. Let's talk about Rituals. You cast rituals at a friendly lab as a mage's whole turn. Their effects vary considerably, from simply moving around more quickly or healing individual units to casting powerful global enchantments. So those are combat spells. Let's talk about Rituals. You cast rituals at a friendly lab as a mage's whole turn. Their effects vary considerably, from simply moving around more quickly or healing individual units to casting powerful global enchantments.
Line 486: Line 494:
 <WRAP column quarter right>{{ :guides:newplayer:32_forge.png?160&nolink |}}</WRAP>Badass magical conquerors need badass magical gear to go along with them. Besides using your gems to power spells and rituals, you'll also be using them to craft magical items. The way this works is your mages can issue a Forge Magic Item order to craft items you've unlocked that match their magical paths: <WRAP column quarter right>{{ :guides:newplayer:32_forge.png?160&nolink |}}</WRAP>Badass magical conquerors need badass magical gear to go along with them. Besides using your gems to power spells and rituals, you'll also be using them to craft magical items. The way this works is your mages can issue a Forge Magic Item order to craft items you've unlocked that match their magical paths:
  
-{{ :guides:newplayer:33_forge_2.png?500&nolink |}}+{{ :guides:newplayer:33_forge_2.png?550&nolink |}}
  
 In the screenshot above, we see some of the Trinkets (unlocked from the beginning of the game) and Lesser Magical Items (unlocked at Construction level 2). At even levels of Construction research, you get a new "wave" of magical items. Unfortunately, to know exactly what will become available, you need to either consult the manual, or use a tool like the [[https://larzm42.github.io/dom5inspector/|Mod Inspector]] (this site is extremely useful regardless). Nonetheless, there are some items you'll find yourself making more than others: In the screenshot above, we see some of the Trinkets (unlocked from the beginning of the game) and Lesser Magical Items (unlocked at Construction level 2). At even levels of Construction research, you get a new "wave" of magical items. Unfortunately, to know exactly what will become available, you need to either consult the manual, or use a tool like the [[https://larzm42.github.io/dom5inspector/|Mod Inspector]] (this site is extremely useful regardless). Nonetheless, there are some items you'll find yourself making more than others:
Line 496: Line 504:
 Each commander has some "slots" for holding items. For example, this regular human has the "standard" slots - two arms, a head, a torso, feet, and two "miscellaneous" items: Each commander has some "slots" for holding items. For example, this regular human has the "standard" slots - two arms, a head, a torso, feet, and two "miscellaneous" items:
  
-{{ :guides:newplayer:34_frost_father.png?600&nolink |}}+{{ :guides:newplayer:34_frost_father.png?550&nolink |}}
 \\ \\
 \\ \\
 This guy has four arms, so he gets extra arm slots to match. Despite the labels, the left-most slots can hold either weapons or shields. This guy has four arms, so he gets extra arm slots to match. Despite the labels, the left-most slots can hold either weapons or shields.
  
-{{ :guides:newplayer:35_nataraja.png?600&nolink |}}+{{ :guides:newplayer:35_nataraja.png?550&nolink |}}
 \\ \\
 \\ \\
 This giant snake has neither arms nor legs, nor a torso that would support traditional armor, so his slots are rather limited. This giant snake has neither arms nor legs, nor a torso that would support traditional armor, so his slots are rather limited.
  
-{{ :guides:newplayer:36_serpent_of_chaos.png?600&nolink |}}+{{ :guides:newplayer:36_serpent_of_chaos.png?550&nolink |}}
  
 Items will size to match the wearer (it's magic!) so size 6 giants can generally wear the same gear as size 2 humans. Items will size to match the wearer (it's magic!) so size 6 giants can generally wear the same gear as size 2 humans.
Line 592: Line 600:
 After a few single-player games, if you decide to jump into multiplayer (which I highly recommend!), check out [[community-guide|Althaea's guide]] for how to find and join games using the Dominions Nexus discord server. After a few single-player games, if you decide to jump into multiplayer (which I highly recommend!), check out [[community-guide|Althaea's guide]] for how to find and join games using the Dominions Nexus discord server.
  
-Send any feedback on this guide to @bcnoexceptions on Discord. Cheers!+//Send any feedback on this guide to **@bcnoexceptions** on Discord. Cheers!//
  
 +{{tag>Guides}}
  
bcnoexceptions-new-player-guide.1609465414.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021/01/01 01:43 by naaira

Page Tools

Content is available under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. The Illwiki Dominions 5 wiki is not affiliated with Illwinter Game Design, the creators of Dominions 5.