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beginner-s-guide [2020/07/02 10:39]
naaira [Other guides for Beginners by our players] 		beginner-s-guide [2020/10/03 03:39]
bonewhite [Review your Nation] fleshed out how to review your nation, with links to more in-depth articles
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 ====== A Beginner's Guide to playing Dominions 5 ====== ====== A Beginner's Guide to playing Dominions 5 ======
 +
 +Hello my friends.  This is Maerlande.  I started this guide in January 2020 and got very stumped.  But it's mostly my work.  I have some collaborators that will hopefully join in.  The hard part is that I have played Dominions for over a decade and it's not easy to remember the new player challenges.  There is a talk page and you can find me on Steam or many of the discords with your questions.  We will try to add them into the guide.  Please see the talk page for the scope and goals of this guide.
 +
 +Recently new players have been commenting that it's hard to find the lingo and slang used a lot discussing the game.  This wiki page is a good start and feel free to post questions in the discussion page.  [[https://illwiki.com/dom5/acronyms|Commonly Used Shorthands]]
  
  
 ===== Game settings and setup ===== ===== Game settings and setup =====
  
-Your first step will likely be to decide if you want to play alone, in single player (SP), or with other human beings, multiplayer (SP).  A common idea is try playing the game on basic difficulty in single player with a nation you like to get a feel for the core ideas of the game.  There are many long time, even expert players, who only play SP.  Preferably, our community does not disparage that choice as it's fully valid and includes players who helped in the beta test of Dominions 4 and 5.+Your first step will likely be to decide if you want to play alone, in single player (SP), or with other human beings, multiplayer (MP).  A common idea is try playing the game on basic difficulty in single player with a nation you like to get a feel for the core ideas of the game.  There are many long time, even expert players, who only play SP.  Preferably, our community does not disparage that choice as it's fully valid and includes players who helped in the beta test of Dominions 4 and 5.
  
 Let's get started with single player. Let's get started with single player.
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-==== Single Player Setup ==== +Your first step is start Dominions 5 and choose "Create World."{{ :dominions5startscreen.png?400 |}}
- +
-Your first step is start Dominions 5 and choose "Create World."+
  
 === Map Selection=== === Map Selection===
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 === Nation Selection === === Nation Selection ===
  
-This is largely a matter of choice although it's possible to sum up a few basic recommendations.  Some types of nations and magic are significantly more difficult and beginners may want to leave them for a while.  It is a large topic to list nations by ease of play and popularity and is a issue with a lot of subjectivity that generates many long discussion in the community.+This is largely a matter of choice although it's possible to sum up a few basic recommendations.  Some types of nations and magic are significantly more difficult and beginners may want to leave them for a while.  It is a large topic to list nations by ease of play and popularity and is a issue with a lot of subjectivity that generates many long discussion in the community.  I have a couple rules of thumb for nations that are easier to play as a beginner.  Avoid astral and blood magic.  Both are extremely powerful but add a lot of complexity to research, spells and scripts for combat.  Look for nations with a few strong types of magic.  Early Age Agartha comes to mind with one of the best and simple magic choices in earth.  Nations with giant troops can be easy to learn with.  And nations like Ulm with excellent basic troops are simple.
  
-Some simple suggestions may help for beginners.  A list of [[nations|nation categories (archtypes)]] has been prepared which will help to choose.+Some simple suggestions may help for beginners.  A list of [[nations|nation categories (archtypes)]] has been prepared which will help to choose.  The list of types is at the bottom.
  
  
  
 +=== Game Settings ===
  
 +Here I'll fastly cover the settings that really matter for a new player. 
  
-=== Game Settings ===+   * I'd recommend to play with random events set on rare for a beginner.  
 +Events are affected by many factors and it can prove fatal under certain circumstances. Let's agree that to begin you might want to focus on the game itself and not lose by turn 4( or two with Early Age Mictlan) because you played with fire in the settings. :) 
  
-In a proper Order we'd have to talk about the pretender design part but as it is a tough morcel, you'll find more below, and let's get going with the game settings. +   * In the same light I'd recommend to keep the story events disabled. Story events often lead to disastrous ends if not handled correctly. 
  
-Here I'll fastly cover the settings that really matter for a new player. But more details about this can be found on the following page : https://illwiki.com/dom5/beginner-s-guide_game_settings+   * Thrones of Ascension: Clicking on this will enable to choose the victory condition, the most common being victory by thrones of ascension. Although there are other settings, going with the classic victory setting of the game can never go wrong :) 
  
-   * I'd recommand to play with random events set on rare for a beginning.  +   * In this pop up you'll want to ensure that Cataclysm is disabled. Although it is a setting often used in multiplayer to avoid games that never ends, let's say you don't want the end of the world to just end your very first playthrough. 
-Events are affected by many factor and it can prove Fatal under certain circumstances. Let's agree that to begin you might want to focus on the game itself and not lose by turn 4( or two with Early age Mictlan) because you played with fire in the settings :) +
  
-   * In the same Light I'd recommand to keep the story events disabled. For similar reasons, as story events often lead to disastrous ends if not handled correctly. +   * Then probably the most Important aspect of this selection : The number of ascension point required. And number of thrones of each level present in the game. I'd recommend to set the thrones to level 2 or 1 being as many as the total nation count for the game and divide the total value of those throne +1 as the required number of ascension point required. It'll ensure a fairly doable game condition for you, and a defeat that won't come too fast either otherwise. 
  
-   * **Thrones of ascension** : Clicking on this will enable to choose the victory condition.  +===== Review your Nation =====
-The most common being victory by thrones of ascension. Although there is other settings, going with the classic victory setting of the game can never go wrong :) +
  
-   * In this pop up you'll want to ensure that Cataclysm is disabled. Although it is a setting often used in Multiplayer to avoid games that never ends, let's say you don't want the end of the world to just end your very first playtrough. +The game includes a nice feature to make reviewing each nation quick.  From the "Choose Participants" screen in starting a new game, after you have set your nation, click "Ok" and a screen opens with your nation shown with the lore, a summary of it's key features and icons for all the commanders, units, and sites.  A feature many do not know when new to the game is that each of those icons has a tool tip giving most detail about the unit.  Click on any icon to open a detailed description.  And most of the listed statistics or attributes can be clicked for more detail.  Try it out.{{ :ulmnationreview.png?400  |}}
  
-   * Then probably the most Important aspect of this selection : The number of ascension point required. And number of thrones of each level present in the game.  +==== Nation Complexity ====
-      +
-I'd recommand to set the thrones to level 2 or 1 being as many as the total nation count for the game and divide the total value of those throne +1 as the required number of ascension point required. It'll ensure a fairly doable game condition for you, and a defeat that won't come too fast either otherwise. +
  
-===== Nation selection =====+Dominions is a rather asymmetrical game - and perhaps the biggest strategical choice you'll make is your choice of nation. Most game rules are adhered to by each nation, but some have particular rule-breaking features which make them particularly difficult for new players to understand.
  
-  * Discuss [[nations|nation archetypes]]? +For your first few games I recommend picking a nation that is both non-underwater (check the tooltip in the nation select window), and does not use blood magic/sacrifice. 
-  * What makes a nation easy, or hard, to play. +~~ avoids most(?) special-rule nations such as Mictlan and pop-kill //[[glaucus_adonis@hotmail.com|Bone White]]// 
-  * How to quickly review the commanders and troops of a nation. + 
-  * Things to look for on commanders and troops.  Sacred, research efficiency, durability, killing power.+==== Important Unit Features ==== 
 + 
 +Inspecting each of your units is important for you to understand what your nation can (and can't) do. There are hundreds of different abilities, stats, weapons and armour that individual units can have, but the important ones for new players to consider are: 
 + 
 +=== Sacred === 
 + 
 +A sacred commander or unit can recieve your Pretender's bless. Sacred units are often the most powerful, and the most expensive units your nation can recruit. 
 + 
 +=== Priest === 
 + 
 +A priest commander has a priest level of 1 or higher, can bless sacred units in combat. This gives them the same bless you choose in Pretender design (below), making them quite powerful. 
 + 
 +=== Magic === 
 + 
 +Commanders can also have one or more levels of [[magic|magic]], also known as paths. These commanders allow them to cast [[combat-magic|Combat Magic]] during combat, and [[rituals|Ritual Magic]] from the safety of their [[laboratories|Laboratories]]. 
 + 
 +Magic users can also [[research|Research]], which is important to increase your nation's power over the course of a game. 
 + 
 +=== Other Key Features === 
 + 
 +Some races are adept at flying, others can travel across rivers or underwater. Your nation summary will likely brief you on the key features of your nation. 
 + 
 +==== Further Reading ==== 
 + 
 +Each nation's strengths, synergies and weaknesses are subjective, and if you wanted to know more detail about your chosen nation, then find a guide for your specific nation, either [[guides|on this wiki]], or ~~ list other guide locations here ~~
  
 ===== Pretender design ===== ===== Pretender design =====
  
   * [[pretender-archetypes|Pretenders Archetypes]] There are a few main options for competitive Pretenders you can choose from. Scales builds, Bless builds, Expander builds, Specific Spell builds, and Rainbow builds.   * [[pretender-archetypes|Pretenders Archetypes]] There are a few main options for competitive Pretenders you can choose from. Scales builds, Bless builds, Expander builds, Specific Spell builds, and Rainbow builds.
 +
 +==== Your first game Pretender ====
 +
 +Awake Pretenders with an Expander build are a good choice for your first game. This allows you to have a combat-suited Pretender from turn 1 that can help you expand and explore more of Dominion's mechanics from the start, such as [[thugs-and-supercombatants|Thugs and Supercombatants]] and [[combat-magic|Combat Magic]].
 +
 +You can find many suggestions for your Pretender's build on individual guides for that race, but in general a Dominions 2 Monster Chassis is usually a simple and effective start. Pick one you like, give it some magic and add a [[bless|Bless]] or two.
 +
 +Note that your pretender will only receive your bless //if// you are attacking or defending a province with your [[dominion|Dominion]].
 +
 +==== Subsequent Games ====
 +
 +For later games, feel free to mix up your Pretender design. This is often done in consideration with a race's [[power-curve|Power Curve]]
 =====  First turns =====  =====  First turns ===== 
  
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 As you begin expanding, you will generally want to begin producing mages from your capital as soon as possible and setting them to research and/or search for magic sites. If you are new to Dominions, the magic system may seem intimidating. The best way to learn is to experiment with it! As you begin expanding, you will generally want to begin producing mages from your capital as soon as possible and setting them to research and/or search for magic sites. If you are new to Dominions, the magic system may seem intimidating. The best way to learn is to experiment with it!
 +
 +===== Joining and Playing Multiplayer Dominions =====
 +
 +More info!
 +
 +
 ===== Other guides for Beginners by our players ===== ===== Other guides for Beginners by our players =====
  
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 [[https://illwiki.com/dom5/wiki/common_beginner_mistakes|Common Beginner Mistakes]] [[https://illwiki.com/dom5/wiki/common_beginner_mistakes|Common Beginner Mistakes]]
  
 +[[http://dominionsmods.com/index.php?showtopic=3364|Taorec's All Nations Guide]]
beginner-s-guide.txt · Last modified: 2020/10/31 21:46 by fenrir

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