Illwiki Dominions 5 Wiki

User Tools

Site Tools

Trace:
naaira-expansion-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
naaira-expansion-guide [2020/11/22 21:47]
naaira [Blood on the dance floor - Staking Claims and Backfilling] 		naaira-expansion-guide [2022/08/04 23:06] (current)
lurch
Line 1: Line 1:
 ====== Naaira’s Expansion Guide====== ====== Naaira’s Expansion Guide======
 ~~NOTOC~~ ~~NOTOC~~
-**Note:** This is a work in progress.+**Author:** Naaira
 [[https://discord.gg/GZDmhBVdHw|{{ :guides:clippy_discord_link.png?300}}]] [[https://discord.gg/GZDmhBVdHw|{{ :guides:clippy_discord_link.png?300}}]]
  
-Expansion is a fundamental and often-discussed topic amongst Dominions players, yet few actual guides exist. This is not a guide for the pros, the true masters of the multiverse, the expansermancers. Rather, it is a tribute to mediocrity, to the enthusiastic amateurs who know somewhere deep down inside that they can become better at expanding.+Expansion is a fundamental and often-discussed topic amongst Dominions players, yet few actual guides exist. This is not a guide for the pros, the true masters of the multiverse, the expansermancers.  
 +<WRAP box round quarter right><WRAP centeralign>**Other guides**</WRAP> 
 +Not-Lola has written [[https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1987330995|this guide]] to expansion. It is definitely worth reading. </WRAP> Rather, it is a tribute to mediocrity, to the enthusiastic amateurs who know somewhere deep down inside that they can become better at expanding.
  
 Put on your expansion shoes, tighten that corset a notch and be prepared to learn a thing or two about expansion. Without further ado. Welcome to the first ever season of: Put on your expansion shoes, tighten that corset a notch and be prepared to learn a thing or two about expansion. Without further ado. Welcome to the first ever season of:
Line 70: Line 72:
 The ??Earth Serpent?? is infamous for being a good, but **very** expensive, option for expansion. While it brings no path diversity it does bring a few other things to the table: The ??Earth Serpent?? is infamous for being a good, but **very** expensive, option for expansion. While it brings no path diversity it does bring a few other things to the table:
   * A {{:abilities:fear.png?16&nolink|}} Fear aura to rout indies.   * A {{:abilities:fear.png?16&nolink|}} Fear aura to rout indies.
-  * It begins with NatProt 20 and {{path>E2}}. Once you boost its Earth path to {{path>E4}} or higher you get this as a bonus to your NatProt. So it can easily reach 25 prot unbuffed.+  * It begins with NatProt 20 and {{path>E2}}. Once you boost its Earth path to {{path>E3}} or higher you get this as a bonus to your NatProt. So it can easily reach 25 prot unbuffed.
   * It has {{:abilities:recuperation.png?12&nolink|}} Recuperation that lets it heal afflictions   * It has {{:abilities:recuperation.png?12&nolink|}} Recuperation that lets it heal afflictions
   * It is {{:abilities:amphibious.png?12&nolink|}} Amphibious so can expand underwater   * It is {{:abilities:amphibious.png?12&nolink|}} Amphibious so can expand underwater
Line 76: Line 78:
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
 +
 +==== If you don't have friends, you can always buy some ====
 +
 +Sometimes you have a lot of gold piling up and you need some extra **OUMPH!!**. Don't worry, just press //"b"// and look at all the new friends just waiting to join your cause.
 +
 +Mercenaries can be a good and inexpensive way of speeding up your expansion for nations that are recruitment-capped but still have gold to spend. It is also a way for land-locked nations to go underwater if the right mercenaries show up. To buy a mercenary do the following three steps:
 +  - Press //"b"//
 +  - Go to the [[https://larzm42.github.io/dom5inspector/|Mod Inspector]] and search for the mercenary bands currently available by writing their names under the //Merc// tab.
 +  - Click on the province you want the mercenaries to appear in and place a reasonable bid on the mercenary bands you want.
 +
 +The mercenaries differ a lot in strength. Don't expect //Bindar's Mighty Markatas// to carve a path through Heavy Cavalry - but maybe those monkeys can polster those lances nicely before the Heavy Cavalry hit your main line?
 ===== Eyeing the competition: Independents ===== ===== Eyeing the competition: Independents =====
 <WRAP group> <WRAP group>
Line 83: Line 96:
 <WRAP column third><WRAP box round><WRAP centeralign>**Seek help!**</WRAP> If you encounter a type not discussed here please use the [[https://larzm42.github.io/dom5inspector/ |Mod Inspector]] to look them up. I also advice you to read Taorec's tips on expansion in his [[http://dominionsmods.com/index.php?showtopic=3364 |All Nations Guide]]. .</WRAP></WRAP></WRAP> <WRAP column third><WRAP box round><WRAP centeralign>**Seek help!**</WRAP> If you encounter a type not discussed here please use the [[https://larzm42.github.io/dom5inspector/ |Mod Inspector]] to look them up. I also advice you to read Taorec's tips on expansion in his [[http://dominionsmods.com/index.php?showtopic=3364 |All Nations Guide]]. .</WRAP></WRAP></WRAP>
 <WRAP group>  <WRAP group> 
-<WRAP group><WRAP column third rightalign>**//Militia, Light Infantry \\ Heavy Infantry, Archer, \\ Light Cavalry, All Tribes \\ (except Horse, Wolf \\ and Bone Tribe) //**</WRAP><WRAP column twothirds>This is your standard independents and the weakest type you will encounter . Heavy Infantry is better than militia but worsee than most nations' infantry options. Archers can prove a slight problem to nations with no helmets. The various Tribes are lightly armored with low damage attacks.+<WRAP group><WRAP column third rightalign>**//Militia, Light Infantry \\ Heavy Infantry, Archer, \\ Light Cavalry, All Tribes \\ (except Horse, Wolf \\ and Bone Tribe) //**</WRAP><WRAP column twothirds>This is your standard independents and the weakest type you will encounter . Heavy Infantry is better than militia but worse than most nations' infantry options. Archers can prove a slight problem to nations with no helmets. The various Tribes are lightly armored with low damage attacks.
   * Bring enough of your own troops. 20-40 can be handled by a smaller expansions party while 50-100 will often need a larger party from you.    * Bring enough of your own troops. 20-40 can be handled by a smaller expansions party while 50-100 will often need a larger party from you. 
   * Place your troops in the back on Hold & Attack Closest. This way the independents will split up and you can overwhelm each group in turn.   * Place your troops in the back on Hold & Attack Closest. This way the independents will split up and you can overwhelm each group in turn.
Line 93: Line 106:
   * Use units with slashing or blunt weapons against Longdead. Use chaff to take the charge of Longdead Horsemen   * Use units with slashing or blunt weapons against Longdead. Use chaff to take the charge of Longdead Horsemen
 </WRAP></WRAP> </WRAP></WRAP>
-<WRAP group><WRAP column third rightalign>**//Wolf Tribe//**</WRAP><WRAP column twothirds> Wolf Tribe are dualwielders with low two low-damage piercing attacks and very little armor. They can massacre units that depend on defense to survive. +<WRAP group><WRAP column third rightalign>**//Wolf Tribe//**</WRAP><WRAP column twothirds> Wolf Tribe are dualwielders with two low-damage piercing attacks and very little armor. They can massacre units that depend on defense to survive. 
   * Use archers or javelins to rout them before they reach your frontline.    * Use archers or javelins to rout them before they reach your frontline. 
   * Use high-protection units that can withstand the flurry of dagger blows.    * Use high-protection units that can withstand the flurry of dagger blows. 
Line 117: Line 130:
 <WRAP group><WRAP column third rightalign>**//Elephants, Troglodytes//**</WRAP><WRAP column twothirds> The units do trampling damage, 16-20 armor-piercing damage (-50% prot)!  These independents are especially damage to smaller densely-packed units or units that rely on Glamour for protection.  <WRAP group><WRAP column third rightalign>**//Elephants, Troglodytes//**</WRAP><WRAP column twothirds> The units do trampling damage, 16-20 armor-piercing damage (-50% prot)!  These independents are especially damage to smaller densely-packed units or units that rely on Glamour for protection. 
   * Bring units that are too large to be trampled (4-6 size).   * Bring units that are too large to be trampled (4-6 size).
-  * Shoots them with arrows or bring magic like ??Sleep??, ??Paralyze??, ?Charm Animal??, ??False Feathers?? or ??Bonds of Fire??. ??Body Ethereal?? can negate trampling damage.+  * Shoots them with arrows or bring magic like ??Sleep??, ??Paralyze??, ??Charm Animal??, ??False Feathers?? or ??Bonds of Fire??. ??Body Ethereal?? can negate trampling damage.
 </WRAP></WRAP> </WRAP></WRAP>
 <WRAP group><WRAP column third rightalign>**//Zotz//**</WRAP><WRAP column twothirds> Shitty flyers in caves. Just remember to position your commander in the middle of your troops or they might accidentally kill him and rout your expansion party.</WRAP></WRAP> <WRAP group><WRAP column third rightalign>**//Zotz//**</WRAP><WRAP column twothirds> Shitty flyers in caves. Just remember to position your commander in the middle of your troops or they might accidentally kill him and rout your expansion party.</WRAP></WRAP>
Line 166: Line 179:
   * **Unscripted squads:** By not scripting you hand over your faith to the Dominions AI, and if there is one thing you should never put your faith in, it is the Dominions AI. Learn those hotkeys so you quickly script your units for action!   * **Unscripted squads:** By not scripting you hand over your faith to the Dominions AI, and if there is one thing you should never put your faith in, it is the Dominions AI. Learn those hotkeys so you quickly script your units for action!
   * **Too few or fragile commanders:** Think of your commander as your weakest link - if you lose your commander you most often lose the fight. If you are using fragile commander types bring enough, or protect them with sturdy bodyguards.   * **Too few or fragile commanders:** Think of your commander as your weakest link - if you lose your commander you most often lose the fight. If you are using fragile commander types bring enough, or protect them with sturdy bodyguards.
-  * **Unscripted commanders:** Nothing is worse than a commander who decides to play Rambo and take on the Barbarian horde all by himself. Often you want a basic script of Hold x 5, Stay Behind Troops saved to Ctrl + 1 and make sure you script your basic commanders with that before a fight.+  * **Unscripted commanders:** Nothing is worse than a commander who decides to play Rambo and take on the Barbarian horde all by himself. Often you want a basic script of Hold x 2 or x3 (//thanks melficebelmont//), Stay Behind Troops saved to Ctrl + 1 and make sure you script your basic commanders with that before a fight.
   * **Unblessed sacreds:** If you expand with sacreds make sure you bring enough holy commanders to bless your sacreds. Depending on your bless and sacreds, an unblessed sacred may be more likely to die, incurring unnecessary casualties and potentially losing you the fight. When blessing with priests with {{path>H1}} you almost always want your sacreds scripted to Hold and attack to give the priest time to bless them. You also want to be mindful of Bless' low range of ten squares, so place your priests close to your sacreds.   * **Unblessed sacreds:** If you expand with sacreds make sure you bring enough holy commanders to bless your sacreds. Depending on your bless and sacreds, an unblessed sacred may be more likely to die, incurring unnecessary casualties and potentially losing you the fight. When blessing with priests with {{path>H1}} you almost always want your sacreds scripted to Hold and attack to give the priest time to bless them. You also want to be mindful of Bless' low range of ten squares, so place your priests close to your sacreds.
   * **Using squads with <5 units:** Any squad with less than five units takes heavy morale penalties. Never use less than 5 units, unless you are using elite units lead by an elite commander. In that case set the elite units to bodyguard the commander and script the commander to attack (or buff and attack).    * **Using squads with <5 units:** Any squad with less than five units takes heavy morale penalties. Never use less than 5 units, unless you are using elite units lead by an elite commander. In that case set the elite units to bodyguard the commander and script the commander to attack (or buff and attack). 
Line 231: Line 244:
  
  
-===== Scripting, Formations and Positioning ===== +===== Positioning and Scripting ===== 
-Provide examples of how to script, different formations and positioning.+<WRAP column twothirds> 
 +It can be worthwhile to experiment with how to script and position your units. The right script can dramatically cut down on expansion losses and make your expansion parties last longer. 
  
-- Archers/Crossbows +As a general rule of thumb you want the following to be true: 
-Numbers +  * Archers and crossbows should be placed behind a line of sturdy infantry to protect them from melee combat. 
-Frontline+  * In general you want your highest protection units as your frontline to get less attrition //except// when fighting hardhitting independents like Heavy Cavalry. Then you might want a screen instead with your high protection units right behind them. 
 +  * You want your fast cavalry on the flank on //Hold and Attack Rear//. Hopefully they will run behind the enemy lines and take out any commanders. 
 +  * You want your commander to not run ahead and die. Script them to //Hold x 4, Stay Behind Troops// for their own protection.
  
-- Using screens +<WRAP box round>**Spellcasting non-mages** \\  
-Timing when they meet up +**Lurch** shares this useful tip: Instead of scripting //Hold x 4, Stay Behind Troops// you can script non-mages to //Cast Spells// by using the **c** hotkey - even if that option is missing in the UI as it is for all commanders with no magic paths. By doing this you make sure they remain in the same spot throughout the fight without ever moving forward. This can be used to set up stationary commanders with bodyguards around your mages later on in the game. 
-HP ratios+</WRAP> 
 +Your troops' positioning and scripting should differ depending on what you are up against. For example: 
 +  * Against a group of Heavy Cavalry and Heavy Infantry you might want to place your army all the way to the back to split apart the fast cavalry from the slow infantry. Your troops should be scripted to //Hold and...// 
 +  * Against crossbows and infantry you might want to be as far forward as possible with most of your troops to quickly engage the crossbows. You want your troops to immediately //Attack// 
 +  * Against Zotz you want to make sure your commanders are in the middle of your troops and your troops on //Hold and...// 
 + 
 +The point is that you should be checking your expansion army before each fight and determine if you need to reposition your troops and change their scripts. 
 + 
 +</WRAP> 
 +<WRAP column third> 
 +<WRAP box round><WRAP centeralign>**That Profitable Prophet**</WRAP> 
 +Prophetizing one of your starting commanders can give your initial expansion party a lot of extra firepower. All prophets are at least {{path>H3}} and can Smite your enemies. The name and effect of that smite will differ depending on what the highest path is on your pretender god. 
 + 
 +A standard script for your prophet would be //Divine Blessing, Smite x4, Cast Spells// or //Smite x5, Cast Spells// if you brought no sacreds with you as the prophet is always blessed. 
 + 
 +Make sure to take into account the range of your Smite. E.g. ??Word of Stone?? and ??Watery Death?? both have range 25 for instance, so your prophet might not be in range if they remain on the backline. In that case script //Advance and Cast Spells//. 
 + 
 +//**Rename your prophet!**// 
 +</WRAP></WRAP> 
 + 
 +\\ 
 + 
 +<WRAP group> 
 +==== Timing when you make contact ==== 
 +<WRAP column twothirds> 
 +One important aspect of combat in Dominions is how units choose their target. A unit will prefer to attack the unit //immediately in front of them// if possible. This means that units that attack someone in the back will take a lot less hits and thus less risk of dying. What this means is that you want your high-damage glass cannons to flank the enemy to not take as many hits. 
 + 
 +You accomplish this by making sure that your central line makes contact right before or at the same time as your flanking units. Experiment how to position your units until you get the timing right. 
 + 
 +//In Rovsea's example guide to expansion with Jomon he has found this position to work. The cavalry in the back makes contact at the same time that the infantry engages the enemy.// 
 +</WRAP> 
 +<WRAP column third centeralign> 
 +{{ :guides:expansionguide:rovsea_jomon_2.png?400 |}} 
 + 
 +</WRAP> 
 +</WRAP>
  
 +==== Screening ====
 +Every now and then you come up against independents that you know will cause you attrition. In those cases it may be a good idea to use a screen. A screen is a group of cheap units that you use as your frontline to take the initial charge. Usually this is combined with using your regular units as flanking units.
 +  * When using screens remember that your army may automatically rout once it loses a lot of its total HP, either from attrition or because your screening units ran away. Your screening units should never make up 50%+ of your total HP. You might also want to place them in several groups.
  
 ===== Advanced tips: Expanding with Unusual Units ===== ===== Advanced tips: Expanding with Unusual Units =====
Line 274: Line 328:
   * I often use very slow heavy infantry with your best morale in the elephant squads. That way they stay way behind.   * I often use very slow heavy infantry with your best morale in the elephant squads. That way they stay way behind.
   * Be sure to put commanders out of the retreat path of elephants. Top or bottom corner. Or if elephants on flank then middle.   * Be sure to put commanders out of the retreat path of elephants. Top or bottom corner. Or if elephants on flank then middle.
 +
 +----
 +
 +In a video with Dartimos **Zan** points out that it best to have elephants hit from the flank or rear if possible, while the enemy is occupied with attacking other units. Since units prefer to attack units in front of them, a flanking elephant will take less hits while it tramples away.
 +
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
Line 306: Line 365:
 With all these objections in min there are several nations with access to assassins where their cap recruitment is throttle by something other than gold. In that case assassins can be an effective additional expansion party. Marignon and Vaettiheim are examples of nations that might consider complementing regular expansion with assassins. With all these objections in min there are several nations with access to assassins where their cap recruitment is throttle by something other than gold. In that case assassins can be an effective additional expansion party. Marignon and Vaettiheim are examples of nations that might consider complementing regular expansion with assassins.
  
 +<WRAP box round>
 +**Lurch** adds this piece of advice: \\
 +As for assassin expansion, there's a way of speeding up the process between killing commanders and taking the province, if you're willing to ping it the same turn with the cheapest possible unit you can muster (indy scout or commander). Since assassinations take place before the battle, if you're lucky you can kill all the commanders right as the lone commander moves in to attack it.
 +
 +Script //Hold x2-3, Retreat//. Hopefully that gives time enough for the indies to vacate the battlefield, or if their commander is still alive, time for your commander to book it before dying.
 +
 +Obviously if the province contains both fast and slow units, it's unlikely you can script it so that you're out of dodge before a cavalry charges (if assassinations failed) but long enough to wait out a squad of heavy infantry (if you succeeded).</WRAP>
 ==== Thug expansion ==== ==== Thug expansion ====
 <WRAP group> <WRAP group>
Line 332: Line 398:
 <WRAP group><WRAP column third rightalign>**Why it works:**</WRAP><WRAP column twothirds> High prot with Ironskin,  repel with high attack, Mistform and Glamour to negate hits. Can handle most indies but not Barbarians or Wolf Tribe</WRAP> <WRAP group><WRAP column third rightalign>**Why it works:**</WRAP><WRAP column twothirds> High prot with Ironskin,  repel with high attack, Mistform and Glamour to negate hits. Can handle most indies but not Barbarians or Wolf Tribe</WRAP>
 </WRAP></WRAP></WRAP> </WRAP></WRAP></WRAP>
 +
 +==== Commander Sniping ====
 +<WRAP box round right third>**HPmunchcraft** has made [[https://youtu.be/s7PefVPSXyU|this video]] demonstrating how to use commander sniping with Caelum. He has also covered how to use the technique with [[https://youtu.be/FUgqVfC2ROM |MA Man]], one of the more difficult nations to expand with using the starting army.</WRAP>
 +One advanced technique that can improve your expansion is to try to make the independents split up in a way that isolates the indie commanders and opens up for a quick kill. After all, the only thing you really need to kill in a province is the commanders.
 +
 +One way of accomplishing this is to use archer bait squads on fire and keep distance placed to the front in the top or bottom. Opposite that in the back corner you place the squad that is supposed to kill the commander. The archer squads can be made up of a single archer, so five archers in five squads under a single commander. 
 +
 +The technique exploits the fact that the AI picks between available squads when picking a target without considering how many units are in the squad. This will often cause a big portion of the enemy forces to chase your archers leaving the commanders isolated for a flank kill. 
  
 ===== Example: Expansion with Jomon ===== ===== Example: Expansion with Jomon =====
naaira-expansion-guide.1606081678.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/11/22 21:47 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.