posted 04-03-04 07:54 PM EDT (US)
Ok let's get started.
Where do you think strategy wise RoN falls short or could be better
For instance, playing a 1vs1 Arena and the map is Australian Outback, instead of a SCI 1 CIV 1 build order I'll go a SCI 1 COM 1 build order. Then, I will fill my Wooders first and save the timber for the Dock and fishing boats, then farms. Just knowing where the enemy Rares are. If I'm playing against an aggressive Spanish player, I don't even get my Rares sometimes if I know they're going fast HC raiding. I believe in team games and maps with fishing, they can be very powerful. In 1vs1 land maps without fishing, they have some definite trouble. You have to play only 2 ways with them to survive. Or getting 4 Scholars ASAP, then whatever If you're slow, no wasted movement, and plan ahead, out-think your opponent, make no mistakes. If you're fast, don't forget to focus on your next move. Some players get so focused on raiding, they tend to forget to continue researching to advance in Ages. If you're not doing anything important, or feel like you're just waiting, look at the mini-map. It's where all your strategic planning comes into fruition. The main map is where your tactical fighting comes into play. Stay tuned for the next interview featuring TWC_ShadowZ! [This message has been edited by TheGoodEvil (edited 04-03-2004 @ 08:13 PM).]
RoN has a pretty simple layout in winning the game, really.
What is your basic formula?
Well, besides doing crazy stuff, the surest way to win imo is just defensive booming. Scout your enemy, set up adequate raid defenses, don't take any risks basically and just build up your forces until you know you can take his cities one by one.
By risks what do you mean?
No rushing, early raiding, early assaults, etc.
No crazy border push, things like that.
Some would argue that early raiding could win you the game, you think otherwise?
Yah, I don't think early raiding is all that effective. I mean, all the strategies in RoN "can" be effective but the main thing is to follow the basic formula; boom to Gunpowder, getting an army and start your attack, or hold until Enlightenment Age. All the rest is how well you adapt.
What would you say is better to do first, build farms or collect more timber?
The beginning is really tricky. It's all about what you know beforehand, and what you're planning.
Lets say you are on Old World 1v1, what would you do then?
SCI 1 and CIV 1, then I'll build my 2 Farms first.
ahh
I'd do the SCI 1 CIV 1 most of the time, unless I find a particular rare or decide to rush.
If you had to choose a civ in 1v1 barring Spain and Maya what would you choose and why?
French. Extra Timber, Healing Supply Wagons, cheap siege, most powerful HC. You have the most options in deciding what you want to do. You can rush, raid, boom, anything very well.
I was half expecting you to say China, that is the nation that mostly everyone else chooses.
China is good, but French counter them pretty well. You also have to take Nation counters into consideration. For instance, China counters Spanish pretty well mostly due to the Chinese UU. "If" China can survive the Spanish HC raid it can counter them.
Well that Chinese UU counters just about everything, sometimes even HC.
Yeah, in mass, they're fairly good to use, backed up by HI or HC.
In a Medieval attack how many of what will you bring to the battle?
With what nation?
Lets go with Rome.
Against what nation?
How about China?
I wouldn't attack China.
lol
lol
Why?
China in Medieval don't need FA, but only need their UU LI.
Trebs take too long to take down Large Cities. By the time you get a City and a large HI and HC force, the Chinese can make it to Gunpowder and counterattack with Gunpowder Age forces.
I personally think China can do without the large city bonus, after all their UUs and instant vills amount to so much power why add the large city. what do you think?
They are a Mid Tier Nation without the Large Cities. It's their border push that makes them deadly as a Top Tier Nation because of their Large Cities, they border push more aggressively.
If I were to balance them as they are now... I'd suggest holding their Large Cities until they get to Classical Age.
I absolutely Agree.
Now with the up coming Xpac from a playtester point of view do you think Spain got it a little hard in the nerf department or do you think they got just the right bonuses taken away?
I can't answer that, I don't know how they are atm. I'd have to play around with them. Paper balancing is a lot different than actual play balancing.
Ahh, well from what I know they lost line of sight bonus and extra res from ruins.
That's ok, the Spanish nerf. They'll still eventually get the Ruins, and still be able to do their early HC raid. That's where they're powerful.
Do you think the Greeks are fairly balanced?
The greeks were a tough one.
2 ways?
Either a 1/1/1/1 fast Classical
Ouch, That's when the rush hits.
hehe
Do you have any sure fire tips for us newbs?
practice, practice, practice to get better, all the information is out there it's just spending the time to play well.
Do you have any cool gadgets or toys that helps to improve your game?
nah, not really I'm a pretty slow player
lol,
ok
but
there are 2 pieces of advice I can give for playing RoN if you're slow or fast.
Before you go how much game time do you spend looking at the minimap and what is the single most important place you should keep your eyes on?
The mini-map! When playing, keep looking at the mini-map, always look at the mini-map at least every 3-4 seconds.
Well many many thanks to you for your time and knowledge!
Thanks
This is the first in a series of interviews that i will have with the top players in RoN.
