Balseraph Mutations

[notque]

Yeah, I'm starting to see Swordsmen too now...and, guess what?

They are all mutated too!

I have to say, though, the way the AI plays, I am a little surprised they can afford even the 5 Gold each for all those 'upgrades.'

So, then, everyone sees this as an expected strategy for the Balseraphs rather than a bug?

IMO, they can be damn tough now with some of the mutations I am seeing!

It's the only strategy with Blaseraphs. That's why the upgrade is so cheap. Everyone is crazy.

 

[cyther]

It's the only strategy with Blaseraphs. That's why the upgrade is so cheap. Everyone is crazy.

Only strategy!? The Bals have the most diverse and unique strategys in the game.

Could it be possible that the AI learned how to cast mutate?

 

[notque]

There are lots of strategies within that strategy, but it should certainly be employed.

 

[Sarisin]

Only strategy!? The Bals have the most diverse and unique strategys in the game.

Could it be possible that the AI learned how to cast mutate?

As I mentioned in the OP, this was before any mages, etc. showed up on the map.

Anyway, I wanted to hear from players who played Balseraphs and notque gave the explanation I was looking for. It is doable that all your units are mutated, and it appears the AI uses this strategy as well.

I'll have to try the Balseraphs next game and see how this works. Spamming Freaks and keeping only the ones with good mutations and then upgrading those at a low cost seems to be the way to go.

Also, IMO, and based on just this game, it makes them a formidable foe in the early going with some of the mutation combos they throw at you on their units.

 

[notque]

As I mentioned in the OP, this was before any mages, etc. showed up on the map.

Anyway, I wanted to hear from players who played Balseraphs and notque gave the explanation I was looking for. It is doable that all your units are mutated, and it appears the AI uses this strategy as well.

I'll have to try the Balseraphs next game and see how this works. Spamming Freaks and keeping only the ones with good mutations and then upgrading those at a low cost seems to be the way to go.

Also, IMO, and based on just this game, it makes them a formidable foe in the early going with some of the mutation combos they throw at you on their units.

Yes. You make all Freaks and then upgrade. Then you take the bad ones, and make Freak Shows, or throw them into the Arena.

I use this even past first level upgrades. I make only freaks all game, and upgrade. The only time I might not is sane Archers to defend cities.

 

[Monkeyfinger]

Is the AI also smart enough to rake the crappy ones over the coals, or do they keep every freak? I've noticed the mutant armies for a while but haven't really paid attention to the ratio of good mutations to bad ones.

 

[Sarisin]

Is the AI also smart enough to rake the crappy ones over the coals, or do they keep every freak? I've noticed the mutant armies for a while but haven't really paid attention to the ratio of good mutations to bad ones.

I think the answer is no. I saw some bad mutations in there too with Enraged, Disease, Wither, etc. It is funny, though, that about 1/3 of them remained Freaks rather than being upgraded.

Anyway, notque, thank you for filling me in on that strategy of yours. I'll have to try it next time the computer selects me to play Balseraph. I really think in the hands of the human player you could wreak some havoc.

Also, I forgot to mention, with this Freak Strategy, the Balseraphs in this game STILL has not created that pest Loki. Maybe the AI has slipped up in that regard at least.

 

[notque]

I've found that Loki has been dying more often. Maybe first strike has a higher priority now, or something.

 

[Fafnir13]

Or they're keeping him in cities. I must say it warmed the cockles of me heart to see that little message saying he died.

 

[Diamondeye]

Come one, come all,
to the great Balseraph ball,
where the waiters are freaks,
and the main dish speaks,
and the only fee you have to pay,
is five gold to cover your stay!

 

[westamastaflash]

I have to say, though, the way the AI plays, I am a little surprised they can afford even the 5 Gold each for all those 'upgrades.'

AI gets lots of free gold.

 

[Sarisin]

I've found that Loki has been dying more often. Maybe first strike has a higher priority now, or something.

I might have missed it, but I usually pay attention to the message about heroes being created and I definitely didn't see Loki even being created. I thought that was odd for a game with the Balserph. They had a bunch of cities and seemed to be just churning out Freaks.

 

[zup]

Perhaps they were building Loki once but it was interrupted somehow (city taken by barbs?) and they just never started again.

 

[kumquatelvis]

The problem with this strategy is that freaks have really cool artwork, but you never get to use it because upgrading is too worth while.