Fox-50: Hercules Against Deities

[GreyFox]

Looks like a good turnset. Seems like rolo go slow on units, I see only one HA which is not possessed by the Titans, and we have 5 or 6 titans spirits waiting in Athens, so no new infusion of Titans this time.

I was hoping to get the barbs first, and wait til we have phants and cats support before going after Maya. Hence, I would suggest pumping out 3 swords and take the barb city NW of Athens. As to Ainu, the barbs have helpfully developed it into a 7 pop megacity, so we can wait a bit (plus it is far, may be wait until we get CoL before capturing it). Question is whether we can afford to push the slider to 100% seeing that we are at only 55g, 0% science? But yes, do a bit of Maths (now that we learnt it ), and try to get Construction as fast as possible is a good idea.

Does chariots upgrade to phants? If so, try to build 1 or 2 chariots before getting construction. Remember, we have free upgrades. No sense wasting hammers for something we can get free.

As to the GS (bad luck), I would suggest settling him yet again in Athens ... we are in no position to go for spies yet. Alternatively, we can have him snoop around the Olympians.

I am unsure of whether to go for HG. On one hand, this is Deity AW. On the other hand, since we have only seen Pacal, I suspect the other Olympics were block off by Pacal to us, so we probably don't need to build more troops (our economy may not be able to take it), so a Wonder is good. HG does increase the GE chance.

Roster
-- GreyFox
-- r_rolo1
>> Ralph Jackson == UP!
-- berserks01
-- Ozbenno
-- Imhotep

 

[r_rolo1]

Nothing upgrades to phants.....

I was waiting for construction to use those GG in war phants, that is a bigger bang for the buck now ( given that we have a good stock of phalanx GG )

 

[Ralph_Jackson]

OK Got it for some festive titan fuelled entertainment.

Ralph

 

[GreyFox]

I think I have been exemplary in my patience ... but 5 days is simply too much. I know it's Christmas, and Ralph might have forgotten he is UP amidst the Boxing Day crazy sale excitement , however if berserks01 feels like it, you are authorized to grab the save.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

PS> Did you guys noticed the main forum page have snow flakes falling? Nice!

--

 

[Ralph_Jackson]

Apologies for the delay, report will be up in an hour.

Ralph

 

[GreyFox]

No problem, if it's already played, I rather wait longer to enjoy a well-written report than get a quick rushed one

--

 

[Ralph_Jackson]

Well along with the titans had come something the humans hadn’t expected and something more troublesome...

Yes it was the wives of the Titans

“Heracles, I have just seen your credit card statement.. What are you on. Have you seen how much you spent on Ambrosia and feasting at the Xmas party. Things are going to have to change and we need to get some order sorted around here. I want rules and I want them now...”
“But you promised me I could have a rock thrower and an elephant to ride for the New Year Bash. All the cool titans are going to be lobbing boulders and riding Elephants”

Spoiler :

So we held off Maya up north
So polised off construction then did a Code of Laws beeline

“OK but straight after that we are going to sit down and write house rules or manifestation of a living god or not there is going to be trouble round here.
And lastly that sneaky guy whose been hanging around muttering ‘The names Bond – James Bond’ put him to something useful will you”

Spoiler :

Great Spy Settled

“And have a word with those rowdy neighbours of ours there disturbing Heracles Junior’s nap”

“Yes Darling”

Spoiler :

Have Captured the Barb city

"And don't forget you promised me a weekend away by the sea in the North. I hear that Mayan Hotels isn't bad so get that organised next week dear"

Spoiler :

Have put our titans to use. With the Cats that are on their way we can go and take Pacal’s city because it will be nice chokepoint and with Courthouses unlocked we can probably afford it

Happy new year, because as the Fox was say I was very late for Xmas

 

[GreyFox]

Nice story, well worth the wait

I am not sure if we should go for CS now ... maybe currency is better?

New set of Titans spirits is waiting for human to possess.

Berserks01 is UP

 

[berserks01]

Got it.

Hmmmm .... being wife ? Sounds like a good story base for many more stories to come from all us married folks

 

[berserks01]

Wife: "And where do you think you're going at this time of the night all dressed up like that?"

Heracles: "To night class dear. I'm studying about Civil Service to better improve our government "

Wife: "To improve our government? No. We're poor enough as is, I want to open up a grocer or a market. Go learn something that's useful for me ... us!!!"

Heracles: "Yes, dear."

Wife: "The people of Sparta are asking for their rice back from Athens so they can harvest it to sell in their markets. Go deal with it."

Heracles: "Yes, dear."

Wife: "Oh, and Phoebe asked me to look after her new pony. He's out there running around all by himself. Send Themis III to look after him for me. Go now, I need my beauty sleep."

Heracles: "Yes, dear."

Spoiler :

Wife: "Have you made reservations at that Mayan hotel for our vacation yet?"

Heracles: "Not yet dear, there are some Mayan rioters who are against Greeks vacationing in their town."

Wife: "Well, do something about that then. If I don't get my vacation, you can kiss your poker nights good bye!!!"

Heracles: "Yes, dear."

Spoiler :

Heracles: "Coeus IV had a son while we were fighting those rioters dear, what do we do with him?"

Wife: "How should I know? And you shouldn't either, let them deal with their own offspring!!! When's that hotel going to be ready?"

Heracles: "I just took care of the first group of rioters, and now a new group has arisen. I'll have to take care of them first."

Spoiler :

Wife: "The people of Magyar are petitioning for help against some pirate problems, take care of that as well."

Heracles: "We just learned how to open markets and grocers, dear."

Wife: "About time! Now, i want some bananas and sugar for my coffee. Go get me some."

Heracles: "Yes, dear."

Spoiler :

Wife: "And how is my vacation coming along?"

Heracles: "Well, I was just cleaning up the mess from the 2nd group of rioters, when a 3rd group showed up. I'm begining to think they don't like us there."

Wife: "I don't care if they like us or not, I want my vacation so deal with it."

Spoiler :

Heracles: "Yes, dear. What do you want to do with this guy who showed up with a hammer in his hand?"

Spoiler :

Wife: "Leave him be until he starts making a ruckus with that hammer of his, THEN we'll deal with him."

Heracles: "Yes, dear."

Heracles: "I just learned how to harvest those bananas and sugar you wanted. Can I get back to learning something to improve our government?"

Spoiler :

Wife: "Ok, fine. But you better get me some bananas and sugar first."

Heracles: "Yes, dear."

Wife: "Corinth just built an iron smiting shop, I want them to build me a statue of copper for my beach front property."

Heracles: "Uhhhh ... okay, but I don't think Oceanus would like it."

Wife: "Well, if he doesn't like it, let HIM do something about it then. And when is my vacation going to be ready?"

Heracles: "Well, I just mopped up this 3rd group of rioters, but I'm sore and tired. I need to rest up a bit. I'm afraid it'll have to wait til next week."

Wife: "Until I get my vacation, you'll be sleeping on the sofa. I need my vacation since I've been the only one doing all the work around here!!!"

Heracles: "Yes, dear."

The only casualties this set is the fishing net at Magyar. Watch out for the HA and Axe sitting nearby, they've done nothing yet but keep an eye out.

Spoiler :

A turn or 2 of resting should be enough and that stack at Sparta can head on out.

 

[Ozbenno]

Got it and should play today. Will try and take the choke city. Any other thoughts? What to do with the GE, burn on Mausollos?

 

[berserks01]

I queued up the Colossus at Corinth. Feel free to change it something else if you want.

 

[GreyFox]

Not sure abt Mausollos, I have always wanted to get the TGLib, but it doesn't seems worth it to detour to Lit at this point. Colossus seems easy enough to get (only 10 turns) without burning the GE. At this stage, the MoM seems the best.

I'd also noticed a new GG (unamed, so it should be gotten from combat). Suggest settling him somewhere adding another +3 beakers +2 exp.

I am surprised by our inability to move out to Calamaki (or whatever its name is). Even with incoing stacks, we should still be able to move a sufficent force out, leaving some defenders. We have to get that city -- or simply build a fort at the horses.

--

 

[Ozbenno]

Agree with GFs comment about taking Pacal's city, we have the troops to handle any force coming in, so the troops are moved out and we will deal with any stray troops coming our way. The no name GG is sent to Corinth for merging. The GE will be used for Mausollos (we'll have a Golden Age at some stage).

But enough about that...

Sometimes it is said that the gods can see into the very hearts of men and see their desires. So it was with the plans Hercules had set for Leonardo, the Great Engineer. The plans for the great monument he was to build were stolen and the great task was unable to be completed, such was the pettiness of the gods.

It is also apparent that the Gods have greater powers than the mortal Greeks, even with their heroes.

The battle was hard and was fought for many years, the God Pacal brought in many re-inforcements and the Greeks lost most of their seige and two of their heroes (both at odds over 95%). Another Great General was born and merged but the victory was all the sweeter for the sacrifices made.

The Gods were unhappy and again thwarted the plans of the Greeks to build a monument to their heroes.

However, the peace allowed some work to be accomplished in the Greek cities, including the creation of the bureaucracy that would drive the Greeks forwards.

Spoiler :

Tech put on Machinery but no beakers. GE still wandering about. Building catapults and courthouses at the moment. There are two barb cities we can consider if we want. Economy is positive at 30%, currently on 80% to get Machinery quicker. Lost a sword (@99.9% and a war elephant (@95%) in the attack. The two interlopers are no more as well. Lost MoM first IBT and Colossus with 1 turn left .

 

[GreyFox]

5 days without a turnset and now 3 in less than 20 hrs? It's so good to be in the festive seasons

Too bad abt the Colossus and the MoM ... the Gods are catching up with us on the wonders. Right now, it seems best to simply merge the CE, as there aren't any particularly useful wonders coming up in the near future ... unless we want the Great Library but not worth the diversion from Machinery IMHO.

Oh, one comment, Magyar should be working on the fish, there is still capacity to grow.

Are we going to continue hitting on Maya, or do we turn our attention to the barbs? With the Great Wall, I think we can leave the barbs alone to develop the wild wild west for us (seems like they are doing a pretty good job with some inter-city road networks), and keep pounding on the Mayans.

Roster
-- GreyFox
-- r_rolo1
-- Ralph Jackson
-- berserks01
-- Ozbenno
>> Imhotep == UP

 

[Ozbenno]

I think we'd be better hitting on the Mayans. The have lost alot of units (there was over 10 units in the captured city plus their aborted invasion stacks), so a quick advance might catch them with their pants down, so to speak! We may be best waiting the 6 turns until Machinery and upgrading our swords and phalanxes to maces first though.

 

[·Imhotep·]

Those were times full of blood and tears. Times when the vicious screams of fear and death were heard, arising from the battlefields where blood was running like a red river through the once peaceful vales.

Battle Stats:
Units victorious while attacking: 11
Units victorious while defending: 15
Units withdrawing while attacking: 0
Units defeated while attacking: 0
Units defeated while defending: 9
Units escaping while attacking: 0

The Mayan Deities, though having suffered a defeat, were giving the Greeks no respite and still were attacking with relentless furor. Legends from these days said that for every killed Mayan soldier two new ones came to the battlefield, risen from the dead by divine powers.

The Greek, seeing that ferocious and reckless hate and the numbers raised against them, gathered their most intelligent and wise men in Athens to create new devices of battle.

The accursed writers of the enemy however laughed at that, calling the Greek dumb, uncouth and even pathetic.

And still the Greeks fight on, hoping against hope, to defeat the Mayan wave of destruction. Once, yes once they will prevail. Or so they believe...

------------------------

The Mayans are far from gassed, but the Maces will stem the tide. Pacal has lost even more units, we're gaining in power. The next player can rush TGL, Literature in 1, the wonder and the Engineer still there . We're out of Heroes again.

Imhotep

Spoiler The Log :

Logging by BUG Mod 3.5 [Build 1457] (BtS 3.13-3.17)
------------------------------------------------
Turn 142 (640 AD) [29-Dec-2008 22:30:03]

After End Turn:
Athens grows to size 13
Athens finishes: Catapult

Turn 143 (660 AD) [29-Dec-2008 22:35:31]
Athens begins: War Elephant (2 turns)

After End Turn:
The whip was applied in Corinth
The whip was applied in Magyar
The whip was applied in Khazak
Sparta finishes: Catapult
Corinth finishes: Courthouse
Magyar grows to size 9
Magyar finishes: Courthouse
Khazak finishes: Granary
A Hamlet was built near Khazak

Turn 144 (680 AD) [29-Dec-2008 22:37:54]
Siege Engine II (Catapult) promoted: Barrage I
Siege Engine II (Catapult) promoted: Barrage II
Catapult promoted: Barrage I
Catapult promoted: Barrage II
Sparta begins: War Elephant (4 turns)
Corinth begins: Phalanx (4 turns)
Magyar begins: Barracks (4 turns)
Khazak begins: Barracks (9 turns)
Themis IV (Spearman) promoted: Combat II
Themis IV (Spearman) promoted: Combat III
Themis IV (Spearman) promoted: Formation
Themis IV (Spearman) promoted: Leadership
Themis IV (Spearman) promoted: Combat IV

After End Turn:
Athens finishes: War Elephant
Corinth grows to size 10
Magyar finishes: Barracks

Turn 145 (700 AD) [29-Dec-2008 22:40:24]
Siege Engine I (Catapult) promoted: Barrage I
Siege Engine I (Catapult) promoted: Barrage II
Hyperion IV (War Elephant) promoted: Lead by Warlord
Hyperion IV (War Elephant) promoted: Combat I
Hyperion IV (War Elephant) promoted: Combat II
Hyperion IV (War Elephant) promoted: Combat III
Hyperion IV (War Elephant) promoted: Leadership
Hyperion IV (War Elephant) promoted: Combat IV
Athens begins: Phalanx (1 turns)
Magyar begins: Catapult (8 turns)

After End Turn:
The whip was applied in Sparta
Athens finishes: Phalanx
Sparta finishes: War Elephant

Other Player Actions:
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Tethys III (7.04/8) defeats Maya Catapult (Prob Victory: 99.2%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Coeus III (2.24/8) defeats Maya Catapult (Prob Victory: 99.2%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Tethys III (6.40/8) defeats Maya Catapult (Prob Victory: 90.9%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Pheobe III (3.44/8) defeats Maya Chariot (Prob Victory: 99.8%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Hyperion I loses to Maya Horse Archer (1.50/6) (Prob Victory: 78.0%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Coeus II (3.50/5) defeats Maya Horse Archer (Prob Victory: 61.9%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Oceanus II (3.50/5) defeats Maya Swordsman (Prob Victory: 84.3%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Pheobe III loses to Maya Horse Archer (2.76/6) (Prob Victory: 57.2%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Coeus II loses to Maya Chariot (0.64/4) (Prob Victory: 86.4%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Oceanus II loses to Maya Horse Archer (3.36/6) (Prob Victory: 53.9%)
Civics Change: Charlemagne(Holy Rome) from 'Barbarism' to 'Vassalage'

Turn 146 (720 AD) [29-Dec-2008 22:42:18]
Phoebe I (Spearman) promoted: Combat V
While attacking in Greek territory near Sparta, Phoebe I (0.60/4) defeats Maya Horse Archer (Prob Victory: 94.3%)
Jumbo II (War Elephant) promoted: Combat I
Jumbo II (War Elephant) promoted: Combat II
Coeus IV (Phalanx) promoted: Lead by Warlord
Coeus IV (Phalanx) promoted: Morale
Coeus IV (Phalanx) promoted: Combat II
Coeus IV (Phalanx) promoted: Combat III
Coeus IV (Phalanx) promoted: Leadership
Athens begins: Phalanx (1 turns)
Sparta begins: Phalanx (3 turns)

After End Turn:
The whip was applied in Calakmul
Athens finishes: Phalanx
Sparta finishes: Phalanx
Corinth finishes: Phalanx
Calakmul finishes: Archer

Other Player Actions:
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Themis I (2.75/5) defeats Maya Catapult (Prob Victory: 47.0%)

Turn 147 (740 AD) [29-Dec-2008 22:44:32]
A Mine was built near Khazak
Iapetus IV (Phalanx) promoted: Lead by Warlord
Iapetus IV (Phalanx) promoted: Morale
Iapetus IV (Phalanx) promoted: Combat II
Iapetus IV (Phalanx) promoted: Combat III
Iapetus IV (Phalanx) promoted: Combat IV
Axe Battalion VIII (Phalanx) promoted: Combat II
Axe Battalion VIII (Phalanx) promoted: Formation
Axe Battalion IX (Phalanx) promoted: Combat II
Axe Battalion IX (Phalanx) promoted: Formation
Athens begins: War Elephant (2 turns)
Corinth begins: War Elephant (6 turns)
Calakmul begins: Monument (10 turns)
Sparta begins: War Elephant (4 turns)

After End Turn:
Tech research finished: Machinery
Athens finishes: War Elephant
Sparta grows to size 9
A Village was built near Magyar
Khazak finishes: Barracks
Calakmul's borders expand

Other Player Actions:
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Iapetus III (8.00/8) defeats Maya Catapult (Prob Victory: 100.0%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Iapetus III (4.64/8) defeats Maya Swordsman (Prob Victory: 99.2%)

Turn 148 (760 AD) [29-Dec-2008 22:46:57]
A Cottage was built near Sparta
Research begun: Aesthetics (2 Turns)
Athens begins: Crossbowman (2 turns)
Khazak begins: Library (45 turns)

After End Turn:
Athens finishes: Crossbowman
Nabu-rimanni (Great Scientist) born in Athens
Sparta finishes: War Elephant
A Village was built near Corinth
Magyar grows to size 10
A Village was built near Calakmul

Other Player Actions:
While defending in Greek territory at Sparta, Hyperion IV (5.92/8) defeats Maya Catapult (Prob Victory: 97.1%)
While defending in Greek territory at Sparta, Jumbo II (6.24/8) defeats Maya Catapult (Prob Victory: 87.9%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Hyperion IV loses to Maya Horse Archer (0.66/6) (Prob Victory: 85.8%)
While defending in Greek territory at Sparta, Themis IV (0.96/4) defeats Maya Swordsman (Prob Victory: 49.0%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Jumbo II loses to Maya Horse Archer (4.62/6) (Prob Victory: 4.6%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Themis IV loses to Maya Horse Archer (1.74/6) (Prob Victory: 23.6%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Siege Engine I loses to Maya Horse Archer (0.06/6) (Prob Victory: 40.0%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Catapult loses to Maya Chariot (1.60/4) (Prob Victory: 0.1%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Themis I (4.40/8) defeats Maya Catapult (Prob Victory: 60.8%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Iapetus III (3.68/8) defeats Maya Chariot (Prob Victory: 92.5%)
While defending in Greek territory near Sparta, Themis I (4.40/8) defeats Maya Horse Archer (Prob Victory: 65.6%)

Turn 149 (780 AD) [29-Dec-2008 22:49:04]
Iapetus III (War Elephant) promoted: Combat III
While attacking in Greek territory near Sparta, Iapetus III (6.40/8) defeats Maya Horse Archer (Prob Victory: 94.2%)
While attacking in Greek territory near Sparta, Tethys III (3.28/8) defeats Maya Horse Archer (Prob Victory: 93.9%)
While attacking in Greek territory near Sparta, Coeus III (4.80/8) defeats Maya Horse Archer (Prob Victory: 100.0%)
While attacking in Greek territory near Sparta, Themis I (4.40/8) defeats Maya Horse Archer (Prob Victory: 99.8%)
A Plantation was built near Magyar
While attacking in Greek territory at Sparta, Jumbo IV (8.00/8) defeats Maya Horse Archer (Prob Victory: 100.0%)
While attacking in Greek territory at Sparta, Coeus IV (7.12/8) defeats Maya Chariot (Prob Victory: 100.0%)
While attacking in Greek territory near Sparta, Iapetus IV (8.00/8) defeats Maya Horse Archer (Prob Victory: 100.0%)
Athens finishes: Academy
Athens begins: Maceman (2 turns)
Sparta begins: Maceman (5 turns)

After End Turn:
A Village was built near Sparta
Corinth grows to size 11
A Village was built near Corinth
Khazak grows to size 4

Turn 150 (800 AD) [29-Dec-2008 22:51:23]
Coeus III (War Elephant) promoted: March
While attacking in Greek territory near Sparta, Coeus III (0.40/8) defeats Maya Horse Archer (Prob Victory: 89.4%)
While attacking in Greek territory at Sparta, Coeus IV (6.00/8) defeats Maya Horse Archer (Prob Victory: 100.0%)
Iapetus IV (Maceman) promoted: Leadership
Coeus IV (Maceman) promoted: Combat IV

After End Turn:
Tech research finished: Aesthetics
Athens finishes: Maceman
Magyar finishes: Catapult
Khazak's borders expand
Calakmul finishes: Monument

Other Player Actions:
Civics Change: Hatshepsut(Egypt) from 'Barbarism' to 'Vassalage'

Turn 151 (820 AD) [29-Dec-2008 22:52:56]
Research begun: Literature (2 Turns)
While attacking in Greek territory near Sparta, Tethys III (6.48/8) defeats Maya Horse Archer (Prob Victory: 94.4%)
A Farm was built near Sparta
Athens begins: Catapult (2 turns)
Magyar begins: Catapult (5 turns)
Calakmul begins: Courthouse (40 turns)

After End Turn:
Athens finishes: Catapult
Corinth finishes: War Elephant

Turn 152 (840 AD) [29-Dec-2008 22:54:25]
Jumbo IV (War Elephant) promoted: Combat I
Jumbo IV (War Elephant) promoted: Shock
Jumbo III (War Elephant) promoted: Combat I
Jumbo III (War Elephant) promoted: Shock
Tethys III (War Elephant) promoted: March
A Farm was built near Khazak
A Pasture was built near Calakmul
X-Bow Force I (Crossbowman) promoted: Combat I
X-Bow Force I (Crossbowman) promoted: Combat II
Athens begins: Catapult (2 turns)
Corinth begins: War Elephant (4 turns)

Battle Stats:
Units victorious while attacking: 11
Units victorious while defending: 15
Units withdrawing while attacking: 0
Units defeated while attacking: 0
Units defeated while defending: 9
Units escaping while attacking: 0

 

[GreyFox]

Hmmm ... so we had diverted to Literature for the Great Library of Alexandria? Might as well, seeing that we have the academy in Athens as well (plus the Epics would be nice additions). That should boost our research a bit. I presume engineering would be our next obvious move.

Got it. Portals to the Tartarus are openning once again ... fresh Titans spirits are arriving ...

 

[·Imhotep·]

Well, 5 turns (3 for Aesthetics and 2 for Lit) are not exactly a really great detour. We'll get the wonder in 2 (1 for the tech + 1 for rushing it) if our luck holds - very well worth it I think...

 

[GreyFox]

To my fellow Herculeans and fans of Hercules: The legendary Journey:

I was unfortunately unable to play last night. Given that tonight is New Year's Eve (Merry New Year, by the way ), this game will be played tomorrow instead.

So don't hold your breadth, enjoy your coutdown. By the way, there's an extra leap second this year, so you need to count to 0 before saying "Happy New Year" as opposed to the usual "5 ... 4... 3... 2... 1 ... Happy New Year!".

--