Solium Infernum - from the creator of Armageddon Empires

We started the game on or around Dec. 17th and finished yesterday, July 1st. Whew.

This game was an interesting one for me. I knew right from the start that I didn't have much chance of coming in first. In the great land grab at the beginning of the game, I got out-maneuvered by my neighbors and didn't manage to secure a single place of power. My avatar isn't really built for combat, so I didn't really have much of a chance of taking one from anybody. I'm fairly certain that I didn't manage to capture a single place of power in the course of the entire game; I would have played differently had I managed that.

With places of power out of the question, I had to lean heavily on secret objectives and rituals for prestige points. I've found through single-player games that the secret to secret objectives is to get your prophecy skill high enough that you draw at least three objectives at a time. The more objectives you draw at once, the better chance you have of drawing something that you can actually achieve. However, I should note that I think I ended up spending more prestige than I ultimately gained in order to complete some of those objectives (making demands of every player, for instance).

I was also helped along by 7inchsplit's avatar getting eliminated from the game. 7inchsplit had to drop out because of computer problems, and his AI replacement ended up being excommunicated and eaten alive. I was fortunate enough to have already goaded him into vendettas a few times, so I was in a great position to sweep in and claim a lot of his territory.

I definitely made some mistakes. I had intended to steal other players' legions and such to use against them, but I couldn't get a reasonable supply of darkness to perform the necessary rituals. Just as I was about to get enough, someone built a machine that sapped everyone else of two charisma points. My whole game plan was built around that, and I really struggled to improvise and redirect my efforts. In retrospect, I should have dumped points into my martial skill, bought some legions on the market, and kicked dust at my neighbors.

Here are the final scores, in case anyone is curious:

Pacdaemon (controlled by Pacman) - 432
Duke of Hell
Base Prestige Won: 408
Prestige from Cantons: 24
Greed: Failed

Deliverator (controlled by Dreaded Gazebo) - 239
Baron of Hell
Base Prestige Won: 294
Prestige from Cantons: 20
Gluttony: Completed +30
The Bronze Pyramid: Failed -20
Legion Level Up: Failed -20
Hold 6 Evil Artifacts: Failed -20
No Event Cards: Failed -10
Build Machine of Omens: Failed -20
Perform Rite of Blood: Failed -15

FLAMEZZZ!! (controlled by garion333) - 207
Baron of Hell
Base Prestige Won: 163
Prestige from Cantons: 29
Prestige from Relics: 30
Lust: Failed
Bribe Enemy Legion: Failed -15

Forneus (controlled by ClockworkHouse) - 170
Marquis of Hell
Base Prestige Won: 11
Prestige from Cantons: 44
Gluttony: Completed +30
Fight 6 Legion Battles: Completed +20
Play 5 Event Cards: +25
Cunning Level 6: Completed +20
Make Demands of All Opponents: Completed +20

Bencivious (controlled by Stratego) - 142
Duke of Hell
Base Prestige Won: 148
Prestige from Cantons: 14
Gluttony: Failed
Control 6 Praetors: Failed -20

Eighth (controlled by 7inchsplit and an AI player) - Eliminated

With our game taking so long and me still gaining an understanding of the game, I'm not sure I can really do a proper write-up.

I did manage to grab some territory and places of power but my point machine was behind Pacdaemon. At some point I decided to try and focus on manuscripts but ended up with probably a dozen incomplete and only one or two complete ones I think. By the end we weren't getting any tribute so I couldn't bid on ones in the marketplace or send guys out to find them. Which I did a fair amount prior to that but I don't think it ever really paid off. Then getting nailed with the -2 charisma really hurt; I wanted to get some of those manuscripts done first but was just never able to complete them.

I still don't fully understand how to leverage diplomacy in my favor. I felt like I was kinda just doing random stuff with it. I do think in future games I'll put more attention on getting my attributes up, really didn't give that enough consideration early on.

It was fun though and I should dig into the game more to get a better understanding of everything.

Whatever happened to the Gamersinhell game? I stopped getting turns a while ago, but no explanation...

You're welcome for losing that Charisma. I believe that was one of the machines I built (I think I built three that went against you guys). I had a glut of tribute so I started buying up manuscripts there towards the latter half of the game so I could hamstring you guys a bit to make a push for some territory and more Places of Power. Didn't happen. The push at least.

Military strength was my greatest weakness. I started off with a really crappy unit (my fault, based on my build) and it wasn't until I bought a ton of artifacts and legions that I was anywhere near competent to take on people ... but I never really got into a real fight. I needed to make some moves earlier in the game than I did, but there at the end I was throwing out demands hoping someone would take the bait, but they didn't and the game ended before a few were able to get back to me. Oh well.

I wasn't in a great starting place and the only POP I could get to was snagged by someone else, though I eventually took that away. Still, I needed more and I never made an effective push, but the options when choosing vendetta were nearly impossible for me to fulfill. Capture 3 places of power in 3 turns when I have 4 legions ... how in the hell? So I settled on praetor combat a couple times and I believe I won them all (one might've been a draw). Having built manuscripts that gave praetors special abilities in one on one combat proved effective, which was nice because before this game I had completely eschewed praetor combat in sp and in another mp game I got my ass handed to me a couple of times.

Oh, and you can also thank me for stopping the flow of tribute there at the end. I rolled the dice on that one because my build lived and died by being able to buy things with tribute (and rituals) and I had hoped it would only stop the flow for a couple turns. I believe the event called for a stoppage of 1 to 6 turns and unfortunately the die roll landed on 6, which ended up hurting me. I just wanted to claim vendetta on people while they weren't able to buy and new legions and whatnot. Oh well.

Robear wrote:

Whatever happened to the Gamersinhell game? I stopped getting turns a while ago, but no explanation...

Well, 7inchsplit had to drop out of that game too and Gunner stopped sending turns. That's the last I recall.

I'll try to see what I can remember about the game, it started so long ago some of it is a bit blurry now...

We started the game before the patch that changed how initial legion strength was determined, so it was determined by rank. With that in mind I chose Duke so that I would get a good starting legion, and went with Martial Prowess 2, Charisma 3 build. My plan was that this would position me decently to get off to a good start, claim some places of power and then build up resources to increase whatever other attributes seemed needed.

I ended up being able to claim two +2 prestige places of power, and this eventually saw me into a slight lead early in the game. Once I went into the lead, and was pulling in as much prestige as anyone each turn, I tried to reinforce my power/position to prepare for potential future assaults. My main goal was to increase my number of actions each turn as soon as possible. I ended up getting my first extra action by increasing Wrath (Martial Prowess) up to 5, with the aid of the +1 artifact for it. Some time shortly thereafter I thought about going after Deliverator to try and either kill his legions or take the Palace on the Lake of Fire from him, but he conceded to my demands, so I ended up turning my attentions to Bencivious. In a short vendetta that used my high powered combat cards to good advantage I killed two of his legions and also took another +2 prestige place of power. Because of my level 5 Wrath I earned 1.5 times the prestige from those combats, so that vendetta boosted me into a pretty comfortable prestige lead, and also ensured that my prestige income was as good as anyone else at that point.

After that I continued to try and quietly build my power, increasing my wickedness (destruction) and intellect (prophecy) up to level 4 so that I was at 5 actions. I acquired various artifacts (2, rod of pain and hellfire ballista) and relics (7, scrolls of the nephillim, hand of destruction, amulet of shadows, black heart, alien god in a bottle, bowl of abject darkness and the eye of destruction) and praetors (3, Baraquiel, Temeluchas and Abraxas) as the opportunity arose. I'm not sure I ever ended up even deploying any of those praetors or artifacts, but was saving them to unleash as a surprise in any vendettas that might arise. I also held the event card that would end all vendettas for probably about 2/3rds of the game as a potential get out of jail free card if I got in a bad vendetta, but never ended up using it.

As I was in the lead, I mostly decided to deflect any diplomatic demands made as long as the costs were low (1 or 2 tribute cards). I really wanted to get into vendettas in a couple cases, and think I could have done well, but didn't see a reason to risk it (especially with letting someone else have the first move and pick the terms). In particular there was a time when Deliverator made a demand against me that I think I could have handled, and could have been a real clincher for me, but he would have had the first move in the first turn of the vendetta, so I didn't want to chance the unknown when I was already in solid position (after all I might not be as smart or cunning as I thought!). Someone caused the Angelic Host to appear at some point, and after it killed one of my less important legions in the first turn, I saw that it was in a position that I could reach it with my other legions and, again with the use of some combat cards and supporting legions, I was able to take it down for another 20+ prestige.

Towards the end of the game I was trying to push Bencivious into another vendetta but the game ended before that actually occurred.

So mostly I took a good early position, won one vendetta to consolidate my position, and then just rode things out till the end.

I miss that game, Garion. In my current one, my setup was utterly incompatible with my geography and I'm now spiraling the drain.

You know what I miss? Getting Disco Infernal turns sent to me.

It occurs to me that that is probably my fault. I was on vacation last week, and I forgot to pick up the game again. I'll do it when I get home today, please accept my appalled apology in the meantime.

Robear wrote:

It occurs to me that that is probably my fault. I was on vacation last week, and I forgot to pick up the game again. I'll do it when I get home today, please accept my appalled apology in the meantime.

No, it's me. I've been distracted by work, by moving, and by some nasty whiplashes in my personal life. I'll send out the latest turn file later today.

I have to be honest, though: in some cases, it's taking nearly two weeks to get files back from everyone. Is there still interest in the game? Should I put a time limit on how long people have to respond before they get bumped to AI?

I'm okay with whatever pace is set. My strategy is in tatters, anyway, so I'm trying a plan to recover it.

I are sad! My computer was destroyed by a virus and I no longer have my install. Not only that, but my password to download doesn't work. *pout*

Now I get to write an email convincing them to let me re-download.

Edit: Wow, customer service at BMT micro responded within 2 minutes with links for both SI and Armageddon empires! Color me impressed!

I reckon taking longer than a week to get a turn in should be cause for a stern prodding, unless you have a note from your doctor explaining that your computer caught galloping portrot from a porn server.

I thought I'd post this here since we all clearly appreciate Vic Davis' work.

In his latest blog he talks about an upcoming game he's releasing called Six Gun Saga. He doesn't say a whole lot about the game, but I'll let you guys read his blog (as it's not that long), but for those of you who can't read, I'll throw the one screenshot he gave in this post too.

IMAGE(http://www.crypticcomet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/screenshot1.jpg)

Edit: Wow, I read about this at Vic's blog, but Fidgit (no surprise) and Rock, Paper, Shotgun (a little more surprising) both posted about this.

Man, looks like his take on Doomtown. I like.

Bah. there goes another $30.

Garion, care to make the inevitable catch-all?

Please take a look at the ironman challenge I've created.

I ran this in the video game sales thread but I figure the wargamers and fans of Vic's stuff might also be interested:

Sale on Vic Davis's latest game, Six Gun Saga. Davis created Armageddon Empires and Solium Infernum both of which can be found at www.crypticcomet.com

Six Gun Saga, a western-themed card strategy game, is available for pre-order at $11.99. Buy now and get access to the 1.04(?) version playable immediately. The price is expected to jump to $14.99 for the final game. Go here to check out pricing http://bit.ly/iAN3Xk

Tom Chick has a gameplay write-up at http://bit.ly/iEabjw

Strangeblades wrote:

I ran this in the video game sales thread but I figure the wargamers and fans of Vic's stuff might also be interested:

Sale on Vic Davis's latest game, Six Gun Saga. Davis created Armageddon Empires and Solium Infernum both of which can be found at www.crypticcomet.com

Six Gun Saga, a western-themed card strategy game, is available for pre-order at $11.99. Buy now and get access to the 1.04(?) version playable immediately. The price is expected to jump to $14.99 for the final game. Go here to check out pricing http://bit.ly/iAN3Xk

Tom Chick has a gameplay write-up at http://bit.ly/iEabjw

Hey! That's my job. I'm Vic Davis's (unofficial, since he has no idea) PR man.

garion333 wrote:
Strangeblades wrote:

I ran this in the video game sales thread but I figure the wargamers and fans of Vic's stuff might also be interested:

Sale on Vic Davis's latest game, Six Gun Saga. Davis created Armageddon Empires and Solium Infernum both of which can be found at www.crypticcomet.com

Six Gun Saga, a western-themed card strategy game, is available for pre-order at $11.99. Buy now and get access to the 1.04(?) version playable immediately. The price is expected to jump to $14.99 for the final game. Go here to check out pricing http://bit.ly/iAN3Xk

Tom Chick has a gameplay write-up at http://bit.ly/iEabjw

Hey! That's my job. I'm Vic Davis's (unofficial, since he has no idea) PR man.

Sorry sir. I'm your intern. Didn't HR tell you I would be coming in?

Strange has been a font of information today. My hat is off to him. And based on his avatar, maybe my head too. Careful with that blade, Eugene.

Looks like Vic is dropping his prices, anyone interested in going in on a 4 pack of Solium Infernum? Drops the price to $14.99.

jonnypolite wrote:

Looks like Vic is dropping his prices, anyone interested in going in on a 4 pack of Solium Infernum? Drops the price to $14.99.

Not I, but bumping for you.

Thanks! I'm sure there's got to be 3 more out there who want in.

Ok, got 1 taker, we need 2 more.

i want Armageddon empires if anyone is interested in that.

Markly wrote:

i want Armageddon empires if anyone is interested in that.

I'm in if we can get a group rate.

There's only a price break on SI, when you get 4 or more.

Hey, speaking of which, we just need 2 more for our 4 pack! Who's in?

The game just got an update patch, a mini-expansion to use the developer's own words.

Solium Infernum update

Also 22 pieces of new art. Looks good.

IMAGE(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab221/Strangeblades/DreamingHead.jpg)
The Dreaming Head
Unholy Relic
Prophecy +1
+10% Curse of Prophecy
The Archfiend who controls this relic has a +10% chance of receiving a Curse of Prophecy manuscript any time a Prophecy ritual is performed

Man I miss this game. If only I could figure out a way to play it that didn't involve hounding people for turns for the better part of a year.

New Diplomatic Option: Assertion of Weakness
Use this action to lodge an Assertion of Weakness against your opponent in front of the Conclave. You will be required to wager prestige and designate a Canton that you will seize from your opponent and hold for a certain number of turns. Your opponent must reclaim the Canton or lose it and prestige equal to that which you wagered. If you keep the Canton until the end of the designated turn then you gain it and the prestige your opponent lost. Prerequisite: You must have forced your target opponent to have accepted at least one insult before this option will appear. A Vendetta or a claim of an Assertion of Weakness resets the existing Insult requirement.

Very nice! Perfect for those situations where a thin wall of cantons is cutting you off. Nice to have something between the pistols-at-dawn duels and the (nearly) no-holds-barred vendettas.