OUTLAW (blue, Castle, Valeska, Valeska) def. Dubrovin Pavel (red, Rampart, Kirr, Kirr), 2SM4d(3), 2-1-1 We both chose all restarts. I even refused a map with a horse rush, which could have been exploited in the early game. But there were only 2 paths: one to the secondary resource on stones, blocked by a double stack of Crusaders and Lizardmen, and the other was blocked by a group of Black Knights guarding the Hive. The starting town was small, and there was almost no money, so even horses might not be affordable... This was a 3x3 map, with paths leading to the Grail of Order and two Teleport locations. The start was without built-up Archers' Guilds. By day 117, I had horses in the main town, hidden Archers and Pikemen. Valeska was level 5 (4-8-3-1). I broke through to the grass near the Rampart's secondary resource, but didn't quite reach it. I found 4 treasure chests and 2 Hives. On the second day, I moved in chains to defend against the enemy's attacks. By day 127, I had 1-6 units in the Castle and 1-3 in the Rampart's fort, with a hidden stack of Elves. Valeska was only level 8 (5-11-5-1). I found 2 more Hives, and each town had 1,000 income. On the third day, I broke through 4 treasure chests (3+4+4+6), 2 Hives + 12 Wyverns, and had Angels in the main town. I finished building the Spotted Yaks in the secondary town. Valeska was level 12 (12-14-6-4). At the beginning of the fourth week, I rushed to the underground treasure, breaking through a crowd of troops for the Pandora, which contained 26 Gold Golems (I had to sacrifice 12 Wyverns :mad: ). Then, I lost 30+ Archers while attacking Wizards. I took a second-level Utopia, losing some Pikemen. I received a Key, a Shield +12, and an Amulet of Lightning. I moved a chain of 12 Wyverns from the Hive near the Grail of Order, and the army retreated back to the underground treasure. On the next turn (146), Kirr broke through the Grail of Order, but didn't quite reach my town. I moved Valeska back home, retrieved the army, and bought what was needed. On day 147, Kirr changed his mind about attacking and went home. I attacked on my own. Valeska level 15 (10-22-7-5) with 3 Angels, 13 Champions, 12 Wyverns, 79 Archers, 15 Fanatics, 42 Grand Griffins, 23 Gold Golems. Kirr level 18 (14-15-7-7/150) with 3 Green Dragons, 2 Angels, 13 Horned Beasts, 45 Grand Griffins, 27 Dryads, 53 Griffin Knights, 24 Storms. In the first round, Kirr used tactics to protect his Archers. I immediately cast an explosion on the Grand Griffins (leaving 6-7). Then, there was a methodical blinding of my attacking stacks, and I managed to cast Antimagic on the Grand Griffins. I somehow broke through the Storm stack (leaving 5-6). Overall, I had to pay 18,000 gold (with 13 Champions, 7 Wyverns, 60 Archers) to avoid being bombarded with magic and blinding, but most of the forest army was already killed (leaving 5 Horned Beasts, 25 Dryads, 5 Storms, and 2 Grand Griffins). I bought Swordsmen and Pikemen in my main town. I waited for new reinforcements, and my next target was another Hive, with serious guards, presumably a max or near-max Hive. On day 211, Pasha conceded the game. Thank you, Pavel, for the game. ____________________________________________ How Long Will They Mourn Me? Tupac Amaru Shakur