09.01.2012 crzq (red, Dungeon, Shakti, Shakti) def Pyre (blue, Swamp, Wystan, Clavius) 2SM4d(3) 136.
The very first generation was excellent - Shakti with 2 stacks, 2 native heroes, a Griffin Conservatory a single in 1 day's travel and a double in 2 from the castle. Some more money came in. On 112 took one, on 113-114 would have taken the other, but the opponent took it on 112((
Next generation - it was rather sparse, without Griffin Conservatories, Dwarf Cottages and crypts, but without ranged blockers and paths led into all 3 adjacent zones (slow ones, indeed) there were quite a few melee "blockers" - on 111 built an eye, on 112-113 upgraded it and brought the Troglodytes.
I broke through everything only with a loss of fodder (allowed only one hit of hydras into the Troglodytes (-6)). On 112 opened an external dwelling of Minotaurs, but off-road and deep in the respawn (2+ days from the castle).
By 114 I had revealed 3 external dwellings of Troglodytes and debated for a long time whether to mass them, thankfully Shakti developed a wild tempo and leveled up excellently on the melee "blockers".
Got Earth, on 115 I captured the necro adjacent zone and stayed the night there, placing GM1 (Haste, Stone Skin, Shield, Archery - ideal, under the main a chapel with Slow is lit).
On 116, after sacrificing some necro fodder, I took a Dwarf Cottage of 20, broke through a couple more guards and mastered Earth.
Towards the end of the week I lingered back and forth for a long time. Got base Defense with Shakti and returned to the main to learn Slow and take the Naga Bank 1.5 days from the castle. On 117 in the main 1-5 + portal with Troglodytes in the fort. By 123 somehow I bought everything up and Shakti 7 6 3 3 took the Naga Bank (as it turned out, the minimum(() without losses (266 upgraded Troglodytes, 18 eyes). Saw no more goodies, ran to the other adjacent zone, there on 124 I burned it and on 125 took the Griffin Conservatory (3) without losses (under Mass Slow)).
126-127 Took Fire Magic at level 11 with Shakti (before that found scrolls of Berserk and Frenzy), broke into the treasure zone, for ~20 unupgraded Pits a Pandora's Box of 20 upgraded Pits, in the camp gave 3+3 of the same, took a pre-max Griffin Conservatory with a loss of 5 Troglodytes. Went back with Shakti for the wings burned near the castle +2+2 +1 knowledge and double mana for pushing the opponent (Clavius was revealed).
Until 133 I was messing around, dragging Shakti towards the opponent.
On 134 I broke through the ГО - 100 Pits fell easily, even let them summon some demons, out of carelessness I only missed a hit on the Troglodytes when Mass Slow wore off (-23). Took a Griffin Conservatory near the ГО (1). The opponent could only bring all the growth and leave it on a whim in the castle.
Final stats Shakti 9877 with expert Offense, Defense, Earth, Fire (Haste, Shield, Stone Skin, Slow) 358 Troglodytes, 10 upgraded Minotaurs, 4 Angels, 14 upgraded Harpies, 24 unupgraded Pits, 25 Eyes against Tiva 0122 3 Hydras, 20+ upgraded Basilisks, 9 Gorgons, 60 Gnolls, 18 Lizardmen, 5 Wyverns, 12 upgraded Flies went in one gate - under Slow, Haste and with Stone Skin and Shield the Angels knocked everything out.
Thanks for the game.
Everything, of course, was streamed and the broadcast recording will hang on the channel for a week.
P.S. Participants and judges, if you think I've outgrown the "Novice" - I'll gladly give up my spot to someone else.
[sick of the shit-flinging on this topic during/after the stream, I don't get any enjoyment from the game or commentary anyway]