Cikonio
Ladies and gentlemen, my humblest greetings to all!
If you permit, today your humble servant would like to discuss a certain topic. The topic of Nightmares – as many say, the ultimate unit of the Demon faction (quote: Someone Uknown, a very strong player in the Random Map Games), or simply an overpowered unit that has a huge impact on the battlefield, first with one stack, and then with two after summoning, causing such a stir with its unfair characteristics and abilities that sometimes you are simply amazed, aren't you, that a 5th-level creature can do so much, even more than some 6th-level creatures?
Allow me to begin.
What is your opinion of them?
What can be highlighted as the advantages of Nightmares? I mean, the fiery horses, not the ashen burners – the upgraded version?
1) Colossal characteristics. If we look at the average stats, excluding the absolutely broken initiative, attack, defense, your incredible damage, and health – they are strong and reliable, almost of the highest order, on par with such monsters as liches, monks, and the shining unicorns.
Moreover, the fact that you have two such stacks multiplies the above, at least by one and a half, when summoning from the Gate. Yes, liches can also gain mana out of combat, and monks can train – but the replenishment mechanics are unstable, while Nightmares always summon their friends – often with multiplying modifiers – as much or even more.
Also, due to the fact that the Demon has a lot of attack power, the Nightmare's attack becomes incredibly high.
2) Unfair initiative.
Along with the Furies, among the native Castle creatures, there is no one who can outrun the Nightmares. Two stacks and with a speed boost – isn't that amazing?
A huge speed of -8. Boots for speed, a speed aura, or tactics – where can our enemies hide?
3) Abilities.
Let's talk about the sweetest part, besides initiative.
Attack with fear.
Aura of terror.
Let's start with the first.
As we know, probabilistic abilities, gentlemen, are calculated based on the principle: who has more health – the attacker or the defender?
Let me tell you the most wonderful thing. A small detail that turns Nightmares into fiery terminators.
The fact is that for Nightmares and their kin, the calculation before the fear ability triggers happens AFTER the attack. That is, gentlemen – we first hit with our beautiful stack, dealing damage to the enemy with the Demon's unfair attack power, and only then does the exhausted victim start to get scared. A good 0.8 chance of triggering often happens after inflicting damage, with the soldier's aura – 1.6
The more attack you give to Nightmares, the more likely it is that you will chase your enemy around the battlefield with two Nightmares like a football.
Even a simple lucky attack increases the chance of fear, and the opponent loses all their initiative, leaving the ATB scale.
Aura of terror.
Forgive my pathos. If, according to Nival's standards, a ring that reduces Morale by 2 costs 7000. Then, the reduction of the Nightmares' morale can be estimated at 11500?
4) A combat unit. A defensive unit.
As soon as possible, so as not to overload you with information and hurry to finish, I would modestly say that Nightmares can do everything – attack, scaring away enemies, dealing painful blows and flying into the fight, taking the hit and causing a chilling aura.
And also defend, right? No one wants to approach under the aura of sorrow. The horses can run away, with great speed and initiative, outrun the entire planet and prevent human horses, League riders, or other attackers from getting close. You know, rushing with these fiery lords is a pleasure.
There is probably no other stack in the game that is so respected.
What do you think?
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Guys, I've talked too much. And forgive my pathos. How do you rate Nightmares?
In Random Map Games, despite the modest increase?
In Real-Time Strategy games, where every unit is valued, assessed, and undergoes a merciless test of time?
Are they an ultimate stack, or just hard workers who toiled against the backdrop of the Ash Horses of the Underworld?
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