Posts from Kyiv qualifier GO!!!

It’s good that such meetups are organized; players get to see each other in person, and it strengthens the community, so to speak. It’s time to organize one in St. Petersburg too.

:smile01:

Vic, just tell me what you're writing here?
Just to satisfy your own sense of contradiction? ;) like to argue...
Believe me, we can sort everything out calmly without you :)
And someone was talking about Ukrainian football, and now you're writing nasty things about Fortress, and then you're attacking Ukraine... do you really need that?

Even though I'm half Ukrainian myself, the sense of humor of some... hmm... compatriots has upset me more than once, and not just on Heroes forums.

:)

It's still good that such meetings are organized; Heroes players see each other in person, and the "Heroes friendship" strengthens, so to speak. It's time to hold one in St. Petersburg.

:smile01:

Pavel, we'll allocate you a quote since you want it so much :) First, we need to figure out when and where the final will be held; I understand there won't be any prizes. Once everything is clarified, St. Petersburg will hold selections within a maximum of 2-3 weeks.
Or, if there's no need to rush, we can play in Kingisepp anyway. :)

Arrived at the station at 8:41, got all the info, getting ready to meet Belarus. Added Armageddon to the group immediately :) Besha remained. We stood by the train car for about 5 minutes, everyone had already gotten off, no Besha :) We go into the car, there’s a conductor, and Besha scurrying nearby, barely managed to get out. The first thing Lekha decided to do upon setting foot on Kyiv soil was to slap the bottom of a lady who, after getting off the train, was adjusting something down below :D She screamed, "Yeah, you’re so annoying already," and lunged at Lekha with her fists. That’s when I realized she enjoyed riding in that car :D Then came the turn of an old man, whom Lekha started persuading to come with us to spin hmm, but he refused for some reason :)
We strolled around the station for about 20 minutes, then went to meet Forrest. Here, I suggested the guests take a souvenir photo; you wouldn’t say they traveled in the same train:
Tolyan behaved a bit more restrained than Besha :) so we calmly headed to the club. We set a good pace, got there quickly; Lekha lagged a bit—the two-liter bottle of beer apparently cast slow, but whatever :)
I spotted the Hero gathering from afar, feeling something grand. We got acquainted, chit-chatted, and started the draw. One by one, slips with nicknames flew into Besha’s cap; the second-to-last was mine, the last Neo. Jumping ahead, I’ll say neither me nor Andryukha were thrilled with that draw :) But it gave us a chance to beat a strong opponent in the first round.

We started banning; Andryukha first: Inferno – Stronghold – Conflux – Necro – Swamp. I thought it over and decided Kyrre couldn’t be left—too many moves, and the blue Dungeon might hit a block. Andryukha predictably takes Dungeon, and I take Castle, which is always enjoyable to play :)

And we were off. We each took a restart on 111. The generator gives junk—20 archers at the exit (not built), 5 cells left—a lot of Grand (path to Barbarian), down a lair with blue fairies guarding it, no money, 2 roads; I realize GO isn’t on the road, the game is serious, too bad to just give up 113. I attack the fairies: 4*22 and immediately morale on the first stack, -4 marks, okay, I thought :) I capture a secondary Dungeon, build an Evil Eye there, bust through the Lizard lot, and stop at a fork. Three more days—better guess right :)
And Andryukha’s doing well, look how he spins :)

And nearby, Zheka sits smiling :)
I figured out the direction, so we decided not to waste time and start a new one.

One more restart from Andryukha on 111 and we played. This time, the generator didn’t short me: 30 archers, a hero with Centaur and Dwarves, 2 money piles. By 114, Valeska stands near Golems (path to Dirt), having visited stables, gotten offense, and colored in the external dwelling of Marksmen. On the other side, Gelar found an external dwelling of Crusaders, Josephine got a Griffin Conservatory and a Dragon Utopia. Money: 10k, 7 heroes. On 116, I run into a Necro-secondary, above a shield +4, behind a horde of Basilisk—I assume somewhere there should be a treasure zone. I teleport the main force through all heroes to the other edge, reach the external dwelling of Crusaders. Built Cavalry in the Citadel, in Necro 1000.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, another fierce battle is happening (Captain - Besha) :)

Some were finishing their games, others had already gone to lunch, while Andryukha and I were finishing the first week, joking that people would go watch football, but we’d be restarting :)

On the second week, I take max Dwarves, portal home to visit stables, learn Shield and Slow. I run to the treasure zone, where I assumed it was—moreover, a Dragon Utopia was discovered near the entrance; I clear the guard—three stars. 125 +4 geese, 126 +6 ducks. Built Angels and the Castle, captured the external dwelling of Monks. Valeska got Resistance, but also Air and Armor :)

131 +4 geese.
132 another 6 pieces, from the lot of Magi I reclaim the Sphere of Earth and a crude +5 spell. I ran into a corner, under the wall a box behind a lot of greyed-out cattle. No Wisdom, 54 marks, 20 geese, Angel, 5 Cavalry, mana for one Mass Haste. I think leaving the Angel or a couple Cavalry would be stupid, but not taking it somehow feels wrong. I attack, 49 pieces, quietly pick them off, losing a goose that blocked the Angel from the cattle’s strike. Geese are still available later, but Angels are only freshly built. The Griffin Conservatory on respawn is minimal—I took it with a weak hero.

Plan: take Boots of Speed and a Gladius from the treasure zone, use weak heroes to grab 2 trees and take the Dragon Utopia on Dirt.
133, from the vantage point, I see Shakti taking a Dragon Utopia; judging by Andryukha’s and Zheka’s reaction—they got good loot.
134 Valeska in boots kills a pack of Hydras, 1 cell short of picking up the Gladius. Shakti hits GO.
I portal, the main force takes 2 trees (4+6), everyone heads home.
135 Shakti in front of the castle; I buy up what I can and attack—no other way; my home Dragon Utopia has already been revealed.

Valeska 20-10-8-(40) expert Offense, Resistance, Air, Armor, basic Artillery
4 Angels, 89 Marksmen, 29 Geese, 21 plain Crusaders, 6 Monks, 5+4 Cavalry, and a few Pikemen.

Shakti 11-9-15-(78) expert Earth, Logistics, Armor, advanced Air, +1 speed
21 Evil Eyes, 3 Angels, 160 Troglodytes, 24 Minotaurs, 15 Greater Harpies

In theory, I win on main force, more troops, but I take an implosion for 1425 damage and -20 geese—I thought it over. I think and am really glad I didn’t let go of those 49 cattle that gave me that super cast (Blind) :smile20:

The Minotaurs ended up separate from everyone; I don’t show Haste, afraid they’ll hide them. After waits, I do Haste, cut them all down except the Minotaurs, Angel, and a bunch of Troglodytes. I kill the Angel, Troglodytes, Blind, Nuvall, and GG.

Thanks to Andryukha for an incredibly interesting and tense game! One of the best lately!

Right after the game, we go watch football. Since Andryukha and I missed lunch, plans were serious :) We sat down, chit-chatting; Tolyan already brings 2 beers :)—it went down like kids heading to school, and then a penalty and a red card, the start—a bomb.

The evening ends in a super-friendly atmosphere, we settle the bill :) Ukraine is in the playoffs, mood is excellent.

Pavel, we'll allocate you a quota, since you want it so much :) First, we need to figure out when and where the final will be held; I understand there will be no prizes. Once everything is clarified, Peter will conduct the selection process within 2-3 weeks.
Or, if there's no need to rush, we can play in Kingisepp anyway. :)

My opinion is that the Final should be held around New Year's (there will be more time to play, and no rush). But in order for the Final to take place, the remaining regions (including Peter) simply need to announce the deadline for registration for the Selection and conduct the Selection; then the Final will be decided. All that remains is to find an organizer and start the Selection.

Procrastination is like death.

At this rate, Peter won't make it to the Final, let alone the Selection.

What are we waiting for? It's time to get into the fight!

And a few more words... ;)
Although he was called Mr. X (I wanted to surprise Neo, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise :p), I think it was an open secret:smile40:. Besides, he traveled with his fellow countryman, Peterius, so it wasn't hard to guess. He stayed in his bungalow, which was most likely very close to the battle arena - the "Matrix" club (photo 1).
The heroic brotherhood gathered in large numbers. No one saw Beshu in person, but everyone recognized him from 30 meters away:smile01:. Peterius and I watched Beshu's rap battle with the aborigine until the end. We got a maximum boost of energy!
Then the king decided to collect a fee from those who came to the tournament for the club's rent (membership fee); in general, it turned out to be 65 UAH per person for both days of the game (photo 2).
There was no delay. The draw was held, with the names of the players being drawn from Beshu's hat (photo 3). And it began. I witnessed and involuntarily participated in the first game of Beshu, who was sitting next to me (I had to skip his turns), and then I peacefully slept in front of the monitor. I had an unsuccessful first game with Forrest, losing in a maximum Hive with 5 Nagas and level 1 units.
The atmosphere was combative, but absolutely friendly. I wanted this to continue. After that, we watched football with beer. And there was a second day of the GAME! Almost until the very end, until the trains departed in the opposite direction (photos 4, 5).
As a farewell, Armageddon gave each player 100 Belarusian rubles as a souvenir :cool:. So that they would return... Because there was practically no time for personal communication, not to mention visiting the city's sights.
Thank you to all the players for their active participation, special thanks to Captain - for the excellent organization of the GAME and FOOTBALL, Verka - for her resilience in enduring the hardships of judging (not playing, but constantly in the club), Peterius and Kreg - for providing shelter for the "homeless"

Respect to absolutely EVERYONE for the positive messages about the gatherings, both in Michurinsk and Kyiv. And I hope (well, actually I'm just sure) that no one will even try to compare them – it's like comparing your left and right foot. I think everyone has already figured out that if there are more than two qualifying rounds, we permanently move on to the inadmissibility of comparing fingers on one hand, and so on. :)
P.P.S. Volodymyr: and in general, and on this topic – "write more" – it's very easy, clear, and positively written... in my opinion, there's a talent for literary genre.

Ah, Raper, Raper! Now Kyiv will post their photos, and ours will no longer be needed by anyone. :(
We're waiting for the reports. :)

Here are the photos:
http://www.heroesportal.net/events.php?id=52
(click on the section with comments, don't be afraid).
We'll add the report from the second day soon.
I would like to note the good organization of the tournament, thank Sir Crag Hack for his hospitality, and all the Heroes for their excellent fighting spirit and heroic atmosphere during the game. :smile13:

Round 1
7. Volodymyr - Javdet === Game not finished

We didn't play against Roma :) We had a saved game from turn 113 with Lider, and we agreed to finish it online.

Third place could be taken by:
Lider
Javdet
Volodymyr
Armagedda
Koстя-Н

I don't quite understand. If we consider the games played in person, then Lider, Javdet, and Volodymyr each have 2 points. But if Armagedda and Koстя-Н are also included, it implies that the game will be finished online, which means either I or Lider will have 3 points, securing third place.

7. Volodymyr - Javdet === The game wasn't finished. Yes, I made a mistake here - I didn't record unfinished games, mostly relying on memory. Regarding the third place... there's always the option to finish the game online. I would now create a result table like this: 1. Aldegyr - 3 games/3 wins and on time 2. Forrest - 4 games/3 wins 3. Volodymyr - 2 games/2 wins 4. Javdet - 3 games/2 wins 5. Leader - 3 games/2 wins - Leader lost to Javdet... Armageddon - 2 games/1 win - I messed up in the previous post, I thought Armageddon had 2 wins. Rebellius - 2 games/1 win Why did I rank Volodymyr higher? He has no losses, while Javdet and Armageddon each have one.

Writing from the trenches :) I hope they return my computer soon, then I'll describe everything in detail... my impressions and everything else... It's a pity that in Kyiv, Aldegyr was only present in a sleepy state, and on the second day after a party (celebrating his arrival with former classmates until 5 am), he was just a tired body :) And Aldegyr himself was still at home... with his own problems :( I'm a cheerful person by nature, but there I felt like a zombie... So, sorry guys :) But overall, everything was great... the atmosphere, the Heroes players, and many, many other things :) I'll write in detail later... and I also enjoyed playing at the club... no one bothers you, the daughter doesn't cry and ask for food, the wife doesn't yell, etc. :) Thank you all, and especially to the organizer!
Peace to everyone (Besha) :) :) :)

Getting on the train and chatting with Armagedda via ICQ (while reading the forums). Went to sleep to make that day come faster)

Strictly on schedule, I'm in Kyiv, where Vova, Zheka, and what's left of Besha after fighting the green serpent meet me :D
In 20 minutes we're at "Matrix". Naturally, NEO is waiting for us there! And the other Heroes players. Laid-back atmosphere with a sense of something celebratory. We draw lots using "Besha's cap". I get to play against Ribelius. I won via a forfeit on 1-2-3, so I spent a lot of time watching how he plays, chatting. Next to me, Sanya (Captain) is finishing off what's left of Besha's green serpent) Had a chat with him and decided to play since we're winners. The game turned out well again (I posted the description). We go eat at Puzata Khata and socialize. Then everyone watched Vova's and Andryukha's (Neo) FB. Super battle. With a brilliant victory for Vova. Many thought it was GG there (even Besha, losing the last of his consciousness and coherent speech, said "just stand still and hit with Imp and GG"). But mass haste and Parameters won. Best game of the tournament. IMHO.
Then came the epic group trip to the football game! I predict 1-0, for which Roma (Zhavdet) calls me a "naive bookmaker". I defend myself by saying that such ones are already extinct) We had just started drinking beer when Mily is taken down in the penalty area. Everyone jumps up, the referee points to the spot. Everyone is screaming furiously, "Give him red, you b...ard". The referee thought it over and gave it))) Everyone shakes hands and celebrates—in vain. Sheva hits the post. "Resist worked, b..ch," I say. But I calm them down, saying they'll crush them with the man advantage. Everyone believes that too.
Then that beautiful goal. The bar is full of joy!!! I think this very game made our qualifier so friendly) I was just happy about our team's victory. I was ready to kiss and hug everyone) Although my voice was gone and I could barely speak) Then everyone went off to crash for the night. (I'll skip the moment when the green serpent, having fully taken control of Besha, cast Berserk on him)
I stayed with Vova (Volodymyr) of course, many thanks to him. We hung out at his place for a bit with some beer. In the morning, a rush back to "Matrix". Screw this "reality" :D
I was waiting for my opponent, walking around watching the games. In the end, Aldegir beat Crag. And I played against him. Got hit with a Miner rush on 1-1-5 with a bunch of Troglodytes and an Angel(. I surrendered.
But that gave me time to eat. Went with Zheka (Armagedda) and Vasya (Smallest, a fan who came to watch the games, very knowledgeable about Heroes!) Ate a lot, had some beer.
When we got back, I started playing with Zhavdet since he had two points. I had a good draw there. 23 Guses on 1-2-3 and then another 20 right after on 1-2-4. Romchik surrendered because he needed to catch his train and the situation was hopeless.
Me and Vovan of course went to see everyone off. Before that, we all thanked Sanya for organizing it. (Seriously, props to you, Sanek, everything was great) We saw off Ribelius, Piterius, Kostyan, and Neo (all on the same train. But Armagedda leaves at 1 AM. We decided to hang out somewhere for a bit. Found a nice place. Got so carried away with the beer that we only remembered at 0:40 and dashed to the station) But Zheka made it to his train safely. Me and Vovan didn't make the metro though) We took a taxi. Talked for a long time. Monday was planned as a rest day with a walk around Kyiv. +beer) I ended up leaving Monday evening. And reality set in)

I want to say that all the guys made a very good impression, and I want to keep meeting up like this! The atmosphere was very friendly, I'd say, despite the rivalry in the game. Everyone was witty and joking.
Thank you all so much for being able to come and make such a celebration!
Show must go on!

Wrote a lot of text as a continuation of the report – it all disappeared. I'll write it again, but later, when I'm not so angry anymore :)

For now, here's the full set of photos:

http://foto.mail.ru/mail/volodymyr_hmm3/Kiev_Open_2009

Good evening, everyone!
So, we can confidently start writing the final chapter of the 2009 Kyiv tournament for teams of three. We've written a lot about impressions, how everyone traveled, arrived, and spent their time. How they socialized and competed, joked and... well, drank...
I want to talk a little about the guys individually, based on my own observations and conclusions...
It turned out that I spent more time observing the guys than playing, and I'm glad about that. Because each of them deserves a small verbal portrait in our modest lines...
So, I'll start with the most famous and worthy person in the Heroes world. This is, of course, Forrest:
He is an extremely positive person, both in his actions and in his words (even in his harsh words towards Beshi)...
He graduated from Kherson University, Faculty of Physics and Mathematics (average score 4.99). Therefore, calculating damage, etc., is as easy as pie for him (I and Leader were frankly amazed by the quick calculations and formulas he provided)...
Next, let's take Kepten: a strict person, although you wouldn't think so. 10 years of military training are felt...
KostyaN: a cheerful guy, wholeheartedly into Heroes. He received his psychology diploma the other day, congratulations...
Aldegyr: very serious and at the same time kind. When all attention is focused on Heroes, you already know what the results will be...
NeoAndy: mature enough that you feel like a kid next to him. He pays attention to details, and maybe that's his secret to playing so well...
Volodymyr: Forrest's squire (no offense, Vova). Very quick-witted, he analyzes the game in detail...
Armageddon: attention plus attention and jokes on top, a hot mix. Come visit us more often...
Javdet: an artist by profession, always with a smile on his face. I would only go scouting with him, he is always positive, the soul of the company...
Piterius: a prominent guy, in terms of calmness, there is no one like him...
Rebellius: perhaps the most interesting person. In terms of age, he is older than many, but he is just as much of a fan as the others. He only evoked positive emotions...
Kreg Hek: a very simple guy, without any fuss, but like everyone else, with his own quirks. He manages the Heroes camp...

Leader: we became good friends and quickly found common ground, he is simply a wonderful person!!!

And if we simply ignore everything I wrote about each of them and say it in two or three words, it would look like this...

The guys who attended the tournament in Kyiv and, in general, all those who have been playing Heroes for a significant part of their lives belong to a special caste of humanity, with their own advantages, in order to achieve victories. A rare loser or just a simpleton will not fight at all, because he simply cannot. Because as a person, he is stupid and uninteresting...
It is impossible to fully describe the emotions and feelings that we experienced during these two days, you just have to feel it. So we look forward to seeing everyone at the next selection. I hope this was far from the last one!!!!:)

I finished writing the report on the first day:
/topic/at/294755/

Day two:

I also had to play the second game with Andryukha, but this time with Ribellius :)

I was the first to scry, we got Tazar - Tower. I took a restart on 113 because I didn't find anything useful and wasted almost all my money. Andrey didn't take restarts, it seems.

We started. Lizardmen not built, no flies, but fast roads are a sight for sore eyes :) The game is going at a steady pace, considering Tazar is being fed Pathfinding and Brogha is getting Logistics, which makes me wonder a bit. I broke through to the grass but ran into snipers, I see Conflux, but no way in. Brogha scouted a minimal Griffin Conservatory, with a tree near the exit to the grass. I built Hydras in the castle. Tazar is running near the base towards the treasure and another Griffin Conservatory.

The Griffin Conservatory is maxed, considering Tazar was leveling Pathfinding, then had to take Wisdom, I'm not taking it yet.
I gather money, break through into a cave to the Necro secondary, there are 2 Treasures right there. Tazar has Earth, and a scroll with Slow is lying right next to the road, very convenient :)

I decide not to go into the Treasures. I want to take the tree with Brogha and break through to the Conflux (to raise a bit of cash), while Tazar runs to the max Griffin Conservatory. Then, we take the Naga Bank near the ГО (Lot of Giants) and head to the snow. I do it, by 135 I reach the capital, there's Neela on a 1st-upgraded Genie. GG

And Andryukha was planning to take the Book of Earth and a Dragon Utopia, so I was just in time :)

Thanks for the game!

After resting for a couple of minutes, we start playing with Leader. We drafted Castle - Swamp, restarted and saved on 113.

Everyone slowly started heading their separate ways. We go to the train station, Neo, Kostyan, Piterius, and Ribellius on the same train, but all in different carriages :)

Armagedda is left, his train is at 0-50, we go drink beer. We got so deep in conversation that Zheka forgot he had to go somewhere :D we practically ran for the train :D

I want to thank Sanya for the excellent organization, I really liked the approach to the matter :)
Also, I want to say thank you to the Andryukhas for the good games, and to everyone who found the time and didn't miss out on this classic!

Why didn't we do this sooner? :)