What is the hardest Game setup to beat?

[unmerged(38508)]

I'm looking for a really hard game that might beat me despite every trick I have. I'm thinking huge, impossible, probably super continent as the AI does badly with islands. Not sure if fewer enemy mages or more is harder. Probably max extra Worlds for more spawning problems.

Anyone tried this and built an unbeatable game? (not by doing lame things as the player, I want the game to fight hard).

 

[Skyhunteren]

I think 6 great mages is hardest and then make a custom wizard and don't spend any perk points. It is slightly harder, but you will properly be able to beat it

 

[The Apprentice]

I don't think the current game can beat a player who knows the basics, even on impossible. Take some of the players cities from time to time, yes. Capitals are just too strong.

Anyway, I haven't played an XL great land map, but I have played XL Continent and Islands (on Impossible). I found the AI did better on the Island game than the Continents game. It expanded to fill its island reasonably fast, AND one even sent some old trolls into a portal world! Game was still wrapped up by turn 105, but it was an interesting run. Just throwing it out there

 

[unmerged(38508)]

Thanks for the input, guys. I'll give the suggestions a shot. Self-limitation might be required....

 

[UncleJJ]

Thanks for the input, guys. I'll give the suggestions a shot. Self-limitation might be required....

Basically avoid the conquest option, as that makes the game far too easy. The other victory conditions are more challenging or at least take more effort and longer to achieve. In fact try to win the game without killing any of the other GMs, take some of their cities if you want but not their capital.

 

[unmerged(494828)]

Small map, no water, no portal worlds, a lot of rival mages.

 

[player1 fanatic]

Basically avoid the conquest option, as that makes the game far too easy. The other victory conditions are more challenging or at least take more effort and longer to achieve. In fact try to win the game without killing any of the other GMs, take some of their cities if you want but not their capital.

I got two wins like this.
Holy ground victories.

Never been in wear with any GMs.

Unfortunately, I also used diplomacy exploit (treaties for all their money or mana), in these two games.

 

[UncleJJ]

Unfortunately, I also used diplomacy exploit (treaties for all their money or mana), in these two games.

Stealing candy from a baby . I have always avoided that exploit.

For me, there's no point in playing a game, and enjoying the challenge, for many hours just to effectively end it that way

 

[unmerged(495697)]

Same. No point in kicking an AI already down.

If you want some challenge, I really recommend going for avatar victory. Those buggers really pack a punch, and come with some nice surprises. Like once where I popped avatar of Helia, and it was a flyer when nearly all my troops were melee. Fun times. Or if avatar victory isn't your thing, just go for anything other than conquest.

 

[player1 fanatic]

Yeah, now in my new game, I'm just making deals with AI that don't give "neutral response", to prevent exploits.

I guess it's not so easy to do those other world expeditions without "funding" of other great manes.

 

[unmerged(495697)]

It's still pretty easy. All you need is a couple of perks on a unit like court werewolves or veteran skellies, and elemental resistance spell of some kind. I think the first ever portal world I did was with three court werewolves and one shaman. And I was far worse a player at that point still...

 

[player1 fanatic]

My most challenging portal world was in my fist game, when I got there with bunch of warriors and archers, and latter some stubborn knights. That was real "turtling". Early got some cities there that were always in danger of roaming elemental or dragon. Eventually I got better troops (not a single temple until I claimed holy grounds there).

 

[unmerged(489564)]

If you want a challenge look for a smaller map rather than a larger one. The AI plays the best in the early game and a small map guarantees that the player won't be able to out expand the AI by too much.