[SPOILERS] Iskender and the Sidar

[Ichabod]

Incredible game. I've said it before, but I will repeat it know, you are one crazy good player! Impressive tactics and impressive knowledge of the game!

Congratulations and thanks for the good read!

[saltz]

I don't even play this game, but I somehow ended up lurking your thread since the beginning. I've even started following your play in the other PBEMs. Be afraid Iskender; be very afraid.

...and congratulations on a very well played game.

[Sareln]

GG, WP.

[Bobchillingworth]

Good game, Iskender =)

[Tatan]

Question to someone who has actually played as them: do the Sidar suck? Or what?

I mean, their gimmick seems to be specialists, who get a little extra yield. Only, Sandalphon isn't philosophical, so they are no more ahead in Great People than usual, and in addition the tile yields are waaaaay better on Aristofarms [far more food and usually about just as much commerce].

Oh, but I mustn't forget: the Sidar also get the ability to Wane! Which means all those units you worked hard to get to level 6 can turn into [wait for it] ...specialists! Which is *especially* great considering that Sandalphon's traits provide no boost whatsoever to xp gain!

Which brings me to another point: Sandalphon is completely sucky. Defender has quite literally about 1/3 the value of Protective, and Industrious is no shining star in a game where wonders are relatively uncommon. I mean, I guess there is the advantage of more wonders => more GPP => more great specialists, but, c'mon, really? The Sidar would be served far better by Charismatic, Arcane, Philisophical, Spiritual... the list goes on. Sandalphon wouldn't be a total game-stopper if the Sidar themselves were awesome, but they kind of aren't. At all.

One thing the Sidar do have going for them is their wordspell, Into the Mist, which makes all their guys invisible until the engage in combat. But ItM's best use seems like it would be for a rush of some sort, which goes completely against builder-oriented specialist bonuses.

So, to summarize: the Sidar can get better cities by sacrificing your favorite units, grant a bonus to all the normal specialists you don't want to run, and have a worldspell that urges you to ignore all that and do a typical ax rush or something. Oh, and they have Sandalphon, lord of losers.


Please tell me I'm missing something.

I eat my own words. Congrats, Iskender.

[Nicolae Carpathia]

I get that he's worried about me becoming too strong- he should be. But the best thing for him IMO would be to build up his own power attacking the Clan, who already are incredibly dangerous but are presently occupied, than helping them get stronger by killing the guy who potentially will become a threat. Well, whatever. What is done is done. Either he'll lose to the Clan and look like an idiot and I'll be vindicated, or he'll pull off a victory somehow and will prove his brilliance.

Brilliant!

[Rowain]

Congrats to the victory Iskender and many thanks for your thread

[DaveV]