Turn 98 - 425 BC

[GeoModder]

Pictures later.

PAL is sneaky. For the last 2 turns their turnplayer (no doubt this tonyciv4 guy, looking at his latest post in the disputes thread) ensured he was online to see things happening during turnover. He goes as far as deliberately not pressing end turn so he knows when the turn ends and have first look on what happens. I hope I confused the hell out of him with this turn's start, since from his viewpoint suddenly 2 spearman must have popped up in Valley Hutch.

Another reason I mention he's deliberately not pressing end turn is that since the last time I checked the game and the last minutes of turn 97 he attacked Valley Hutch and took out an axeman.
So now we have an almost healed axeman, 3 spears and 1 chariot in town facing 8 attackers. I'm not overtly worried about the war chariots, but he'll probably try to start with his 3 axes so chances are he'll take out one spearman and one chariot before he brings his war chariots to bear.

In any case, a spearman was finished and an archer started in Valley Hutch (2 turns), a axeman finished and started in Diggers Burrow (1 turn thanks to chopping) and a chariot finished and started in Caerbannog.

Agriculture is finished, and I've put Iron Working as next research. We were already halfway there so in 10 turns w/o deficit we can get it. Sooner if we want to run a deficit.

[RobWorham]

Nice brief Geo, looking forward to the pics when you get time!!!

[GeoModder]

Are we all that's left.
I've seen teammembers abandon ship before in dire times, but even this is quick in my experience.

Pictures in attachment. The things chanced since my briefing ares that instead of a archer I put a wall in the Valley Hutch queue. Done in 1 turn and if the city survives next onslaught, the (probable one spearman) damaged unit(s) left have better protection.Also, I hastened the research of Iron Working. No use for gold if we have no need updating units. O yes, you can see Realms Beyon about to enter our lands in the northwest corner of the first screenshot.

[Lancer]

I'm not abandoning, not a quitter. Sorry I lack the know how to help much.

All I can do is admire how well you've hung in. Geo, you've got skills.

After we beat this guy or stop him I suggest we build future cities on hills if at all possible, but that's for consideration on a sunnier day to come.

[RobWorham]

Likewise Geo, as you know first hand, I never was the expert warmonger.........

But I'm 150% here for moral support and +1's

[ChrisiusMaximus]

Still here too, just nothing credible to add your doing the best we could hope for in the situation were in.

However to add morale support good job Geo

[Zoid]

I'm still here, but the monumental display of tw@tiness by tony has soured this gaming experience somewhat...

Good job of not getting us killed btw

[theViking]

and I am still here.

[GeoModder]

Midturn report...

Interesting situation.

PAL has made an attack with their 3 axeman. That part I expected. But they didn't follow up with their chariots. That I didn't expect. They also made a half-hearted attempt at circumvating Valley Hutch with a severely damaged war chariot (2.8 now). They lost 1 axeman while we lost 1 axeman and 1 chariot.
So, now they have a promoted axeman (cityattack I) damaged to 1.9 . This one might heal to 2.2 or 2.3 next turn, but should not be able to promote again. Their second surviving axeman will probably promote and heal over 3 before attacking. Also, 3 of their war chariots will probably have gained full strength at the onset of next turn, with a fourth only slightly damaged. And as a last point, our city walls will be in effect.

We have here an opportunity to take out the damaged war chariot with the spearman outside Valley Hutch at the onset of 400 BC, but that will leave Valley Hutch with only 3 spearman (doubled defenses because of the walls if I'm not mistaken) against 2 damaged axes, 1 spearman and 4 essentially full-strength war chariots. If we put the the spearman in town, we have 4 defenders but a (damaged) war chariot on the loose which can harm our hinterland.
To complete the picture, we can move a spear -and axeman on the spot where the outside-city spearman is now at the onset of 400 BC, and PAL is sending reinforcements in the form of a meagre warrior towards their invasion stack.

So, what do you guys think? Will we attempt to take out this damaged war chariot and defend Valley Hutch with 3 spearmen backed by the city walls? Or will we let this chariot go on the loose? Comments please.

[Zoid]

Take out the wandering chariot imo. Our Spearmen in VH can hold their own against the chariots. Base strenght is 4 +100% against mounted units + another 100% for walls + 20% for culture. That should make it 19.2 against 5.5 provided I have done the math correctly...

[Lancer]

Attack. If it works and I think it will, it will show them that the Rabbits still have teeth. That we will not go quietly into the night, that the well founded and profound moral superiority of our Great Civ will prevail if the Very Universe itself has in this dark hour any order remaining, that... oh screw it. Hit em oh Geo the Great.

[theViking]

Attack. Hit em oh Geo the Great.

[GeoModder]

Well, for this time I'll let vanity rule my senses.
Attack, there will be. [/YODA]

[ChrisiusMaximus]

[RobWorham]

Puree PAL to a pulpy pile of pumled poo.......