The Hyborian Tome [Hyborian War Repository]

Which kingdom is more difficult to play?

(03-02-2010 12:05 PM)GrimFinger Wrote: [ -> ]Which kingdom is more difficult to play?

Not to sound like Bill Clinton here, but define "play" in regards to this poll. Does play equate to ranking highly with? Does it mean becoming a military powerhouse and dominating the map? Something else?

I think without a doubt Ophir is easier to rank highly with than Nemedia, though Ophir is one of those kingdoms stuck with the treasury based VC, which often hurts in the long run. Nemedia's VC progress is directly linked to the quality of the Border Kingdom player. If he's good, you should do ok. If he's bad, your ranking is toast. Nemedia seems incapable of ranking above Good until they take one of their VC provinces in Aquilonia or Zamora. I've read about them owning numerous other wealthy provinces, but never got going until that time, and it certainly was the case for my one run as Nemedia as well.

Nemedia is the more militarily capable kingdom, since they have to field only 5% LIAs, while Ophir has not only the 20% LIA, but also another 10% MI. Kick in the Large vs Medium bonus to raising troops, and the fact that Nemedian provinces (6 vs 5) levy troops like ants, and Nemedia is the clear winner here. Ophir is no Koth, mind you, but they just aren't as good as Nemedia.

Both kingdoms start with an impressive array of diplomats, which increases your ability to pick and choose your targets, and thwart unwanted hostilities. I've only played Nemedia once, and Ophir twice, which isn't much of sample group to determine the quality of replacements over the course of the game, but Nemedia never seemed to receive much in the way of magic (battle, or otherwise), while Ophir's court seemed a bit more robust, if smaller in overall numbers due to the Large vs Medium status.

Time to head to work, but there's my lengthy response that doesn't really answer the question, thus I have yet to vote until my own querry is answered.

Your query will likely go unanswered, since not everyone plays the game the same way, nor guided by the same motivation, such as to win.

Overall, I think that your response is a good one.

Ophir for a variety of reasons.

Militarily, Nemedia is heads and shoulders above Ophir and isn't hampered by the LIA and MI like Ophir is. Ophir must maintain a minimum of 30% LIA/MI and that works out to a lot for the area.

Nemedia has the edge in diplomacy, hands down. Ophir has more potential enemies that can strike right away than Nemedia does too.

As far as victory rankings I'd give Ophir the nod but that's about it.

I would say that neither are hard to play, but Nemedia is harder to do well in the rankings.