Joe’s Journal, Volume 11

Joe’s Journal, Volume 11

I think you are all so very talented and special in your own way. That said, some of you just need a little nudge to use your talents responsibly. As your hero levels up, you get to place talent points in areas related to combat prowess, economics, and archaeology (crypting). When your hero reaches certain levels, additional tiers of these bonuses are unlocked. These points can do great things for your efficiency, and I recommend selecting areas that best fit your playstyle. For example, I like to lose my troops against epic monsters so I have a lot of points in strength bonuses.

I can’t recommend what areas you put your points in, but I can give you some advice. One of the most important things I can tell you is that the bonuses you get from the higher tier of an upgrade (say guardsmen’s strength III) is more lucrative than the bonuses you get from the lower tiers. So if you were to look at my upgrade tree, you would see just a single point in the upper sections, and bottom sections filled to the brim. Also, the bonuses in section “Expert Battle Tactics” are more powerful than the ones in regular “Battle Tactics”. 

Another important thing to note, and this one goes for research as well, is that the higher levels of an upgrade give a larger improvement. The difference between level one and two may yield 0.5 percent, but between level nineteen and twenty we are looking at an increase of multiple points! So if you are looking for the best investment, look at maxing out the upgrades as far down as you can go.

I know that in many areas of this game, diversification is rewarded, but this is not the case in talent point allocation. If you have some, it may be worth resetting your talent points when you reach the next upgrade tier, meaning hero level. Take your points of out the lower level upgrades and fill the upgrades from the lowest (most powerful) places.

I should also note that there are some upgrades I don’t put my points in, and feel free to weigh in to correct me on this, but resource production never seems to be adequate for my needs no matter where I place my city or allocate my points. I also avoid marching speed. I figure if I needed to I would use a speed up. I also figure that if I am caravanning, I will be able to commit more than one caravan, so I haven’t invested any points into caravan capacity. 

That said, feel free to recommend me to outlaw status if I have led you astray!

Thanks 275,

Joe