Alchemy - Neatness Part Deux

[Saiko Kila]

I have Neatness Level 1 and Alchemy Level 3 since about Level 16-18 Hero, and my crystals number is nil. And I have only Order Magic maxed. The problem with Neatness is I try to destroy only cheapest items in the first half (or even two thirds) of game, because I don't know which sets I'll get. Of course, this is that way only because I have to have every spell encountered in my spellbook, but on the other hand I level up only spells I use. And I use lots of spells.

[BB Shockwave]

Don't forget that in AP, you can trade in surplus magic crystals for runes. I plan to have high level neatness and as I am playing paladin, only learn the spells I want to use (no sense in learning any Chaos magic damage spells or Sheep, Doom, Lightning etc...) - I will keep those crystals, and trade them in for runes to boost my Rune Mages.

On Normal, you have tons of crystals, even without Neatness. I remember on my first walkthrough of AP with a warrior, I learned all the spells and got them to high levels because I wanted to test them... and I was still left with lots of surplus crystals.

[Zechnophobe]

Originally Posted by Saiko Kila

I have Neatness Level 1 and Alchemy Level 3 since about Level 16-18 Hero, and my crystals number is nil. And I have only Order Magic maxed. The problem with Neatness is I try to destroy only cheapest items in the first half (or even two thirds) of game, because I don't know which sets I'll get. Of course, this is that way only because I have to have every spell encountered in my spellbook, but on the other hand I level up only spells I use. And I use lots of spells.

That's a lot of crystals to use early on. I am a little surprised you've used them up all ready with just order Magic. Helplessness, dispel (level 1, maybe level 2), healing maybe, Phoenix perhaps?

I'm almost at end of game, and couldn't quite afford to learn all the new spells, but then again some look absolutely terrible (The spit one for instance, which does fixed after effect damage... maybe it was good at level 1).

[Saiko Kila]

Originally Posted by Zechnophobe

That's a lot of crystals to use early on. I am a little surprised you've used them up all ready with just order Magic. Helplessness, dispel (level 1, maybe level 2), healing maybe, Phoenix perhaps?

I'm almost at end of game, and couldn't quite afford to learn all the new spells, but then again some look absolutely terrible (The spit one for instance, which does fixed after effect damage... maybe it was good at level 1).

Yes, the spit is a waste now, but it's good at low level, because the poison is also fixed damage, not by percentage like all other poisons. Or to kill off severely damaged stack.

I'm surprised that I use too many crystals too, but most of the spell is on Level 1, I just scribe whatever and whenever I can. I have an artifact which gives 4 chests per battle, and have luck with spells so cannot buy them because of overfilling

My maxed Order are Call of Nature, Helplessness, Magic Pole-axe, Dispel, Healing, Avenging Angel, Peacefulness, Call Phoenix, Resurrection. I'm trying to max Lightning, Ice Thorns, Battle Cry, Bless, Dragon Slayer, Demon Slayer. I was thinking about Calm Rage, but with Lizard Gloves it's obsolete. But I also got second level of Chaos and can level to three (but won't for a moment, because I like Rune Mages too much ) These all spell are truly crystal suckers. And I found some other spells which I can't buy right now, so for me both Alchemy and Neatness are must.

[Hunkie]

This may be a little off topic, but I'd like to ask about your choice of spells. What is the best way to use Time Back? Is the spell like Teleport+Healing or what?

[Swindley]

Originally Posted by Hunkie

This may be a little off topic, but I'd like to ask about your choice of spells. What is the best way to use Time Back? Is the spell like Teleport+Healing or what?

Well, it does exactly like the name applies, it turns back time for the selected troop, along with all benefits and diadvantages that might bring

It puts the troop in the state it was at the previous turn (positioning, losses, buff etc)
Meaning you can lose alot of troops, then turn back time to restore them. However if you first healed or buffed it, then turned back time after, it would also undo that, so use it wisely
Usually people use it to restore troops that they just lost.
________
Cumshot Porn

[ckdamascus]

Originally Posted by Saiko Kila

Yes, the spit is a waste now, but it's good at low level, because the poison is also fixed damage, not by percentage like all other poisons. Or to kill off severely damaged stack.

I'm surprised that I use too many crystals too, but most of the spell is on Level 1, I just scribe whatever and whenever I can. I have an artifact which gives 4 chests per battle, and have luck with spells so cannot buy them because of overfilling

My maxed Order are Call of Nature, Helplessness, Magic Pole-axe, Dispel, Healing, Avenging Angel, Peacefulness, Call Phoenix, Resurrection. I'm trying to max Lightning, Ice Thorns, Battle Cry, Bless, Dragon Slayer, Demon Slayer. I was thinking about Calm Rage, but with Lizard Gloves it's obsolete. But I also got second level of Chaos and can level to three (but won't for a moment, because I like Rune Mages too much ) These all spell are truly crystal suckers. And I found some other spells which I can't buy right now, so for me both Alchemy and Neatness are must.

I never scribe spells until I need them. And if the spell book is getting a bit overflow like, I sell them to a castle, so I can buy them back later.

I have like a spare 90 crystals just in case I need to level 3 a spell I get. I just got turn back time, but as it stands, I don't need it yet, so I would rather not spend the crystals. I also don't need to or want to max out sacrifice, since it is too mana intense for what I perceive as little benefit at this stage of the game for me. (4 trolls is enough for now, even though I can carry 9, but can't find the others yet).

I probably would not have picked all of those spells, but it is interesting to see how everyone has a different strategy.

Of your list, I have maxed

Healing, Call Phoenix, Resurrection.

Later on, if it turns out I can use ranged units, I might max Helplessness, but I didn't even learn it yet. I might also max Dispel, I only have one level on it.

[Saiko Kila]

Dispel is good when you have your troops buffed, I max it maybe not ASAP but quite fast. I don't like returning to castle, and I use sacrifice a lot because of leveling and leadership bonuses I don't have trolls, instead I suck from Rune Mages (buffed to max with Mind Runes).

Yes, everyone has a strategy (or couple of strategies) which suits him/her best. I noticed that of three spells I use most only Phoenix is Order Magic. Oil Mist and Flame Arrow are not, just like Trap, Fear or Stone Skin. But Phoenix should be maxed, and these other spells work almost as well at level one, IMO.

[ckdamascus]

Originally Posted by Saiko Kila

Dispel is good when you have your troops buffed, I max it maybe not ASAP but quite fast. I don't like returning to castle, and I use sacrifice a lot because of leveling and leadership bonuses I don't have trolls, instead I suck from Rune Mages (buffed to max with Mind Runes).

Yes, everyone has a strategy (or couple of strategies) which suits him/her best. I noticed that of three spells I use most only Phoenix is Order Magic. Oil Mist and Flame Arrow are not, just like Trap, Fear or Stone Skin. But Phoenix should be maxed, and these other spells work almost as well at level one, IMO.

Not criticizing, just fleshing out a different style so others can adapt/learn/try. Just by reading DGD's response, you can tell his gameplay style.

I didn't say dispel isn't good, I just don't have much use for it yet. I'd almost rather just wait until later to cast resurrection, or teleport my unit, etc. The only other case is if they sheeped a key unit of mine.

There are just too many good spells to cast, and at times I feel there are so many other spells I would rather cast instead. Phantom, Stoneskin, Teleport, Call Phoenix, Healing, etc.

If only they let me cast more spells more often, then I would probably use a lot of those other spells more often. I've used them before, just I feel the alternative is so much better. I feel higher magic is too limited at times.

Rune Mages are AWESOME. I am seriously considering maxing out the new Archmage ability so I can get a couple more in there, but alas, priorities. Need to max the other skills first as I can live without more rune mages just like I can live without more trolls. Sniffles.

Phantom + Rune Mage + ~20 magic runes == awesome disablers

I might use Oil Mist with my dragons, IF I end up using dragons more than those accursed Royal Griffins.

Flame Arrow is awesome, but, I find myself casting other much better spells instead. Maybe after I hit level 35 or so, when I can max out chaos. I love the old flame arrow + poison skull combo.

I don't use Trap at all anymore. I sort of miss it, I only have one point in it for those situational cases. I used to spend so much time maxing them out too.

Don't care for Fear now that I have rune mage. Seriously, that unit alone has totally changed my game by simplifying it.

Yeah, Stoneskin is hard to get rid of, unless... or until I get my super archer team up. In my current game of mine, Stoneskin is critical.

Call Phoenix is ridiculously good, especially at level 3. Tanks the enemy, burns a counterattack, shows up immediately, basically can do up the equivalent of like 6 Level 3 flame arrows in one round, can resurrect level 5 units and ALL for 35 mana?

[Zechnophobe]

Originally Posted by Saiko Kila

My maxed Order are Call of Nature, Helplessness, Magic Pole-axe, Dispel, Healing, Avenging Angel, Peacefulness, Call Phoenix, Resurrection. I'm trying to max Lightning, Ice Thorns, Battle Cry, Bless, Dragon Slayer, Demon Slayer. I was thinking about Calm Rage, but with Lizard Gloves it's obsolete. But I also got second level of Chaos and can level to three (but won't for a moment, because I like Rune Mages too much ) These all spell are truly crystal suckers. And I found some other spells which I can't buy right now, so for me both Alchemy and Neatness are must.

I think I'd really only max healing, helplessness, resurrect and maybe battle cry from that list. Of course, I don't play mage that often.

Calm rage lets you turn rage into mana during boss fights, which is pretty clutch. I don't get it very early on, but right near the end it can be nice. Same with Demon Slayer... two fights in the game make that feel a whole lot better.