Round 43

Round 43
Winner 🥇
Player:	jboy
Dominion:	Operation Dynamo
Race:	Dwarf
Second 🥈
Name:	Faith
Dominion:	Polar Vortex
Race:	Nomad
Third 🥉
Name:	Robert
Dominion:	The Room Temperature Ruler
Race:	Icekin
General
Changes:	Round 43/Changes
Valhalla:	Link

Top 100 Results

Round 43 top 100

Round 43 - Realm #3 Win Story

Realm #3 Operating Room

I haven’t written any article in the last 10 years, so please bear with me if this would turn out to be a little messy. Don’t worry, as AI has been a popular topic in discord, I might probably use it to proofread this later (or not).

OPLAN (Operation Plan)

Initially planned to be in a duo with lamb, with the hopes of landing in a formidable 4/5 pack. Fortunately, Exrio and Espiritus were looking for company, so we ended up with a 4-pack. At realm assignment, we landed with the pack of Candarius (3-pack with Jez and Ryan), Yeeeoow-family, MeeSAX (who I’ve played with in the past multiple times), and Rio (What is this guy even doing here?)

After discussing our playstyles and plans of the round, it was evident that we will be among the least significant realms. We also agreed to go with the Military Operations theme.

Realm composition:

Casual Fast Attacker:

• Yeeeoow as Operation. The board game. – Vampire

Converters:
• Lamb as Restore Hope – Merfolk
• Espiritus as Operation E.L.F. - DE
• Ryan as Operation Mockingbird – Sylvan

Explorers/Ops:
• MeeSAX as Operation Southern Cross – Sylvan
• Candarius as Operation Morris Dance – Merfolk
• KJ as 🩸🧛‍♀️🩸SoNiC tHe VaMpIrE 🩸🧛‍♀️🩸 – Vampire

Medium Attacker:

• Myself as Operation Dynamo – Dwarf

Efficient Slow Attackers:

• Rio as HawkTua Rizz on Spineless Robot AirFryer – DE
• Exrio as Operation Sea Wall – DE
• Jez as Operation Bøllebank – DE

OPERATION BOT HITTING – D DAY!

Having played Human medium attacker the previous round (HUg̶h̶J̶̶a̶̶c̶̶k̶̶MAN), I decided to play a similar strategy with a Dwarf, earning prestige with efficient build, focusing on high economy. OOP came, and I managed to get 5 hits. Overall, I was happy with the result. It became a habit of mine to compare my dom to others who are doing similar strats, in which the 2 Nomads, and the Orc were the first that I noticed. Also, regularly comparing my dom with the other 2 Dwarves.

Polar Vortex #8 – Faith (Nomad)
If I was a dwarf, I would sui that guy 😉#12 – Chunk (Nomad)
Hastatus Prior #11 – Vinn (Orc)
Centurion #11 - King Jota (Dwarf)
Tiě Chuí Wáng #2 – Kongb (Dwarf)

The Nomads, as expected went to explore to finish schools and dms quickly. Although the Orc got hit once, he still looked very solid. The other dwarves went with a faster tempo training more miners, while I focused more on efficiency with Clerics.

We are fortunate we have lamb (Restore Hope), playing the converter, and has been phenomenal in updating the top OP, constantly giving us a good overview of what is going on at the top. Just a few days in, and (Trumple H #1 – Cobber) quickly grabbed the top spot. There were a few who stalled him, (STELLA!!!! #6 – Bobbo) and (🌈Rainbows and Razes⚔️ (#4) – cerb), but it was only for a brief period of time. As the rest of the fast attackers started dying of inefficiency, the Spirits with the significant turtle of 1 point on spectre, became the obvious threats. (The Book of Five Rings #2 - Wurstmeyer) and (The UnderTrumper #1 - Rury). Furthermore, the mid-races ((🍬 Peppermint Plague☠️ #4 - Downrightdave) and (Rogue Wave (#8) - Lud), (The Side-Eye Sorceress #10 - Esthera) (SOMEONE SHOULD BLOP THAT GUY BEFORE HE RUNS! #12 - B) are putting just enough pressure to keep the halfer in check.
Our realm also put in an effort to acquire a wonder, which proved to be significantly helpful in preventing any possible war/blop from other realms. Rio definitely earned some MVP points on this:

2025-01-23 18:57:00 The Guild of Shadows has been destroyed and rebuilt by Lamb/MeeSAX/Candarius/KJ/Rio/ExRio/Ryan/Espiritus/Yeow/Jez/JBOY (#3).

OPERATION COMPETE (and hopefully complete)

Fast forward to Day 26, I was sitting at 3673 acres, with 44k peasants, still at minimum amount of miners, just enough for my Warrior’s ore requirement training. This is when I started to become more serious, realizing for the first time in the round, that our realm has the potential to win. Also, lamb’s merf masons strat was not far behind, and Rio’s efficient DE is looking promising. Halfer still sits on top, but thanks to Lud’s pressure, he just couldn’t get a full run. However, #12 Nomad (Chunk) is already positioning himself to takeover being so efficient, and always a hit ahead of me.

Day 29 – Dwarf came to play!

Halfer skipped the daily bonus, which prevented me from a potential hit on #8 Nomad. He finally took the land bonus later on, putting me out of his EG range, and that allowed me to make a good flex hit on Mith’s Icer for the first time:

2025-02-09 16:59:06 Victorious on the battlefield, Operation Dynamo (#3) conquered 219 land from Legatus legionis (#11).

Note: Payback for #11 stealing and blops! Perfect land type, and take down a threat (boy, was I proven wrong later on, Mith was relentless!)

Day 33 – The Big Bad Nomad bounced!

Chunk’s Nomad was already in the winning position, but messed up and bounced on Karpatheo’s Sylvan. This allowed #8 Nomad, #11 Orc, #11 Icer, and Myself to catch up on him. Furthermore, The Four Icekins presence are posing huge threats sooner than I thought. (Soup #12, Mith #11, Gothia #2, and Robert #10)

2025-02-12 13:49:48 🍬Candy Corn Before The Swarm🪲 (#4) fended off an attack from If I was a dwarf, I would sui that guy 😉 (#12).

Day 34 – It felt good, but it feels bad!

You know that feeling when you are “The top op”, but you could not find a good target? Chunk’s Nomad was 500 acres ahead, same size as Rury’s Spirit. The rest of us were at around 4600 acres. I was itching to make a quick hit as soon as possible, and hoped no crazy suicides would happen while I retrain my offense. Finally found a hit, it’s not the best, but land is land!

Victorious on the battlefield, Operation Dynamo (#3) conquered 183 land from Waterworld (#9).
Had to make this hit, to improve my economy. However, #1 Spirit quickly made a hit few hours later at a questionable dp, which lead to chain of hits after 11 Dwarf’s suicide:

2025-02-14 21:59:54 The UnderTrumper (#1) invaded OrderWhatYouWantIWillTakeThePepperonisOff (#9) and captured 194 land.

2025-02-15 06:47:27 Centurion (#11) invaded The UnderTrumper (#1) and captured 335 land.
2025-02-15 08:29:18 Rogue Wave (#8) invaded The UnderTrumper (#1) and captured 283 land.
2025-02-15 08:58:45 Legatus legionis (#11) invaded The UnderTrumper (#1) and captured 264 land.

This totally ended #1’s chance of winning. And because it’s dominion, “Walang Magbabagong-taon!” 😁 😁 😁 – Sorry, Intrusive thoughts won over me), some referencing about revenge hits, and taking you down with us”

Realm 1 decided to take down #11: (Don’t we all love the Dom drama?)

2025-02-15 17:52:52 Trumple H (#1) invaded Legatus legionis (#11) and captured 253 land.
2025-02-15 20:58:51 Hastatus Prior (#11) invaded Trumple H (#1) and captured 365 land.
2025-02-15 22:16:32 The UnderTrumper (#1) invaded Hastatus Prior (#11) and captured 271 land.

2025-02-16 00:58:59 If I was a dwarf, I would sui that guy 😉 (#12) invaded Trumple H (#1) and captured 305 land.
2025-02-16 01:01:49 Polar Vortex (#8) invaded Trumple H (#1) and captured 279 land.
2025-02-16 02:05:51 Legatus legionis (#11) invaded I miss Elf Woods and Elf Woods 2 (#9) and captured 208 land.
2025-02-16 05:35:32 The Room Temperature Ruler (#10) invaded I miss Elf Woods and Elf Woods 2 (#9) and captured 202 land.
2025-02-16 06:58:36 Victorious on the battlefield, Operation Dynamo (#3) conquered 263 land from The UnderTrumper (#1).
2025-02-16 09:39:01 If I was a dwarf, I would sui that guy 😉 (#12) invaded The UnderTrumper (#1) and captured 233 land.

But the craziness didn’t stop, #12 Icer who was already in a very dominant position made a risky hit, and was invaded within 10 seconds! (Credit to Lud on that amazing hit!)

2025-02-17 06:59:40 Any idea where MERF is? I'd love to hit him lolol (#12) invaded “Nacho Man” Trumpy Savage (#1) and captured 196 land.
2025-02-17 06:59:50 Rogue Wave (#8) invaded Any idea where MERF is? I'd love to hit him lolol (#12) and captured 299 land.
2025-02-17 07:21:04 The Bamboo Scroll of Ultimate Napping (#2) invaded Any idea where MERF is? I'd love to hit him lolol (#12) and captured 286 land.
2025-02-17 07:25:20 Any idea where MERF is? I'd love to hit him lolol (#12) fended off an attack from Vladislav Drăculea🧛 (#9).

I was sleeping when I received some discord notifications, and quickly checked GTC, went to ask for quick ops on #12 Icer, which we immediately acquired but the Clearsight! MeeSAX wasn't around, and Rio seemed occupied, he finally showed up few minutes later. He was driving, and had to park to get the ops!

2025-02-17 07:48:09 Victorious on the battlefield, Operation Dynamo (#3) conquered 238 land from Any idea where MERF is? I'd love to hit him lolol (#12).

That back-to-back hit put my economy through the roof (64k peasants). #12 Nomad was still in the driver’s seat, but my efficiency allowed me to keep up with his op/dp push even with his mod pushes. This crazy training between us that went on for almost 5 days, allowed the Icekins and the rest to capitalize in the situation while we lock each other. With his 9-hr, there’s no way it would be strategic for me to send first. Pressured by the Icers, he finally decided to make a hit:

2025-02-21 16:06:10 If I was a dwarf, I would sui that guy 😉 (#12) invaded Speculatores Augusti (#11) and captured 234 land.

With his op exhausted, I am finally able to use my Ace, which is my Clerics flex, allowing me to penetrate one of the top explorers, mcgeeal:

2025-02-21 20:59:31 Victorious on the battlefield, Operation Dynamo (#3) conquered 429 land from 🌹Caress Corsage | Commit Espionage 🕵️‍♂️ (#4).

An hour later, #11 Orc – Vinn also sent:

2025-02-21 21:15:49 Hastatus Prior (#11) invaded 🍭 Lollipops & Ares Drops 💧 (#4) and captured 225 land.

Then Soup’s Theon Greyjoy’s redemption arc happened (Credit to whoever said it in the channel)

2025-02-22 03:51:30 Hastatus Prior (#11) fended off an attack from Any idea where MERF is? I'd love to hit him lolol (#12).
2025-02-22 03:55:10 If I was a dwarf, I would sui that guy 😉 (#12) invaded Hastatus Prior (#11) and captured 351 land.

This put the Nomad back on the driver’s seat again!


Day 44 – OPERATION NOW OR NEVER!

Chunk's Nomad still in the lead at 7500, myself at 7000, Icer#11 at 6800, Icer#2 at 6600, Icer#10 at 6300, Nomad 8 bottomfeeding at this point, but slightly ahead of me at 7k+ as well. Orc #11 even after eating up a lot of hits, still relevant at 5800.

10 Icer just made a hit a day before and would put him on 6800 as well. Ranking of offense power at this point was: Myself and Icer 11 at the top, followed closely by Nomad 12, then Icer 10 who even after making a hit, was speedy in catching up. In addition to Icer 11 having the top op, he's also backed with his Orc with 12% temples ready for a raze/suicide.

Then it happened, Icer 11 found a target: (Huge hit for him) as that would put him at 7500, tied with #12 Nomad with more efficient military units.

2025-02-23 14:56:16 Legatus legionis (#11) invaded The Complaint Crusader (#10) and captured 345 land.

Ran a quick check, and it seemed like he didn't leave a solid dp, (Initial thought, Quite sure Orc had me covered should I go after the Icer, coz why would he leave himself open, right? After doing a more thorough calculations, found out that I'd have a window to do a clean hit on him 6 hrs later, and also 7k dp safe from their Orc. And Nomad was 12k short, (But nomad had few plat saved with FG On) 3 hrs later, Nomad #12 built 4% temples additional, few GNs, (For Christ’ sake!) This had me running numbers again at 3AM Philippine Time! Just number crunching how much blademasters he can afford to send to break me, while also making sure he’s safe from Orc's suicide. I was certain it was pretty tight.

Then the time came, It’s NOW OR NEVER! Despite the threat of Nomad hitting me, which could potentially be followed by the Orc, I knew I just had to take that risk, otherwise the Icers would just roll over me being more efficient. Also, with Nomad's mod push, I just might not have the window to make a significant hit to put me in the winning position. I decided not to send end hour to avoid a possible bounce play from #11 Icer:

2025-02-23 21:43:38 Victorious on the battlefield, Operation Dynamo (#3) conquered 413 land from Legatus legionis (#11).

I was expecting Nomad's hit to come 11 hrs after I sent (when all his mods and spec push would arrive), so I still had 2 hour window to push miners, pump walls, and just draft nonstop with FG ON (That was my plan), but then an hour later, Nomad went after #11 Icer (I didn't really expected this, as I knew Nomad's mods are 10-11 hrs away. But, quickly realized, perhaps after the casualties from my hit, that must’ve allowed him to make a safe hit on him.

2025-02-23 22:37:30 If I was a dwarf, I would sui that guy 😉 (#12) invaded Legatus legionis (#11) and captured 353 land.

To be more certain of things, we checked Nomad 12 and Orc 11, and found out that the Nomad actually is hittable. I wasn't sure if he did this on purpose (It would allow him to 9-hr on the Orc, and gain still extra land while putting an end of him)

As expected, The Orc went for it! That’s Huuugeeeeeeeeeee!

2025-02-24 05:21:41 Hastatus Prior (#11) invaded If I was a dwarf, I would sui that guy 😉 (#12) and captured 524 land.
Nomad's troops still are 2 hours away, which allowed the other Icers to feed from Orc's sui, knocking him out of Nomad's range:

2025-02-24 05:57:08 The Bamboo Scroll of Ultimate Napping (#2) invaded Hastatus Prior (#11) and captured 294 land.
2025-02-24 05:38:58 The Room Temperature Ruler (#10) invaded Hastatus Prior (#11) and captured 315 land.

But the drama, didn't end there. I ran the numbers if the Nomad could go after #2 Icer (Being the one with the lesser dp), but should he do it, I'd be able to hit him (Nomad), so he probably would end up bottomfeeding. This was already anticipated by our DE (Rio), as he might just be the best target being out of EG.
Well, guess what happened next? He did make him bounce! (MVP points earned yet again)

2025-02-24 07:06:30 Fellow dominion HawkTua Rizz on Spineless Robot AirFryer (#3) fended off an attack from If I was a dwarf, I would sui that guy 😉 (#12).

At the end of the Chaos, the ranking became like this :

Myself at 7877
12 Nomad at 7770
8 Nomad at 7648
10 Icer at 7526
2 Icer at 7224
11 Icer at 6818

At this point, the offensive strength is now between myself and #10 Icer, followed by the Nomad. One of my advantages aside from having the flex, was saving a room for mods while others were already maxed on their GNs specially the Icers. This would’ve looked like an easy win, however, Mith’s Icer just decided to go suicidal and play the Kingmaker. Putting myself in his position, it’s just a no brainer that he would go after me, after hitting him twice, and ending his quest for the win. This put me in a sticky situation.


Day 46: THE OPERATION WAR-EPIC FAIL!

A) The Operation sabotage!

With Mith's Icer only pushing op. I quickly checked his docks, and found out he didn’t have enough boats protected. And that's the first organized WAR plan we had. I had poor spies, so I dedicated 3-hr training of spies to make it a 5-man team to do the sinking. We declared, used up all our spy strength, and we managed to bring his boats down to 2k after the first wave. It looked promising, and we celebrated prematurely, only to get interrupted after we took a new survey, and realized that he had docks arriving in time, which would make further sinking futile.
Also, an hour after this, I saw the Vampire I hit earlier 🌹Caress Corsage | Commit Espionage 🕵️‍♂️ (#4) (Mc Geel), dropping AC again, and would've been the perfect target, and guarantee me the win. (Just glad the others didn’t get to him). At that point, Legatus (Mith) would just have enough 5:4 to break me had I went after the Vampire. If we snared him instead, or assassinated his wizards, that would've made our lives easier, right? I continued to check for possible targets the next few hrs, but no luck finding one where I could send safely. At this point, I had to make a quick decision to either wait further, or make a bottomfeed just before the War gets active, which would further give Mith war bonus. In doing so, I'd also lose a good amount of op to threaten #10 Icer (Robert), and #12 Nomad. Finally, I decided that it would be smarter to make the bottomfeed, and allow me a chance to make 1 more hit later.
2025-02-26 07:59:11 Victorious on the battlefield, Operation Dynamo (#3) conquered 142 land from SOMEONE SHOULD BLOP THAT GUY BEFORE HE RUNS! (#12).

B) OPERATION SNARE (FROM BAD TO WORSE)

Mith continued pushing his 5:4, 610k/488k with 6% temples. It was crazy. I came up with the thought of snaring him if in case he didn't cast AC. Without Ares, he has to use a lot of Ice elementals as turtle which would then make his 5:4, significantly lower. So, I asked MeeSAX to do a revelation, and he actually had NO AC, and NO SP on. Also, MeeSAX miraculously did it without getting caught. (Maybe, this is the break we’ve been waiting for). This reinforced my plan to push the Operation Snare! I gathered the same group to do it simultaneously the next hour, and at the start of the 10th minute mark. (I remember Mith being so quick before to cast AC when we were realm mates, the time when he was being snared by Wurst' realm. So, I wanted everything to be smooth and done swiftly. Rio and I were discussing on whether we should check again first with a revelation before doing so. I was really hesitant, as aside from having 3.3 WPA, they also had the Ivory Tower. It’s too risky, and it might just tip him off). So, we finally did it without checking if he casted Ares, simultaneously snared him, and then asked Meesax afterwards to do a Revelation, only to find out Mith had 17 hrs Ares Call On. That was so devastating! We were all out of Spy strength to even check for targets, just to prioritize snaring. We’re fucked! When it rains, it pours! It was my call, and I felt bad for the rest of my team putting their efforts to waste.
Aside from the frustration of yet again a failed Operation, I noticed #8 Nomad's growth, and realized I needed to make a good bottom feed to finish higher, and just in case Nomad 12 won't make good back-to-back hits. I tried to check the people in my 60%, and I couldn't find a target I could hit while defending #11's suicide. Then, we saw Icer #10 decided to make his final hit which was pretty solid, and put him over 8400 acres. (Still, few acres behind 8 Nomad)

Thoughts running in my head at that time:

- 11 Icer's suicide
- 11 Orc's raze
- 11 feeding Nomad 12 (Either of them feeding, would put the Nomad in the Winning position iirc)
- 8 Nomad's bottomfeeding while exploring
- 10 Icer's potential winning largest hit

Finally, the invasion timer came, and attacking could just get disabled anytime. This added even more pressure than I was already in.

I wanted to wait for the Nomad 12 to send first, so he won't benefit from #11 feeding. But, if I don't make the move sooner, and attacking gets disabled, Nomad 8 would win. It's a very difficult situation, and Rio advised that I should send since it is in my control. I was back and forth on it, as I knew #11 would either raze / sui me if they could, or just feed the Nomad for him to win instead. Rio also found a perfect target which was just enough to put me 40 acres ahead against the 8 Nomad who was in the top finisher at that time. I was planning on delaying an hour before making the bottomfeed, with the hope that Nomad in 12 would make the hit, and attacking won’t get disabled yet. But that target seemed like “the only one available that would guarantee me a safe hit from Icer’s suicide, and get me enough land to Win against 8 Nomad.” At least, it's in my control and power.

And so………….

Pressed the invade button, did the Hail Mary that hopefully, #11 won't deliberately feed the Nomad.

2025-02-27 03:36:17 Victorious on the battlefield, Operation Dynamo (#3) conquered 148 land from Chip Chip Cherry-O (#6).

But, 15 minutes later, it happened. Legatus sent on #12 Halfer. We did calc it before, that if he gets hit twice before the Nomad could hit him, then Nomad won't have enough land gain. Also, I've asked lamb (Restore Hope (#3) few days ago, to push 20% temps and max 5:4. That would be helpful in case we needed a raze for me to make a safe hit. Or, situations like this to knockdown targets. But, he's out of Legatus range, so we needed 1 hit before he could take him down.

2025-02-27 03:51:59 Legatus legionis (#11) invaded You should FB that mofo in 4! (#12) and captured 530 land.

2025-02-27 03:58:14 The Bamboo Scroll of Ultimate Napping (#2) invaded Legatus legionis (#11) and captured 403 land.
Then, finally #2 Icer (Gothia) did it. Was ringing lamb to do the hit! But, due to that WAR, the numbers he inputted won't allow him to send to meet the 5:4 (too much OP), he had to re-input again and again! !@#$ it lamb! And, NOMAD did beat him by 5 seconds!!!! JeeeZ Lamb!

But, guess what??? Gnome Diamond Dust (#8) – Oment) was 17 seconds faster than the Nomad, and prevented him that opportunity of taking the 2nd hit on Legatus!

2025-02-27 03:58:56 Diamond Dust (#8) invaded Legatus legionis (#11) and captured 431 land.
2025-02-27 03:59:13 If I was a dwarf, I would sui that guy 😉 (#12) invaded Legatus legionis (#11) and captured 302 land.
2025-02-27 03:59:18 Victorious on the battlefield, Restore Hope (#3) conquered 412 land from Legatus legionis (#11).

That sealed the WIN I believe. It was a rollercoaster ride, it was intense, but we kept trying and trying despite the failed Operations after another.



This win is for our Realm, there is no way I could’ve done it without the selfless people who went above and beyond in offering their assistance whenever I needed them. Allow me to extend my gratitude and share this Victory to the following people:


lamb – You have always been very cool and consistent! We appreciate your hard work in keeping the top OP updated, allowing us good judgment when and when not to send in the bottom tier. Also, even tagging people to remind them to train more dp when needed. And personally, Thank you for just being so selfless in taking the backseat when it’s needed. You are awesome bro!

Exrio and Espiritus – Thanks for the random socials in our local language, definitely helped relieve the stress. And also, for being so helpful in ops taking. I’m very glad that we packed this round, it was a breath of fresh air.

Yeeeoow and family – Appreciate the support and encouragement, most specially your war participation sacrificing your much needed sleep. Thank you!

Candarius and MeeSAX – You guys are the best! How you stepped up when I really needed you both towards the end, I have no words to say how grateful I am of it. Thank you for putting up with my dms & calls, it probably has been annoying at times, but you never made me feel bothered by it. Appreciate it bros! Thank you so much!

Rio – You definitely earned the MVP Award! From taking the wonder, getting that crucial CS, making Chunk bounce, and finding that last hit, hats off to you bro! There’s no way we could’ve pulled that win without those key moves. It was fun watching your dom as well, along with the other 3 DEs in our realm with your friendly competition. And, totally appreciate the reminders and guidance along the way.



Also, just want to share this victory to my old packies! Wurstmeyer, Scratch, Damdred, Dan, Siz, CE, you all know who you are in case I missed writing your names here.
And of course, to ALL my Filipino friends "ANGKOL!", specially those in #11 who blopped me and been stealing my resources!!!😠 Kidding aside, this is for you, guys!

Finally, congratulations to everyone on this round! To our adversaries, thank you for making this sweet victory a very meaningful one!



-- OPERATION COMPLETE --

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