Episode 3: Skee Ball – RG1

Welcome back to the Redemption Game! The usual quick overview of the Governments currently in power before we get to the action.

One to make note is that for all their strength and size, the Tuareg are not a tech leader and have yet to research Code of Laws to grant them a Government.

Permian Horde feels accurate, as Saint Stephen’s forces run free onto Europe.

Dictator Herman von Salza the Conqueror has to be the poorest title of the bunch considering the Teutons are the punching bag at the moment.

Polemarch Tanaka Kakuei sticks in the shadows as they build up watching their neighbors do all the fighting.

Well actually scratch that! Japan has taken Khanbaliq through their well positioned navy right from the melee-less Manchu. A nice grab for Japan, whilst Yuan looks utterly incapable of hoping to flip it back to their side as several armies descend on them.

Galatian Guards again come to the defense of Thebai as the Tuareg units have to be funneled into the strong Ptolemaic defense.

Japan peaces out with their prize, while Ahuizotl claims the first Manchu victory over Yuan by capturing Kaiping. Ganzhou is besieged by Viet troops just itching to whittle down the city before they can deliver the final blow.

Jamaica decides to confront Somalia over unknown affronts. Tech levels still do not allow for deep ocean travel, so just a harsh exchange of words is expected.

The Teutons boldly settle Kulm in spite of the constant Permian threat. Best to settle and defend than to let Perm’s superior Unit Limits eventually be the deciding factor.

The Teutons are correct in their judgment since Perm has other ideas in mind as they declare on Somalia. Boorama is defenseless and Perm just needs to send over a small contingent to trouble the Somali colony.

More respite for the Teutons as Wales breaks from their regular interval training session with them.

New Netherlands looked to have an advantage over the Olmecs, but they have decided to call it quits with nothing to show for their trouble. The Olmecs look to be catching up from their slow start.

Namibia’s options look limited. On-screen we see that other than settling the island of Madagascar, there will not be much hope for them with the Tuareg joining them for a joint war on Somalia.

The Ptolemies, armed with a Scout and a Missionary, believe they can take on the Manchu Empire. Cleopatra surely inspires much of her now perpetual underdogs. Also on-screen we find that Ganzhou continues to hold on.

Yuan might be surrounded on all sides, but Bhutan at least offers their kind, though useless, gestures of friendship.

The war declarations continue to pile up on the Manchu. For reasons unknown, they are quickly becoming public enemy #1, despite Japan having been the ones to take the Yuan capital. On-screen we see that the Pacific has still not been settled, but war has come to the region anyways in the form of V.O.C. and Manchu triremes trading blows.

More relevant is the immediate Manchu blockade over Palembang. The Manchu might require some reinforcement to take the city, but it looks like a nice and easy treat. Elsewhere, Wales builds the Nan Madol.

T.A.T. boards the Manchu hate train. North America has a short moment of peace as most powers wait until they decide to go on the next stalemate war.

Here is a spicy Mancui declaration: Japan goes to war against their religious adversaries. Looks to be rather foolish as Khanbaliq has yet to fully recover, and the Manchu will welcome not having to go all the way around Kaiping to send units to Ganzhou.

The other spicy war is Gran Colombia trying once more against Peru-Bolivia. Gran Colombia has the production, positional, and unit advantage. Luckily for Peru-Bolivia, Tacna is a tough nut to crack in this terrain. Ivan the Terrible enlists under Peru-Bolivia to further help in their defense.

Palembang looks to be rescued by the timely declaration of Perm on the Manchu. There is a sizable Permian navy nearby, and suddenly the prospects of an uncontested front for the Manchu vanishes.

The war declarations just keep coming. V.O.C. goes on Vietnam. V.O.C. has happily been bulking up but ther navy does not look up to the task to trouble Vietnam any.

Another flurry of war declarations, though the notable thing on screen is that Japan clearly misjudged the situation and looks in trouble. Yuan also looks not long for this world.

Vietnam is about to break into Ganzhou, but no celebrations just yet as Bhutan senses a chance and declares on them. Hai Phòng looks like an achievable target, despite the presence of many Fort improvements by Vietnam. Also on-screen is the new Somali settlement of Jowhaar. Somalia is keeping their game alive by boldly settling out of Africa.

Khanbaliq now belongs to Nurhaci! Japan looks to retaliate, but the Manchu horde looks far too strong for them. Elsewhere, Girn is besieged by Perm’s navy after mopping up the meager Manchu defenses up north. The only one celebrating right now is Kublai Khan, who can dodge arrows and look outside to see there are no melee units within the horizon.

Wales tallies up another Wonder as they build the Chichen Itza in Abertawe. Elsewhere, Japan continues their questionable military strategy of making more enemies than they can handle.

While Wales grabs yet another Wonder, we see on-screen that Gran Colombian forces inch closer to Tacna. The Peru-Bolivian army appears more interested in touring Patagonia than fighting in the jungle.

Gran Colombia feels things are going too easy, so they declare on Jamaica to spice things up. There is essentially no Gran Colombian navy to speak of, so Jamaica looks to be the only one to possibly gain from this venture.

Marina Raskova enlists with Vietnam in the hopes of repelling the Bhutanese. It’ll be a hard task, as Hai Phòng is already surrounded.

The Tuareg settle in Europe with the city of Tamanrasset. This settlement is paired with the other new city of Araouane on the other side of the screen. Going to also point out the strange presence of several Japanese Warriors that really should be reporting for duty.

Yuan finally falls with the Manchu capture of Ganzhou. It looked even for a little bit, but ultimately having to fight on all sides was far too much for Yuan. The Manchu look ascendant; Japan’s flip of Khanbaliq is calmly brushed aside.  

Perm’s army arrives at Boorama’s gates. Somalia has a cute thing going on here, but Perm greedily eyes all these cities.

Vietnam holds on to Hai Phòng whilst taking the fight to V.O.C. In the Observer, we can appreciate just how many civs dislike Nurhaci right now.

Gran Colombia's army is repealed from Tacna, and the fighting now spills over along a stretched front once more. The war looks to be another stalemate.

Himilco joins the fight alongside Ho Chi Minh. The fight may all be over, though, as Bhutan takes their prize and will surely be satisfied with this victory and not press further before new tech is developed.  

Zhuge Liang is the latest coach to sign-up for the Welsh fitness program. Warm-ups for now, but things can get exciting again in Europe at any time.

The New Netherlander navy has made its way across the Northwest passage to make due on their war declaration against the Manchu. They stop by to say hello to their Dutch brethren before smashing up against Girin.

Not all is grim for Vietnam as they finish building Notre Dame. This Wonder is sure to turn a few frowns upside down!

Chinook has managed to sneak in a settler all along the Arctic in hopes of building a far off colony in the vast empty Siberian tundra. A wild play that could be fruitful in the future.

Closer to home, Chinook is still harassed but not really threatened by T.A.T. The mountains really nullify the battle strength aimed in their direction. Elsewhere we can see that Bhutan is building up a list of enemies.

Somalia’s colonies are already under threat and Said Barre invites further trouble by disturbing Bhutan. Permian troops are in the distance, and several of Bhutan’s just had their schedule cleared up. In the Observer we find that Prince Kublai Khan the Brave (a fitting title) leads his Principality In-Exile somewhere in secret.

Here is an interesting prospect—Japan declares on Chinook. To their aid comes Belisarius, as preparations are made to island hop onto North America to link up with the Shinto saboteurs already in Clatsop.

Jamaica manages to deal some damage to Gran Colombia along the coast. David Faragut is brought in to quell the Jamaican harassers whilst Peru-Bolivia has regained their footing and built up a navy of their own.  

Tin Hinan once again at the top of the military stats. A few of the thicker empires are also on the list, with surprisingly Namibia still keeping up despite the many setbacks.

V.O.C. trains their first Opperhoofd, which provides a percentage Gold per outgoing Trade Route and Worked Luxury resource in cities they are stationed in. No shortage of Gold, but surely the Dome of the Rock did not pay for itself.

The big war finally comes, as the Tuareg take on Somalia. By the looks of it, Somalia is not prepared for this fight, as their military is desperately distributed fighting along many fronts. A great time for the strongest power to pounce.    

Perm once again with a large army in the middle of presently nowhere. In the Observer, we find that Japan has a new Government under Emperor Tanaka Kakuei.

On the western side of the Urals, we find that Perm has quite the long highway connecting most of their cities. Impressive to see such a long road, doubly so since it means Perm can easily move units quickly from their safe core into either Europe or the Near East.

After having entered the continent, the Tuareg look to be scouting pretty thoroughly. No stone left unturned, these lads. The Scouts Open Borders mod is really making this a common sight.

The Tuareg start to pile on pressure on Beletweeyne with an impressive looking army composition. Somalia focuses most of its units in the center, perhaps thinking Beletweeyne is a much less defensible position to dig your heels on.

While Japan appears to be holding the line well outside Osaka, Vietnam has taken the opportunity to settle Nam Dinh underneath their nose. Both sides are still at war, though Vietnam is desperately in need of more cities.

Namibia symbolically declares on the Teutons. This might be the chance for revenge on Somalia, but the AI is just going to do its usual thing instead.

Chinook settle the city of Konapee. A hidden base in the tundra, and hopefully an opportunity for a second core while no one is looking.  

Interval training is back on schedule. Wales declares against the Teutons while Konigsberg looks less than well defended. The suspicion is the Welsh do not have enough to actually take the city, though.  

In our other regular regional derby, T.A.T. has managed to actually damage the city of Qwatsamts. One wonders what a single Trebuchet might do for them in this situation.

The New Netherlands expedition is mostly wiped out, but there are still Permian troops nearby. I would like to point out that the Manchu settler will be captured and converted into a worker next turn. Despite having acres of free space, Manchu wants to try to settle more of the Arctic.

Again on this screen I would like to point out a settler capture. The now Peru-Bolivian worker on the front lines was a rather optimistic hope of a forward base for Gran Colombia, but surely a sign of relief for the already boxed in Peru-Bolivia. We also spy that legendary Henry Morgan has joined the fight.

Bhutan’s latest exploits do not go unpunished, and they are quickly becoming the new target of much saber rattling. Also on-screen is the arrival of the Permian army ready to cause the Manchu some trouble.

Against the odds, Somali holds with little trouble. The Tuareg could cycle through or even smash those Horsemen up against Beletweeyne, but a single Composite Bowmen is proving enough of a deterrent.

V.O.C. celebrates the best way it knows, by building yet another useless religious Wonder to pair with their zero religious output. You love to see it, and honestly quite impressive to get two on the same turn. That is dedication!

The Teutons begin to fight on two opposite fronts as Perm not only are ready they even built the well positioned city of Vychegda between two bodies of water. It looks like a good defensible terrain, but having no troops in the face of the majority of the Teuton army does not bode well.

The Manchu learn from their Bering Strait mistake and quickly settle Ilan Hala in the forested tundra. Plenty of good yields from their religion, and definitely the right move from Nurachi to make in order to take the crown from Tin Hinan.

The Olmecs go for the big play and strike at T.A.T. while they are distracted. A decent fighting force is ready and engages right away. Chinook rests easy knowing they are no longer in any threat.

A lost Yuan scout is looking for a good spot for Kublai Khan’s hidden lair. Will not find it any privacy here, though, as Somalia and the Tuareg readily trade blows (and not much else).

Well this is a sad sight. Not surprising, but surely disappointing. Despite the fight looking even, Peru-Bolivia has opted to give away one of their only three cities in a massively disadvantageous peace deal. Peru-Bolivia’s chances in this game are over. Andrés de Santa Cruz really was in an inside job.

Jamaica follows up with a peace deal of their own, albeit with their whole empire intact. Jamaica must also not be pleased with the result, knowing that the loss of their key potential partner against a growing Gran Colombia will lead to their own downfall eventually.

Arsaces I enlists for Perm and hurries to the Perm highway straight into the action. The Teuton do not focus their attack well and are surely to lose troops trying to cut off Permian reinforcements from relieving Vychegda.

Somalia enters a Dark Age. War on multiple fronts, a growing population before EE, and probably not enough luxuries all contribute to a sad state of affairs. On the bright side, Somalia claims Madagascar before Namibia ever gave it a thought. More cities is always a good long-term prospect.

All far off help for Palembang has dissipated leaving the city once again vulnerable to invasion. The city, along with a Catapult and Composite Bowmen, will have to work wonders shooting down the Manchu navy that will keep coming. Also of note on this screen, two new Manchu settlers venturing about.

Sarah Breedlove looks to lead the Somali war economy to the next level as there is much profit to be made by such a prolonged and stalemating war. No matter where the Tuareg focus, they cannot break through, and Somalia is even able to threaten Memphis.  

Bhutan remembers they are at war with Somalia and finally sends some troops over to give the city of Jowhaar a try. Pyotr Wrangel is brought on to see what gains can be made to potentially unite the sub-continent together.

Wales builds the Itsukushima Shrine which gives extra XP to units trained in the city it is built in and the Amphibious promotion for all land units. A nice wonder to get an extra attacking edge for any island civ.

The Manchu show their dominance and sweep V.O.C. aside. In kind V.O.C. displays their personal lead in having the most religious Wonders in the game.

T.A.T. makes quick peace with all parties, and North America goes into a state of peace once more. The four powers on-screen look too evenly matched for any cities to be changing colors before a big tech advantage is gained.

Emilo Aguinaldo enters the scene in time to see Osaka in serious trouble. Japan not only struggles to send defenders over, they are having to fend of Manchu forces trying to make landfall to their home island.  

Anangu finally settles a third city! Warakuna takes the more fertile southwest of the continent. Anangu might be behind, but if they were to quickly settle more cities, their chances would greatly improve since only two small powers are between them and the mainland.

Patricia Bath joining New Netherlands is a testament to their Production focus. With a bit of more tech, they are several easy targets for the colonials to expand further westward than the Mississippi river.

The Teuton army looks out of position as Perm goes south. Interesting to see how the AI is prioritizing military movements here. Elsewhere, Vietnam builds The Churches of Lalibela, which gives them +1 Faith for each Specialist. Better them having it than V.O.C.

Wales builds Machu Picchu in the Pyrenees outside Aberffraw. Also of note on-screen, Tuareg settlers moving north towards empty pastures.

Somalia no longer has to worry about Bhutan as the fierce stalemate continues. The Tuareg do not look up to the task to claim Somali cities with how things are going.

Jan Hus is ready to spread the scriptures of Muism far and wide as he heads north to rid Shinto from Manchu colonies. We can also see that Osaka holds on, just barely.

Gran Colombia showing no respect to Peru-Bolivia, settling in and making themselves at home with a new city in the Amazon. That is not enough for Simon Bolivar’s ambitions, as a settler also goes into the Pacific looking for new land.

Namibia plays the only game left for them, which is to keep spreading its faith around. Even though they’ve had no close religious rivals, Africa has already had far off religions take root long before Lutheriansm has had a chance.

Somalia continues their contingency plan of settling outside Africa with great success. Cadaado is built on the shores of the Caspian sea and another settler is already heading in the same direction.

Perm suddenly has many more troops ready to squash the Teutons. A storm of arrows creeps in from the east and is sure to reach Kulm in no time.  

Suddenly a decisive advantage comes for the Tuareg; their Knight UU the Imajaghan are everywhere following the appropriate tech research. The Imajaghan heal in desert tiles and provide free Workers when pillaging trade routes. Not so effective moving into Central Africa, but they are a stronger fighting force than what Somalia can muster.

Should not surprise anyone that the inventors of the Gross National Happiness Index (it’s real look it up) are the people that like to smile the most. Always nice to see Bhutan achieve something.

New Netherlands reforms as the Prince-Archbishopric of New Netherlands. A nice and fancy title I’m sure the Tuareg Scouts will appreciate. /s

The action for this episode comes to an end. A quick look at the religion numbers to see that Perm pulls ahead with the number of cities and followers, but Jamaica has managed to get a comparable number of followers with half the cities.

The map makes it clear that Perm has not only built a big empire with a strong military but has also been spreading their faith. Vajrayan’s gains in the west has been erased and Lutheranism tries to rush to grab what will be left after Eastern Orthodoxy continues south. In the Americas we find that Rastafrianism is looking like it will bring in Jamaica some decent amount of prestige.

We end with the Demographics screen. The Tuareg continue dominating much of the stats, with the Food heavy New Netherlands and culturally rich Wales as the only others to prevent a clean sweep. Yuan sadly gets the big F and last in most categories, and the Somali Dark Age continues to have effect. Join us next time for another episode of the Season 2 Redemption Game. If you like what you see, do let me know in the comments.