How to play Knalgans2 - Revision history

Elven: Redirected page to How to play Knalgans

2021-03-29T09:45:01Z

Redirected page to How to play Knalgans

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Elven at 09:25, 29 March 2021

2021-03-29T09:25:53Z

Elven: /* General Knalgan strategies */

2021-03-29T09:25:19Z

‎General Knalgan strategies

Elven at 09:24, 29 March 2021

2021-03-29T09:24:38Z

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Elven: /* Knalgans vs Loyalists */

2021-03-29T09:23:03Z

‎Knalgans vs Loyalists

Elven: /* Knalgans vs Northerners */

2021-03-29T09:22:41Z

‎Knalgans vs Northerners

Elven: /* Knalgans vs Knalgans */

2021-03-29T09:22:16Z

‎Knalgans vs Knalgans

Elven: /* Knalgans vs Drakes */

2021-03-29T09:21:52Z

‎Knalgans vs Drakes

Elven at 12:19, 26 March 2021

2021-03-26T12:19:26Z

Elven: /* Knalgans vs Rebels */

2021-03-25T23:14:15Z

‎Knalgans vs Rebels

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 * '''Footpad:''' Do not recruit this unit when fighting Loyalists. This unit is very useful against heavy infrantrymen, while their low cost and speed allows them to pin enemy units down and occupy terrain. When fighting as a loyalist commander, I find them annoying. Still, the lack of offensive power is a real problem. It is possible that some fights between footpads and fencers will happen. Block during the day, attack during night.
-* '''Gryphon:''' Useful as scouts mainly, you can use these to run down hurt horses, go for 1-attack-kills on Fencers (9% chance if they have no bonus hp), or again, to try to hold important grassland hexes. Beware during day though, as HI, Mages, and Horsemen can all tear Gryphons apart quickly. Recruit no more than 1.
+* '''Gryphon Rider:''' Useful as scouts mainly, you can use these to run down hurt horses, go for 1-attack-kills on Fencers (9% chance if they have no bonus hp), or again, to try to hold important grassland hexes. Beware during day though, as HI, Mages, and Horsemen can all tear Gryphons apart quickly. Recruit no more than 1.
 You'll want to press as hard as you can at night, more so than even against Drakes. The reason for this is that Loyalists have no level 1 Neutral or Chaotic units. Every unit the opposing player has will suffer a penalty at night - unless he has a Lieutenant behind his front line. Because of this possibility, don't press too close to his castle until you have gained a monetary advantage, as you will start losing units more rapidly when he comes back at you with an additional +25%. Put your Guardsman up front - this will dissuade any charge attacks. Keep a Dwarvish Fighter or Dwarvish Ulfserker nearby in case the player chooses to besiege you with Mages. Spearmen that attack a Guardsman in day will deal nearly equal damage to each other, which can add up quickly. Counter any advance with Thunderers and Poachers. Don't expose your Dwarves to poor terrain or they will die.
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 * '''Footpad:''' Don't recruit this unit when fighting Rebels. It lacks both firepower and hitpoints even while in the forests Footpads and Elves both enjoy.<br>
-* '''Gryphon:''' These monsters are incredible useful against Rebels. Their utility lies in fighting any water battles against the weak Merman Hunters, scouting, taking opportunistic attacks against poorly placed Elves, and if you find a hurt Wose, you may consider attacking one - even though Gryphons have a weakness for Impact. At night they do essentially equal damage to each other, and you may not be able to get the finishing blow with one of your slower units. Do so as a calculated risk when you only need 1 hit to kill. Otherwise it's quite a risk.
+* '''Gryphon Rider:''' These monsters are incredible useful against Rebels. Their utility lies in fighting any water battles against the weak Merman Hunters, scouting, taking opportunistic attacks against poorly placed Elves, and if you find a hurt Wose, you may consider attacking one - even though Gryphons have a weakness for Impact. At night they do essentially equal damage to each other, and you may not be able to get the finishing blow with one of your slower units. Do so as a calculated risk when you only need 1 hit to kill. Otherwise it's quite a risk.
 Generally you'll want a healthy dose of Dwarvish Fighters and Thunderers, along with several gryphons for map control. An Ulfserker, perhaps a Guardsman, and some Outlaws will provide added flexibility. Whichever chaotic units (if any) you recruit, make sure to protect them at day.
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 * '''Footpad:''' This guy can be a utility unit against Northerners, but the money is better spent elsewhere. Footpads can harass Grunts and Wolfs, take forest hexes, and block Assassins from poisoning your Dwarves. Not the best buy, but you may be able to get your money's worth.
-* '''Gryphon:''' Again, it's usually good to have one of these guys to scout, plug up grassland, and be a defensive damage dealer. He's also good for trapping/killing Assassins and being a target for their poison. He is very costly, compared to your outlaws and enemy grunts.
+* '''Gryphon Rider:''' Again, it's usually good to have one of these guys to scout, plug up grassland, and be a defensive damage dealer. He's also good for trapping/killing Assassins and being a target for their poison. He is very costly, compared to your outlaws and enemy grunts.
 The biggest thing you need to worry about will be poison; this cannot be overemphasized. If you get a good foothold on mountains and hills, poison will be the weapon of choice to knock you off your perch. Be ready to fill in with a replacement unit, and try to kill assassins before any other units. Melee strikes will have to get through your resistance - poison does not. You also don't deal any damage back when poison hits you. If you know you're going to be facing poison on the next turn, have a plan for how you will be rotating units to villages to detox and heal.
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 * '''Footpad:''' This weak character is really only useful versus Undead as a cheap scout. His Impact damage is good against Skeletons and Skeleton Archers, and he has the added bonuses of being Chaotic (which deals more damage when Undead try to advance at night), and being hard to hit. His best feature is his ranged attack versus Skeletons at night, and that's only 6-2. Recruiting 1 on your first turn to grab villages is likely the only use you'll get from this guy, unless you need a unit to occupy forest hexes (which dwarves do very poorly at 30% defense).
-* '''Gryphon:''' Probably not the best expenditure of gold versus Undead, but they do serve many purposes that can justify their cost: they give extended view of battle, allowing you to know what is coming and to counter appropriately; they are good for getting behind enemy lines to finish hurt Dark adepts; and they serve as good ZoC units for plains and forest hexes. Note that this unit is much more useful against ghouls and adepts than against skeletons — the latter’s 40% blade resistance is what really makes them ineffective. But their speed makes them very handy against the former, as they can threaten adepts, work in conjunction with thieves, and heal quickly after being poisoned by a ghoul.
+* '''Gryphon Rider:''' Probably not the best expenditure of gold versus Undead, but they do serve many purposes that can justify their cost: they give extended view of battle, allowing you to know what is coming and to counter appropriately; they are good for getting behind enemy lines to finish hurt Dark adepts; and they serve as good ZoC units for plains and forest hexes. Note that this unit is much more useful against ghouls and adepts than against skeletons — the latter’s 40% blade resistance is what really makes them ineffective. But their speed makes them very handy against the former, as they can threaten adepts, work in conjunction with thieves, and heal quickly after being poisoned by a ghoul.
 Generally you'll want a good dose of Dwarvish Fighters, a few Thunderers, a Gryphon for vision/utility, an ulf or two, and maybe a Poacher or Footpad. Dwarves are really what you want to use, for their high HP and decent resists. This helps them survive the nighttime onslaught, and their neutrality will give them good damage in defense and also the ability to press the attack in daytime. Don't be afraid to send an Ulfserker at a ghost in daytime - make sure to check the CTK, but it should be good if your Ulfserker is at high hp: bonus if you can get great terrain. Defeat for the Ghost will be nearly certain if the Ulfserker is Strong.
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 * '''Footpad:''' Don't buy this unit even if your opponent is bothering you with Gryphons. You can get 3+ Footpads for the price of 2 Gryphons, but it's not worth it. The weakness to Impact guarantees at least a 4-2 attack with these guys even in daytime, but unfortunately, unless you get bonus hp from traits, they will die in 2 hits from Gryphons, so it is still a risky buy - especially since they are useless against all other Knalgans. Just say no once again.
-* '''Gryphon:''' Useful as your only scout unit. Use these to get behind enemy lines to village steal, kill the wounded, or to pin a Dwarf on bad terrain. These guys are also good forest and plains holders for crucial areas that your Dwarves will fare poorly on.
+* '''Gryphon Rider:''' Useful as your only scout unit. Use these to get behind enemy lines to village steal, kill the wounded, or to pin a Dwarf on bad terrain. These guys are also good forest and plains holders for crucial areas that your Dwarves will fare poorly on.
 == Knalgans vs Drakes ==
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 * '''Footpad:''' Don't recruit this unit when fighting Drakes, with exception of taking villages from drakes.
-* '''Gryphon:''' Useful for early village grabbing, Gryphons also can be used against the weak Saurians or Drake Burners. These fliers are probably the only way you'll hunt down retreating hurt Drakes. Don't recruit too many due to their cost and lack of a ranged defensive weapon. Drakes can pin these units far better than any other faction.
+* '''Gryphon Rider:''' Useful for early village grabbing, Gryphons also can be used against the weak Saurians or Drake Burners. These fliers are probably the only way you'll hunt down retreating hurt Drakes. Don't recruit too many due to their cost and lack of a ranged defensive weapon. Drakes can pin these units far better than any other faction.
 Maintain your advantageous defensive terrain as much as possible, because if you don't, and you put yourself on an even playing field in that respect, you will quickly be torn apart by the Drakes superior daytime damage and HP. The daytime onslaught will be brutal, so prepare for a counter-attack and try to keep your Guardsmen up front to get best use of their Steadfast. It will be the difference between 7-4 and 6-4 daytime Burner damage and 6-4 to 5-4 daytime non-strong Clasher damage. The Guardsmen also have 8 more HP than the Thunderers. If you can level a Guardsman (with 4 kills at 70% xp, or 3 kills and 1 battle if he's Intelligent), you will have a serious roadblock to use at your disposal. Also upgraded Poachers to Trappers might be great for improved ranged, melee and HPs.
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 * '''Footpad:''' Too weak to do a lot of damage. Enemy have skirmishers, so as a blocking unit this guys are even less important.
-* '''Gryphon:''' Fast, strong and expensive. Use them on bigger maps and try to not lose them to the enemy. Gryphons are also good against Burners and Herbalists. It is possible that enemy will try to limit your movement with Dune Riders and Dune Skirmishers.
+* '''Gryphon Rider:''' Fast, strong and expensive. Use them on bigger maps and try to not lose them to the enemy. Gryphons are also good against Burners and Herbalists. It is possible that enemy will try to limit your movement with Dune Riders and Dune Skirmishers.
 Recruit a Gryphon, a Guardsman, a Thunderer, a Fighter, an Ulfserker, and a mix of other useful units. This game will be won through fighting from hills and mountains, getting and keeping a money advantage, leveling a unit, and waiting for your opponent to take a risk that they shouldn't. Keep them off of your mountains at any cost. If they get there you will spend precious moves, attacks, and HP trying to take them off. It's usually better to ignore enemies on mountains than to fight them.

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 The Knalgans have perhaps the greatest tactical flexibility of any faction. Because of this, there is no one way to play the Knalgans. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your personality. You can use dwarves for power and defense and outlaws for movement and low prices.
-** '''Dwarvish Fighter:''' It can take more hits than most units, making it a great defender. It also has two damage types, making it offensively versatile. It shares the downsides of all dwarves: slow movement (though few terrains slow it down) and low defense on non-specialized terrain.<br>
+* '''Dwarvish Fighter:''' It can take more hits than most units, making it a great defender. It also has two damage types, making it offensively versatile. It shares the downsides of all dwarves: slow movement (though few terrains slow it down) and low defense on non-specialized terrain.<br>
-** '''Dwarvish Thunderer:''' Although powerful, it can just as easily do no damage at all, making this a tricky unit to know how to use. Fortunately, it is almost as durable as the fighter.<br>
+* '''Dwarvish Thunderer:''' Although powerful, it can just as easily do no damage at all, making this a tricky unit to know how to use. Fortunately, it is almost as durable as the fighter.<br>
-** '''Dwarvish Ulfserker:''' This utility unit has value in many match-ups. It will ensure that either its opponent or it dies. Thus, it has a 100% kill chance against a non-melee unit such as the dark adept, and a very high kill chance against many non-melee-centric units, such as the Mage, Saurian Augur, Bowman, Elvish Shaman, and a wide variety of others. The problem is that your opponent can very easily kill an Ulfserker: they will lose to any dedicated melee unit unless very exceptional circumstances are in play (remember that the ulf cannot get nearly as high defensive values as the Dwarvish fighter, for example), starting hitpoints, time of day, or a combination of the above. Since it is an expensive unit, letting an elvish fighter kill your ulf out of the blue is unwise: however if he just killed a Mage and in killing the ulf the fighter is severely weakened, this is obviously a good trade for you. When using Ulfs, plan how you want them to kill and how you want them to die.
+* '''Dwarvish Ulfserker:''' This utility unit has value in many match-ups. It will ensure that either its opponent or it dies. Thus, it has a 100% kill chance against a non-melee unit such as the dark adept, and a very high kill chance against many non-melee-centric units, such as the Mage, Saurian Augur, Bowman, Elvish Shaman, and a wide variety of others. The problem is that your opponent can very easily kill an Ulfserker: they will lose to any dedicated melee unit unless very exceptional circumstances are in play (remember that the ulf cannot get nearly as high defensive values as the Dwarvish fighter, for example), starting hitpoints, time of day, or a combination of the above. Since it is an expensive unit, letting an elvish fighter kill your ulf out of the blue is unwise: however if he just killed a Mage and in killing the ulf the fighter is severely weakened, this is obviously a good trade for you. When using Ulfs, plan how you want them to kill and how you want them to die.
-** '''Footpad:''' Opinions on the footpad vary widely. In this guide you will not see them recommended often, but many good players consider these a staple unit of the Knalgans. Regardless, this is not a unit you should overrecruit or your offensive power will be very low. It has excellent defense where your dwarves might be very vulnerable and you might not want to risk your more costly riders. Use it for it's great ZoC abilities even if its offense isn't high-powered.<br>
+* '''Footpad:''' Opinions on the footpad vary widely. In this guide you will not see them recommended often, but many good players consider these a staple unit of the Knalgans. Regardless, this is not a unit you should overrecruit or your offensive power will be very low. It has excellent defense where your dwarves might be very vulnerable and you might not want to risk your more costly riders. Use it for it's great ZoC abilities even if its offense isn't high-powered.<br>
-** '''Poacher:''' Also a very useful unit for the Knalgans, this unit provides a reliable ranged attack to counterbalance the power of the thunderer, plus it fills many useful hexes (notably forests and swamps) well.<br>
+* '''Poacher:''' Also a very useful unit for the Knalgans, this unit provides a reliable ranged attack to counterbalance the power of the thunderer, plus it fills many useful hexes (notably forests and swamps) well.<br>
-** '''Thief:''' This unit is possibly the highest damage-dealing unit in your arsenal when used correctly. A strong thief at night does 12-3 damage: the equivalent of a level 2's damage output. However, they have very few hitpoints and their low resists compound this problem. High defense and low cost offset these disadvantages. Remember to backstab with it whenever possible.
+* '''Thief:''' This unit is possibly the highest damage-dealing unit in your arsenal when used correctly. A strong thief at night does 12-3 damage: the equivalent of a level 2's damage output. However, they have very few hitpoints and their low resists compound this problem. High defense and low cost offset these disadvantages. Remember to backstab with it whenever possible.
-*'''Gryphon Rider:''' Possibly the best scout in the game in terms of combat, this is tempered by its high cost. Use it as a lookout for enemy advances and pick off weak or wounded units that are retreating behind enemy lines.<br>
+* '''Gryphon Rider:''' Possibly the best scout in the game in terms of combat, this is tempered by its high cost. Use it as a lookout for enemy advances and pick off weak or wounded units that are retreating behind enemy lines.<br>
 Keep in mind that that the dwarves should stay in mountains, hills, and other high-defense terrain and the outlaws should stay in any non-grassland terrain, if possible. Keep in mind that since your footpads and thieves have 60 defence on grassland, and your enemy will often have 40 or even 30, it can often be to your benefit if the enemy chooses to attack them on open ground.

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 <div class="thumb tleft">https://units.wesnoth.org/1.15/pics/core%24images%24units%24human-loyalists%24horseman%24horseman.png</div>
 Defend in day, strike at night. That's how the battle will go. Beware the Horseman and Mage and be prepared to counter these heavy daytime hitters. Again, an Ulfserker can be your best friend, especially if you can catch a Horseman at night, or a Mage/Bowman anytime.
 '''Dwarvish Ulfserker:''' If you get one, don't get it until turn two or later. Grabbing one in your initial recruit will only make him impotent during the first few turns of daytime. Ulfserkers are what you will use to kill Mages, grind up horse meat at night, and get rid of Bowmen - though they shouldn't be recruiting many. You shouldn't need more than 1 unless they go mad with Mages.
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 '''Gryphon:''' Useful as scouts mainly, you can use these to run down hurt horses, go for 1-attack-kills on Fencers (9% chance if they have no bonus hp), or again, to try to hold important grassland hexes. Beware during day though, as HI, Mages, and Horsemen can all tear Gryphons apart quickly. Recruit no more than 1.
 You'll want to press as hard as you can at night, more so than even against Drakes. The reason for this is that Loyalists have no level 1 Neutral or Chaotic units. Every unit the opposing player has will suffer a penalty at night - unless he has a Lieutenant behind his front line. Because of this possibility, don't press too close to his castle until you have gained a monetary advantage, as you will start losing units more rapidly when he comes back at you with an additional +25%. Put your Guardsman up front - this will dissuade any charge attacks. Keep a Dwarvish Fighter or Dwarvish Ulfserker nearby in case the player chooses to besiege you with Mages. Spearmen that attack a Guardsman in day will deal nearly equal damage to each other, which can add up quickly. Counter any advance with Thunderers and Poachers. Don't expose your Dwarves to poor terrain or they will die.

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 <div class="thumb tleft">https://units.wesnoth.org/1.15/pics/core%24images%24units%24orcs%24grunt.png</div>
 The biggest problem you will have with Northerners will be their numbers. Northies will gladly trade units with you and gain a monetary advantage. Make them depend on luck by staying on good terrain, and their high upkeep may start to become a factor. Both factions are melee-oriented, so they will not have many classic ranged units.
 '''Dwarvish Ulfserker:''' Recruit one of these guys if you're really having a problem finishing their units off, or your opponent likes to use Assassins. He's expensive, and Northerners are melee oriented, so most of their units will be able to take a majority of this unit's HP away, if not kill him outright. Assassins' Poison will quickly erode your army's HP though, so having one may prove valuable. Since Assassins cost 17 gold you'll only lose 2 in attrition, and you'll likely take lots of hp from another unit with you.
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 The biggest thing you need to worry about will be poison; this cannot be overemphasized. If you get a good foothold on mountains and hills, poison will be the weapon of choice to knock you off your perch. Be ready to fill in with a replacement unit, and try to kill assassins before any other units. Melee strikes will have to get through your resistance - poison does not. You also don't deal any damage back when poison hits you. If you know you're going to be facing poison on the next turn, have a plan for how you will be rotating units to villages to detox and heal.
 Allow your opponent to attack you from forest hexes if they are next to mountains that you occupy. Your 70% defense will outdo his 50% defense, and his confidence will be higher to attack since he won't be on grass. Even if an Assassin uses that hex, if an Ulfserker is within reach, he should be able to take him out from on top the mountain.

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 <div class="thumb tleft">https://units.wesnoth.org/1.15/pics/core%24images%24units%24dwarves%24fighter.png</div>
 A tough battle. Dwarves have great defense, and no way to combat great defense. The high HP and the resistances will make this a game needing a lot of strikes to kill. Don't think you'll be able to rush in and win - you're going to need intelligent unit placement and again, some luck. Focus on levelling (non-Gryphon) units if possible as the added damage will be needed.
 '''Dwarvish Ulfserker:''' As always, one of these utility guys isn't a bad buy. Catch a Thunderer off his perch, or a Thief or Poacher in daytime, and that's one less unit to deal with. However, Fighters and other units can defeat Ulfserkers
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 '''Gryphon:''' Useful as your only scout unit. Use these to get behind enemy lines to village steal, kill the wounded, or to pin a Dwarf on bad terrain. These guys are also good forest and plains holders for crucial areas that your Dwarves will fare poorly on.
 == Knalgans vs Drakes ==

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 <div class="thumb tleft">https://units.wesnoth.org/1.15/pics/core%24images%24units%24drakes%24fighter.png</div>
 These guys are big and nasty. They will burn you, while saurians may try to freeze you as well. Thunderers and poachers will be your main weapon against drakes, but they will require support units as well. Dwarves are generally better against physical damage than against elemental ones.
 '''Dwarvish Ulfserker:''' Good for killing Augurs, scouts, and maybe Burners. Not really a good choice against Drakes in general (because drakes can damage it faster than it can damage them), but can serve some purposes. One ranged attack from burner may drop their health low, so they will have to heal themselves and not attack for a turn or two.
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 '''Gryphon:''' Useful for early village grabbing, Gryphons also can be used against the weak Saurians or Drake Burners. These fliers are probably the only way you'll hunt down retreating hurt Drakes. Don't recruit too many due to their cost and lack of a ranged defensive weapon. Drakes can pin these units far better than any other faction.
-Recruit a Gryphon and a good mix of Dwarvish Thunderers, Dwarvish Guardsmen, a Poacher or two, and maybe a Dwarvish Fighter. Your opponent will likely get some Saurian Augurs to take away your high defense advantage, so having that Dwarvish Fighter around to take them out is usually quite helpful along with the Gryphon. Basically, recruit Pierce, Pierce, and more Pierce. Maintain your advantageous defensive terrain as much as possible, because if you don't, and you put yourself on an even playing field in that respect, you will quickly be torn apart by the Drakes superior daytime damage and HP. The daytime onslaught will be brutal, so prepare for a counter-attack and try to keep your Guardsmen up front to get best use of their Steadfast. It will be the difference between 7-4 and 6-4 daytime Burner damage and 6-4 to 5-4 daytime non-strong Clasher damage. The Guardsmen also have 8 more HP than the Thunderers. If you can level a Guardsman (with 4 kills at 70% xp, or 3 kills and 1 battle if he's Intelligent), you will have a serious roadblock to use at your disposal. Also upgraded Poachers to Trappers might be great for improved ranged, melee and HPs.
+Maintain your advantageous defensive terrain as much as possible, because if you don't, and you put yourself on an even playing field in that respect, you will quickly be torn apart by the Drakes superior daytime damage and HP. The daytime onslaught will be brutal, so prepare for a counter-attack and try to keep your Guardsmen up front to get best use of their Steadfast. It will be the difference between 7-4 and 6-4 daytime Burner damage and 6-4 to 5-4 daytime non-strong Clasher damage. The Guardsmen also have 8 more HP than the Thunderers. If you can level a Guardsman (with 4 kills at 70% xp, or 3 kills and 1 battle if he's Intelligent), you will have a serious roadblock to use at your disposal. Also upgraded Poachers to Trappers might be great for improved ranged, melee and HPs.
 ==Knalgans vs Dunefolk==

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 <div class="tright" style="width: 300px; height: 300px;>https://units.wesnoth.org/1.15/pics/core%24images%24portraits%24dwarves%24fighter.png</div>
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 You do not have any magic, same as your enemy. So it can be difficult to get to the important enemy units. Frontal attack with ulfserker can kill a herbalist, but ranged attack from enemy units will be deadly and they will also get XP from your dying Ulfserker.
 [[Category: How to Play]]

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 <div class="thumb tleft">https://raw.github.com/wesnoth/wesnoth/master/data/core/images/terrain/village/human3.png</div>
 Outlaws have 70% defense in villages, so they will get little hits. If hitted, they can heal rapidly. Another good unit for holding villages are guardsmen, but only against melee enemies. Use your fastest unit, gryphon rider, to quickly collect villages. If you need gold, you can also recruit a footpad for this job.
 ==Knalgans vs Rebels==