MAGELLAN'S MAP SUBMISSION

Map Name:	Next Year in ...   (nextyear.mx2)

Map Maker:	John Walker

E-Mail Address:	johnw@kw.igs.net

Map Type:	Singleplayer
		1 Humans Only,  5 Computer Only

Description:	Four Siblings must unite to find the royal crown and
                thus restore order.  But there are those who prefer
                anarchy and only one year for the search.

Special Win:	Recover the Ultimate Crown

Special Loss:	Run out of time (12 months)

Special Other:	No normal victory (you must find the crown)

Narrative:	You will never own a castle (except if you detour at 
                the end).  Ballistics and Navigation are useless.
                Some features were put into the map to favor the
                use of Diplomacy, but you are free to choose your own
                methods.

All Human Sides
Completely
Play-Tested:	Yes






SPOILERS:	WARNING!!!  SPOILER INFORMATION FOLLOWS PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK!
SPOILERS:	WARNING!!!  SPOILER INFORMATION FOLLOWS PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK!
SPOILERS:	WARNING!!!  SPOILER INFORMATION FOLLOWS PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK!
SPOILERS:	WARNING!!!  SPOILER INFORMATION FOLLOWS PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK!





==================================================================================

Use your "squires" to quickly scout out to the swamp.  There is an
observation tower close to the first barbarian town (dragon route) that
if you can reach safely will allow you full knowledge of your closest
enemy's movements.  Get in and get out.

Be careful about clearing the blue barrier north of the first barbarian
town (dragon route).

The strategy that works for me:
- focus on reaching expert Diplomacy
- equip the phoenix and titan sides with enough firepower to clear the 
weak troops, but put most of my cash into the dragon army
- eliminate the wandering hero on the dragon route
- take the town on the dragon route
- once I have the town (and its marketplace), I shift new spending to
the titan force and the phoenix force (and sit the dragons)
- hire as many archmages through Diplomacy (also elves, rangers, druids
 etc.) as I can
- be ready for when the enemy appears on the far right or far left
- the far right (titan route) enemy may require some work to best
- the artifacts behind the barriers are worth the cost (in my opinion)
- the enemy heroes have some artifacts that are useful and so you may
want to leave some space (they have some that are not as useful too)
- the last enemy hero should be about 35+ attack and defence which
gives you some idea of why you might want the artifacts
- I have on occasion tricked my way past without a fight (sadly enough)