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Getting Started The information on this page is derived from the READ1ST.TXT file included with the scenario. Some minor modifications were made to improve organization and clarity. For background information, design notes, and strategy tips, see the Background Information page. Table of Contents
Playable Cultures This scenario is really designed to be the most fun while playing the Noldor. However, you might (and hopefully will) find entertainment value in the other "cultures". Only the Noldor have been extensively playtested.
Important Game Concepts Unit Statistics The statistics for the vast amount of new units are available in the STATS.TXT file included with the scenario or online via the Online Guide to Units. Also, you can see the basic attributes of your units by checking the Defense Minister screen (F2) in the game itself. Because of the highly modified nature of the technology tree in this scenario, the civilopedia is next to useless. Impassable Terrain I have finally implemented impassable terrain. In earlier incarnations of this scenario, I was always troubled by how the strategic "choke points" (mountain passes, bridges, fords) were not strategically valuable at all. Balrogs could fly right over the highest mountain passes and orcs could traverse terrain that was supposed to be totally inaccessible. Therefore, I came up with a way to create an "Impassable Terrain" unit. For details on how I did this, please see the BACKGRND.TXT file. However, for the average player, all you need to know is: Impassable terrain cannot be crossed by any means. Generally, before trying to cross rivers and/or the "spine" of a mountain range, turn on the view cursor by either pressing "V" or right clicking on the square in question. You can then move the cursor around using the numeric key pad. The lower right hand corner of the screen will tell you whether the terrain is impassable or not. All impassable terrain is visible to a civilization as long as that square is not black (unexplored). In uncharted areas, you may run into unknown impassable terrain. This may sound like a hassle, but it really is rather non-intrusive. I actually trimmed back much of the impassable terrain so that it wouldn't be annoying. I also had to do so because Morgoth got too bottled up! Generally, as long as you stay away from the "spine" of mountain ranges and the southern runs of rivers (where the current has grown strong), you won't run into any impassable terrain. The Hidden City of Gondolin Related to Impassable Terrain is the Hidden city of Gondolin. In the beginning of the game it is surrounded totally by impassable terrain. However, there is one barbarian impassable terrain unit that the Noldor will be given the power to bring down (via the EVENTS.TXT file) on a randomly assigned turn. Don't waste the unit that is given to you to do so! You only get one! Eagles can leave Gondolin by passing through two squares located to the North and South of the city. They are impassable to every other unit, however! Also, heavily damaged Eagles can return to their Eagle Eyrie in Gondolin to be healed much more quickly! System Requirements Conflicts in Civilization/Fantastic Worlds This Scenario was written using Civilization II Version 2.62, which comes with the Conflicts in Civilization (CiC) Scenario CD. For full enjoyment, you should have the CiC CD installed. I would say that this scenario requires the CiC CD, but that wouldn't exactly be true because the scenario will run without it. However, so much has been done with the special scenario support that comes with the CiC CD that playing this scenario without it will be far less enjoyable, and probably too easy. For example, without the CiC installed, Sauron will not appear and the orcs will not multiply. Furthermore, Gondolin will be unable to contribute its vast forces to the fray! Not only that, but without the CiC CD, your allies (and possibly even you!) will be able to make peace with Morgoth. The list goes on and on. . . if you play this scenario without the CiC CD installed, then you are not playing it as the designer intended. The CiC CD is really worth the money for many reasons. Hey, pick it up. Try it. If you don't like it, most places will let you exchange/return it. I am told that the Fantastic Worlds CD provides the same Advanced Scenario support as the CiC CD. Therefore, it can be substituted for the CiC CD. I hope to personally verify this as soon as Civilization II Multiplayer Gold (which reportedly includes Fantastic Worlds) is released. CPU Requirement This scenario uses a lot of units. If you are running anything under a mid-range Pentium (133 Mhz), you will probably notice some severe lag in the first few turns. However, after the first few turns, Morgoth's forces will have thinned out and the CPU will have less to do. Things should be much snappier after that. So stick with it! Recommended Game Settings To speed things up, I highly recommend turning on "fast piece slide" and "no pause after enemy move" under game options. If the game is still too slow, try removing the check mark next to "show enemy moves." Installation Instructions If You Have the Conflicts in Civilization/Fantastic Worlds Scenario CD
That's it! Just play this scenario as you would any other scenario from the Microprose Scenario CD. If You Do Not Have the Conflicts in Civilization/Fantastic Worlds Scenario CD Again, I must point out that this scenario requires the Conflicts in Civilization/Fantastic Worlds CD and is not nearly as enjoyable without it!
You're all set! Start CIV2 and choose "begin scenario" and choose "DAGOR.SCN" as the scenario. Acknowledgments This scenario came about because I always wanted to make a game based on the Silmarillion but have no programming talents. I considered using the Civ 2 engine, but couldn't get off my lazy booty and do it. Then, however, I saw a scenario by Jeffrey Scott Dixon entitled "J.R.R. Tolkien's War of the Jewels." Because he didn't have certain icons, I decided to try my hand on making some for him. However, I then found myself messing around with the RULES.TXT file, editing current units, creating new ones, and then drawing a new map, until, finally, I started rereading the Silmarillion and taking notes, and after months of work, here is the result. . . a totally new scenario! I would like to thank Jeffrey Scott Dixon for all the great seeds of ideas he planted in my head! Quite frankly, I never would have done this if I had not seen his scenario. In addition to those designed by myself, I got sounds and GIFs from so many sources that it would be impossible to remember them all. However, my thanks to Harlan Leslie Thompson for the Sauron and Glaurung sounds! The map was designed by me and may be used in other scenarios, just say hi to me in the README.TXT! Speaking of Harlan, I would like to express my deepest gratitude towards him for taking so much time to playtest this scenario so thoroughly. He contacted me after playing v3.0. This scenario wouldn't be half of what it is without his patience and tenacity. Every time I would want to "cop out" and not implement one of my (or his) ideas, he'd hound me until I did it! The newly refurbished map is a great example as is the more extensive use of impassable terrain. The man is quite simply brilliant and seemed to be able to find a solution to any problem that had me stumped. I can only hope he learned half as much working with me as I did working with him. He also is the author of a quite complete collection of icons of which I availed myself. The Picture contained in the TITLE.GIF file is "Morgoth and the High King of the Noldor" by Ted Nasmith. Thanks Harlan Thompson for not only teaching me how to make this file "usable" as a TITLE.GIF, but also going ahead and converting the file on your own! There is also a small snippet of music from the Last of the Mohicans soundtrack. This soundtrack was composed by Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman. I highly recommend this soundtrack. It has wonderful martial tunes as well as romantic interludes. Sid Meier's Civilization is a registered trademark of Microprose Software, Inc. The author of this web page is in no way affiliated with the publishers of The Silmarillion or the Tolkien estate. |
