Ynys Duwall overpowered?

[johnhughthom]

I was just wondering what other Casse players thought about the traits and retinue FMs get while training at the Dark Island. I send all my FMs there as soon as they come of age or marry into the family and the results have been outstanding, more than one guy was sent there as an absolute duffer with no discernable abilities and all have come out fit to at least govern a small settlement. Every one has gained at least three excellent retinue members and a pile of great traits, the trait for completing is pretty useful too. I was under the impression it was possible to fail the training, like the Spartan Agoge, but even my most pointless candidate has passed so far.
Anyway, not complaining here, just slightly surprised at the difference it has made to my game (I originally only sent FMs there as a roleplaying thing) and curious if everybody gets such great results.

[anubis88]

Never played with the Casse... yet.. Can you tell where is this Dark island?

[johnhughthom]

It's modern day Anglesey off the coast of Wales, just sending your FMs to Ynys Duwall settlement put's them through the training. I didn't know the training even existed in game until I was checking my FM's traits.

[Cute Wolf]

I wonder why my crack top s/c/v young general is not lifted much there... but my s/u/l youngsters manage into 8 management, 7 influence general

[Os-Q]

I think this settlement also has the highest educational building (academy). So these high traits might be due to the standard educational training rather than the special traits.

The Casse, Gaulic factions and (I know firsthand) the Sweboz can train there. Add that to the regional units, trade income and the fun, quick war, I'm always tempted to invade. (The Islands are very useful, though you have to fight through a ton of pirates if you try as the Sweboz.)

[Grade_A_Beef]

I've gotta keep this in mind, especially since I am fond of the Aedui and the Arverni. The isle combined with their ability to build colleges might make them rival Sparta as a center of intelligence.

[Cullhwch]

I'm pretty sure that Ynys Duwall is much faster than the Agoge and it gives better bonuses. It also has no age or movement restrictions for traning.

[Scutarii]

It's crazy good - especially for military leaders - send your young guys who you want to lead armies and let them complete the training, they then get loads of druids and similar traits which give good troop healing rates so you can take a real beating but still come away with a decent army size, especially good when you've got more elites!

[ziegenpeter]

hmmm guys, you make me wanna play a casse campaign...

[Tollheit]

AFAIR, the major Casse healing traits are not from Ynys Duwall, but from temples of Llew and Andraste.

[ARCHIPPOS]

I'm playing a Casse campaign as well and druid training at Ynus Duwall does indeed give some cool druid-like retinue members (1-2 or possibly 3 healer/witch-doctors etc) within a year (4 turns). The training description says that the FM will be also more likely to adopt druid-like traits in the future (?) and enjoys enhanced respect (more influence???) ... i wonder if the influence boost is good for diplomats too (i'll try it next turn) ...

[Cyclops]

I found my FM's were all guns with Casse, especially when I started the Ynys Duwall genius factory. Also the fact that every settlement in the isles is a port gives FM's loads of great trading traits and maybe the stuff about the temples is right too.

Contrast with my current Saba-migration-into-Numidia, where all my FM's have the lazy trait (even apparently the vigorous ones) despite crisscrossing the Sahara endlessly. Even though I entrust the landlocked settlements to client rulers, my FMs stats still suffer plenty of negative traits (whats with all the lazy gloomy nutjobs?): I guess because the ex-Carthi cities have type III govt and are sooo huge and wealthy they end up corrupting my guys despite the many temples and religious buildings.

Ynys Duwall is a massive boost to Casse FMs but their chariots are pretty lam, bronze age fail in a world of iron so I see it as a bit of a balancing feature.

Now if there were stern able Sweboz or Gallic leaders getting maxed out there it'd be a different kettle of garum. Even with the logistical remoteness it'd make the already well rounded Gallic leaders and crusty tough Germans into a massively talented leadership asset. Do the non-Casse barbies get druid ancillaries and traits? Imagine Sweboz healer-kings rampaging and regenerating through Italia...

[johnhughthom]

Well I changed my FMs to Calawre, then Rycalawre after the final reform...