Video: PC Gamer schools Stardock at Demigod

Yesterday Stardock and PC Gamer played a best of 3 series of Demigod where PC Gamer trounced us both games.  The video above was taken at the Stardock offices so you could see what was happening on our end.

So what happened?

The PC Gamer team, made up of editor Dan Stapleton, Evan Lahti, and Norman Chan (also at Maximum PC) displayed a level of expertise that I must confess blew us away. 

Their strategy was to control the map from the outset through flag locks.  This requires spending money on flag locks early but allows them to use teamwork (with teleportation scrolls) to pick the place and time of any serious confrontation. 

Our counter-strategy,which failed, was to try to control the life flag with 2 Demigods with our third protecting the tower on the other side while we slowly built up.  Our strategy was predicated on not getting killed and staying conservative for the early part.

But here’s where things fell apart for us: The PC Gamer team, with Dan as the Vampire Lord, Norman as Unclean Best and Evan as Oak worked as a single tactical unit which was far more flexible than our brute force strategy. Because they controlled the flags, any time we thought we had one of them on the run, the other two would quickly teleport in. One in front of us and one behind us. Then, Erebus, using his teleportation, would position himself to do a stun, Unclean beast could suck out the life, and then Oak would do the same.

A typical example would be where our 2-man team pushing on the life flag side would belief we had Unclean Beast cornered. He would begin to back off and our 20 man team would go to follow for the kill. Erebus and Oak would teleport in with Oak shielding Unclean beast, Erebus stunning us and Unclean best turning around and starting to do serious damage. then Oak and Erebus would cut off our escape. If we were lucky, we would escape the field to recharge ceding control of the map for crucial moments. All too often, however, one of us would die.

The number of times the PC Gamer team was able to coordinate a tactical push was impressive. By contrast, our team was focused on a global strategy.  My Erebus was focused not on stun but bite and minions and thus not much of an asset on team-based tactical exchanges.

The result were 2 losses to the PC Gamer team.  It was a total blast though and a lot of fun was had by all.

41,075 views 24 replies
Reply #1 Top

Great to read the writeup.  Sounds a lot like they were practicing - the problem they had against us was that they couldn't stay in early, so they were breaking even on map control and spending a lot to do it.

Reply #2 Top

I was hoping to see a full video of the game captured directly from one of the players monitors :-/

hard to see whats going on

Reply #4 Top

I think this is what is meant by replays in 1.2.  Guy with camera taping.  hehe.  I kid (but couldn't resist)

Reply #5 Top

Frogboy. You bought Vinling Helmet. That item is useless! =P

Reply #6 Top

im surprised none of you used the ~ hp bars :S

Reply #7 Top

jeez man, staggering stuns is such a common tactic at this point, I'm surprised you got done in by that.

Reply #8 Top

DON'T BE A HERO LEO!

DON'T BE A HERO.

Reply #9 Top

imho, flag locks needs a slight nerf.  Either increase cost or increase time it takes to lock a flag.

 

Or how about no flag locking allowed after a teleport, put flag lock and teleport scroll on the same timer.

 

Reply #10 Top

I would have gone for creeps and xp upgrades at the cita to counter there supirior locking, instead of things like 4k rings or 3.3k useless helms.

Mabey you did buy the upgrades, but you didnt buy any creeps for as far as i could see.

 

Reply #11 Top

Nerf flag locking :w00t:

Reply #12 Top

Considering the other side controlled both creep paths, I somehow don't think feeding them more xp would have helped. :P

Reply #13 Top

Oh come on, stop it with the nerf requests. This thread is not for this. Anyways looks like PC Gamer really knows it's Demigod. It's nice you guys had fun.

Reply #14 Top

i noticed something a bit odd about norms games list.

Reply #15 Top

I think what you noticed is that you have a weird sense of humor re: naming games and that none of the rest of us complained enough for you to change them? :P

Reply #16 Top

CEO reading description of items in shop before picking the  most useless one........... No wonder this game is such a mess.

But seriusly u could pick at least one level of Erebus stun, just to stop them from teleporting or locking, I cant imagine playing character without stun ability and denying urself using it it's just hmmmm......... weird.

Reply #17 Top

Quoting kitch45, reply 8
DON'T BE A HERO LEO!

DON'T BE A HERO.
End of kitch45's quote

My fav thing!

Reply #18 Top

Oh sheesh Irek, Frogboy has only played 47 games (at least under that moniker).  Just cause they are the publisher doesn't make them pro's! lol. 

 

Love the shirt Frogboy, that's aweseome!

 

Reply #19 Top

Oh one thing i do recommend Stardock, you need to increase your level of communication :)

Reply #20 Top

Quoting wraid, reply 13
Oh come on, stop it with the nerf requests. This thread is not for this. Anyways looks like PC Gamer really knows it's Demigod. It's nice you guys had fun.
End of wraid's quote

If I'm being serious, you'll know.

 

Quoting pacov, reply 17

Quoting kitch45, reply 8DON'T BE A HERO LEO!

DON'T BE A HERO.

My fav thing!
End of pacov's quote

Yep, that made my day too.

 

Reply #21 Top

GOD DAMMIT LEO!!

Reply #22 Top

Quoting irek1988, reply 16
CEO reading description of items in shop before picking the  most useless one........... No wonder this game is such a mess.

But seriusly u could pick at least one level of Erebus stun, just to stop them from teleporting or locking, I cant imagine playing character without stun ability and denying urself using it it's just hmmmm......... weird.
End of irek1988's quote

 

You clearly have no idea of the difference on roles in a company between a CEO and  a Game Designer.

Reply #23 Top

Quoting kitch45, reply 8
DON'T BE A HERO LEO!

DON'T BE A HERO.
End of kitch45's quote

 

Pretty much every night when we're playing with him, this is uttered at least once...to no avail :)

Reply #24 Top

double posted. my bad