u/Voice_of_OI

There are multiple reasons why I like this game, but there's one thing that I've (so far) only seen implemented in one or two other games.
And of those, AoW4 did it better, and I want to give it a shout-out.

Which is; Random events that make me change my early game build order.
In so many other 4x Turn-Based Strategy games, I've noticed there's a 'optimal build order' in the first rounds. I'm not as much playing the game, as I'm following a set formula.

Sure, I could ignore it. But then I'm just giving myself a handicap out of... pointless petty defiance against myself? Inset the: "Players will optimise the fun out of a game." quote here.

But AoW4 has random events, and some of these happen early and offer rewards that make me want to break from the predetermined plan. And I find myself much more engaged from the start than I'm usually am, and hope it's a thing other 4x games will eventually add.

Thank you for making me excited to play the first rounds again :)

Been trying to figure out when last (or latest) thing that happened in the real world got a mention in WoD in some official manner, either directly or through something that's used as a obvious stand-in for it in the setting.

Preferably if there's some connection to the supernatural. For example; That in 1969, the Moon landing triggered the Resurgence for the Changelings in CtD.

And trying to avoid things that makes it too vague; so the fact there's similar technology and fashion in the setting as in our current date, is something I consider more a tool that lets people run contemporary games.
Nor dates, because that's just how time works.

The last one I could find is the Fall of the Soviet Union (25th December, 1991), which triggers events that set Baba Yaga (an old vampire) lose.

Quick disclaimer: While I have both the MtAs and MtAw books, I've sadly never gotten to actual play them.

From my understanding; A common cause of paradox is to do something that Sleepers will consider to be impossible. Either an effect is so outlandish that it defies what's considered possible, or a normal event happening in a way that seems to spit in the face of probability.

But could a Mage with an understanding of Matter carry non-transparent ampules or vials filled with anything (say regular water), and then magical transmute the content into a different substances before trowing or applying it?
Would that keep it plausible regarding Sleepers?

So for example: While fighting some armed goons, the chemistry Mage transmutes a vial filled with water into Hydrochloric acid.
While disturbing, a Sleeper could believe someone was crazy enough to arm themselves with vials of the stuff.

Or am I missing something?

Asking because I've joked with my players that if I ever get to run a Mage game, non of them are allowed to make a Honey Lemon (from Big Hero 6) character.