Face Off
From Populous Wiki
| Face Off |
 |
| Mode : Multiplayer |
| Players : 4 |
| Stone Heads : 5 |
| Vault of Knowledges : 0 |
| Alliances : N/A |
| Difficulty : Hard |
Face Off is a commonly played map as games can end up short or long. The level focuses on a high hill which is the only path to other bases unless landbridge is used. Many new versions have been created (E.g. Double Face Off, Fair Face Off, Kinda Fair Face Off). This level is known for the blue base having a large disadvantage of land compared to the other players which lead to new versions of the level with a fairer chance.
Setting
The level is a typical 4 way symmetry where everyone has their own small base which is connected to a large high hill named the centre. Each base has three or four small hills which can be useful for building towers on. Between each base is an island not too far away from the centre, the small islands each have an obelisk on it and can be useful for sidedooring other players.
The centre is initially the only connected path to all the players, on it is a Stone Head surrounded with a mass of fog. If the Stone Head is worshipped a volcano erupts in the centre filling it with lava.
Worship Objects:
| Item | Shots | Spell/Effect | Follower Count |
| Stone Head | 1 | Volcano | 6 |
| Obelisk | 1 | Spy Training Hut | |
| Obelisk | 1 | Spy Training Hut | |
| Obelisk | 1 | Boat Hut | |
| Obelisk | 1 | Boat Hut |
Strategy
Defending the Hill
When defending the hill, most players set up Firewarrior patrols all over, concentrating them on the places where the enemy Shaman is most likely to come up. It's also a good idea to have a bunch of Warriors Patrolling in case the enemy gets their Warriors up. Sometimes people build towers on the hill and fill them with Firewarriors.
Players will almost always defend the hill with their Shaman unless they go to make new land or defend a Sidedoor, using Lightning. If there your ally's Firewarriors on the hill, Blast the enemy Shaman up onto the hill and let the Firewarriors finish her off.
Attacking
When attacking, you could use combinations of Earthquakes and Tornadoes, most players prefer the use of Earthquake on this level. If you struggle to get into the enemy settlement, the use of landbridge from the main central hill to one of your opponents' entrance hills to make a walkway to get deeper into their base is recommended - just be sure to put some firewarriors up there and be careful when walking along as it is easier to be knocked off/into the water.
Sidedooring
Use a diversion, keep the enemy shaman occupied or kill her before she can stop you, either landbridge from the back to the island with an obelisk on, or straight from one of your front hills to their frontal hill. Keep the entrances guarded, warriors only need one patrol spot, firewarriors should walk around as they fire further than when using the circle guard.
Taking Back the Hill
Sometimes it is not necessary to take back the hill, but if you do decide to, firestorming a heavily defended hill is recommended, and be sure to have spells such as lightning and tornado to take out towers.