Against the Storm - P20 Year 4 win - Very fast game with commentary

This is a let's play of a Prestige 20 game of Against the Storm, with the negative modifier "Sparkdew Crystals". Year 4 win in Coral Forest. No starvation tactics, no forsaken altar, no attack on trader. High-level gameplay. I try to guide you by explaining my thought process and all my choices.
To better understand reputation, resolve, and decadence, here is my tutorial on the subject: • Against the Storm - Tu...
Corrections:
7:05 I decided to wait because I was hesitating between the 'cut down' and 'cleanse' options, since there are no roots nodes in the Coral Forest. Soon after, I decided to 'cleanse'.
18:30 Initially, I had in mind to choose the 'cleanse' option (with crystallized dew). But the large reed and large stone nodes changed my mind, since the +2 roots production became very good all of a sudden. That's why I had to deal with the blightrot cysts, but it wasn't a big deal.

[@NarcoATS]

I didn't fully explain why I waited to deal with the withered tree event because I thought it would be long and tedious to explain everything. But I think I should have, so here we go! Initially, I was debating between 'cutting down' the withered tree or 'cleansing' it. I wasn’t sure if the +2 roots production was worth it in the Coral Forest, as there are no root nodes in that biome. Plus, I could have easily done the 'cleanse' option with crystallized dew instead of coats. So, I decided to wait until I could produce some purging fire for the 'cleanse' option. Then, when I discovered large stone and large reed nodes in the second dangerous glade, I realized that the +2 roots would actually be extremely beneficial, and I changed my mind. So that's why I had to deal with the blightrot cysts it induced. At 19:25 you can even see that it's crystallized dew instead of coats in the 'cleanse' option because I was ready to choose this one. I also noticed that the music volume is too low in this video. I apologize, and I'll make sure to fix it in the next one!

[@gerardstoney]

"For now, no one will use the boots.....I forbid it." 😂 Thanks man, great video and explanations

[@giancarlocafaro6734]

I’ve watched all your videos now and there is something really special here. The way you explain everything, your knowledge of the game, your fluency with each villager type and their needs, your call demeanor and even your accent all contribute to making these noticeably intoxicating. Thank you and please continue!

[@NarcoATS]

Thank you so much, it means a lot! Didn't you feel that the low volume of the music made this specific video a bit boring though? I think there are too many awkward silences because I forgot to increase the music volume. I'll fix it in the next one, but I'm kind of worried about how this one turned out!

[@giancarlocafaro6734]

@ of course, you deserve the praise! As for music, I wouldn’t be the right person to ask. I didn’t even think about it while I was watching but I know it can be a big deal for others. I was too focused on the gameplay but I think you can find a good balance. I think you already do a good job with the editing, so I never felt bored

[@dtram8758]

I could listen to you narrate a game for hours, really relaxing but also very helpful. You deserve a lot more attention

[@NarcoATS]

Thank you so much! Didn't you feel that the low volume of the music made this specific video a bit boring though? I think there are too many awkward silences because I forgot to increase the music volume. I'll fix it in the next one, but I'm kind of worried about how this one turned out!

[@MrAndyjobo]

Your videos are so amazingly helpful. I'm just starting out (currently on Pioneer difficulty), and I had no idea you could win in 3 or 4 seasons (let alone on the highest difficulty!). Your videos give me the courage and knowledge I need to keep playing and get better.

[@NarcoATS]

I'm glad, thank you! Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions. I will try to answer. :)

[@Varrgoth]

I really enjoy the detailed commentary. The flow , the tone and the speed is perfect to comprehend. And the playstyle is very smart and methodical. There is a lot to learn. Love it.

[@NarcoATS]

Thank you so much! Didn't you feel that the low volume of the music made this specific video a bit boring? I think there are too many awkward silences because I forgot to increase the music volume. I'll fix it in the next one, but I'm kind of worried about how this one turned out!

[@TheCandyman769]

I'm impressed with how little wood you seem to go through. I'm still pretty new, but I find that basically end up deforesting the map and still come up short (and constantly high hostitilty, which messes with resolve). Idk if thats just because i don't uave many citidel upgrades yet. Best AGS content out there imo. Keep it up!

[@NarcoATS]

Maybe it’s because you don’t have an alternative source of fuel? Wood is very inefficient in the hearth or for recipes like jerky, incense, or purging fire. Coal, sea marrow, or oil are much more efficient options for those. Once I find a reliable way to produce one of these three fuels, I only use wood for planks and buildings.

[@thaizeeee6624]

Really great videos! Haven't even unlocked prestige and I usually finish around year 10, so this is really helpful, too. Also, I love the way you pronounce Geysir and planks ❤️

[@ridwanurrahman1967]

Learned so much from this video, i realised i dont micro at all, how a little micro goes a long way. Great vid.

[@michaelwood6305]

How you play this game is like watching someone create a great work of art, it's just unbelievable. I try to follow how you play, carefully talk through my options and I just get RNG'd in the face, no pipes, no trade routes, all flour buildings on biomes with no resources for it, etc. I would be really interested in seeing maps you've actually struggled on or maybe even failed (If that's even possible at this point). You'd probably beat any map with one homeless frog on p50 that would be immune to hailstorms - somehow - lol Great content, thank you for sharing this.

[@NarcoATS]

Thank you! RNG should rarely be a problem in this game. There are almost always ways to find solutions, unless you have a combination of two or three very nasty negative modifiers on the global map, which is best to avoid. I'm going to post an entire P20 cycle starting in January. I might struggle on some maps!

[@BenDeroy]

Building a gathering camp next to a warehouse then moving it is such a simple but brilliant strategy. Will implement in my own play, thanks!

[@NarcoATS]

Yes, you can do the same with shelters, houses and decorations!

[@womple8616]

Love the video! can't wait for the next upload :)

[@notyourtube01]

Your videos are very insightful and well organized and your teaching style is spot on. I greatly appreciate your clear and succinct explanations as well. I would love to see a Queen's Hand playthrough at some point!

[@NarcoATS]

Thank you! I still have to do the Adamantine Seal first. It's the current cycle. Then I will try to do the Queen's Hand trial. :)

[@SquidgytheGreat]

As always, learning so much. Great video thanks!

[@Beanface14]

Just found this channel today, great stuff! Relatively new to this game and I was looking for some good high-level content. I like the way you explain your choices 👌

[@sebastiangarcia1785]

Love your play style and video format! I really admire how you manage to keep track of everything

[@_DaemonCleaner]

Excellent video, you make it seem easy

[@TheRush31187]

this was helpful and i love your accent, looking forward to the next one

[@diduu]

Thx for your tips, nice video !

[@TheDestillers]

Love your playthroughs, it's changed how i play the game. It's natural for me to focus more on accumulating resources, but in this game it all really comes down to gaining rep. Even if it's really expensive. Hope more people find your videos and give you a sub! Also year four on p20, kinda nuts 😄

[@NarcoATS]

Totally agree! Resolve and reputation are key in this game! I’d love for more people to find my videos too, but it can be really challenging-and a bit discouraging at times.

[@geraldleuven169]

@@NarcoATS The key to getting more subscribers is to upload more content.

[@NarcoATS]

@@geraldleuven169 You're right, but I can't! I just don't have enough time to do more. But that's okay-I'm already really happy that so many people are interested in my videos!

[@geraldleuven169]

​@@NarcoATS You make great video's, another suggestion could be making more tutorials. Your resolve tutorial was really helpful. Cheers.

[@lChronosl93]

Good video, and impressive fast win. I am not very quick on my settlements myself. And you could have disabled auto collect from the trade routes in order not to miss on the Finder's Keepers bonus.

[@NarcoATS]

You're right. I never think about this. Thanks!

[@FoundationAfro]

Oh, thank you! I've never been able to figure out why that was there, but I guess now I know.

[@JonMSanderson]

Very enjoyable! You make it look so easy. When I try to play like you do I feel like my head is on fire.

[@NarcoATS]

Sometimes my head is on fire too! I just don't talk about it in the video, haha.

[@davedavid7040]

Love watching these vids. The conventional wisdom is people recommending to wait to the beginning of year 2 to open a dangerous glade. I've seen some of your vids do that and others you open a dangerous glade immediately like this one. Can you go into more details on when you decide to open your first dangerous glade?

[@NarcoATS]

Thank you! Well, it depends on several factors. When I have to choose between a camp/farm and another interesting blueprint, I sometimes open a dangerous glade to see whether I should choose the camp/farm or not. This is particularly true if there’s another blueprint to choose after this one. There are cases where opening the glade right away can be beneficial. For example, in my second video, I opened a dangerous glade because I knew there was fertile soil inside and I already had a farm (an herb garden, in that case). Opening the glade allowed me to start gathering herbs in Year 1. Usually, I prefer opening a dangerous glade if I’ve chosen the Amber embarkation bonus, because it allows me to call the trader if I need resources to resolve the dangerous event. This was the case in my Coastal Grove game, for example. I bought bricks from the trader to resolve the event. There’s no definite rule, though. It really depends on the context. If I already have a lot to do in my first glade (because I got a nice complex food building right away, for instance), I would delay opening the next glade until the start of Year 2.

[@witticisms]

Great narration. For the first withered tree dangerous event if you work it before opening the second dangerous glade then you don’t trigger any blightrot cysts

[@NarcoATS]

Yes I know! I didn't fully explain why I waited to deal with the withered tree event because I thought it would be long and tedious to explain everything. Initially, I was debating between 'cutting down' the withered tree or 'cleansing' it. I wasn’t sure if the +2 roots production was worth it in the Coral Forest, as there are no root nodes in that biome. Plus, I could have easily done the 'cleanse' option with crystallized dew instead of coats. So, I decided to wait until I could produce some purging fire for the 'cleanse' option. Then, when I discovered large stone and large reed nodes in the second dangerous glade, I realized that the +2 roots would actually be extremely beneficial, and I changed my mind. At 19:25 you can even see that it's crystallized dew instead of coats in the 'cleanse' option because I was ready to choose this one.

[@witticisms]

Makes sense. The other impressive thing besides the speed of the victory is how few glades had to be opened.

[@NarcoATS]

I just noticed that the background music is way too low in this video, sorry. I'll fix it in the next one.

[@owenrice1756]

Great video, I learned a lot! As a relatively new player, I am curious as to why you don't go for Hearth 2 upgrade earlier? The 10% production bonus seems like a huge perk that is worth prioritizing once you have enough population.

[@NarcoATS]

Hey thank you! The reason is simple: planks. I need 8 planks to make the garden for Hearth 2, so I only go for this when I have built everything that I really needed first with my planks. It's more important to build a mine or a production building that can produce important needs to boost my species' resolve than to increase the production speed by only 10%.

[@SytyDziza]

nice

[@quang-trandao4084]

you make it so easy what the hell

[@funkyshade]

You have a nice accent!

[@BenDeroy]

Do you use haulers regularly? Or ever? Is there a solid use-case besides having too many villagers?

[@NarcoATS]

I almost never use them, because usually all my villagers are busy doing something else.

[@etcher6841]

6 impatience at the start should be a buff not a negative effect

[@NarcoATS]

For advanced players, starting with 6 impatience is definitely a buff, not a negative effect. It can be tricky for beginners, though. Similarly, longer storms are also a buff for veterans, in my opinion.

[@etcher6841]

@NarcoATS longer storms, really? I don't see why, could you explain?

[@NarcoATS]

For advanced players, managing hostility during the storm is rarely a problem, so the storm itself doesn't pose any particular danger. Slightly longer storms allow for continued city development while delaying the arrival of a new year, which increases the hostility level. Also, the more I play the game, the better I get at maintaining high resolve during some storms, which helps me keep gaining reputation. From my experience, when all these factors are combined, longer storms give a better chance of finishing the game earlier, for example in Year 4 rather than Year 5.

[@etcher6841]

@NarcoATS ah, I understand, longer seasons in general then! You said you don't buy those, but I love the merchants perks that increase drizzle/clearance for that reason as well. Thank you!

[@etcher6841]

@NarcoATS au passage c'est impressionnant comme tu maîtrises le jeu, j'ai arrêté au prestige 15 il y à peu près un an et avec le DLC j'ai repris cette semaine, tes vidéos m'ont clairement aidé à remettre le pied à l'étrier. Leur format est vraiment super, particulièrement la façon dont tu motives chaque décision. Je suis impatient de suivre la série que tu as commencée ce mois ci!

[@joostopteynde4975]

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