Abruptly lost 1st Dvar campaign mission; why?

[Chester Nimitz]

Edit: OK, I think I figured this out. I played about 40 turns as the Dvar in the first campaign mission, and I seemed to be doing well enough -- I was leading in score and most other metrics. But I lost a big battle on the southern edge of my empire, and then abruptly it was game over. I must have lost the hero whose loss equals insta-defeat. I had kept that hero in reserve most of the game, but I must have sent him/her out with my raiding force. Oops.

I'm still confused what the victory conditions are for this scenario, though. The quest tracker mentions owning a number of sectors but doesn't say how many.

Anyway, I'd have deleted this post but can't figure out how. Mostly I've figured out my issue on my own. Sorry to bother!

 

[Ericridge]

I haven't played Dvar campaign yet but my best guess is that an Story specific hero that's important to storyline got killed in combat = gameover. Or.... you dragged on too long and a win condition for your enemies was met. I recommend restarting the first level of dvar campaign and checking your victory conditions at first or 2nd turn, it'll show you I think?

Instantly losing after a big battle that you mentioned makes me think an important hero of yours got killed, i remember losing several times cuz I accidently suicided my hero into enemies in aow3 campaign xD

 

[Chester Nimitz]

Yep, I think you're right, that's exactly what happened! In which case, my bad. It would be nice, though, if the log mentioned this instead of just telling me I suddenly lost all my colonies. But yes, my own fault. Thanks.

 

[The Founder]

Many camapaign mission have multiple victory condtions, often as many as 3.
Usually there are some among that them do not require you to fight enemy players.

I think for this mission the options are:
- befriend the borthers house
- kill the brother in a duel, defeating the house
- just do a sector count style domination victory

 

[Chester Nimitz]

Thanks! I kept avoiding the duel. Maybe I should try it next time. Wasn't sure if it was one-on-one combat or six-on-six. If one-on-one, I'd be outmatched!

 

[The Founder]

Thanks! I kept avoiding the duel. Maybe I should try it next time. Wasn't sure if it was one-on-one combat or six-on-six. If one-on-one, I'd be outmatched!

I have not yet done the champion route myself. Thus far I am going for something around a "Light side of the Force" run. Not killing off relevant groups. Going the forgiving route as teh Kirko. etc.

The text does mention sending a "champion" instead of the commander. Mechanically it is propably solved by spawning a army with a copy of the enemy leader inside. And if you defeat that army, you win the game (and influence the storyline down the road).

 

[Chester Nimitz]

Thanks. I may give it a go, see what happens.