Questions on Forsaken Altar

[AirToob]

Just got one of these things.
I understand how to build one and when I'm able to use it, but I don't understand the dialog with the priestess.

It appears that I have to either lose rewards that help me to progress in the Smouldering City, or kill off my villagers in large numbers, or both...

Any help gratefully appreciated!

[el Darkness]

That is correct. Cornerstones she offer you are (usually) more powerfull version of existing cornerstones but buying them means paying in food/artifacts (meta progression currency you use for your city), you can halve the cost by paying in blood (2 villagers will die, this will increase Impatience, which may be a good thing).

[AirToob]

Originally posted by el Darkness:

That is correct. Cornerstones she offer you are (usually) more powerfull version of existing cornerstones but buying them means paying in food/artifacts (meta progression currency you use for your city), you can halve the cost by paying in blood (2 villagers will die, this will increase Impatience, which may be a good thing).

Thanks!

Right now at P1 I seem to be doing OK without her help - generally speaking, at what level/difficulty does her help become necessary?

(May be impossible to answer, in which case no doubt experience will eventually tell!)

[mostly willing]

the altar is never necessary. most ppl ignore it bc it feels like cheating

[AirToob]

Originally posted by a mostly willing son:

the altar is never necessary. most ppl ignore it bc it feels like cheating

Thanks, I'm starting to feel the same way. In my current game I am nowhere near needing it... but time will tell, I guess.

[el Darkness]

By most people I would understand the pro players. If you do not need it, do not bother, Food is usefull elsewhere, so it is a smart move to avoid wasting it. If you need it, go for it, it may save your run. I often build it jsut to see what is offered to me, if I do not pick anything, I will demolish it. Do not ignore your options. :)

[Skallagrim]

You can't demolish it anymore since 1.3
I tend to build it on my seals game if it's P15 or above as I want to make sure to win those, but anything lower difficulty/significance I tend not to bother.

[Samseng Yik]

Forbidden Altar is still super important for few reason
You don't have to "buy stuff immediately", because you will only want buy what is really super complement to your current town (or super helpful)
Example,
- hostility reduction
- things that you are already doing, but become way better.

Of course, that is after you willing to spare the build material for it.
I wouldn't rate it "as strong as robbing", but it is really good to get even just 1 synergy perk from her

[el Darkness]

Originally posted by Skallagrim:

You can't demolish it anymore since 1.3

DAMN IT! :)