Re: Father Illearth/Lord of Banefire - why?
 

Both of them can be combat fiends though - much better than the uncorrupted King Versions in a pure combat role.

to make the FI shine you need two spells- Invulnerability, and Blood vengeance. He will have 30 Invulnerability, and every time someone attacks him they have to pass an MR check or they hurt themselves instead (with an MR of 11). Making him ethereal and lucky via items is a good choice too, and of course elemental protection and maybe Life contract + charcoal shield. To keep a blood slave supply, have him move with a bunch of hidden scouts who are carrying slaves (hidden scouts should go with all armies to soak up global attacks like Seeking arrow and such, too ).

The Banefire shield along with a scripted Fire shield gives the Banefire Lord two chances to hurt everyone that attacks, and IIRC there is no immunity to the Banefire shield (there is fire immunity of course). He will need more artifacts to go solo killing than the FI (regen being a big one, and he needs some armor), but he can get there and needs a lot less magic spell research to get to optimal.

Re: Father Illearth/Lord of Banefire - why?
 

Ya, you can always use blood boost items, as long as you have someone with blood. The Armor of Souls also increases MR as well as being good armor and boosting blood. Earth boots are also generally useful.

PvK