Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

Thats a cool discovery Jarkko. Got to do some tests now.

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

Jarkko that is a really cool use for Leos. It has been a while since I looked at LA Pythium... if they have access to air you could forge the Leos some amulets to protect against arrows.

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

LA Pythium doesn't have native access to air;

Both the comitanse have 50% fire resistance. The other fire thrower is a 1f ?(FE). Which works well with eagle eyes. Which is why I think the research path for Pythium is evocation, not conjuration.

As for the results 15 or so comitense can take almost any indy, anyway, so I'm not sure we're adding much via the leo.

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

The Theurgs have 1S and 1(AWS).

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

Ethereal flamethrowers even :).

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

Indeed, the Comitanense are tough, they have lots of staying power. They walz through weaker indies like nothing even alone (just a commander to lead them is needed). However, when I've tried to use them (even with the help of a prophet) against knights or barbarians, they've gotten trashed. The Leos added quite a punch to that staying power (and the Leos themselves have nice staying power to stand up front to deal the damage). Yet, as I mentioned, I wouldn't advice anybody to actively go for this strategy, but it certainly opened up to me that the Leos actually might have uses in certain situations, and I actually believe I might have a cunning plan for them in a few situations (need to test this out first :) ).

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

I think about trying Limitani Solaris. They are cheaper, produced everywhere and have fire resistance in case Leo misses.

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

Don't get me wrong.. I still like leos. body ethereal burning hands has a lot to recommend it.

that said, if you want to take out cav, 80 gold get you 10 netwielding retiaris.. a cheaper solution for cavalry cannot be imagined.

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

Ok, another challenge: Machakas Black sorcerer. Is there any cost effective way to make proper use of their second shape ability? Can they be made into frontline damage dealers, or something thugish?

If those could change shape at will, like the skratti, they'd be totally awesome thugs.(maybe a possible CBM change to boost poor little Machaka?)

But as it is now, I haven't succeded in making them good at anything exept regular battle magery. They're totally awesome at that of course, but that unused potential itches...

Re: Making something out of nothing (Can you turn this into a Thug?)
 

They're very nasty front line vomiting flame eruption as Wingeddog learned me upside my face. Give them some black hunter bodyguards, run forward one turn and cast flame eruption. Second form keeps them from dying from an unlucky hit so you can use them in close range, and 3-4 of them doing this will annihilate huge swaths of most troops. That's 26+ AP damage with a 15 AOE and they can cast it several times as fresh troops climb over the charred bodies of their front lines.