Counters to specific scenario
 

Its late game (ie: your opponent is done researching), and you know for a fact that your opponenet has a SC with s9.

Lets say for this hypothetical situation, if you had the time to prepare, what would you deploy to counter this threat?

Re: Counters to specific scenario
 

Ooh. Harsh. Petrify would still work, as would a horde of lifeless chaff supported by lifedrainers, or a high-att Mage Bane wielder. Speaking of which, if gems really aren't a problem at this stage of the game, you could scout out this SC's equipment and Wish for some choice articles right before the battle.

Consider supporting any of the above offhand suggestions with a relatively high-level astral/fire mage scripted to Phoenix Pyre, any reinvigoration spells he may have, and a barrage of Magic Duels. This really doesn't seem like that good a use for an S7 or S8 mage(assuming the enemy SC has base astral 9), but if you like overkill...

Re: Counters to specific scenario
 

Does the SC have those 9 Astral from the start? Is it a pretender?

Re: Counters to specific scenario
 

what nation are you playing? i could probably think up a decent mage squad if i know.

Re: Counters to specific scenario
 

Lets say you can field whatever paths you need up to lvl 5, and you have no easy way of getting over that (ie: 7-8s mage)

As far as if its the pretender or not, you don't know...all you have is a report that the enemy you are about to go to war with has S9.

Re: Counters to specific scenario
 

4 or so earth mages with spell focus+rune smasher (possibly boots of quickness) casting petrify with a shield of vine things/dispossesed. alternatively a d2 mage casting desintigrate backed by 3 small groups of banefire archers, disposable and good for anti SC jobs. as soon as you have info on equipment/stats ect let me know and i'll give better advice.

Re: Counters to specific scenario
 

Wouldn't Master Enslave get the petrifiers before they could get off the Petrify?

Re: Counters to specific scenario
 

Technically, yes... if you're the attacker (since the defenders go first). So put a bunch of whatever mage-squad you plan on using in the boundary provinces and make this überastral whatzit attack. Admittedly it can get expensive for upkeep (especially since with Teleport/Astral Travels he can move to anywhere on the map) so there is no boundary... eep. Had anyone even mentioned the teleport problem? (Wrecking your labs (except the ones in castles) will at least slow that down though... unappetizing as that sounds)
Just trying to help, but I seem instead to have pointed out the flaw in my own reasoning...

Re: Counters to specific scenario
 

A few Spring Hawks could buy you a turn or two of time.

Edit: Supplemented by a few swarms of dragonflies, if there's no storm.