CBM Pretenders
 

There was a recent post in the CBM thread about the Lord of the Gates pretender being overpowered. I figured that if it hadn't been used much then it must not be that good. So I decided to give it a shot in SP and see how it worked out. To my surprise, it actually worked QUITE well as a variation on the usual early game SC.

My question to you is, have you really tried the other pretender chassis that CBM buffs, and have you ever been surprised by your success?

Also, any advice for using your unorthodox pretender design would be great, maybe we can expand the variability of new games.

I took my LotG with MA C'tis, Dom 9, E4 D5, O3 S2 H3 D1 L3 M1. The spawning shades allow him to expand w/out equipment from turn two, and he can easily take just about any indy province with less than 60 defenders by turn 4 as he gains more and more shades. Later on you can equip him and use him as an SC, and his shades provide great arrow decoys and lance absorbers.

Re: CBM Pretenders
 

i played him in several blitzes, never worked out for me that well...
maybe im just doing stuff wrong

Re: CBM Pretenders
 

I didn't try making Lord of War and Celestial General into SCs, but the amount of infantry they generate made it much easier to expand using archer-armies. You don't need to "waste" resources for the resource-intensive troops since you get those for free.

Baalz's posts about the Forge Lord in his guide for MA Agartha might also count. At least it surprised some people reading the guide. Blood Stones for 3 blood saves each, Rings of Wizardry for 12 pearls each... Innate 50% forge bonus!

Re: CBM Pretenders
 

Be aware that the lord of the gates will likely eventually (or quickly) get diseased (as would any pretender that is not disease immune) under MA C'tis dominion. But yes, I quite like the freespawn pretenders with CBM, a pretty cool twist on having an awake SC.

Re: CBM Pretenders
 

Well I would think that he would be diseased by now since he's been in my dominion since turn 1. Maybe he's immune?

Re: CBM Pretenders
 

Nope, you're just getting lucky.

Re: CBM Pretenders
 

I think it's based on magic resistance or some other value all pretenders are good in. It usually takes a long time before the disease kicks in.

Re: CBM Pretenders
 

I dunno, I had a Mother of Rivers get diseased on like turn 3 of an SP game when I forgot about the dominion effect. I wonder if there's any way to make them immune? What if you give them a ring of poison resist?

Re: CBM Pretenders
 

i think disease is just a percent chance based on dominion, and the LotG is not immune. So he has just been lucky :)
Celestial General is a fine SC chassis. Earth and Air, fairly good stats; free armor if needed.

Re: CBM Pretenders
 

I found the Celestial General to be great with Jomon for producing early arrow catchers.