[iRichard]

I didn't see you quoted the forging ability of black priest.

Try a game with a difficult research setting. take iron faith (of course). god design : 3drain, 1growth, 3prod, 1order, 1misfo, strong dominion. leave research until you find a libray.

You'll have stronger armies (as long as you fight in your dominion).

For quick games it's a valid startegy, of course in a long term it may be less viable to bet on Iron faith.