[apoger]

>Also what is the case for Pythium being so strong? They don't even have powerful blessable units (unless you go Serpent)!

* Outstanding Infantry
* Gladiators (in multiplayer these guys are very potent defensively)
* Communicants!
* Quickness, Communion, Aim, *Orb Lightning*
* Soul Slay works when Orb Lightning fails
* Hydra are great even when not sacred.
* Arch Theurgs using Communion can lay down almost any battefield spell during the late game
* Arch Theurgs have great mobility from teleport and cloud trapeze [don't underestimate the power of surprise]
* Air and Astral magics simply have a wide scope of usefull spells


You have asked about both Arco and Pythium. I suspect that as a player that is new to the game, you have yet to grasp the awesome potency of Communion. Both Arco And Pythium have great infantry and the potential for outrageous battle magics from abusing Communion. It takes a while with the game before the whole communion thing becomes apparent.