[Keir Maxwell]

Originally posted by Saber Cherry:
I found another major default TC problem. Their mages and priests are all strategic move 1!!!

Thats a big part of why I want them all to die and be reborn as Soulless.

I haven't found the problem devestating and though I use indie commmanders with Tien Ch'i I do so with most races - the basic indie commander is good (ie cheap) for his role and can be built at places other than your initial starting Castle.

I've ended up going for the HI to move around with mages at strat move 1, Spirits (with undead commmanders), archers plus mounted, at strat move 2, and Horse only Groups for move 3. This works alright and if you want better there is Spring and Autumn with their flying mages. Sure S&A don't look great now but if they were given access to some more chariots (please, please, please) they could be a whole different kettle of fish.

By my reading of ancient China Eunuchs should move 1 and as for the Masters I'm not yet convinced they shouldn't move 1 in general. Sure they had good roads but at least in the books I've read the older, wiser, more prominient Masters/Eunuch were renowned for enjoying their creature comforts and travelling with many attendants.

I have found Tien Ch'i MI to be too lightly armoured to be survive long and find the HI Spearmen with their Tower shield the rock around which the Comp bow operate. Some MI are very good in dom2 but its generally those with a protection rating not far off that of HI.

The General and Khans do seem rather expensive given their use value but I presume this is a product of the formula used and their not to useful combination of capabilities - general has bow can't shoot straight, Khan can shoot sorta straight but lacks bow. I'm comfortable with using indie commanders as foot generals to fill the gaps as locals contributing to the army and Generals or Khans for my elite HC formations.

If you get the impression I'm relying on HI and Comp alot and not getting to have nearly
as much fun with HC as I would like you are right. Gotta make do with what works.

cheers

Keir