[Keir Maxwell]

Originally posted by LordArioch:
I've been wondering why some sacred units seem to be overlooked. Battle vestals seem almost equivalent to serpent dancers for cheaper,
...

And it seems with any minor bless heart companions are a better deal than standard hoplites

I think alot of the older players feel that the bless effects are not worth playing in most cases. In Dom1 economy dominated with growth3, prod3, order3, scales being commen. To get bless effects races you have to give up on the core of what made for a reliable Dom1 race and most seem unwilling to make that step. Playing a death scale for Abyssia was seen as a bit too radical for most in Dom1 despite the obvious synergy involved.

While I understand the value of positive dominion scales and put them to good use in Dom1 I like the bless effects because:

a) They are new
b) They create intersting combo's/synergy
c) Patching luck/misfortune, order/turmoil, may be fairly devestating for serious bless effect races so it may be now of never. Of course it may open new possibilities but Illwinter tend to make strong things weaker based on the changes from Dom1 to Dom2.

The reason I haven't looked at Battle Vestals or Heart Companions is quite simple - I don't play Arco or Pythium as they are overpowered (race balence?). While I joined Dom1 late I am a very experianced MP/PBEM player so I stick to lesser lights and leave the glamour boys for others. Having said that 1 strat move sacred troops which you can only build in your capital (ie Heart Companions) are only worth "bless effecting" so much as you can't base your game plan around them without suffering berserk snail syndrome.

You are right that there are still numerous sacred troops to try and make something out - go for it.

cheers

Keir