[SurvivalistMerc]

The only problem with toning down one-unit spell like paralyze would be that it may make astral overall weaker than earth magic. Earth 2 can be augmented one with boots to produce earth-3, which can cast blade wind at about the same evocation level that paralyze is thaumaturgy level.

And you know what blade wind does to armies. It decimates low-protection forces. And the degree of total decimation with a couple of blade winds is something I don't think Saber Cherry's modeled combats take into account.

I have tried paralyze myself with Pythium. And it does not seem to me that the second target after the pretender is always the mages. Sure...if you have a castle defended by just a few mages and the pretender the next target is the mages. Or if you have undead with a few living mages. But there is even a hint against doing it that way that comes up between turns.

As a defender, the greatest thing about paralyze is that your unit survives, generally unscathed, if you win the battle. And I've seen paralyze fail a few times on Ulmish infantry troops...so it isn't that much of a guarantee.

It doesn't seem all that unbalanced to me. But that's just one person's opinion.