[aldin]

Okay, let me try this one more time (with a MUCH better understanding than the first. Thanks again for all the informative responses!). Pretenders are designed to fill at least one of the following functions (in no particular order):

1) Bargain. The best way this pretender can help their nation is by being personally weak so that the nation can be strong.

2) Search. This pretender will have at least three spheres with at least two picks each. Because of the time intensive nature of searching, this pretender is unlikely to be much of an asset in creating items, researching or winning provinces in the early game, though they may very well excel at any of these later on.

3) Research / Craft / Summon*. This pretender stays at home and minds the shop. They have whichever magic picks are most conducive to generating greater research and/or producing items and/or performing summons*.

4) Blessings. Has picks of four and/or nine spheres in every college of magic they have. A Bless Effect pretender will also fit one of the other roles.

5) Combat. Needs to have reasonably high hit points. Can be a simple fighter, a magic caster or a combination of the two. Can generally benefit greatly from some item support. Some care needs to be taken not to risk them unduly.

6?) Stealth? No one's mentioned it, but I suppose you could make a stealthy, high dominion pretender in an attempt to covertly spread dominion and spy out weaknesses. Seems risky, but a nation like Machaka (which starts scoutless) could benefit.

~Aldin

* summon = any global casting