[SurvivalistMerc]

Kier,

You really should try Pythium. It's amazing. I'm going to probably play it once or twice then move on to other nations because it just seems *too* good.

I can't find an overall national weakness. Powerful troops. Powerful priests. Powerful mages. All mages sacred. Additional communion bonuses you don't really need to make your nation powerful. Hydras as special forces...and an AI that will march troops right into the path of retreating hydras even if the troops can't catch the hydras...that seems a lot like an exploit to me. (And the solution may be to have the clouds not linger but only be around the unit during retreat...I don't know.)

Odd thing is that I don't have all that much difficulty against Pythium when it's an AI nation. I was impressed that the emerald guards could stand toe to toe with my black plate morningstar infantries...but given that they have a gp cost of 2.5 times what ulm's do...ulm has no real complaint.

I think I'm going back to Ulm Iron Faith after Pythium, then maybe Pangea. I'm waiting for a good Ry'leh guide, too. Iron faith is a nice challenge because the nation has deficits.

I absolutely love this game. It would be nice if you got random opponents but could exclude some if you wanted to. (I don't like the idea of Ermor in SP since the AI can't really deal with them.)