3/4 Yes I worded it wrong.

Stellar Fires is nice don't get me wrong, but I don't know if you are seeing my point, let say it more clearly.

My main point with the Air is the Communion effect with Orb Lightning. The power of casting the spell (Yes a Level 1 Spell) in a communion increases the power of the spell (Suddenly casting 3, 4, 5 lightning bolts, with a higher precision) and reduced the fatigue (so they can cast more and don't kill slaves).

Because you customarily go for something with normal Marginon doesn't mean you might not go for something else with another theme. That can be just as effective Instead of Enchantment 4 it might be another path.

Maybe I don't see it because its after your initial expansion and you don't initially get the spell it's usefulness is limited to only a few turns before it can be totally negated (Storm/SoS). Part of the reason I don't put all my eggs in the xbow basket.

Also you seem to be saying that the early money might be suddenly overpowering vs mercs, but I've found in my MP games, that unless you are a few select nations, you arn't going to get mercs (Ermor, Ulm for example) even if you alchemize 4 gems instead of 1. (That is for the most part, the people I play with bid on mercs and know their usefulness, they don't forget like others may)

This isn't saying it doesn't happen, but when I think "I'm alchemizing" it's not for mercs as much as it is for cash I'm going to use.

Saying Drastically may be a bit much, getting quite a bit while only losing very little (Sacred units)