[PvK]

I like the idea of the Witch Doctor being able to heal disease only, and it would require using a command, but for thematic rather than balance reasons. Thematically, the Sorcerors should also be able to do so, because they are described as powerful witch doctors.

I'd also look at other units that might be given such an ability, rather than making it a monopoly of Machaka. Machaka already seems to me to be a very powerful nation. I certainly can win games with it, and I'm 0 for 3 against the AI playing as Arco, though that's no doubt because I haven't really explored the ways to exploit their magic.

Machaka Witch Doctors are good already for their stats and cost. Lowering their research was appropriate and also balancing. The Machackan Sorceresses are plenty good researchers, and also can be demi-SC's with the right magic tricks.

Besides having great hoplites, cheap cannon fodder, very strong and blessable, spider cavalry, and a good mix of mages, Machacka also starts out with Blindness as a national spell. That is already a very powerful special abilities with Witch Doctors get from the start. It's an SC- and strong-unit- countermeasure, quite economical and available from the start.

PvK