[Huzurdaddi]

Ultimately, I hold a dim view of people screaming "nerf, nerf, nerf".

That's a pretty silly opinion. It seems you have played too many MMORPGs.

If in a strategy game something is overbalanced ( as evidencied by most people doing it ) then it should be nerfed.

That being said I think that the VQ is overbalanced. Actually it's lifedrain that is overbalanced. It really allows for wacky stuf when it is on the SC chassis. By wacky I mean early expansion.

I don't know how much I would nerf her though. She costs a lot right now. She has a moderate cost for new magic paths. But something should be done, really. Few pretenders are as good as her our of the gate. Certianly she slows down some as the game progresses, but at the start she is fearsome.

Oh and Clams are pretty messed up. Something should be done, really. Don't know what. Perhaps just take the damn things out. Astral pearls are just very powerful.

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About clams making up for the rest of the water path, compare it to this scenario plucked from Warcraft 3.
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Ahh sweet warcraft. The best RTS ever made. TA was the best engine ( and with extensive moding the best RTS ever ) but WC3 has the whole package right out of the box. And killer match making.

Of course, this just means that everyone will pick Undead to use Statues and Crypt Fiends and completely neglect all the other units, so they have a force that can beat every enemy without any element of crappiness.

I salute you sir. You comprehend how balance works within games that are played on the internet! Well done!

BTW, you got to love CF + Statues. Decent firepower, great durability. If they had slow they would rule ( cripple is no substitute ). The low micromanagement allows you to take full advantage of the powers of your heros.

Edit: And on another side note, Gargoyles are apparently the new cheese now.

I think the problem is the armor type. What counters unarmored ( every night elf player responds in unison )? Siege. What can siege not hit? Air. Hmmm.