[Cainehill]

Originally posted by tinkthank:

- what to do with their so-called "warriors". Fodder is nice, but what do I do early game? It seems all I have is fodder. Am I supposed to do lots of blindness/7-year-fever inducing hit-and-run attacks to weaken em up until I get juicier troops?

Personally, I go with the sacred Black Hunters; even without a strong bless, they're very solid cavalry. High morale, very high armor, solid damage. Add a good bless, and they're awesome.

Other troops? Massed archers - not great, but they don't do much damage to your own heavily armored troops.

And personally, with Machaka, I use a lot of summoned troops. Easy access to magicks for reanimating the dead, creating vine men (later ogres - both using the Vine Crown for extra effect), creating manikins, etc. Always nice to have front line troops that won't break, and that don't cost upkeep.

- My assassin seems very nice, I'd like to use him, but he's so expensive, capital only, and still dies easily to Indy normalo commanders without decent equipment (and he already starts with *bane blades*). What do I do wrong?

I don't use assassins much - but the bane spider is great for eliminating independent commanders. Takes down even mounted commanders about 50% of the time.

- PD. I know I like nations with stronger PD [...]
- How many Spies?

Nothing to say about Machaka's PD - it sucks. And since I don't use nearly enough spies, my answer wouldn't do you any good.

- Im not used to non-priestly mages (also play Tien S&A a lot); any tips?

With a little research, you have access to some nice spells, even if you have to give your mages some gems. Once you have Summon Earth Power and Summon Phoenix Power(?), even the Sorceress can cast good spells like fireball, magma bolts, etc.
Also, Blindness, Earth Grip, and Tangle Vines shouldn't be forgotten about.

Finally - a good bless strategy works wonders with those hunter lords and black hunters. Water 9 for example, to boost their defense and let them reach the enemy faster and get extra attacks. Earth 4, so they get their fatigue back more quickly. (Alternatively - E9 for more armor protection, bringing them to a whopping 26) The units may be expensive, but great. Don't forget to consider making a Hunter Lord your prophet. This allows a standalone group of Black Hunters to take provinces all by themselves; the prophet blesses them, and is even more of a brute from prophet bonuses. Just don't forget to give him a little extra oomph - bracers of defense, a lucky amulet, maybe a magic weapon. Improve the gear as the game goes forward.

HtH.