[PvK]

Originally posted by HotNifeThruButr:
I've always viewed gem expenditure in minor battles as a serious waste, especially for a spell like Bleed. You've also lost 2 turns waiting for enough slaves to get a fiend (even though the first turn is wasted anyways getting recon on neighbors). But thanks, I'll try that.

Some battle spells do seem like they would often be a waste of gems or slaves. Bleed seems like a good example, unless you're using it to kill some very good enemy units. Blood mages also seem to LOVE to massacre blood slaves for any spell. However, some of the blood spells can be very effective, so as long as you ration the slave use (particularly with the sneaking scout technique), and choose which battles to use them in, it can be useful. For a major mid- or late-game battle, consider using a mass of Mictlan priests as Sabbath Slaves (and/or Hell Power) to invoke almighty blood terror.

Summon Imp is a good low-level one.
Agony is also good for getting the enemy to rout - time it with your demon strike.
Blood Lust is cheap and good with a demon army against particularly tough targets.
Hellbind Heart is fun.
Heat From Hell is a spell which I think isn't in the printed manual but Mictlan has, and is potentially a battle-winner if used with heat-tolerant units against heat-intolerant ones. (E.g., a devil army combined with a blood priest.)

BTW, what scales do you usually get? What type of Pretender? I'm guessing a Wyrm or Nataraja (smurf) for an early game powerhouse to help you get over this roadblock.

I guess a fighter would be a reasonable approach. I went with the national mage pretender, myself. I would recommend Luck, because the heroes are good. I personally did quite well with heat +2, Luck +2-3, and moderate others, against the AI.

PvK