[Blitz]

With only 4 astral, you can't use him against any nation with astral mages. You also only have order 1, which will severely limit the amount of troops you can have. Death 4 only gives you a single point boost over your best death mages, which isn't that great of a deal.

I'm aware of these points. I was pretty sure someone would make a similar comment, which is why I asked for solutions from people with that criticism. I'll ask you directly Graeme... what solutions for global enchantments and afflictions can you provide with a less-expensive avatar?

As for the death path, I do want Soul Vortex, so tier 3 is important. I took the extra point for a few reasons. Firstly, it meant I could cast Lichcraft and Call Wraith Lord without using two boost items. Secondly, It allows the casting of Well Of Misery and Legion of Wights with two boost items. I felt this was worth 24 points over Death 3. My alternatives were Water 3, an 80 point castle, or an upgrade to dominion 7. Do you still feel differently? Where would you spend those points?

The allfather would have done just as well, since hydras are not particularly strong troops. It only takes a dozen militia to kill a single hydra.

At the time, I wouldn't have had a poison resistance item as I had not found any nature mages... and none of my affordable Allfather chassis had any nature magic at all. I would not have sent a naked Allfather into that battle... a situation I felt confident in with the GK. Later in the game, when the Allfather had full equipment, obviously that battle would not have been as difficult. Sorry, I guess I should have been more specific about the situation.