[PvK]

Shortsword is 5 0 1 1 (not 5 0 0 1), Broadsword is 6 0 1 2, and Ulm hammer is 7 0 -1 1. Myrmidons are ST 11 for +1 damage compared to most troops. Compared to broadsword, it's just -1 length. Compared to Ulm hammer, it's -1 damage but +2 defense. As you say, their morale means they are not likely to fail to engage targets with longer weapons. Makes them as good, or with their elite skills and morale, better, on a one for one basis. In a group, this means an advatange, because combat in a battle line is 1:1. The resource cost limits their numbers (they aren't actually the highest cost though - Ulm has a 37), but they are better per man than Ulm HI anyway. The encumbrance does mean they will wear out after prolonged fighting, but Ulm has the same problem (worse for the plate/shield troops) and does extremely well as long as they have enough men. Here it provides a limitation that makes sense. They will do very well at first and then wear down after a while, but by that time in what must be a large battle, perhaps other forces have joined in (such as a flying force).

I would say bless GE, like practically all bless strategies, is an option. The Wind Riders and Wind Lord can be very effective even without a blessing.

GE's Mystic is _2S_3?_ ! Seems to me you are spoiled by Arco's great magic, if you call this "nonexistant blood/death". Still seems to me like you are likely looking at GE as an alternative to standard Arco, without appreciating the comparison to Ulm and nations with flying strike forces (who generally do not have strong HI at all). Coming from a perspective of someone who has played a bunch of Ulm and Mictlan and some Vanheim and Arco), I see good HI (maybe not quite as good as Ulm), very good magic (maybe not quite as good as standard Arco), and good fliers (maybe not quite as good as Vanheim or Devils or Caelum(?)), but all combined in one, plus other interesting goodies. That is, comparing to other nations and styles I have played a lot, I see at least five great strengths (Magic, Research, Fliers, HI, Healing) which may not be quite as good as in specialist nations (Normal Arco magic, Caelum/demon Fliers, Ulm HI), but are combined all in one nation, and most can be synergistic with each other, as well as providing variety (I know what to expect from the others - not so much from GE Arco). Looks excellent to me, though not as well suited to following just one style of play that may be better in one of the others.

PvK