[Blitz]

GE is not "troopless" - it's just not the only good ability. I made good use of 5-6 Myrmidons with 6 extra cardaces and the starting force (and [cough] Shedu - but use Nataj or whatever you prefer), in conquering level 5 independents, for example.

Well if independants were relevant, this might matter. It's pretty much expected that your army + pretender should be able to expand at 1 province per turn, regardless of theme. Certianly this can't compare to something like Utgard Jotunheim, where the starting 8 units can clear one province, and the pretender another... with no casualties at all. Comparing these two themes is almost comical. The giants get 2 free temperature picks, a better mage than the mystic (6 picks overall, common 3-astral and 3-death Versions). They have excellent blood and death summoning capability, as well as one of the best bang for your buck mages in the game (seithkona). Their army is superior in almost every way... it lacks fliers, but demons more than make up that edge. The only areas you can give the edge to arco are in healing and research... but the seithkona certianly isn't any slouch in the research area. While Jotunheim may not have the selection of pretender choices that arco does, they can use the GK and POD... which hardly leaves them lacking in this area.

Where standard arco can boast edges in more efficient infantry and trampling, giants versus chariots and myrmidons is laughable to say the least. GE has no edge in magic over the giants, certianly no advantage in summons, and forging is a wash at best. Somehow I don't see philosophers and engineers making the difference in a matchup like this.

[ June 23, 2004, 00:33: Message edited by: Blitz ]