[Endoperez]

Vans are one of the best sacred units in the game. They cost 70 gold, but their sacredness halves that to 35, they are very stealthy and have built-in mirror image for combat. If you take any Water for your pretender, their defence becomes ridicculous, with Fire 9 they have awesome attack, defence and damage capability...

Also, if you take an expensive blessing (like Fire 9 Water 4 Earth 4), not only your Vanir and Valkyries but also your Vanherses, Vanjarls and Vanadrotts. Give them few magical items and researh Mirror Image and Mistform, and they can cause some serious damage. You could also try going the Resist Lightning & Shock Wave route if you are desperate, but be warned - combat AI will either fight or cast spells. When your Shock Wave-scripted Vanjarl has no enemies near him, he will probably cast something stupid and go unconscious too early.