[Saxon]

Ironhawk,

That is a good way of looking at it. Pangaea could end up with some rather powerful centaurs now that you mention it. Throw in Gift of Health for a few extra hp, their good starting stats and some decent magic items …

For Arco, I am going to try the gift of health, if I can get a decent nature mage. As I am trying to get lots of gems, a Thistle Mace and an empowerment should not be too hard. I will beef up commanders, but use them as part of larger units of heavy infantry. I don’t expect them to win battles by themselves, but to stiffen the units they will fight with. It is a big investment, so I don’t know if it would work in a highly competitive game where every gem counts, but in SP, I am hopeful. Some should get into the hall of fame, which provides some random boosts as well.

I am also thinking some Horror Helms with the leaders in my Blood Companions unit, as they already have lesser fear. Boost that with the Horror Helms and I should be able to rout enemy units quickly.

Shovah, thanks for the idea of taking out Mictalan early. Combined with the map placement, focusing on them will save me problems later. I hate the casualties usually associated with a siege relatively early in a game, but taking the player out of the picture early usually pays good rewards later. Hopefully I can get some mercenary cavalry to race through the gate: that has shortened many castle battles for me.