[DrPraetorious]

Well, sure, that works to an extent. But the fact is - he can't have more than 20 fireballers and each fireball only hits one giant. Unless and until he gets to science fiction levels (Pillar of Fire? At this stage of the game?) he doesn't get that far against my giants - and at that stage, I spread them out a whole lot and freeze the entire battlefield myself, it's not like I'm sitting there in the fetal position waiting to be kicked around.

OTOH, Destruction is only alteration 4 - and even using an armor piercing spell like Immolation (also in alteration), you'd way rather be up against a prot of <10 than a prot of >20! Of course, that's just the thing *I* did to beat niefelheim in this situation, I wouldn't recommend for other people to do it. In fact, if other people do it, that would be morally wrong, you should come up with your own tactics.

What's funny is that I'd resolved to be a little less agressive this game - and I was attacked first on turn 8 (I have no idea what marverni was thinking) and then again on turn 20 or so (by Abyssia, which would've made sense if Marverni had killed my stuff instead of just inconvenienging the hell out of me). This has not turned out to be the peaceful, relaxing early game I had anticipated.