[SelfishGene]

Perhaps the most unique themed Pretender is the Lord of the Gates. Patrol your capital into rubble by turn 20!

Sadly, there is little reason to do this when you combine the expense of an awake Pretender with the lack of synergy between Earth blessings and Vans.

I do disagree somewhat with the idea that Pretenders need different magics than you mages. It's VERY helpful to be able to throw up powerful Globals off your natural gem income without any booster items; and the better your Pretender, the harder it is to dispel.

Perhaps my favorite Pretender is the Shedu, which with a few items and Summon Earthpower will never fatigue out of trampling. You can wrack up hundreds of kills without a lifedrain item in sight.