[Sir_Dr_D]

What is my favorite? I a not sure but here is my comment son each of the paths.

Air: I feel vunerable if i cannot cast mist, storm, or arrow fend. Late game needs that air teleport spell. It is one of the paths that I feel that I always need.

Fire: This is probably at the bottom. I can't think of anything in this path that I need other then flaming arrows and rune mashers.

Water: good for the items you can create with it. Super combatnts seem naked without quickness.

Earth: The greatest path I have found for giving you a boost at the beginng of the game. Strength of giants, and the construction armor spell (i forget its name) means a single mage could change the outcome of the battle. And these are level 3 spells.

Astral: Another must have path. This gives you protection against SC's, boosts much needed magic resitance, increases your spell penetration, plus luck and etherialism. In the late game this path is essential.

nAture: Haven't found much use for it yet other then regeneration rings. But I haven't used it enough yet, and determined to find a use for it, because it seems like a fun path.

Death: Is a fun path with a lot that you can do with it. But if your nation does not have it, it is not weakened in any way.

Blood: I haven't used it all and cannot give comments.

For importance of the paths I rate them in the following order: astral, air, water , nature,earth, fire , death

For the fun factor I like death, nature and earth.