[Salamander8]

EA R'Lyeh has been mentioned as a clam hoarder nation. But this is not available to stock mages without the right set-up. Aboleths and Mind Lords get no chance at nature magic (although Aboleths have a chance for W3 and Mind lords have W3 minimum). Slave Mages do have a shot at 1N but it's one chance of 4 possibilities from their random pick. If they do get 1N from their random pick, they will still need a +1 water item or empowerment to be able to make clams in the stock game. If the Slave Mages get to 3W by random pick, they have to not only be empowered to N1, they have to stay under water or get a booster if on land, to make the clams. The Aboleths and Mind Lords lack hands to use the hammers to reduce the forging cost is another consideration.

You pretender can (and I usually do so) be built to make clams, but at least 4 of the available chases to EA R'Lyeh don't have hands to take advantage of hammers either. Since you also want at least A1 on your pretender as EA R'Lyeh, this should be taken into consideration as well.

The more investment you have to pay to make the clams, the longer it takes them to pay dividends. I do find them quite handy, but tend to use them in moderation.