[SelfishGene]

EA Marverni and Ulm really aren't that bad - it's just that everyone else is better. Marverni has a strong middle game with the new Uber spell Gifts of Heaven (which seems to be the strongest mid-level spell in the game, as it's not too exhausting and kills virtually anything), and Ulm has many stealthy troops with good ranged and melee options. But when you're going up against so many of the powerful units in EA, they get whomped pretty quick unless you've just destroyed their scales and taken a generic SC pretender like every other weak nation. Bare-chested warriors seem an implausible unit, as their weakness to ranged fire makes them extremely expensive, low-morale chaff. I'd rather have a line of Ctis' 10/10 City Guards myself if i need a rearguard.

I like Tien Chi despite their weaknesses. Not having a death caster hurts in the long run though.