[Lazy_Perfectionist]

It's a bad idea to reveal my plans in advance, but what the heck. Try this experiment.

Strength five independents.
Late Era Atlantis.
Imprisoned Titan.
Air 6, Earth 9.
Order 2, Productivity 3
Death 2, Cold 3
Magic 1, Misfortune 1
Dominion 8

Every turn for the first year recruit one Tungalik and 8 Arssartut. Send out every other Tungalik with bless orders and sixteen Arssartut. Put the Tungalik at the very back, the Arssartut a little ahead with Hold and Attack orders. Watch as they slaughter 40, 50 units. Avoid cavalry, but little else- perhaps barbarians. Take on the cavalry and barbarians with Seal Hunters and Snow Warriors added onto your starting force. You can sometimes send out just eight and win, but it results in low research and swarms flanking your Arssartut and killing the Tungalik who's trying to stupidly cast a touch spell because you haven't researched anything.

Now, take off the air bless, and see how long they last against the crossbowmen plentiful in LE independents. The +4 protection from the earth bless just doesn't cut it. The Earth protection bonus is more valuable, but at E9 it should be. The Air makes a big difference, though.