[Nikolai]

I'm with Zeldor. MA is good in short game, or in duel, but long term it is too limitted. Bards are great for shutting down first victim, but once armies stop working, and they at some time do... and once enemy gets patrollers, real magic, etc... it's all over.

In small games, against no nature nations, and especially with predefined teams, where bards can be fifth collumn and crones rely on air booster trade, MA Man is great. That I'll give (Got my *** kicked a few times)

And, Agema: Yes, Gift of Health is nice if you can hold it. In serious game, there is little chance. Many nature nations, and some serious astral nations in MA.