[Tuidjy]

> on SC's, isn't defense basically a non-factor? for every attack in a turn their
> defence is dropped by some amount. For any 'SCish' unit then, defense is
> basically unimportant. Right?

Mostly, no. First of all, SC duels happen all the time. Not because they are a
good idea, but because it is so much easier to just teleport a SC on top of
another (or send one to wait for an attack that you think is coming) In these
duels, defense matters.

Second, SCs often have other defenses - etherealness, luck, mistform, mirror
image, awe, etc... and some of them negate the defense drop when they intercept
an attack. The higher your defense, the longer mirror image and mistform last.
The more often awe, ethereal and luck trigger, the less often your defense drops.

Third, roll often enough, and the unwashed flagellant rolls a 50 to kill the poor
archdemon with protection 25. Well, high defense reduces the attacker's chances
to roll for damage.

That said, taking down a SC defense is quite simple. One way is to use a flier
to take the SC defense down 30-40 points (using for example two swords of
swiftness, a horned helmet, a jade armour, the chi boots, a stone bird, and a
trident.) Then, the real damage dealer comes, and is pretty much sure to hit.

So, yes, defense is easy to take down, but so is most everything else. And
when all is said and done, Bane Fire, Life for a Life, and the Gifts from Heaven
are hard to ignore. Everything has a counter.

*MUST FIGHT URGE TO MENTION MIST OF DECEPTION* Oh, damn, too late.