[thejeff]

Well it's certainly a challenge. Wouldn't try it in MP.

But against the AI? Maybe.

Strong, awake SC pretender, not reliant on buffs or items, can start taking indies with ease. Might as well start without gem income too, just to add fun.

Site search as you go, it'll slow down expansion, but finding that first indy mage site is crucial. Or better yet, just hope for nearby tribal mages or lizards. Start building indy troops everywhere you conquer and a fort on decent indies as soon as possible. It's all about the pretender design, though. You really want as close as you can get to an awake rainbow SC.