[thejeff]

But which immortals are tough enough to solo provinces without only level 0 magic? I don't think having the pretender research 2-3 levels of magic on his own before attacking is a good plan.
A tough SC, with enough magic to bootstrap a couple of paths, find some sites for income, and forge a few boosters for the common indy mages. 2D2E2S2N maybe. Not sure what chassis. Dom9 or 10 though.

And mercs, mercs'll save you.