[JimMorrison]

Seriously. I have a test game running now where I don't use Melqarts/Repahiites. Pop eating is fairly manageable as their researchers aren't quite so flesh hungry, but even just 1 son added to a handful of mages started slaughtering my capitol pop en masse, even with G3 on.

My first test with G3, I could get to 3 Melqarts in my cap with before they negated the growth. I found it interesting that it seems that basically you can't do a sacred strategy and expect to see the real late game. You will either win before you are summoning Lords, or you will get your *** kicked for being too aggressive. Look at it this way, even a province with 10k pop at G3 will stop growing with a single Melqart in it. A squad of 3 Melqarts and 6-8 Rephaiites must move constantly, or begin systematically ruining your nation.