[Xietor]

I have just started playing ea abysia. cost effective or not, I do use the expensive mages. With 3 order, 3 production 1 growth, and converting fire gems to gold, you can do it. But I also use the warlocks who at 140 gold still give 4 research with drain 2.

But I would be fearful of going straight to constr 6. likely go evoc 2, conj 3, then constr 6.

At constr 4 you can thug out the anointed ones and they are pretty tough with the e9n4 bless.