The points you and Trumanator raise make sense.
I want to clarify a few things.
- The analogy to a 1000 HP critter didn't sit well with me. I kept thinking RoS and earthquake etc. I mean 3XRoS would not even scratch 1K hp critter but would waste the vamps.
- The counter warefare is endless. Army of lead would meet wrathful skies in end game (I did mention storm before, right?).
- Which brings me to trying and clarify my point. I specifically said the strat. you present is solid. I still think so, I just don't see it as being the corner stone of a game winning strategy b/c of the readily available counters to it. Now I know this last statement is generically true. And that is what I aimed (albeit poorly) to convey: you have to have more than one trick up your sleeve if you want to win. And IMHO better an offensive trick than a turtling one. I guess ultimately it falls down to personal preference. I like to attack and investing in a purely defensive unit is something I will usually try to avoid. This is less true for the lords since they have a broader range of uses.
Oh and all that doesn't change my opinion that ethereality should be returned to the vamps. I don't see them as bees in a hive, I guess they'll find the analogy insulting
Well at least if they are anything like the fear inspiring critters presented in literature and movies.