[P3D]

That surprised me too. 5 of them with F9W9(N4) bless was pretty effective, and the Elementals could not trample them due to high defense. So I did not have to bother with Rings of Warning and devil bodyguards.

Was the early game Death income spent on skull mentors to get so high research?

I would not have wasted N gems to GoR the Tartarians Monstrums. They still fly, have 2 attack and a load of HP.

My Astral magic was only slightly better - S2 Moon Priests vs. S1 Enaries. That's still 4 empowerment to cast Wish. I was also clamming for half the price, that's why I could afford it.

By the last turn I finally got my Tartarian factory going.

F9W9 bless worked for the Pegasus Riders just as fine.