[chrispedersen]

well, first machaka sucks.
That said, the usual advice is to fever fetish spam. I seem to remember the shape change ability made them immune to death - but ... I'd have to look at that again to be sure.

Now, in vanilla, your sacred spider commander is strong enough to take most indies... be careful in the order that you give him items. Give him a shield first, and he loses and attack. Give him the weapon first.

Since you and your troops are all poison resistant - I like the snake bladder sticks.. a lot. As long as you are not in CBM
Midget mashers work great against enemy SCs.

Since you will die (a lot) send someone with him to pick up the pieces.

Personally I play them much like LA man. Maximize income - build forts asap.. I usually start the second on turn 3 or 4.

Flame arrows should be an early target.

As an alternate to the fetish, I also like the lord of plenty (n3) since it makes an n9 bless cheap. Berserk (n9) will add a little protection - but more importantly it keeps your spiders on the field berserk when they would otherwise route. Also iirc the hunter spiders have no upkeep.

The lord of rebirth would be perfect - but unfortunately I don't think he's available to machaka.

Anyway you slice it - you're going to be a target, in an mp game. With your lords that have a patrol bonus; take a growth three and patrol with these sacred lords..

Anyway - I think you see why you need forts - everywhere. Three items I would get to know: bows of botuff, banevenom charms, and evening stars.