[13lackGu4rd]

I'm also trying out MA Marignon in a single player now, and it's just pathetic how badly the AI tries to counter my bless rush, W9N6 Knights of the Chalice. having fun with this bless I wouldn't otherwise use in MP(path diversification is too important for the very limited Marignon), that I practically didn't need any magic/research at all... however I wanted to also have fun so I summoned angels and recently the level9 Seraph as well... but yeah, I'm just keeping the AI alive to try some late game stuff, not because I really needed it to win...

however, MP is very very different from the wimpy AI! in MP you do need research and especially gem income. regular armies will only get you so far... summons(free from upkeep but cost gems instead of gold) and Thugs/SCs are what you need. for that you obviously need research, rituals, mages with the right paths, and of course gems. gold is important too as it lets you expand faster right off the bat(which is why most people swear by Order3 and dismiss Turmoil altogether) and later on gives you money to get additional forts and of course to continuously train mages. however that's the most you can do with gold, the really heavy lifting is done with gems...