[thejeff]

Cold Aura still works under Warriors of Neifelheim or the smaller versions, doesn't it?
They give 50% cold resistance so the effect is lessened, but the Niefel Giants aura is so ridiculous it's still effective.

Of course, skinshifters don't exist in the early age and Niefel giants don't exist elsewhere, so the specific point is moot, except in Single Age games.

The main strength of the giant nations is SC/thug, not troops. It should be pretty easy to take skinshifters with giant thugs. They're not particularly high damage so high prot and a bit of regen will work well. You've got to hit them twice, which is a disadvantage. BoW will help. Does Fire Shield do damage on each attack (3x a round!) or each attack action?